Pre-K & Kindergarten

Little Willows

We have carefully created a unique and specialized program that ensures our youngest campers have a perfect blend of care and adventure.  Our staff are keenly aware of campers’ needs and energy levels.  Their nurturing and hand holding along with loads of fun keep the biggest smiles on little faces!

Young girl with colorful pom-pom hair ties holding a basketball outdoors.
Woman wearing sunglasses holding a young boy with swimming goggles in a pool.
Smiling young girl running towards a man in a white staff T-shirt for a high five on an outdoor path.
Three young boys smiling inside a wooden tunnel structure at a playground.
Group of young children standing on an indoor soccer field, each balancing one foot on a soccer ball under a wooden pavilion labeled 'The Fieldhouse'.
Young girl enthusiastically encouraging a toddler standing on a sports field near a base.
Young girl with colorful hair clips wearing a tie-dye shirt holding an orange basketball outdoors.
Woman wearing sunglasses holding a young child in blue swimwear and goggles in a swimming pool.
Smiling young girl running towards a staff member outdoors for a high five.
Three young boys smiling and sitting inside a wooden tunnel structure surrounded by netting at an outdoor play area.
Group of young children standing in a row on artificial turf with one foot on a soccer ball under an outdoor shelter.
Young girl enthusiastically encouraging a small child standing on a baseball base outdoors.
Young boy kicking a soccer ball indoors while a smiling man watches near a small goal net.
Four young girls smiling at a table outdoors, one holding a clay sculpture.
Man kneeling and holding a yellow ball as a young boy in an orange shirt and colorful shorts prepares to swing a red bat on a baseball field.
Happy young girl clapping hands while sitting on a colorful playground slide.
Young girl with pigtails playing in sand with a yellow bucket and orange shovel outdoors.
Woman in a blue swimsuit with heart-shaped sunglasses on her head smiling at a young girl in floral swimwear and heart-shaped goggles, both holding a pink rubber toy in a swimming pool.
Young boy kicking a soccer ball indoors with a smiling man watching near a small goal.
Four young girls smiling and leaning on a table with a small clay sculpture shaped like an animal with ears.
Man kneeling on a baseball field holding a yellow ball while a young boy in an orange shirt prepares to bat with a red bat.
Happy young girl clapping her hands while playing on a colorful playground slide.
Young girl with pigtails playing in a sandy sandbox outdoors with a yellow bucket and orange toys.
Woman in blue swimsuit smiling and playing with a child wearing heart-shaped goggles and a floral swimsuit in a pool.
Sample Schedules

A Day in the Life of Pre-K & Kindergarten Campers

We have crafted a daily schedule that recognizes and celebrates the intellectual, social, emotional and physical skill levels of young children.

Arrival
9:00-9:30 AM
Arrival & Assembly

Campers arrive by bus and gather for a morning assembly featuring camp songs, cheers, and daily announcements to start the day.

Period 1 & 2
9:30-10:30 AM
Instructional Swim

Daily lessons are held in our heated Frog pool (2–3 feet deep). Red Cross-certified instructors provide small-group instruction tailored to each camper's skill level.

Period 3
10:30-11:00 AM
Soccer at the Fieldhouse

Basic skills are taught using age-appropriate equipment and smaller fields designed for younger campers.

Period 4
11:00 AM-11:30 AM
Fishing

Campers discover the excitement of catch-and-release fishing while learning key techniques from expert specialists at our private fishing dock on our own lake.

Period 5
11:30 AM-12:00 PM
Lunch

Lunch is served in our open-air pavilion. Counselors serve each camper individually and provide assistance as needed during the meal.

Period 6
12:00-12:30 PM
The Farm

An interactive visit to the camp farm where campers learn about and feed various animals, including llamas, alpacas, goats, and sheep.

Period 7
12:30-1:00 PM
Leather, Strings & Things

A creative arts period focused on fine motor skills. Campers work on age-appropriate projects such as beading, lanyard, and leather crafts.

Period 8 & 9
1:00-2:00 PM
Free Swim

Supervised recreational swim time in our heated pools. Campers enjoy open play with friends and pool toys under lifeguard supervision.

Period 10
2:00-2:30 PM
Yoga

A passive activity designed to balance the day’s energy. Specialists lead campers through gentle stretching, movement, and meditation.

Period 11
2:30-3:10 PM
Basketball

Campers practice basic shooting and coordination skills using adjustable-height hoops and smaller basketballs.

Snack
3:10-3:30 PM
Snack

The group gathers for an afternoon treat, such as an ice cream or ice pop, before beginning the dismissal process.

Dismissal
3:30-4:00 PM
Dismissal

Counselors assist campers with gathering their gear and transitioning to their assigned buses for the ride home.

Group of young girls in colorful Halloween costumes holding treat bags, posing outdoors with two adults wearing fairy wings.
Special Events

Extra Sprinkles of Magic Every Week

At Willow Lake, every day is a celebration, but our weekly Special Events take the spirit to the next level. From the splashy fun of Wacky Wild Water Day and the quacky antics of Duck Day to the spooky thrills of Halloween in July, we curate age-appropriate themes that spark imagination and build camp spirit. These moments are specially designed for Little Willows to fully participate and feel like the stars of the show.

Group of young boys walking in a line balancing on a gymnastics beam with an instructor guiding them.
Rainy Days

Rain or Shine, the Fun Stays On

Rain never stops the fun at Willow Lake. With over 40,000 square feet of indoor and covered space – including our three-story Willow Zone playground – Little Willows transition seamlessly to a pre-planned rainy day schedule. Whether they are exploring indoor athletics, getting creative in our arts studios, or taking part in a theater activity, your camper stays dry, active, and engaged regardless of the forecast.

Little Willows Campus & Facilities

A World Scaled Just for Them

Our Little Willows campus is a "camp within a camp," designed to offer the excitement of the outdoors without being overwhelming. We’ve scaled our world down to fit their needs, featuring mini-basketball courts, T-ball fields, and soccer pitches where they can build confidence through play.

Aquatics

Swimming & Splashing at The Frog Pool

Safety and comfort are our top priorities in the water. Little Willows enjoy their own heated Frog pool – kept at a shallow 2 to 3 feet deep – where our Red Cross-certified instructors and lifeguards provide in-water support to help every child progress at their own pace.

Smiling male lifeguard in pool giving a high-five to a young boy wearing goggles and a yellow swim shirt.
Five smiling young girls standing arm in arm in an indoor play area with colorful outfits and face paint.
Comfort & Bunk Life

Making the Transition to Camp Easy

Our youngest campers enjoy air-conditioned changing rooms with private stalls and extra bathrooms nearby. With a low counselor-to-camper ratio (3-4 counselors per bunk), your child receives the constant attention, hand-holding, and social-emotional support they need to thrive during their first years at camp.  Our youngest campers also enjoy air-conditioned changing rooms that include easily accessible restrooms.

Parent Communication

Your Window into Their Summer

We believe that camp is a partnership, and we work all year long to keep you connected to the magic. You’ll never have to wonder "what did you do today?" because we provide the answers for you. Between daily photo uploads and our famous "Ask Me About" stickers, you’ll have a front-row seat to their discoveries.

Each Friday, you’ll receive a weekly newsletter detailing the fun ahead, and our Unit Leaders will be in touch regularly to share personalized updates on your child’s progress. Whether it's a swim certificate coming home in a backpack or a same-day return on a phone call, we are committed to being the most responsive and transparent part of your summer.

Three young boys laughing and enjoying a colorful carnival ride on a sunny day.

Your Child’s Story Starts at Willow Lake Day Camp

Secure their spot in our Little Willows program and give them a summer filled with discovery, confidence, and pure joy.

Sunlit turquoise water surface with visible ripples and reflections.