Embedded in the daily schedule at Camp Coleman, campers take part in Nikayon—a designated time to clean their cabin. It’s a daily routine that builds responsibility, teamwork, and a little healthy competition.
Each camper is assigned a cleaning job, usually based on their shower number. And here’s how it works: the harder the job, the earlier the shower. Tasks rotate and include things like tidying cubbies, checking beds, sweeping floors, taking out trash, cleaning the porch (which usually needs a team), managing mail, and yes—scrubbing the bathroom floor and toilets. There’s even one lucky camper each day with the “free” spot.
Campers start by cleaning their own space—making their bed, organizing their belongings—before moving on to their assigned job. A camper assigned to “beds,” for example, isn’t making everyone’s bed, but is responsible for checking and helping friends if needed.
Each area is scored daily, with ten categories adding up to a total of 100 points. At the end of the session, the bunk with the highest average score earns a sweet reward: Blizzards from Dairy Queen.
Nikayon may just be one hour a day, but it’s a valuable part of camp life—teaching kids the importance of taking care of their space and each other.
