Encouragement, quality family time and beautiful fall weather was on tap at Hayaka Unta Fall Camp, conducted Oct. 14-16 at Camp Simpson in Johnston County, Okla. Fourteen Chickasaw families attended the two-night camp.
Hayaka Unta ("to stay in the wilderness") is a tribal camp which gives Chickasaw families a tent camping weekend packed with fun activities and events.
Fall was celebrated in a big way at camp with several seasonal activities such as pumpkin carving and a pumpkin seed spitting contest.
Campers, including the adults, enjoyed many activities including a ropes course, canoeing, fishing, archery, and riding a mechanical bull.
ChateaU Johnson experienced the thrill of climbing a rock wall and conquering a zip line for the first time.
ChateaU and many other campers were encouraged by family members and fellow campers during the ascent to the top of the towering rock wall.
When asked how it felt to ride the zip line, he answered, "It was fun after the first step."
Nine-year-old Abigail Nunn, Thackerville, Okla., also received much encouragement from the group when trying the zip line. She attended camp with her dad, Walon, and younger sister Madison.
With much trepidation, Abigail tried the zip line. After the nerve-wracking initial attempt, she sailed on the zip line four more times.
"It was fun and exciting, but at first I thought I was going to throw up," she said.
The Davis family, Blanchard, Okla., tried many activities at Hayaka Unta, but 11-year-old James said his favorite part of camp was simple: "Spending time with my dad."
Hayaka Unta is offered in the spring and fall at no charge to Chickasaw families. For more information, contact Chickasaw Nation Youth and Family Division, Youth Services Department at 580-310-6620, or visit www.chickasaw.net.
