Discovery Days Turns 30

This year, the camp hosted 266 campers from across the nation, including 126 who came from out of state.

“We’ve reached the point now where kids who came to Dordt Discovery Days back in those early years are all grown up and have kids of their own, and now there is a second generation coming to join us for a week of joy, learning, and silliness on campus,” says Dr. Dave Mulder (’98), an education professor who has taught at Dordt Discovery Days for 20 years. “That’s a pretty amazing testament to the impact this camp has on the lives of people who attend.”

“Discovery Days is special because campers get to live in the dorms, create new friendships during their free time and evening activities with college counselors, and explore God’s creation through hands-on learning in their classes,” says Alicia Bowar (’05), director of alumni and parent relations.

In addition to fostering spiritual growth through Praise and Worship and small group devotions, Dordt Discovery Days has all kinds of classes taught from a Christian perspective.

“From Lego Robotics to Beach Volleyball, we have something for everyone," says Becky Ringsby, signature and regional events coordinator. "We had several interesting new classes offered this year, including Ready, Set, Grow, where students learned about different plants and their care, as well as Agriculture and Food: How It’s Produced, where students visited local food production businesses to get the inside scoop on where much of our food comes from.”

Ringsby is impressed by how Discovery Days is a family tradition for many. “We had campers whose older siblings have come in the past, and they were just so excited to experience the things they’ve grown up hearing about from their brothers and sisters.”

During middle school, Bethany Ten Haken (’23) attended Discovery Days as a camper; as a college student, she worked as a Discovery Days camp counselor. Last year, she served as interim camp coordinator.

“As a Discovery Days camper I turned 13, and this year, I turned 23 while helping run camp. That was a full circle moment. I consider it such a huge blessing to be able to serve Dordt’s campus in this way,” says Ten Haken. “This is one of the ways that I can give back to the campus community that has been such an integral part of my growth and development.”

Mulder has taught many Dordt Discovery Days classes, including Ooey-Gooey Science (where students made slime, did dissections, and studied bacterial cultures) and Up, Up, and Away (where students created all kinds of flying contraptions).

What he’s most known for, though, is Silly Songs with Dave, which started as a playful way to pass the time at the start of Discovery Days. It’s since become one of the most memorable camp moments.

“I have college freshmen in my introductory education courses who tell me that they remember singing the silly songs,” laughs Mulder. “Some favorites are Three Short-Necked Buzzards, the Conehead Song, and the Buffalo Song. Even the titles of these songs are utterly ridiculous, which makes them so much fun!”

Recently, Mulder received an email from a friend. “He told me about a camping trip he had with his family in California. One night around the campfire, his adult son started leading silly songs he had learned back in the day as a middle schooler at Discovery Days. They had a blast laughing together.”

Mulder’s friend wanted him to know that “the silliness and joy goes on” long after camp is over—more than a decade later, at this point.

“I think that’s a pretty special testament to the things we’re doing at Dordt Discovery Days: kids who come to campus for a week make connections with people and an amazing place that stick with them long into the future.”