Chippewa Wanderings

It struck me on the flight back from NYC how remarkable it is that the Chippewa family, begun more than 76 years ago with just five boys from Tulsa, now represents countless US cities and more than 15 countries.  Certainly it hit me like a brick wall when I landed in Beijing earlier this month (thanks to Calvin W. and his family!) that the world is truly shrinking.  Just this week, I mailed three brochure to St. Petersburg, Russia.  Our one camper from Moscow a few years ago may have been just a hint of what's to come.

For three decades now, Mexican families have been trekking north to Chippewa.  JP visited Mexico City not too many years ago.  Now, even the small island state of Martinique is home to a Chippewa camper.  Simply Amazing!  Most remarkable is how relevant the Chippewa experience is across cultures.  Bring boys to Cass Lake, remove technology and immerse them in an adventurous and rewarding wilderness experience, and what remains are boys who grow together.

To of our many international campers, staff and alumni, thanks for making the journey and for widening the reach of our unique camping philosophy. In honor, I attach a photo from 1981 of Ricky G., our first Mexican camper with his very first fish caught in Lake Windigo.  (Turns out, his first summer was my first summer.  And yes, we were cabinmates in Bunkhouse Cabin.  Howdy Ricky!)