Tam-A-Rack

It would seem that the tam-a-rack is not reserved for Knutson Hall.  Well done, Hafts.

Cookie Cook Comeback

Like Brett Favre or Roger Clemens, Ada Shrock has decided that retirement can wait. I am happy to announce that Ada will be back in the kitchen with Mary next summer. Following camp this year, Ada had decided that after more than 10 years as Assistant Cook and Head Baker to say goodbye to Chippewa. Luckily for us, however, she spoke with Mary last week to share exciting news...she will be back in Knutson Hall in 2009.

Cookie aficionados rejoice! Yes, she makes a great salad, fantastic pies and awesome banana bread, but seriously....it's about her cookies!

Welcome back Ada!

2nd Session News

What a wonderful session! Heck, what a wonderful summer! From the moment the campers arrived on the bus this session, the adventures have been memorable.

The weather this session has been outstanding. With warm days and cool nights, the boys found dip time a welcome part of the day and lights out at bed time a chance to regenerate for the next day's adventures. Camp was healthy and happy. I am certain that tonight's final campfire will reveal highlights of a remarkable summer.

Trips to Hook Island, Sanford Lake, Apostle Islands, the Quetico, Mississippi River and all around Minnesota returned with happy memories and pride of accomplishment. The wilderness challenges of the trail helped build the character of each trip and revealed the excitement of camping in the northwoods. Whether sailing for five days on Lake Superior or shooting whitewater in northern Ontario or even paddling six miles across Cass Lake to camp on Star Island, the adventures came alive.

Special activities around camp were a blast. Even Batman and Forest Gump made visits to camp this session with the creation of Batman and Forest Gump days to complement the traditional Pirate Day. Perhaps a highlight for the summer was during Waterfront Day when a dunk tank was created on Buck Lake to sink your favorite counselor, or even the director. It was fun and creative, if not a bit wet!

It was just a couple of days ago that we hosted neighboring Camp Kamaji for Girls, Camp Thunderbird for Boys and Camp Thunderbird for Girls in a regatta at Chippewa. We had a ball! Chippewa sailors found their way around the marks in light winds, crossing the line in first and second place. On both the archery and riflery range, the results were the same with the Chippewa campers demonstrating great sportsmanship while competing. The new Bearpaw tennis courts hosted the tennis players under a cloudless sky, with the all of the camps sharing success on the courts. While the friendly competition was a joy, the fun of the day was in hosting neighboring camps to our summer home.

I look back at the last eight weeks with a smile on my face. Many of the same traditions were strengthened, complemented by new ones. Unique trip pins for local canoe trips, a new Chippewa sailing manual, the new Knutson Hall and Bear Paw tennis court and fencing strip, and Black Tie Dinner were exciting additions to an already full and varied program.

In just a few hours, the final banquet will signal the conclusion of camp's 73rd year. As we creep closer to our 75th anniversary, I couldn't be more pleased with the summer of 2008. Thanks again for sharing in the adventures! See you next summer.

First Session News

It has been a wonderful first three weeks of camp! I can't recall a summer with better weather to start the summer...blue skies, warm temperatures in the day, cool temperatures in the evening and plenty of blue skies! Perhaps no day better typified the fun of the summer than this previous Sunday. While five cabins were out on canoe trips, those still in camp found a sail trip to Star Island or a Sand Castle building contest on Cass Lake shore. Two boats sailed abreast across the lake for a day long cruise and swim break at Star Island. Meanwhile, four countries competed to host the 2016 Olympics by building sand castle venues on the sunny, sandy shore of camp. It was a fun day!

Throughout the past two weeks, the boys found success in the activity front. From tennis to archery, riflery to fencing, ranks have been passed and progress has been made. Traditions like Skit Night and Capture the Flag have been joined by new events like Chippewa's first Black Tie dinner. It may not have been the Ritz Carlton, but the new Knutson Hall was a fitting host, each of us looking quite dapper in our black bow ties.

Without a doubt, the new Knutson Hall and the recently completed Bear Paw tennis courts and fencing strip have been highlights. Both have added an exciting new dimension to the camp program. In addition, John Lindman, a master birch bark canoe builder, will complete an authentic birch bark canoe to be hung in the new Knutson Hall. Several of the boys have helped in the construction, no doubt a life-long memory that will still hang in camp many years from now.

I'm looking forward to an exciting conclusion to the first session. Trips will return from the far reaches of Canada and from a first-ever houseboat trip on Rainy Lake, a regatta with neighboring Camp Kamaji for Girls will put to center stage the boys' skills in archery, sailing and tennis and a final campfire will find highlights from the passing summer days. The time has passed to quickly, but the memories from a delightful summer will remain.

More photos and videos to come, so stay posted!

The New Knutson Hall

Nathan A. and Alex H. tour the new Knutson Hall.

(Don't forget to subscribe to the Chippewa podcasts. Go here and all of the 2008 summer podcasts will be automatically downloaded to iTunes or your podcast software.)

WOW! (Part 2)

WOW! (Part 1)

The new Knutson Hall is even more incredible in person! With only two weeks before camp starts, just a few minor details remain to finish it off.

A Thing of Beauty

Knutson Hall is nearly complete. Wow, what a wonderful new addition to camp! A few finishing touches remain, including the deck out front, but we are almost done. I can't wait to get to camp!

The fireplace is ready for its first fire.
A view of the new stage for Skit Night.
The view to Cass Lake is wonderful.

Down the Home Stretch

A quick visit to camp finds plenty of snow on the ground...in May! But Knutson Hall is even closer to completion. Check it out!

A view from the archery range

The beautiful large timber trusses at the ceiling

The fireplace is impressive

Mary's kitchen looking sharp

The Timbers Go Up

Knutson Hall continues to take shape as the giant timber beams for the main dining room are installed. Meanwhile, Mary's kitchen just lacks tile for the floor before the equipment moves in.

A Glimpse of Knutson

It strikes me that I have yet to share the 3D architectural renderings of the new Knutson Hall on this blog. So, take a sneak peek into what the summer holds...

Knutson Hall Progresses

Knutson Hall continues to take shape in time for the summer. As we await the new timber trusses for the dining hall portion, work continues around the building.

Native red pines frame the entrance

From inside the dining hall looking towards camp

A view inside Mary's kitchen

Progress As Promised

Knutson Hall is quickly returning to its original new form. Dawson Byler and crew have been working in temperatures well below zero to bring Knutson Hall back up and ready for the summer. As you can see, it's going well and it's moving along quickly. Simply exciting!

PS- Ignore those dates! Lonnie's camera isn't set up quite right.

Knutson Hall Redux

I am sad to report that on Saturday morning, January 5th, the new Knutson Hall burned down as it approached completion. The fire was likely the result of a faulty fuel oil heater that was being used by our contractor, Dawson Byler. It was a purely accidental and unpredictable event. The loss of the building will be completely covered by the insurance company.

So what's next? Rebuild! Construction will begin almost immediately and the building will be rebuilt in time for camp this summer. The construction of the new building should proceed quickly since many of the major design decisions have already been made. In addition, our contractor will be bringing in more workers to move the project along quickly.

We are very excited about the summer ahead and look forward to Mary's first spaghetti dinner on June 19th in front of the new fireplace in the new Knutson Hall. It is an exciting time and I'll be sure to post pictures of the dining hall as it rises once again!

Knutson Hall Moves Forward

From unbelievably cold Knutson, you can see that Dawson and his crew have been busy! A quick trip north found temperatures close to 20 below and 14 inches of snow on the ground, but work progressing on both the exterior and interior of Knutson.

A view from the lake side.
The front of Knutson looks great!
The grand fireplace nears completion, with original mantel in place.

It's a Dining Hall....Almost!

With the roof now on and most of the windows installed, the new Knutson is beginning to look like a dining hall!

Roof Trusses Arrive

Just as the first snows began to fly at camp, the large timber roof trusses arrived for installation in the main dining room. Wow!

More Photos of Knutson

Mike Endres and I just took a short weekend trip to check on the progress of Knutson. It's truly exciting to watch the developments.

Standing at the entrance, looking towards new fireplace.
A view of the new serving line behind the fireplace.
Standing near Hudson Bay looking at the back of the kitchen.

Standing near Archery Bunker looking at new kitchen.

Logs Frame Knutson Hall Entry

These giant logs were harvested from camp land. Large red pines that died within the last year now frame the entry to the new Knutson.

Dawson and crew work to place the red pine logs in front of Knutson.

A view from the back of Knutson Hall, with roof nearing completion over the kitchen.

Knutson Takes Shape

With the walls now standing, the new Knutson Hall is truly taking shape. I have come up to camp with Grant Campbell and Jonah Mueller and we found some exciting views of the new building.

A view from the lakeside.
A view with the Oasis in the foreground. Inside the main dining hall.