Holiday Shopping Guide - Lower Camp

We're back with more ideas for the holidays.  This time, it's down to Lower Camp we go.  Many of these campers are in their first or second summer at Chippewa, so here are some fun things to get ready for summer 2012!

Nite Ize Bug Light - Not a whole lot to say here, except that this is a fun little light to have hanging around your area in the cabin.  Since we don't have bugs in our cabins, this seems like a reasonable replacement.  About $13 for cool factor.

Why Not Games - Knots aren't just for sailors or fishermen, they're for aspiring canoe trippers as well.  This is a great kit to get a head start on knots.  Great illustrated cards to help keep everyone busy for a while as they hone their skills.  Just $5!

Plastic Fencing Training Set - Hey campers, you can thank me later for this! Yes, I may be the fencing master at camp and yes, I may be sympathetic to all things fencing, but these are pretty slick.  What swashbuckling camper wouldn't want this!  While it is very cool looking, it is also very practical if you have an aspiring fencer.  In reading the reviews, you will see that this set helps develop proper skills in the sport of fencing, unlike a random nerf set of foam swords!  I'm a fan.  And if you are real enthusiastic, opt for the wireless scoring option that will make it even cooler and more accurate for true fencers.  Mask and foil set (two color choices) starts at $68 and is on sale!

Don't forget to read last year's suggestions for more great ideas, like the Eyeclops!

Holiday Shopping Guide - Upper Camp

Let's move right up the line to Upper Camp.  These guys will be spending less and less time in camp as their trips get longer in Canada.  So, I'll again be focusing on what the guys might like if they're on Canadians.

Cabela's Digital Fish Scale - I like this small scale.  There are some giants lurking in the depths of the Canadian lakes and rivers and if you want proper bragging rights, then this little gadget should do the trick.  Nice price at just $13.

GoPro HD Hero2 - I can almost hear the phone ringing after I post this suggestion.  By far the most expensive item I have ever recommended and no doubt I may be pandering a bit to the campers on this one.  But the reality is that this is an awesome video camera that has a million uses in and out of camp, especially for the active ones in the family.  There were two of these cameras in camp during 2011 and the videos were great.  We have some wonderful footage of shooting rapids and portaging that could only be captured with a device like this.  And yes, a camper brought one of them to camp.  It's lightweight and easy to operate. Though ti costs more than most things I'd recommend, it's less than other great video cameras, so it makes the final cut.  This one is listed at $299, but shop around for the best price.

Fred Senior Cardboard Moosehead - Hanging above the door of Knutson Hall is a moose rack brought back to camp in the 1970s from the Bloodvein River. The name of that moose rack is the tam-a-rack. As you know, tams are a big deal at Chippewa.  They are earned only on Canadian trips and it is with great pride that, upon entering Knutson Hall, a Chippewa camper or counselor reaches up and hangs his tam on the moose rack.  The tam-a-rack is reserved only for tams.  I realize that some moms may not want a dead carcass on their walls at home, so this is a great substitute.  Grab the cardboard moose rack, hang it on the wall and each tam can hang happily in his room.  It's about $50 and they get to put it together!


Don't forget, you can also find last year's ideas for Upper Camp by clicking the "shopping guide" label below.

Chippewa Gets A Mention On Intentional Parent

Great thoughts from the panel about being creative with your children.  Look for the Chippewa mention at around 35:20.  Also a few gift ideas in here!

Thanks for the shout, Tina!

Holiday Shopping Guide - Middle Camp

Ah, Middle Camp!  Seemingly always in the middle of the heap when it comes to lining up for camp store (e.g. "Lower Camp, you're first and head right up the line" or "Let's start with Upper Camp and come down").  Well, let's break the routine and begin this year's shopping guide with the guys from Chalet.

Last year's guide had some great ideas for this age group, especially since they are really beginning to build their skills in so many activities.  I thought we could take a slightly different tack with this year's ideas.  So, for all of you Mom's and Dad's, here it goes, Chippewa's guide to what dudes want for the holidays:


"Don't Die Out There" Playing Cards - As campers enter Middle Camp, their canoe trips get longer and generally they spend more time out of camp at Hook Island or on the Apostle Sail Trip.  A favorite past time is playing cards in your tent in the evening, so why not add a little survival silliness to the whole thing.  Very fun!

JOBY GorillaTorch Switchback Lamp -  I like JOBY products, like the Gorillapod that I recommended last year.  This is a slick light set that is a combination lamp and head light.  Great in camp and on the trail since it packs small.  I have the WestMarine listing for about $39, but it's also on Amazon for all of you Prime-timers out there.

Portable Ping Pong Set - As any Chippewa camper knows, we play table tennis, not ping pong, at Chippewa.  With that said, I can't imagine why this isn't the greatest thing ever.  Ever hear the words "I'm bored!"  Not an issue with this set...instant ping pong, er table tennis, anytime, anywhere.  Not as high quality as the Chippewa tables, but not bad in a pinch.  (It's worth adding that I've assumed that your nice china or Waterford crystal is well stashed and has been for many years.)

That's it for Middle Camp.  Next up?  Just like unwrapping gifts, it's a surprise!

Holiday Shopping Guide, Lower Camp

Is this the final installment? Time will tell. Regardless, let's talk about Lower Camp, generally guys that are in 5th grade or 6th grades and younger. Many of these guys are new to camp and will be knee deep in all of the exciting new activities. So, let's focus on the random camp fun stuff!

1. French Spinner Blade Lure Kit : If you have a fisherman in the family, this would be very cool. A chance to build your own spinner lures! Spinners work well in our neck of the woods, and will serve well in Canada as well. For $32, it's sweet. Why not throw in some Gulp Fish Bait while you're at it. Fake worms or maggots make for interesting family moments.

2. Table Tennis Balls : Yes, the constant rhythm of table tennis balls pounding the tables is a true sign that you are standing in Lower Camp of Chippewa. Can you have too many? Probably, but this is a nice package at just $7.

3. EyeClops Nightvision 2.0 : So I admit I have no idea why you might need this, but it sure looks awesome. I suppose if nature calls late at night, you could make sure there weren't any bears lurking out there. Other than that, I know I'd love one if I were 10 again. (Hey Natalie, I might even want one now that I'm 40.) A little pricey at $50, but way fun.

Finally, the haystack is the masterpiece of meals for lower camp, so why not learn how to assemble the proper ingredients by buying Mary and Ada's Chippewa Cookbook. It will be a hit at the next birthday party....I think. See the previous post for purchasing options.

Holiday Shopping Guide, Middle Camp

As promised, more ideas for your Chippewa campers this holiday season. Our last post was for our older campers, now we move on down the line to the guys in middle camp. Generally, I am thinking about guys from about 6th to 8th grades.

Many of these guys are working on their in-camp activity skills and beginning to really improve while also demonstrating even better care for the equipment. Thus, I thought I'd find some cool stuff for the in-camp program that could help them progress through camp ranks. So here it goes:

1. Deerskin Shooting Glove - A great idea for the aspiring archers out there. This three-finger shooting "glove" helps with a smooth and comfortable release. And it only runs about $20.

2. 3/4 Finger Sailing Glove - Am I obsessed with gloves? Not really, but your sailor would really enjoy these Ronstan gloves. Working the damp lines on an X-boat can take a toll on a dedicated sailor, so these guys are pretty handy (pardon the pun.) Plus they look cool! About $30, but I see them on sale a bit too.

3. Gerber Crucial Multi-Tool - Yes, I'm suggesting something that has a knife on it, but this is handy and fairly safe tool. I prefer Gerber since it fits nicely in the hand. This one isn't loaded with a ridiuclous number of sharp things, either. Instead, needle-nose pliers are great for fishermen, the built-in carabiner clip is sweet and the knife is blunt (read : safer) and great for general camping, plus it's partially serrated for cutting line. Bonus : the green color is uber-cool. It runs $40.

Next stop Lower Camp...

PS- Did I mention Mary's cookbook yet?

Holiday Shopping Guide, Upper Camp

This time of year, parents often contact me for suggestions for gift ideas. So I thought I'd spend a couple of posts sharing some thoughts on great gift ideas for Chippewa campers. Needless to say, I like camping gear and sports equipment, so I'm going to limit my suggestions to three items per post. Plus, I'll try not to dwell on the obvious sleeping bag, tents, headlamps or similar items (though I'm happy to pass along suggestions for those as well.) Instead, I'll suggest some rather obscure, but cool items that are functional and long-lived.

In this post, I'm going to focus on the guys in upper camp (in high school). Since these guys spend a lot of time on the trail, it seems to me that the best gift ideas are in the camping gear realm. So here it goes:

1. Exped Drypack Pro 15 - This is a slick day pack that is waterproof and lightweight. It fits nicely in the canoe and has plenty of room for rain gear and other daytime stuff. If your camper is headed on a canoe trip of 16 days or more, I like this and it costs about $45.

2. Joby Gorillapod - More and more guys are bringing cameras on their canoe trips. This handy little guy will help them take great shots and doesn't really take up much room. It's normally about $25, but I often see it on sale.

3. Expedition Canoeing by Cliff Jacobson - This book is written by one of the great northern canoe explorers and guides. While all of his camping concepts aren't necessarily what we adopt at Chippewa, this book is a great resource for the canoe trip dreamer.

Finally, don't forget to order your copy of Mary's cookbook (see previous post). More soon for the guys in middle camp.