Headed to Camp

Sounds like the ice is finally off of Cass Lake, so it's time for this camp director to head north to camp. I can't wait to drive down Cap Endres Road. What an exciting time of year!

The Chippewa Family Worldwide

We added a very cool map of the world to the camp website today. When you click on a region of the globe, the map zooms in and shows cities where campers, staff and alumni live. It's amazing how widespread the Chippewa family is...and it keeps growing. Check out "Our Chippewa World!" It's even better than a game of Risk on a rainy day...well maybe not, but it's still cool.

If you don't see your city on the map, email me and I'll be sure to add it.

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.

Something fishy at Chippewa

Grape nuts and tortillas are not what the Voyagers were eating! Fish people- FISH! That's what they ate. And perhaps blueberries. This summer I want to see you men of the north out there doing as those before us did- catching your meals. The waters we paddle in Ontario and Manitoba are without question some of the best fishing waters in the world. Walleye and northern Pike are so thick up there you can't possibly help but catch thousands (ask Jerry Malloy). There are sturgeon and perch and trout and even tasty delicious little greyling. It's a cornucopia of aquatic treasures and yet we eat canned tuna for lunch. No longer. It is time to start taking advantage of natures bounty. Fish a la Blueberry (that's Fish with Blueberries for those of who you don't speak French) for every meal- just like the voyagers.

Luggage 1, Luggage 2

As the summer approaches, you may have heard that Northwest Airlines will charge extra for a second piece of luggage. Currently the fee will be $25. This is certainly a potential pain for all of you parents out there. Please know that we are working with Northwest Airlines and Travel One (our travel agent) to come up with a process that is reasonable for both you and for camp. A meeting is scheduled today to discuss the fee. I will be sure to share information as it comes along. In speaking with Travel One, they will be sending out recommendations to the parents who book through them. I will also share those recommendations on this blog.

Stay tuned....

New Sailing Manual Coming

Sailors, you'll have a great new tool as you sail through the ranks this summer...no pun intended. Working with Phil, CJ and a couple of other dedicated sailors, I've been spending the last week creating a new Chippewa sailing manual for 2008. With the addition of the new sailboat last summer and the number of guys headed to the Apostle Islands each year to sail, it seems that the time is right to create a new manual.

Yet another exciting addition to the Chippewa program this summer...I can't wait!

The Chippewa fleet in port on Cass

To Build a Canoe

Simon's activity schedule will have a new activity this summer: Canoe building! One of our alumni, Dick Sattler, has arranged for an Ojibwa-style replica birch bark canoe to be constructed at camp. John Lindman of the Bark Canoe Store will be spending a couple of weeks with us, enlisting the help of campers and staff to help him build the 13-foot long canoe. It will be an exciting new project and a wonderful new addition to the Chippewa canoe fleet. John has a few other surprises for us as well. We look forward to welcoming him to Chippewa.

Passport Hints for 2008

I have been receiving calls and emails asking for the best advice in making sure that passports are not lost in transit to camp and while at camp. There have been some great questions, so let me share a few thoughts:

First, rest assured that keeping the passports safe while under our care is a high priority. We will be collecting all of the passports that come to camp either at the airport or immediately after arrival at camp. Please let your son know that we will be asking to keep his passport for him while at camp. Once collected, the passports will be safely stored in the camp safe. The only time they will be removed from the safe is when your son heads to Canada. At that time, the passport will be under the care of your son's counselor.

I would prefer that you send the passport with your son, as opposed to sending it by mail. While the mail is very reliable, it always seems that only the most important items become lost. If you would rather that your son not carry his passport, please use FedEx or other carrier to send it as a priority and traceable package.

The last helpful hint is to make certain that you keep copies of all the printed pages, as well as the outside cover, of the passport. If a replacement passport is required, having these copies will greatly speed the replacement process.

Please be assured that we will be taking great care to keep the passports safe until they return home. As border regulations have changed, we have had to adjust our policies to ensure quick a easy passage across the border.

As always, don't hesitate to contact me with any questions. I also encourage you to click the "passports" label below for more information.

(Not all campers are required to have passports. Please see the Parent Handbook for more information.)

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

Kopka River's Legacy

Check out the latest camp movie! It's a two-minute peek into the whitewater, portages and fishing on the Kopka River last summer. It's awesome!

Check out the Kopka!

Chippewa Dueling Society Formed

The fencers have some more exciting news for 2008. Not only will they be fencing on a new electronic strip on the new Bear Paw courts, but the Chippewa Dueling Society will convene its first meeting. On the agenda? Raising of the new Chippewa Dueling Society banner in Knutson Hall.

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.

Podcasts Have Arrived

Want a few Chippewa movies for your iPod? Or even a recording of one of JP's stories? Check out our podcasts on the Chippewa podcast page.

Want a sample? Download the 2007 Highlights Mini Movie.

Also, be sure to subscribe to our podcasts by adding this link : http://feeds.feedburner.com/CampChippewa2go to your iPod subscribe window.

Plenty of more videos and audio to come!

Go Jayhawks!

Alright, so I admit that this has very little to do with camp, but the reality is that this camp director is a KU Jayhawk fan. In fact, Kansas basketball ranks directly behind Natalie, Camp Chippewa and Moby in order of importance. So for all of you Jayhawk fans out there...Rock Chalk Jayhawk, Go KU!

Shark Rapids

On a 1987 trip down the Bloodvein River, a set of rapids gained a reputation that earned it the name Shark Rapids. Here's a satellite view of the now legendary rapids. With any luck, someday you'll find yourself paddling down the 'Vein into the jaws of Shark.


View Larger Map

The Chippewa Council

The Council convenes for the first time this summer. Watch your mailbox for more information...

Canada and Passports

The summer is coming quickly, which means that our campers will soon be exploring the waterways of Canada. As a reminder, the regulations for entering and departing the United States from Canada have changed. Because of these changes, Chippewa has adopted the following requirements for our campers:

· If your son will be on a Canadian canoe trip (heading into 9th grade or higher in most cases), camp requires that your son have a passport for camp.
· If your son will participate in the Hook Island program (6th and 7th grades, and possibly 5th grade), camp asks that you send a passport if your son has one, otherwise to send an original or certified copy of his birth certificate.
· In all cases, a Canadian permission form is required. It can be found on our website.

Have questions? Be sure to give Michael a call - 800-262-1544.

The Mosquito Secret Revealed...

Brian Endres recently sent me an article of interest to our Canadian voyageurs. If you have ever paddled to Hudson Bay, you have seen a few mosquitoes in your campsite. Among your weapons: mosquito repellent with DEET.

Well, the secret of DEET's effectiveness has been revealed. Check it out at National Geographic online.

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...

Some Thoughts on Rain Gear

As the summer draws nearer, it's time again to start thinking about packing for camp. In particular, about the gear you pack. In the past, I've written posts about bedding and sleeping bags (see post links below). This time I thought I'd tackle rain gear.

The biggest hint I can give is to avoid ponchos. Ponchos don't seem to hold up well to camp wear-and-tear and don't provide much protection from the weather. A good jacket and pair of pants are far better.

Rain gear can be either a coated nylon (non-breathable) or laminated nylon (breathable). Gore-tex is a recognizable name for breathable shells (jackets), but tends to be more expensive, while coated nylon, non-breathable jackets tend to be cheaper, but not quite as comfortable.

If your camper is headed out on a Canadian canoe trip, I highly recommend a lightweight, breathable shell jacket and pants. If he is not, coated nylon shells work just fine. Some popular breathable jackets are made by Patagonia, REI, Sierra Designs and Marmot, with prices ranging from about $120 to well over $300. For coated nylon, Sierra Designs and REI has great jackets starting at about $30. You can also find great discount deals on jackets at Campmor or Sierra Trading Post.

Again, the key is to identify your camper's needs. If he is primarily in camp and will have only a few shorter trips or a trip to Hook Island, coated nylon shells are great. If your camper is headed out for a week or more on a Canadian canoe trip, however, I recommend waterproof breathable jackets for his comfort. These shells are more durable and offer better protection from the elements. These jackets will likely last for years (I've had mine for over 11 years now.)

Hope this helps demystify things a bit. If anyone has any specific jacket names to recommend, please share your comments below. Of course, since it never rains at Camp Chippewa, maybe we should all just pack swimsuits instead.