Grilled Cheese and Cass Lake?

Yes, they have something in common.

Campers, check you mailbox this week for the answer....and good luck. Chippewa staff and alumni, are you confused? Well, it might just have to stay that way for a few days.

The New Parent Resources Page

The Chippewa website has just become a bit easier for parents. Gone is the Parent Handbook and all of the paper that we used to send by mail. Even the dreaded green Health Form has been replaced! What's new is our Parent Resources page, a great guide for preparing for the summer.

What you'll find is travel information, our new online health form with partner CampDoc, equipment list and all of the information needed to plan for a great summer.

Check out the Parent Resources page.

Salt Lake City Rendezvous Photos

We were climbing in Salt Lake City...the final Rendezvous of 2010. Now only 89 days until camp starts...see you soon!

Two generations of Chippewa campers as dad Tony H. belays son Sam H.

American Airlines and Camping

I had just settled into my seat on an American Airlines flight, flipped open the latest issue of American Way Magazine and found an article about camps. Perfect....10 minutes of reading about summer!

Check out the article.

PS- I'll take Minnesota over Texas for the summer!

Milwaukee Curling Rendezvous Photos

Chippewa Featured in Magazine

Exclusively Yours magazine of Milwaukee is running a short feature on Chippewa in the March 2010 issue, available now. Pick up a copy around Milwaukee or contact me and I'll send a copy out to you.

Thanks to Andy at Exclusively Yours for the article which showcases camp and our 75th anniversary summer. Don't miss our ad in the issue as well...it looks great!

Update : Just added the article to the camp website.

2009 Photo Album 2 for 1!

Picaboo is once again offering a "buy 1 get 1 one free" option on this years photo album. If you've been to a Rendezvous and seen the album you know you want one. This is a great chance to split the cost with another camp family and get a really fantastic keepsake for you and your son. It is available in two sizes.

Just click on the photo album link to see it and order yours.

Registration is Open

Hey Chippewa alumni! Registration is now open for our special 75th Anniversary event over Labor Day. Check the website for more details then click the 'Register Now' button. Isn't it about time you returned home to Cass Lake?

The response so far has been unbelievable. So talk to your old camp friends and plot your return....and bring the fam too. It's going to be a blast!

Phoenix Rendezvous Photos

Conference Reflections

Last week I attended the American Camp Association (ACA) National Conference in Denver. It's always great to meet with other camp directors and staff to exchange ideas and share experiences. In fact, I was selected as a presenter at the conference, speaking on the conversion from a for-profit to a not-for-profit camp, as Chippewa did in 1999.

In preparing for the presentation, I reflected a bit more about the series of events that led to the creation of Camp Chippewa Foundation. It is a remarkable testimony to the Chippewa philosophy that we have inherited from the Endres family. The sons and daughters of Cap and Mom provided us with foresight, gifting the entirety of camp without any compensation or tangible benefit in 1999. Instead, what they have created is a legacy that we will all honor into perpetuity. We have been left with a boy's camp unlike most any other camp and a philosophy that is as relevant now as it was 75 years ago.

So on behalf of the future generations of campers, thank you to the Endres family and to all of the alumni and families who continue to strengthen Camp Chippewa. As JP often says, the best years are indeed ahead!

Congrats to a Chippewa Partner

Since the 1970's, Chippewa has welcomed international counselors from countries as diverse as England, the Netherlands and New Zealand. Here at the American Camp Association (ACA) National Conference in Denver, one of our partners in placing international staff at Chippewa, Camp Leaders, has been presented an award from the ACA for their commitment, promotion and expertise in the placement of international staff. Camps like ours benefit by welcoming a diverse group of men to lead our campers. Longtime counselors like Peter Evans and Simon Taylor are examples of how Chippewa has benefited from Camp Leaders.

Congratulation to Chris Arnold and the folks at Camp Leaders! I am proud of our relationship with Camp Leaders over the last nine years.

Chippewa Winter Olympics

While it will be great to watch the US curling team take the Olympic ice on Tuesday, the real action for the Chippewa crowd is only a couple of weeks away in Milwaukee.

We are just about halfway through our Chippewa Rendezvous tour with several great events in cities like former winter Olympic host Salt Lake City and the always wintry Minneapolis. One of my favorites has to be our curling rendezvous hosted by the Milwaukee Curling Club. If you haven't had a chance to curl, make time by joining us in Milwaukee! Next best thing? Watch the Olympics on Tuesday.

Jerry Malloy, Snoel, Jonah and Adam Loeb will be joining the fray at the Chippewa curling event. Let's see who the next great Chippewa curler will be....see you guys in less than two weeks. More great events still to come.....

Set to curl last year at our Chippewa Rendezvous

Chippewa's Safety Record Recognized

Camp Chippewa was recently named a recipient of the the prestigious Safety 1st designation from Markel Insurance Company for 2009. We were selected based on our proven safety record and are proud to announce this designation. Thanks to Markel Insurance and to the Chippewa staff for your dedication to a safe and happy camp.

Rendezvous Photos - Los Angeles

Out West, it was a table tennis extravaganza....

Some of the LA crowd ready for table tennis action.

Rendezvous Photos - KC and St. Louis

It's been a fun couple of weeks with stops in Kansas, Missouri and California. With Sam Devine, Mario and Teddy Mundt joining the fray, our Rendezvous have been a blast. More photos from more cities coming soon! Chicago here we come!

Bombardment on a trampoline...good times in St. Louis.

Knockin' heads and pins in KC.

Alumni Cabin Plans Revealed

The foundation is poured and designs are being finalized. What has emerged is an exciting addition to camp : an alumni cabin built by the alumni for the alumni.

As one of the key elements of our An Enduring Legacy Capital Campaign, the new alumni cabin will be up and ready for the summer....and more importantly in time for our 75th Anniversary celebration. Alumni, you have something new to cheer about!

Nestled among the pines of Buck Lake shore, the alumni cabin plans include two bedrooms, two bath and a beautiful stone fireplace.

2009 Highlights Video Set for Release

The 2009 Chippewa Highlights video is just about set for release. This year we had a special guest editor, counselor Simon Taylor, who produced this great DVD. Some might say it's the best yet...you'll have to decide after picking up your copy at a Rendezvous near you.

Here's a preview!

Coming to Your Town

It's going to be a busy winter for Chippewa fans! I'll be hitting the road with some of your favorite counselors for our Rendezvous events. Curling in Milwaukee....Table Tennis in Pasadena....Rock Climbing in Phoenix...Bocce in Chicago...and many, many more. Join Sam Devine, Teddy Mundt, Sam Noel, John Olson and others in a town near you. And don't forget to bring a friend to introduce to camp, it's the first step to joining the Chippewa Council. We'll have stuff to give away and even a special raffle at many of the events.

Check the Events page to find a Rendezvous near you...with 14 cities on the list, we'll be near you before you know it. Lawrence and Kansas City, you're first! See you soon.

A Snowy Camp

I've always thought that one of the most beautiful times at camp is after a heavy snowfall, though I could do without the -34 degree temperature. Mike E. and CJ snapped these shots over the holidays.



A Snowy Knutson Hall and Path from Ivy Bowl.



It's Cold in Front of Lower Camp !

Our 75th Anniversary Rock Cairn is Covered

Happy New Year

Camp turns 75 this year! Campers, staff and alumni....special events are planned for all. Join us in 2010....woo hoo!

Happy New Year everyone. Best wishes for a healthy and prosperous Twenty Ten.