Headed to Chicago and Milwaukee

Rob and I are hitting the road with stops in Milwaukee and Chicago. Hope to see everyone at the Open Houses. Since I will be out of the office for awhile, you can reach me on my cell phone listed on camp's Contact Us page.

Summer Camp Blues

The front page of the Tulsa World newspaper today was filled with images of the weekend ice storm in Oklahoma. Inside, however, was a great article about fighting homesickness at camp. The key, according to a study published in the American Academy of Pediatrics, is the parents' role in preparing their son or daughter before camp. Here are five key points quoted from the article by Lisa Smith:

1. Involve children in the decision to spend time away from home, so that the child has a sense of control.
2. Tell children that homesickness is normal, but that they can use strategies such as writing letters home, sharing their feelings with other people and thinking about the benefits of camp to help.
3. Parents should arrange for a practice time away from home before camp.
4. Don't make a pick-up plan or "a deal" with a child to bring him home if he doesn't like the experience of being away. This undermines the child's sense that a parent has confidence in his ability to be on his own.
5. Don't make negative or anxious comments about the separation to children.

In my experience, number four has been a common pitfall among anxious parents and campers. The key is to recognize your role as a parent in setting your son up for a successful summer away from home. If you are a first time camp parent, or even if your son is an old-timer, this is some great advice.

Join an Open House

Just as an ice storm is hitting Tulsa, my mind wants to wander back to the summer on Cass Lake. There's no better way to do that than by watching the new Chippewa Highlights DVD, now in the final stages of production. It will be ready for viewing at any of the Chippewa Open Houses. Make plans to join us to relive last summer's adventures and to share in plans for 2007. I'll be headed to 11 cities, with Rob and JP joining in the fun at some of them. Check out the dates, times and locations here: http://www.campchippewa.com/campfairs.html. Join us!

Mary's New Summer Home

CJ and Mike Endres were up at camp over the holidays and took a few photos of the new cook's cabin. This is where Mary, Ada. Margie, Roxy, Gina and Becky will be next summer. It's just behind Knutson Hall next to Tamarac/Trillium cabin. Looks great!

Coolest Places I’ve Been With Camp. Part 1: Northern Most Point of Wisconsin

As you all know the three tenets of Camp Chippewa are: Adventure, Tradition, and Character. While tradition and character are great, adventure is what stirs the soul. In my guest blog I will highlight some of the many cool places I have been lucky enough to go to with camp. My apologies to those who have had to endure the many pit stops and long-cuts to see some of the Northwoods finest roadside, lakeside, and riverside attractions.

On a hiking trail just below the Devils Island lighthouse in the Apostle Islands is a true one of a kind landmark: The Northern Most Point of Wisconsin. Nowhere else in the world can you find the northern most point of Wisconsin, not even in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. From this vantage point, looking north, you realize that Lake Superior really lives up to its name, more so than any of the other Great Lakes (especially Huron). It’s freakin’ huge.

The Northern Most Point of Wisconsin isn’t the only thing to see on Devil’s Island. There is also Devil’s Island Lighthouse which was built in 1898. The lighthouse contains a rare Fresnel (pronounced fre-NELL) lens which was some kind of great advancement in lighthouse lanterns. Back in the woods behind the lighthouse there is an old tractor that along with the car that can be found on the portage into McCrea Lake on the Savant and the car on the portage out of Beaverhouse Lake on the Quetico fits in the “how in the heck did that thing get there” category.

The only downside to the Northern Most Point of Wisconsin is that you can’t actually stand there. Because of the precariousness of the ground, if you stand there you will fall 20 feet down into Lake Superior, making you the The Northern Most Wettest Person in Wisconsin.

Mary's Monster Cookies

What better way to start the New Year than with one of Mary's best cookie recipes...her Monster Cookies. Mary has written down many of her recipes for us, so be sure to check back for more. If you have any requests, let me know.

Monster Cookies
3 eggs
1 stick of margarine
1 cup of brown sugar
1 cup of white sugar
1 3/4 cup of flour
3 cups of oatmeal (quick)
1 teaspoon of vanilla
2 teaspoons of soda
1 1/2 cups of peanut butter
3/4 cups of chocolate chips
3/4 cups of M&Ms

Mix all ingredients together and bake at 350 degrees. Be careful not to overbake. Makes about 25 cookies.