The NFL and Camp

I trust everyone had a wonderful and filling Thanksgiving. Like me, I suspect most everyone had his fair share of football over the weekend. One of the things that struck me during the Lions game (my poor, beloved Lions) was the public service announcement by the NFL called NFL Play 60. In short, it is an effort to encourage kids to get outside, to play and to exercise.

I love the concept of encouraging everyone to head out to the front yard or the local park to play. What struck me, however, is that those of us who head to camp already benefit from "play." The difference, however, is that the play is not contrived.

From the moment a camper arrives on the bus, he is outside, walking (or running) from each activity, playing soccer, or trimming his jib. This kind of adventure promotes a healthy lifestyle, one in which the boys are challenged not only in the activities, but by their very existence in the wilderness environment. Imagination, physical fitness and perseverance are among the many benefits to camping in the great outdoors.

I applaud any effort that promotes playing outside, like the NFL's campaign. I am, however, even more convinced that this 75 year old camp continues to thrive because of the enduring values brought about by outdoor adventures. A generation or two ago, playing outside was part of life. Now, it appears that we have to "sell" the idea. What was old is new again....though Chippewa never fumbled this concept away.

Logan's Dream

Well, I finally thought I'd post a picture of our newest future camper. Logan makes his Chippewa blog debut dreaming of the day he paddles the Bloodvein River....and earning that tam!(Thanks, Chippewa crowd, for indulging a proud new parent.)

Camp is Awesome: Chapter 1

Welcome back, Grant. Thanks.
I am introducing a new short, interactive series for everyone to hopefully participate in here on the Camp Chippewa Blog. I will be sharing my favorite stories about some of the many places that make camp so awesome. Many of you have been to these places, so please chime in on the comments section to share your favorite story. Today's place...

Hook Island

Brief History - JP and Jerry found it. Cap loved it. It's in Canada. It rules.

In the summer of '99 Mike Thompson (back before he was Director. That's right, I know him way back when) and I took Demonia Cabin to Hook. Back then Demonia had some long time all-stars that some of you may have heard of like Evan Tomer and Scott Tonsfeldt. After a long morning of fishing in the pouring rain and only catching one fish, we took a break for lunch and some relaxation in the cabin. In the midst of me trouncing everyone in some UNO, we began to hear this low rumble in the distance. It was constant, so we know it wasn't thunder, but that was all we knew. We continued playing cards, but the rumble kept getting louder and louder. To me it sounded exactly like a stampede of horses. Unlikely it was horses since it is an island, but I was still pretty sure.
At this point we all got up and headed to the windows to see what it was. Looking out across the lake you could see what appeared to be a giant white wall in the distance spreading across the width of the lake. The wall continued to get closer and closer until it just off the tip of the "hook." We were about to be in the eye of hail storm! As soon as the storm came it was gone and I have never seen anything like it again.

OK, your turn! Light up the comments section with your favorite Hook Island story.

New Entrance Sign

A quick visit by CJ to camp finds the Chippewa entry sign under construction...quite a contrast to the old sign you see in the background. The stone base will soon be home to a wood Camp Chippewa sign to welcome everyone to camp.

A Chippewa Story...Tradition

Part 3 of our special 4-part Chippewa Story DVD.

Memories of Camp and Staff

I recently received an email from a longtime camper who hasn't been able to make it back the last couple of years. It struck me that what he says resonates with most of us who have ever been to Chippewa. Here's a short excerpt from the email:

"To be honest, I probably didn't go through a week during the summer where I didn't look back and wish that I was at camp that very moment, whether it was dominating at scatterball, running through camp to make flag ceremony, or even just hearing the van's horn honk and welcoming back the older campers fresh out of their own Canadian adventure. Tradition is something that deeply ties me to camp. The memories that I hold remain vivid (as I hope they should remain). However, the sense of family ties me closely to camp. At no point in my 4 years did I ever feel that I could not speak with any staff member if I had a problem, a story, a concern, or a highlight of my day. I view the staff (meaning JP, Cammy, all counselors, and, of course, you) as my family. Just through the way that people would say hello on the deck and ask me how I felt and how my day was means so much to me. It is amazing how personal you and the staff made my camp experience."

Needless to say, I love receiving emails or letters like this, and I receive them regularly from parents, alumni and current campers. They make my day.