Photos from Second Session IV

ACA Visitation

Earlier this week, we welcomed two visitors from the American Camp Association for our standards accreditation review. Every three years, the ACA visits member camps to assess program quality, health and safety and site facilities. Camps must meet the minimum standards to maintain their accreditation.

I am proud to announce that Camp Chippewa has again renewed its accreditation by passing with flying colors. I was delighted by the response by the two visitors who enjoyed their visit to Chippewa. Congratulations campers and staff!

Here is more information about accreditation by the ACA.

Stellar Start to Second

With the two-weekers preparing for their final full day at camp tomorrow, I thought an update on all things Chippewa was in order. By now, hot dog letters should have arrived home, as well as the staff notes from our counselors, sharing news of Capture the Flag, archery ranks passed, a camper-counselor doubles tennis tournament and canoe trips down the Mississippi or the Crow Wing.

The first few days were hot ones and most of us bid a hasty retreat to Cass or Buck Lake as often as the schedule allowed. In fact, this first morning of camp found what must have been a near record number of dippers. Before too long, however, the heat headed East and we were left with clear blue skies, cool evenings and warm days. Perfect camp weather.

Early in the season, Bearpaw tennis courts welcomed the girls from nearby Camp Birchwood for an afternoon of tennis. All ages and tennis skill levels had a chance to hit the ball and we had a blast. The Chippewa tam included Ben C., Tommy K., Hunter H., Jake E., Steven L., Robert T., Grant A. and Miles A.

The trip house swung into action by the end of the first week. By the end of the session, four Hook Island fish trips, three Crow Wing river trips, three Star Island explorations, Kopka River and Quetico Canadian canoe trips and several other day and overnight paddling trips will pack out and return to camp. As I type, the guys from Manitou are preparing to leave for a six-day Canadian prep trip to Voyageurs National Park. Even with all of the activities in camp, much of the adventure for our campers can still be found on the trail. Case and point was Cody O.'s 32" northern pike caught at Hook Island, as well as Mick M.'s monster from the deep...the one that got away. I'm excited to hear more stories as the trips return.

Today's activity updates after dinner reported ranks passed and progress in everything from fencing to trap shooting. Some examples? Ben M. got up on skis for the first time, while Stephen S. was cutting rooster tails in slalom. Down at the Potato Patch, Sam Ch. and Charlie M. took a few shots at the clay pigeons, while Robert H. passed his ProMarksman on the riflery range and Phillip P. earned his Able Seaman in sailing. It was indeed a busy day around camp.

Yes, it's been a wonderful couple of weeks at camp. And yes, many of our time-honored traditions will be replayed in the final two weeks of summer 76. Whether it be the Counselor Hunt or a secret tam ceremony somewhere in the remote wilderness of Canada, something exciting is just around the corner. It will be fun to watch the adventure unfold.

More to come.....

Update submitted by MKT

Spot on the Kopka River

The guys from Marshall and Muir cabins have begun their journey down the Kopka River. Keep track of their progress by following this map.


View Kopka River 2011 in a larger map

Photos from Second Session III

Demonia cabin is ready for a trip down the Crow Wing River

Out to swim class, but not before a quick quiz.

Mississippi River trip for the guys from Kamaji cabin, with a visit to Vietnam Hill on the agenda.

Photos from Second Session II

Scenes from Predator and Prey, the game of survival!

Photos from Second Session I

Capture the Flag Part 2

Capture the Flag Part 1

The Bus Rolls In....

...the spaghetti is served, and Sam Ch. wins the first scatterball game of the session. Second session is underway and all is quiet after TAPS. A perfect start!

The Big Finish...

....of 1st session. What's happening in the last 60 hours? Riflery Tournament, Fencing Tournament, Cass Lake Sail Trip, Canadian canoe trip reports, Counselor Hunt, European Cup Soccer, Awards Ceremony, Chippewa Triathlon, Trap Shooting contest, Banquet and Campfire. Whew! Last two days, here we come!

PS- Hey second session campers....pack your bags!

The Musical Men of Muir Triumphantly Return!

Adventure, tradition, character. All three in abundance on the Gammon River. Our trip was an epic odyssey from Red Lake to Lake Winnipeg, with more rapids, portages, and high adventure than you can shake a stick at. Upon our arrival back to camp we exited the van sporting our beautiful new Lindsay Tams, to be greeted with handshakes from old friends and counselors, and the wide eyed wonder of the young campers as they heard the tales of our adventures on the trail. After that, we headed down to Knutson Hall, to engorge ourselves on a spectacular Sunday lunch of pork, mashed potatoes, fried zucchini, and to top it off, we all ate ice cream sundaes of biblical proportions. We had an unbelievable trip and were welcomed back with open arms.

-posted by campers Alex Haft and Spencer Dillon

The Chippewa Regatta

Our friends from Camp Kamaji are joining us today for a friendly regatta. Sailing, archery and tennis are on the schedule. It's a beautiful day for some friendly competition! (The Chippewa teams are listed below the photos.)

Sailing Team : Spencer D., Spencer O, Henry M., Will M., Jondall N., James W., Alex K., Carter O.

Tennis Team : Lars F., Magnus F., Miles A., Paul M., Paul R., Jake E.

Archery Team : Channing C., Joe H.W., Max T., Zylon A., Christian M., Byron A., Bryer T., Ben K.

Chippewa in the News

The local newspaper, Bemidji Pioneer Press, recently interviewed JP and me, along with Mike and Kathy Jay at Camp Kamaji, about our camps. It's a fun article so take a look!

http://www.bemidjipioneer.com/event/article/id/100029922/

A First View of Trap Shooting

Update from 1st Session

What a fantastic week we've had! While camp has shrunk with so many canoe trips, fish trips and sail trips scattered through the northwoods, many are now beginning to return with wonderful highlights. Among them, the Apostle Island sail trip shared stories of adventure aboard the 38-foot Dragonfly on Lake Superior. The crew had excellent sailing winds, explored the caves and tunnels of Devil's Island and watched the fireworks of the 4th of July from the deck of their vessel. James W., Augie A., Magnus F., Spencer O., and Jordan L. made this their first voyage under sail with Chippewa.

As I type this note, the shots from our new trap shooting program can be heard echoing through the forest. It's exciting to bring in new activities that reinforce the camping philosophy and program and provide unique opportunities for the boys. I'm excited to hear the full report from the "potato patch" after lunch!

It looks like our weather has finally broken. The last several days have provided shining blue and cloudless skies. As we sneak up to the final week of camp, we'll welcome home Muir, Marshall and Manitou cabins from their Canadian canoe trips down the Gammon, Sanford and Eagle Rock respectively. We will also be looking for the Athabascans to return from their trip to Hudson Bay, navigating the North Knife River for 19 days in remote northern Manitoba. This is true adventure and this is truly camping!

More soon......

Posted by MKT

1st Session Photos V

Cliff jumping at Hook Island

Kaleb G. shoots for his Bowman

Zylon A. at full draw

Bradley S. arrived to camp late, but jumped right in!

Off to Cedar Island

There's nothing like a trip across Cass Lake to Cedar Island's sand bar!

Happy 4th of July from Camp Chippewa!

Goodbye, Badger Campers!

Hi! I am Andrew B. I am a camper at Camp Chippewa. I am very sad to leave camp today. Next year I will be a four-weeker! We did archery, riflery, swam and also, if you are a two-weeker, you get to camp on Star Island, play tennis and table tennis. You will always have a great counselor. You get to have lots of fun with Skit Night, have grilled cheese and you get to make a lot of friends too.

Post by Andrew B., two-week camper from Tulsa