The Annual Chippewa Holiday Shopping Guide

The holiday season is already well underway.  Hanukkah has come and gone, and Christmas is only one week away!  Have you given all your gifts yet?  If not and you're still looking perfect gift for your Chippewa camper, check out this list!  There are two sets: one for time spent in camp, and one for time spent on the trail.

Bronze Level - Around camp
The official start of winter may be just a few days away, but the experienced Chippewa camper knows just how hot the summers can be.  Why not harness the power of the sun to keep cool?  Try out the Solar Hat, available from Kotulas for $19.99.

Kotulas.com -- Solar Hat




Bronze Level - On the trail
There are many obstacles you can encounter on the trail, and one of the most valuable tools you can have is a reliable multi-tool, such as the Leatherman Sidekick Multi-tool, available from Cabellas.com for just $29.99.

Cabellas.com -- Leatherman Sidekick Multi-tool


Silver Level - Around camp
Lions and tigers and bears--oh my!  That's what those big scary monsters wandering around camp will think when you've got a bright light on your side.  Do you want a lantern?  Or do you want a headlamp?  You get to choose!  The Joby Switchback Light comes with a gorilla grip tripod, too, and for a price of $59.95.  

Boundary Waters Catalog -- Joby Switchback Light


Silver Level - On the trail
After a long, hard day of paddling, it's nice to have a comfortable place to sit down or lay down and relax.  But up in Canada, comfort can be hard to come by.  For your silver level camper, might we recommend the ENO SingleNest Hammock. Available at REI for $59.95.

REI.com -- ENO SingleNest Hammock 

Gold Level - Around camp

On a calm open evening, it's almost a given that someone is trying their hand at stand-up paddleboarding.  But maybe the open evenings aren't enough to satisfy your craving for the sport.  This holiday season, get your own Cruiser ECO Dura-Max Paddleboard Set for $749.  

Paddleboard Direct -- Cruiser ECO Dura-Max Paddleboard 

Gold Level - On the trail

Be it the first Canadian in the Quetico or a strenuous, two week paddle to Hudson Bay, there are indescribable sights at almost every turn.  The Canadian wilderness is incredible, but only those of us who take the trips really get to experience it.  When we bring back images, those words come to life.  For the gold level gift, I recommend a great camping camera such as the GoPro HERO3+ available at REI.com for $399.95.

REI.com -- GoPro HERO3+

Camp Chippewa Visits Milwaukee

Open House in Milwaukee

It that JP or Paul Bunyan?

Come to the open house and find out! 

Hosts: The Guequierre Family
Where: 4832 N. Newhall St., Whitefish Bay
Who: Campers, alumni, family and friends
When: Saturday, December 21
Time: 6 PM to 8 PM
Why: Share the warmth of Friends, Camp, & The Holidays

Come join JP, Cammy, Mike and Mary at Felix Guequierre's home for some Camp stories, games and receive some cool camp stuff. 

Email Mike

Camp Chippewa

It's Cold Outside! Let's Play Inside! Chicago...

Chicago Rendezvous

Let's Play!

Sunday, December 15, 11 AM - 1 PM

285 Center Drive, Vernon Hills

Take a break from studying, shopping and football. 

Join JP and Mike for fast action and pizza.

Get some cool camp stuff too!

Please RSVP Mike

Camp Chippewa 2014

Faces of Camp: Thanks for the Food!!

As Thanksgiving approaches, we consider all of the things we are thankful for.  We are thankful for our families, for our friends, and for places to call home.  We are also thankful for all of you in the Chippewa family: those of you who are still coming to camp, those who came years ago, and those whose time at camp hasn't yet begun.  

Thanksgiving is a time we come together at the table, too, and celebrate with a meal.  At Camp Chippewa, we are lucky to have some of the finest cooks in the country, and we are thankful for all of the hard work that they put in to make each meal a treat.  For this month's edition of "Faces of Camp", we're taking time to say thanks for the food!!

 Gina and Laura, hard at work preparing grilled cheese and tomato soup

 Margie prepares the fruit to go with the meal

 Waking up to a nice hot breakfast of eggs, bacon, and toast

 If you're lucky enough to have your birthday at camp, you'll get a homemade birthday cake!

The kitchen works hard to provide food for everybody--

 

 even packing lunches for our boys when they hit the road for canoe country.

 Thank you, kitchen crew!

Fantastic food and amazing adventures are waiting!  Sign up now for Summer 79!

www.CampChippewa.com

Stand Up Paddleboards in LA

Come join Mike Endres and Zach Kramer in LA!

Let's have fun, get wet and talk about summer 2014!

Sunday, November 24, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

14130 Marquesas Way, Marina del Rey

Let's hit the water before the winds start blowing. 

Please click here to RSVP 

Here Are Your Winners!

Camp Chippewa Trick or Treat Drawing

Everyone who enrolled before midnight, October 30, was eligible for this year's drawing. 

Names were put into a jack-o-lantern and drawn out one at a time. 

The first five names have won a CC water bottle. 

All prizes will be awarded at camp when you arrive.

Here are the first 5 winners:

Isaiah Behnke

Finnegan Junkermann

Avi Ross

Mac Trigg

Sean White

Next 3 names won a water bottle filled with cool CC stuff!

Matan Diemeier-Lazar

Conor McLaughlin

Jacob Shapiro

And this year's GRAND PRIZE winner of all the stuff above and a CC fleece blanket and $50 campstore credit is:

Evan Hanson

Thank you for enrolling. 

There are more neat things to come so stay tuned. 

Our next promotion is just around the corner. 

Enroll Now

Camp Chippewa Halloween Drawing!

The Trick: Enroll by October 30th

It's easy. Just enroll before midnight on October 30th and you'll be entered in the drawing. Already enrolled? No worries. You are automatically entered in the drawing.

The Treat: Win Cool Camp Stuff!

On Halloween, go to the Camp Chippewa Blog to see if you are a winner.

Five campers will win a Camp Chippewa water bottle. Three campers will win a Camp Chippewa water bottle filled with Cool Camp Stuff. Hey! How did those Sweetarts get in there? One lucky camper will win a Camp Chippewa water bottle filled with Cool Camp Stuff and a Camp Chippewa fleece blanket. Plus a $50 camp store credit certificate.

Faces of Camp: Costume Edition

It's mid-October, and here in the northwoods that means two things.  One, the colors of fall are in full array.  And two, it's almost Halloween.  Maybe you've got a costume picked out, or maybe you're still undecided.  If you're still looking for ideas, take a look at some of these dressed-up faces from camp last summer.  Can you recognize them all?

 You could be a minion.

 Or a superhero!

 Rock stars have some crazy get-ups and wild hair

 Of course, nothing's more classic than the zombie

 For something more unique, how about a viking?

 If all else fails, you could always go as Evan Tomer!

Summer 79 is coming.  Sign up now.  Be a part of the adventure.

CampChippewa.com

I Remember...

...what a day it was!

2013 was highlighted by descending the Churchill River.

Forged by time, currents and weather, the men from Athabasca cabin pause for a group photo. Their friendship not taken for granted. The food shared equally. The experience was priceless. 

Make plans for 2014. 

Join Summer 79

Days Grow Dark

But there is light at the end of the tunnel. 

As the summer sun fades into the fall sky, it's never too early to plan for the long days of summer. Year 79 is just a bit more than a half orbit away. Star Island, Chip Pong, home made pizza and friends are calling. Look forward to the warmth of friendship 2014. 

Camp Chippewa 2014

Adventure. Character. Tradition.

email Mike

Taking Aim for 2014?

Is summer 79 in your sights?

Take aim and take advantage of tuition discounts for 2, 4 or 8 weeks. 

Offer ends Saturday, September 21. 

Enroll Now

Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese

A Camp Favorite

Whether it's a Black Tie dinner or the weekly tradition of eating grilled sandwiches and soup, the kitchen keeps campers' and counselors' fuel tanks full. Mary Keely has now handed her spatula to Gina. Mary will be missed, but Gina has had a decade of experience in the kitchen and will follow in Mary's footsteps. "We cook from scratch!" Yes indeed and great food it is.

Camp Chippewa for Boys

Faces of Camp: Black Tie Edition

By now many of us are back to school or to work and wrapping up what was a fantastic summer.  Believe it or not, the fall colors are just a few weeks away here in northern Minnesota.  For those of us not quite ready to give up on summer, though, let's take a look back at some of the people who joined us in 2013 and remember what a great summer it was.  No bright reds or oranges here; the only color that matters is black.  Specifically, the black tie from the Black Tie Dinners. 

 Blake gives his highlight from his two weeks at camp.

 Dako straightens out his tie.

 It's true--black ties don't always have to be worn around the neck.

 

 The Calian boys are lookin' good!

 

 Of course, nobody looks better in a bow tie than JP.

Summer 79.  It's coming.  Will you be there?

www.campchippewa.com

Dates are Set for 2014!

2013 Was a Hit

Wait Until 2014!

Classes resume for most Minnesota school kids Tuesday September 3. I head back into my science classroom for one more year. I'm excited to get back to teaching. 

Camp is now put away for the winter just waiting to be put back out for Camp's 79th summer. I'm going to be a part of it. How about you?

Enrollments are now being accepted for summer 2014. The website is under partial construction. If you are having any difficulties, please contact Mary. Click to email Mary 

You may enroll online:

Enroll for 2014

Enroll by September 21 and you will receive a discount of 100, 200 or 300 dollars. The amount depends on the length of the session you choose. 9-21-13 is a special date. It happens to be Mike and Mary's 28th anniversary! So help us celebrate by planning ahead for next summer.

Four square tickle your fancy? It did for Will K.

Kayaking on a windless night on Cass Lake more to your liking?

Or perhaps you challenged JP to some Table Tennis?

Ben B., takes on the legend. Who won? Ask Ben or JP.

As we look ahead to another year in the classroom, don't forget to sign up for summer 2014. Who will be the next Helmsmen, Expert or flying squirrel off the high dive? Maybe it's you!

Join Summer 2014

Just two weeks ago...

...the second session of camp came to a close, the boys returned home, and Lonnie, Jesse, and the staff began preparing camp for the off-season.  As some of us return to school, camp sits quiet and waiting.
 

Summer 78 has come to an end.  

Summer 79 is just around the corner.

Will you join us and keep the campfire burning? 

 

North of the Border

Hook Island & Silent Isle Visit

Many of you have traveled north of the border to stay a few days at Hook Island. Not far away is the summer home of Jerry Graham. We hope that next year you'll be able to join the fun on Hook Island--blueberries, games, fishing and swimming just to name a few.

Below: Cammy and JP listen closely to one of Jerry's fishing stories. Jerry has been associated with Camp Chippewa since the early 1950's. 

 Lonnie relaxes on the deck at Hook Island. He is an old hand at putting the place to sleep for the winter. Mary, Jacob, Cammy and JP listen to one of his tall tales.

 Jacob fillets a nice northern pike. This pike turned into a fine meal of fish tacos. 7 Canadians will hone your skills when is comes to filleting a fish. 

Camp Chippewa for Boys

Camp comes to a close

The campers are on the bus and on they're way home.  Bon voyage!  We'll see you next year!

It's been a whirlwind of excitement, fun, and adventure these last 24 hours, though, including a banquet to honor two people who will be leaving Chippewa after this summer: our head cook Mary Keely and our head of maintenance Lonnie Harmon.

 The dining hall is dressed in pink 

 Lonnie and Jane sit at the head table as guests of honor

Lonnie was recognized at the banquet and received with a resounding round of applause.

Congratulations, Lonnie, and thank you for all that you have done for camp!

 Following dessert, it was Mary's turn to be recognized.

 JP and Cammy brought Mary up on stage and presented her with 22 points of 'contention'--one for each year of her service at camp.

 Congratulations, Mary! Camp won't be the same without you!