Sunday, July 05, 2009
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Upper Camp Update
Upper Camp so far…
We don’t seem to have been in camp long, but already Upper Camp is emptying! Just a few mornings ago, Athabasca left for their trek along the Missinaibi River, and two days ago Muir followed them north to the Allanwater River. In less than a week, Upper Camp will be quiet once more when Marshall and Manitou start their Quetico adventures.
There has been a lot of traffic through the Trip House, but still, Upper Camp have been busy on the activity front, Sam E being the first to pass a rank on the brand new Rifle Range (in which Upper Camp was well represented at the “official” opening ceremony!)
It won’t be long before Upper Camp will be filling up again, and the tales from the trail will begin.
Your friendly Brit signing off from Upper Camp,
Simon
We don’t seem to have been in camp long, but already Upper Camp is emptying! Just a few mornings ago, Athabasca left for their trek along the Missinaibi River, and two days ago Muir followed them north to the Allanwater River. In less than a week, Upper Camp will be quiet once more when Marshall and Manitou start their Quetico adventures.
There has been a lot of traffic through the Trip House, but still, Upper Camp have been busy on the activity front, Sam E being the first to pass a rank on the brand new Rifle Range (in which Upper Camp was well represented at the “official” opening ceremony!)
It won’t be long before Upper Camp will be filling up again, and the tales from the trail will begin.
Your friendly Brit signing off from Upper Camp,
Simon
Thursday, June 18, 2009
And We're Off!
An excited bunch of campers have arrived safe and sound! Spaghetti dinner, scatterball and a dip in Cass Lake....all is right with the world.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Friday, June 05, 2009
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Headed to Camp
The end of May brings the beginning of June....and the start of camp!
I'll be traveling to camp over the next few days and will be away from my email. If you have an urgent question, please call my cell phone or feel free to leave me a voicemail at camp. I'll be sure to return your call just as soon as I can.
See everyone soon!
I'll be traveling to camp over the next few days and will be away from my email. If you have an urgent question, please call my cell phone or feel free to leave me a voicemail at camp. I'll be sure to return your call just as soon as I can.
See everyone soon!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Oh Jerry, Where Art Though?
Not too worry friends, counselors and campers! Jerry Malloy is indeed returning to camp as one of the premier 2009 Chippewa staff. Apologies to Jerry for our accidental exclusion in the latest newsletter. There certainly isn't anything forgettable about Jerry, though he can be hard to find during counselor hunt.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Lost Boys?
At the risk of being a bit controversial, I thought I'd share a recent article forwarded to me from one of our British counselors. Sue Palmer has written an interesting piece which touches on many of the themes that a camp like Chippewa addresses. While I suspect many of her generalizations and observations at the beginning of the article are a bit overstated and likely controversial, her fundamental conclusion is one that I share....that boys need positive male role-models. She concludes :
"The essential element during the transition from boy to man, as at all stages in a boy’s life, is the attention of other human beings. Human role models are important from the moment of birth, as parents unconsciously provide examples of social behaviour, language and life skills. And boys need the consistent presence of a father figure, providing examples of acceptable male behaviour as they grow up. But as boys enter their teens, there may be tensions between father and son — hence the recognition across all times and cultures that adolescent boys need to move beyond the family and spend time learning from other men. Perhaps the most significant difference between the lives of adolescent boys in the past and teenage boys today is the company they keep. Until the second half of the 20th century, boys over the age of about 14 lived and worked with men. "
So at the risk of being a bit controversial, here is a link to the entire article. Again, I don't believe that the sky is falling with boys in our society. In fact, Ms. Palmer's assessments may be a bit alarmist, but I agree that positive male role-models, like the men on the staff at Chippewa, have much to offer as boys mature into manhood. In many cases, boys may lack those positive male role-models in everyday life.
"The essential element during the transition from boy to man, as at all stages in a boy’s life, is the attention of other human beings. Human role models are important from the moment of birth, as parents unconsciously provide examples of social behaviour, language and life skills. And boys need the consistent presence of a father figure, providing examples of acceptable male behaviour as they grow up. But as boys enter their teens, there may be tensions between father and son — hence the recognition across all times and cultures that adolescent boys need to move beyond the family and spend time learning from other men. Perhaps the most significant difference between the lives of adolescent boys in the past and teenage boys today is the company they keep. Until the second half of the 20th century, boys over the age of about 14 lived and worked with men. "
So at the risk of being a bit controversial, here is a link to the entire article. Again, I don't believe that the sky is falling with boys in our society. In fact, Ms. Palmer's assessments may be a bit alarmist, but I agree that positive male role-models, like the men on the staff at Chippewa, have much to offer as boys mature into manhood. In many cases, boys may lack those positive male role-models in everyday life.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Luggage Fees or Shipping Bags
I have been receiving a few calls and emails about the possibility of shipping luggage to camp to avoid the fees that some of the airlines are charging for luggage. The short answer is...no problem. A few thoughts:
First, make sure that the cost of shipping the bags does not exceed the cost of luggage traveling with your camper on the flight. I suspect that the costs will be close given the weight of the baggage.
Second, if you choose to ship, plan on shipping the luggage one week in advance of the session. This will allow plenty of time for the baggage to arrive, plus a little extra time for any issues that arise while the bags are in transit.
Next, please be certain to use a service that allows for tracking of luggage as I anticipate that several bags will be arriving by delivery service. The tracking service will be your best resource to ensure that the bags have been delivered. While we will make every effort to make note of the bags that have arrived, we aren't typically in the habit of taking inventory for deliveries of luggage. Rest assured, however, that we will store them in a safe location.
Finally, please don't forget to consider the transportation of luggage on the way home from camp. It's a two-way trip after all! If you would prefer that the luggage be shipped home as well, you will need to provide pre-paid shipping labels. You are welcome to send those to us at your convenience during the summer. If you are unable to send a shipping label, we will charge an additionally handling fee due to the number of bags that we anticipate being shipped. In any case, please indicate which service you will be using so that we can schedule a pick-up of your son's luggage.
Generally speaking, I think you'll find that a little extra planning will help save money this summer. In choosing a service, it is our preference that the luggage travel with your son. However, if you choose to ship, I would recommend that you use UPS. They have been the most reliable and least costly at our rural location.
As always, please don't hesitate to call or email with questions.
First, make sure that the cost of shipping the bags does not exceed the cost of luggage traveling with your camper on the flight. I suspect that the costs will be close given the weight of the baggage.
Second, if you choose to ship, plan on shipping the luggage one week in advance of the session. This will allow plenty of time for the baggage to arrive, plus a little extra time for any issues that arise while the bags are in transit.
Next, please be certain to use a service that allows for tracking of luggage as I anticipate that several bags will be arriving by delivery service. The tracking service will be your best resource to ensure that the bags have been delivered. While we will make every effort to make note of the bags that have arrived, we aren't typically in the habit of taking inventory for deliveries of luggage. Rest assured, however, that we will store them in a safe location.
Finally, please don't forget to consider the transportation of luggage on the way home from camp. It's a two-way trip after all! If you would prefer that the luggage be shipped home as well, you will need to provide pre-paid shipping labels. You are welcome to send those to us at your convenience during the summer. If you are unable to send a shipping label, we will charge an additionally handling fee due to the number of bags that we anticipate being shipped. In any case, please indicate which service you will be using so that we can schedule a pick-up of your son's luggage.
Generally speaking, I think you'll find that a little extra planning will help save money this summer. In choosing a service, it is our preference that the luggage travel with your son. However, if you choose to ship, I would recommend that you use UPS. They have been the most reliable and least costly at our rural location.
As always, please don't hesitate to call or email with questions.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Facebook Folly
Just in case you haven't found us on Facebook yet, here we are:
Don't forget to join as a fan!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
CCYC Sets Sail
Not only do the sailors have two new sailboats to be excited about, but 2009 marks the inaugural year for the Camp Chippewa Yacht Club. What's this mean for the sailors? More sail races, more sailing day trips and, of course, a cool new flag and burgee!
If you currently sail with another club in your hometown, we're looking to outfit the sail shanty with sail burgees from other clubs. Let's trade!
If you currently sail with another club in your hometown, we're looking to outfit the sail shanty with sail burgees from other clubs. Let's trade!
(The new CCYC Flag)
Friday, April 10, 2009
The Beavers Big Deal
The ride is over for our beloved Bemidji State Beavers. After shocking the world by reaching the Frozen Four, Bemidji lost a heart-breaker to Miami, Ohio last night.
What does this have to do with camp? For many of us, Bemidji State is our adopted underdog team. Having enjoyed many "Bemidji Days" between sessions and having headed into Bemidji for my days off while I was a counselor, Bemidji holds a special place in my heart. Who doesn't love a Beaver mascot and the statue of Paul and Babe just a half mile from the BSU campus?
It was fun, Beaver fans! Check out these great articles, one in the New York Times and one in the Wall Street Journal, which ranks BSU's ascension to the Frozen Four as one of the greatest sports upsets in all of US sports history.
What does this have to do with camp? For many of us, Bemidji State is our adopted underdog team. Having enjoyed many "Bemidji Days" between sessions and having headed into Bemidji for my days off while I was a counselor, Bemidji holds a special place in my heart. Who doesn't love a Beaver mascot and the statue of Paul and Babe just a half mile from the BSU campus?
It was fun, Beaver fans! Check out these great articles, one in the New York Times and one in the Wall Street Journal, which ranks BSU's ascension to the Frozen Four as one of the greatest sports upsets in all of US sports history.
Monday, April 06, 2009
A Camper's Wintry Visit
Bryer T. has given new meaning to the term "eager beaver" around camp. He arrived camp a solid 3 months early, finding a rather snowy and cold reception.
Actually, Bryer and his dad were in our neck of the woods picking up a fishing boat and stopped by. They found an empty Knutson Hall, a snowy Trip House and CJ tapping maples for syrup. Needless to say, Bryer now knows how to tap a maple tree!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
The Shrinking World
A quick letter to a camp family in China, a phone call from a Chippewa counselor in England, an IM chat with camp alumni in Paris and San Diego and an email to a prospective family in Owasso, Oklahoma...these were my morning tasks. Isn't it remarkable how the world continues to shrink?
One of the more amazing aspects of camp has always been the ability to truly shrink the world. Whether it was introducing five boys from Tulsa to the northwoods of Minnesota in 1935, or the hiring of international staff begun in the 1970s, or even the arrival of our first Mexican camper in 1981, the ability of camp to put faces and personalities to names or even email addresses is a unique benefit to camp.
Natalie and I attended the beautiful wedding of alumnus Curtis Cox in Houston over the weekend. (Congrats Curtis and Lauren!!) Among those standing as groomsmen was Pato Cano, a native of Mexico City and one of Curtis' camp friends. It's wonderful to know that camp was responsible for their friendship that spans between two countries and cultures. I also reflect on the number of close friends that Natalie and I share from other countries (and states) due largely to our relationship with camp. It's a remarkable testament to the power of camping.
One of the more amazing aspects of camp has always been the ability to truly shrink the world. Whether it was introducing five boys from Tulsa to the northwoods of Minnesota in 1935, or the hiring of international staff begun in the 1970s, or even the arrival of our first Mexican camper in 1981, the ability of camp to put faces and personalities to names or even email addresses is a unique benefit to camp.
Natalie and I attended the beautiful wedding of alumnus Curtis Cox in Houston over the weekend. (Congrats Curtis and Lauren!!) Among those standing as groomsmen was Pato Cano, a native of Mexico City and one of Curtis' camp friends. It's wonderful to know that camp was responsible for their friendship that spans between two countries and cultures. I also reflect on the number of close friends that Natalie and I share from other countries (and states) due largely to our relationship with camp. It's a remarkable testament to the power of camping.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Sailing Fleet Grows
Two new additions are coming this summer for the Chippewa sailors. On order are two Hobie Waves, made possible through gifts from alumni with a love for sailing. These 13' catamarans are a blast. The large sail on these nimble boats make them a fast, fun and wet addition to the Chippewa fleet. Best of all, they are quick to rig. A quick pull on the main halyard, push off of the Cass Lake beach and you'll be underway.
Maybe Jolson will finally have his day of sailing.
(sorry guys, the girls aren't included.)
Maybe Jolson will finally have his day of sailing.
(sorry guys, the girls aren't included.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
