2013 Dates and Rates are Set!

New rates and dates for 2013 are now active.
Go to http://www.campchippewa.com/join/campers

Enrollments are already coming in! Game on for 2013!

2013 Info on the Way

The wait is almost over!  2013 dates and rates will be released next week.  Stand by for more adventure and be sure to claim your spot!

Farewell Summer 2012

See you next year!

Chippewa Makes the News!

2nd Session Photos VIII

The Trips Have Returned! Tams Abound!

The legend of Cecil Endres and the creation of Counselor Hunt.

Cecil Endres, the absolute middlest of J.P.’s era of Endres, was born shortly after the dawn of time, (which by the way marked J.P’s 5^th birthday), and slightly before the advent of the wheel (which by the way marked the moment when Cap and Mom mercifully gave up their quest to populate Northern Minnesota with Endres and Endres alone). As sometimes happens in the Endres family, Cecil was born with a full set of adult teeth… but this doesn’t really have anything to do with my story.  I just think it is an interesting aside. Anyway, it was apparent from early on that young Cecil was, in keeping with familial tradition, a bright boy, but nonetheless a boy with some peculiar habits. He would, from time to time during the normal course of a day, disappear for hours on end. From the time he could crawl Mom had her hands full. Early on it was relatively easy to find the boy, as there were but three buildings in camp- the dining hall, Kamaji cabin and the Icehouse (Hudson Bay Trading Post). Most often he was in the icehouse sucking the cool moisture from the sawdust used to insulate the melting ice. Mom would find him, scold him lovingly and vow to keep a better eye on him in the future. He later enjoyed carving giant blocks of cheddar cheese into highly detailed civil war battle scenes… but this doesn’t really have anything to do with my story. I just think it an interesting aside.

     Anyway, Cecil’s frequent disappearances eventually resulted in the creation of an Endres family game- Cecil Hunt. This game was played, largely out of necessity, until Cecil left for college. His three years at the Earthen Clothing Institute of the Americas were a magical time. ‘The Institute’ as Cecil calls it, toiled ceaselessly to bring dirt textile to a place of prominence in Depression era America.

     Cotton was unaffordable, silk could not be shipped due to the war and Polyester and Nylon, the eventual fabrics of choice for any smart dressed Endres, hadn’t yet been invented. Cecil worked hard to perfect dirt pants until his somewhat predictable disappearance in 1943. The Institute continued toiling Cecillessly until 1947 when a bumper crop of cotton once again placed the ‘easily washed’ fabric high atop the textile industries “Best Of” list. Dirt was done.

     Cecil popped up again in 1952, after a time in the merchant marines, where he served as a ship-in-a-bottle builder. He was a counselor here at Chippewa from ’52 to ’67, disappeared again for a time, and then came back from ’72 to ’83. He never lost his habit of disappearing, and one of our favorite games evolved from the constant necessity of having to hunt for counselor, middlest brother, sawdust sucker, cheese carver, dirt pant maker, ship-in-bottle builder and general all around good guy- Cecil Endres.

Photos from 2nd Session VII

2nd Session Photos VI

Hook island! Look at those fish!

Evening dips, a distant lightning storm, soccer and canoe class- we have done it all!

Spot on the Quetico

Follow the progress of the guys on their first Canadian.

View Quetico I in a larger map

2nd Session Photos V

2nd Session Photos IV

Another Second Session Update

What a Sunday!  The sun was shining, the breeze was warm and it was time for another Super Sunday.  Lower camp headed down to the Ivy Bowl for a wet-n-wild game of slip-n-slide kickball.  A giant slip-n-slide between the bases made for a fun afternoon in the water.

The guys in middle camp headed across Cass Lake to the giant sandbar of Cedar Island for a day at the beach.  Pictures to follow, but suffice to say the boys spent all afternoon swimming and splashing around the sandbar.

As our last Canadian canoe trip prepares to head out on Wednesday, the campers from Muir and 3M cabins spent yesterday afternoon paddling to Pike Hole for a prep trip.  It won't be too long before their canoes hit the Canadian waters of Pickerel Lake.  7 days later, we'll welcome them back to camp having earned their first tam, the Dress Gordon.

A few of the highlights from the last few days include a mad dash to the ChipPong table (Chippewa's 4-sided table tennis table), first time camper Philip C. shooting high target during the Rilfery Tournament topping longtime camper Henry B., Muir earning the top notch as Honor Cabin this week dethroning Kamaji Cabin, the return of Demonia cabin from Hook Island with tales of giant walleye.  Congrats to Isaac T. and Luka L. who landed some monsters up there.

Tomorrow we bid a fond farewell to the 2-week campers, but not before tonight's Black Tie Dinner in their honor.  Among those departing are one of our youngest campers, Luke B., who shared a wonderful highlight from his trip to Star Island.  Was it the smores?  Or the hike to Lake Windigo? Or silly stories in the tent?  Well, I'm sure those were some of them, but his real highlight as he shared with camp was the "long sunset over the beach."  I think I can relate.  That's camping!

Submitted by MKT

2nd Session Photos III

News from Second Session 2012

Second Session is in full swing with canoe trips starting to leave and campers beginning to pass ranks. The energy in camp can be felt from Cass to Buck Lake.

Every year camp is gifted with kids who excel in the individual activities. Some to note this session are Charley C. who has dazzled us with his soccer skills and Jack Z. may be the fastest swimmer we've seen in a long time around here!

The alumni canoe trip took off recently and is currently out exploring the wilderness in Canada. It is great to see alumni come right back and hop into activities and scatterball just like they never left.

Battle of the Bands (nice work Grant A. and Eagle's Nest cabin with the togas--we got you on video!), Capture the Flag, and Pirate Day are just a few of the special activities that the campers have participated in thus far with plenty more to come.  Stay tuned!

Submitted by Teddy M.

2nd Session Photos - II

Apologies for the delay.  Internet issues prevented our Tuesday postings.  Back up and running so I'll be posting today!

2nd Session Photos I

Second session begins!