Full of "pep in my step"

Toby G.

I recently had the opportunity to meet 8 year Foley Vet Toby G. Toby and I had no problems getting the conversation going and ended up talking about all sorts of things like drivers licenses in Virginia verses Nebraska etc. Toby first came to camp by hearing about it from a friend of his. “My parents made sure we would be in the same cabin so it was an easy transition to camp.” It took no time at all for Toby to adjust to camp life and making tons of new friends. “I remember all sorts of things about that first summer, I even remember that Mike (Mogard) was my counselor.”

Back home Toby is on the Tennis team, although when he is at camp he rarely spends his time on the tennis court. “I like to try new things at Foley like horseback riding, archery, and wakeboarding that I would never get the chance to do while at home.” Foley has become his home away from home, and it now just feels natural that when summer time comes, you go to Camp Foley!

Toby, wakeboarding (Summer 2011).

This will be Toby’s last year as a camper and he has plans to go on the backpacking trip. “I’ve heard that it is something you should definitely try at least once while at Foley so this is my last chance!” And although this year will mark the end of his era at Foley, Toby is excitied to return to Foley hopefully as a counselor. “I really want to always have Foley in my summers, and I hope to see what camp is like on the other side of the table as a counselor.”

We talked a little more about how soon camp will be starting and his school year ending, and I asked him for a piece of advice that he can give to the new campers starting. “Stay calm, the 1st day is jumping around and hectic, don’t over think anything it’s all easy to get used to.” I cant wait to meet Toby this year as he attends 1st and 2nd session, and maybe even get the chance to go wakeboarding with him a few times!

- Adam Ashley, Assistant Director

"In Loco Parentis"

As a camp counselor, we are assuming an incredibly important role. Parents are giving us their children to take care of for the length of their stay at camp. The term used to describe this relationship is in loco parentis, which literally translates from Latin to “in place of a parent.” With this role in mind, it’s very important for us, as counselors to understand parents concerns and camp policies.

In Loco Parentis - In place of a parent.

It comes as no surprise that when parents entrust their most valuable possessions – their children - to the care of camp counselors, they undoubtedly have a number of questions in order to settle their anxiety! This can be a very stressful time for both the camper, and the parent, after all.

But fear not, parents… all our staff members here at Foley undertake extensive training and are carefully selected for their hard and soft skills (those physical ability skills and those relationship/interpersonal skills). If you have any questions that are burning in the back of your mind, I invite you to call the office. We would love to put your mind at ease.

Here at Camp Foley, our mission statement is to "partner with parents to develop confident, responsible and respectful youth who gain skills and have fun through a quality camp experience in a youth centered community." Working with parents to solve your issues and settle your minds is at the heart of everything we do. You can certainly rest a little easier knowing we are doing everything we can to create a safe atmosphere for your kids to thrive at Camp Foley.

- Ricky Searson, Assistant Director

Ice Ridge

So, maybe I am the only one that has never heard of an ‘Ice Ridge’, but after this winter I now know what they are! Take a look at what Whitefish Lakes massive ice sheet can do.

An Ice Ridge, photographed on Whitefish Lake.

From the Department of Natural Resources, “Minnesota winters can produce a phenomenon called "ice jacking". This powerful natural force forms a feature along the shoreline known as an "ice ridge." The result may include significant damage to retaining walls, docks and boat lifts, cabins, and public boat launching facilities.” If you want to see more photos of what the ice jacking can do – check this out...

More information can be found on the DNR website.
Until next time!

- Chris Mathiowetz, Director

You Can't Dibs Nature!

Snapping Turtle (Photo by A. Faricy)

As I canoed along on my second to last of 14, three hour canoe classes over the last three weeks, I examined the actions of the 6th graders. A couple were kneeling precociously in the bottoms of their canoes, hands outstretched, canoes tilted dangerously to one side, attempting to catch painted turtles.  Others were cautiously peering in to the murky bottom in search of the elusive snapping turtles that are frequently spotted.  While still others, craned their necks skyward watching two of the seven local bald eagles swoop effortlessly in and out of the trees.  I smiled as I heard one 6th grade girl say to another "We dibs that turtle!".

"Dibsed" Turtle (Photo by A. Faricy)

The fact that kids were "dibsing" turtles was some what of an accomplishment for me. As we stood on the shore prior to our adventure, many of the kids squirmed nervously at the mention of catching turtles. Now they wanted them. Wanted them so bad they "dibsed" them. That is about as close as you can come to formal ownership when you are in 6th grade. Success.

Nested Loon (Photo by A. Faricy)

After catching a couple turtles and handing them off to some of the kids who were not so lucky as to dibs a turtle, we made our way through a small tunnel and out on to the larger lake. I want to believe that the nesting loons were grateful I made the kids wait for me as I stood watch near their nest, keeping excited kids from getting to close as they took pictures with their disposable cameras. When an eagle swooped low over the loons nest the kids got to see what a nervous, angry adult loon looks like. I was just grateful the loon seemed more nervous about the eagle than us.

As we made our way back, I couldn't help but smile about the response the girl who had her turtle "dibsed" out from under her had to her friend..."You can't dibs nature!"

So true.

Alli Faricy, Director

Meet the Bats!

Have you ever taken a walk through Camp Foley and wondered what those little brown boxes were fixated onto some of the poles and trees? Well friends, those are homes for some of our year-round campers....the bats!

Little Brown Myotis.

Now, don’t get creeped out and scared like many people do when they hear the word "bat". Bats, like snakes, are very misunderstood creatures and serve as a great resource in keeping our ecosystem at Foley healthy! Many people fear bats because of stories and movies about tropical bats that suck blood and swoop and bite humans, but I can assure you, they don’t live in Minnesota.

The bats living in Minnesota are very small, weighing in at about 1 ounce. The most common bat found is called Little Brown Myotis. Together with the Northern Myotis, they hibernate in caves and mines during the winter and then find caves, building and hollow trees to roost in during the summer months. And, just like in movies, bats hang upside down!Bats are beneficial and gentle creatures, but have terrible eyesight! While many people claim to have been swooped at by a bat, they are more than likely in the way of bat catching his dinner! Bats can occasionally look like an erratic fliers, but that’s what it looks like when you chase insects through the air. Because the eyesight of a bat is so bad, they give off supersonic cries that bounce off objects in the path of the bat. Those echos guide bats toward prey or away from obstacles. Another reason to appreciate the bats in Minnesota is their preferred insect to eat...the mosquito!

Northern Myotis.

So the next time you are watching a cheesy horror flick and a scary looking bat comes into the scene, remember, he isn’t trying to look scary, he is just trying to find his dinner with his eyes closed!


- Carrie Stageman, Assistant Director

A Trip Down Memory Lane

What better alumnus to ask to capture their Foley reflections than Peter Kronschnabel! Anyone who has spent time at Camp Foley since the early ‘60’s, has probably run into a Kronschnabel or two. As Peter started chronicling his 45 years of Foley experiences, he realized it couldn’t be summarized into just a few paragraphs. Here is his first submission -watch for more in the future. Sit back, and relax as Peter takes us back in time…

Peter K. (left) pictured with friends during 2010's Alumni Triathlon

Reading the blog brings back memories of being a camper, counselor, marina director and a parent. It's amazing to say the least that after 45 years, I continue to be a member of the Foley family. Camp has created lifelong friendships that continue today for both me and my family. When gathering with camp friends there is always an exaggerated story of how someone did this or that. Even with facebook, internet and blogs the stories continue and amazingly enough still are exaggerated even with photos. As I reflect on my Foley experience you’ll be reading things that may sound strange, harsh or even totally absurd to today’s societal standards. But please remember Foley has evolved as society has changed. Foley was great back “in the day”; it is great now and with the current leadership the future looks very bright for the Foley tradition.

I began my Camp Foley journey years before I was old enough to be a camper when my family would vacation at "Myrwin Manor" which is now known as Alli’s house. Yes, there are some home movies of me playing in the sand on Whitefish as early as 1964. My actual camp experience began at the tender age of 7 in 1967. "The Hill" was for the younger campers and my first cabin was MicMac. Back then "The Hill" consisted of MicMac, Ishtakaba, Yakama and the West Washo. Tekawitha was the heath center/ nuns quarters and Pocahontas/Matoaka was the tripping center and the garage was used as a garage. I think there were about 12-14 boys in MicMac for those two weeks. It was an assortment of characters from all over the Midwest.

Some the things that stand out are:
• Those who could not pass the swim test had to wear a “red ribbon” around their neck. If they passed the swim test while they were at camp, there was a big ceremony. They used a meat cleaver more suitable of butchering a cow to cut the ribbon. Very dramatic.
• Food from the plates was scraped into empty milk cartons and burned.
• For some reason I remember nuns working in the kitchen. 
• We got to take overnights on the Voyager—a house boat. Making popcorn, eating s’mores and sleeping at an island or in a bay was always an adventure. But not as much as an adventure as when we awoke the next day missing our gas hose or gas tank. Yes, the old staff would pull pranks on the new staff and that poor counselor would have to figure out how to get that big house boat back to camp.
• Huge closing campfires with tons of action, extravagant costumes and story lines.
• Singing lots of songs on stormy days in the Dining Hall.
• Lifejackets were not needed on the boats, unless you had a red ribbon. Later that evolved to taking, but not wearing, a life jacket.
• The Checkmate (wooden C scow) was the king of the fleet.
• Big Red was real.
• A bunch of boys running around the cabin in their “tighty whities”; them screaming in panic when the nurse was at the door.
• Vi Schmid’s cousin “Aunt Frannie” was the camp nurse.
• Standing outside the cabin at night gargling salt water—then getting a splash of honey from Frannie.
• The swim dock “H” faced the west.
• Not a day went by that somebody didn’t get a leech on them.
• Two weeks, two sign ups. Only 4 periods in a day. The rest was cabin activities, free swim, canteen or rest period.
• First time I saw colored lights indoors was in Foley Hall. Also known as the Library.

Stay tuned, more to come...

- Mary Stevens, Administrative Assistant.

"Don't Be Nervous"

This month I had the chance to meet 5th year camper Mark F. Mark is 14 years old and will be starting high school next year. Mark's favorite activities at camp involve sailing, fencing, and riflery. All of these activities Mark only has had the opportunity to do while at Foley, and he can't wait to get back this summer!

Mark F. summer 2011

He remembers coming to camp the first day with his older sister and being a little scared for his first time away from home, but once he arrived everyone was really nice and each year he has made some new great friends. When I asked him about the last day of camp his first year, he said that before then he never remembers crying about anything, but with everyone upset that they had to leave, he might have had a tear or two. Foley has taught Mark how to be respectful of everyone around him, and has given him the chance to learn about leadership. He would like to further these skills with Foley's LIT programs.

I asked Mark for some words of advice to new campers. He said, "don't be nervous!" He also added "don't forget about signing up for climbing" - he has forgotten to do that in the past but looks forward to it this year.

I’m excited to see Mark return and can’t wait to see how many new friends he gains this year!

- Adam Ashley, Assistant Director.

Spring to Summer

Camp Foley is proud to bring to you their first ever Video Blog!

Regular summer campers Lauren B. and Ellie S. came to Foley a little earlier than usual this spring to partake in our Environmental Education Center. These two 6th graders came to Foley with the rest of their grade from Our Lady of Grace school, and were dying to share their thoughts of our Outdoor Education program and memories of past summers. Take a look...







- Marie and Alli, Directors.

Living Room In The Woods

I recently read a great article written by Richard Dolesh which really highlighted the need for places for kids to play - "A Living Room In The Woods".

An outdoor living room, created by kids in Dayton, OH.

Dolesh tells us “A park manager from Five Rivers MetroParks in Dayton, OH, Todd Catchpole, recently told me about finding a secret nature place built by kids in one of their parks.” “The tableau was constructed from grape vines, stones, and other natural materials gathered from the nearby stream and populated by small dolls and toy furniture and decorated with fresh daffodils.”

Five Rivers MetroParks has designated a number of Nature Play areas in their parks, and this discovery was more than the creators could have wished for. “It was a delightful place, full of the imagination of children at play.”

This “Living Room in the Woods” highlights an important truth – the immense value of parks and places of recreation for kids. “Parks are one of the primary places that kids – and parents – can connect to nature and the outdoors. This got me thinking...this is also true of summer camps! Like parks, they’re a source of true nature and the perfect place where kids can play safe and learn. Summer camps offer a haven for children to explore the great outdoors, away from stranger dangers, and they offer an environment that is tailored towards their positive development. In today's fast-paced world, it's all too easy to overlook this essential necessity that is so important to the growth of tomorrows leaders. 

- Ricky Searson, Assistant Director.