The Enviro Center Closes (for the Season)

Enviro Ed - Week 1

Today at exactly 1:39 PM we said goodbye to our last students from Environmental Education for the season. We had an AWESOME three weeks that included ten schools and 431 students. Students got mucky in the muck pond, saw tons of creatures at Hidden Lake, roasted hot dogs and marshmallows over campfires and tons of other awesome things.

One of the activities is Solos, which is the students going out into the woods and spending 30-40 minutes immersed in nature. During their time in nature, they could read, write or just simply observe their surroundings. One of the students wrote a poem that she shared in front of the entire Enviro Ed group at breakfast this morning, and we figured it was something worth sharing with the entire Foley community.

Alone in the Woods

I am sitting at my tree

the birds have come to greet me. 

The wind is playing with the leaves

as they fall, the ground receives. 

Rain comes down but trees protect

I'm a little wet, not wrecked.

Many bugs crawl all around

but they do not make a sound.

Lots and lots of grass blades grow

sprouting up from ground below. 

There is moss on lots of things

overpowering like kings.

Many sticks and twigs have fell

all around the ground as well. 

As I leave this peaceful spot

things I've seen won't be forgot.

Now it's time for us to get ready for our summer camp season to begin in 17 short days! We've already got some staff here and more come this weekend before the rest of the staff arrives for work week on June 7. A lot of happening and we couldn't be more excited! 

TBT - Evan Recalls "Barefooting" in 2005

Dan Lamm (left) as a counselor
in 2005.

This is one of those memories that I will never forget from camp. It is still as clear as it was the day it happened. I was in Dan Lamm’s, or as some of you may know him Dan the Man, skiing class back in 2005. We decided to break out the boom to try barefooting. I had no idea what I was doing and it did not help that it was a fairly windy day out.

Evan as a camper in 2005.

When it was my turn to go, I was a little nervous but figured I could get it done. If you have not seen someone barefoot off the boom before, you start out in a superman position holding on to the boom. You then swing your legs around to the front so you can barefoot of the side of the boat. As the boat started to drag me through the water, I realized this was not going to be that easy.

All of a sudden we were going pretty fast and I was still just being dragged in the superman position. I was not strong enough to pull my legs out in front of me, so there I was just being dragged by the side of the boat. Bouncing off every wave that we hit. But here is where the unthinkable happened.

Evan waterskiing in 2005. This is not the barefooting
incident. Thankfully.

One second my swimsuit was on¸ the next it was gone. As soon as I realized that my swimsuit had come off, I let go of the boom. I must not have tied my suit tight enough because when I hit one wave at the wrong angle, the lake took my suit. There I sat in the water, with just a lifejacket. When I told Dan what had happened, we were both laughing and he tossed me my towel.

But it was not my towel. It belonged to the little fox girl who Dan had spotting for him in the boat. The towels looks very similar however I did not realize this until I was already in the boat wrapped up in the towel. Once we realized that I had the wrong towel, the little girl could not understand why she could not have her towel; English was not her first language. Me and Dan tried to explain, still laughing, why I could not take off the towel until we got back.

Evan as a counselor in 2012 with cabin Shingwako.

The whole time Dan, the rest of the campers in our group, and me were laughing about the incident. We eventually made it back, and I was able to get a new pair of shorts back at my cabin. That ended up being Dan’s favorite memory of the session when it came time for closing campfire, which I was pretty proud of at the time. I will never forget that day. It is just one of the many memories I have of camp, and they always brighten my day every time they pop into my head. Whitefish still has my swimsuit down there somewhere.

-Evan Oncay

2013 Preview: Meet the CITs!

We know how much you all love the CITs. They are cool. They know everything about camp. They are awesome role models. And they sing the loudest at campfires. So today, we thought we'd give you the inside scoop on who the 2013 CITs are.

First & Second Session

TJ S. 
This is my: 4th year at camp
Most excited about: Working with the younger kids and helping out
Favorite meal: Tater Tot Hot Dish
Favorite camp song: Rattlin' Bog
Favorite activity: Waterskiing/Wakeboarding


John D.
This is my: 9th year at camp
Most excited about: CIT Opening Campfire Second Session and having a younger cabin
Favorite meal: French Toast Sticks/Waffle Sticks/Pancakes
Favorite camp song: Purple Light
Favorite activity: Trap (because it's a great time to hang out and you get to shoot at things flying through the air)

Jack S.
This is my: 4th year at camp
Most excited about: Helping the younger cabins (because I remember the CITs helping me when I was new to the whole camp thing!)
Favorite meal: Grilled Cheese (with a side ranch!)
Favorite camp song: Rattlin' Bog
Favorite activity: Tied between Trap Shooting and Waterskiing


Cole St.
This is my: 7th year at camp
Most excited about: Hanging out with my younger cabin and helping out wherever I can in my daily activities especially Sailing and Racing JYs (which is the best)
Favorite meal: Burgers and Mac n' Cheese
Favorite camp song: Pizza Man
Favorite activity: Sail Racing

Evan C.
This is my: 3rd year at camp
Most excited about: Helping out the younger kids in their activities and helping with a cabin of younger campers
Favorite meal: Tater Tot Hot Dish
Favorite camp song: Threw it Out the Window
Favorite activity: Sailing (being ont he lake with friends can be really fun)

Third & Fourth Session

Karl V.
This is my: 5th year at camp
Most excited about: Friendship Campfire, Treehouses with my younger cabin and assisting with activities
Favorite meal: Mexican Lasagna and French Toast Sticks (because they taste like donuts!)
Favorite camp song: Da Moose and Pizza Man
Favorite activitiy: Waterskiing and Paintball

Emily Mc.
This is my: 10th year at camp
Most excited about: To have my own cabin to help and hangout with and to get to know the younger section of camp
Favorite meal at camp: Pancakes or Grilled Cheese
Favorite camp song: Old Lady Lear (because you get to yell!)
Favorite activity: Trap Shooting


Sara K.
This is my: 8th year at camp
Most excited about: To have a younger cabin to spend time with
Favorite meal: First day Spaghetti and Tater Tot Hot Dish
Favorite camp song: Da Moose and Rattlin' Bog
Favorite activity: Sailing



Sarah L.
This is my: 5th year at camp
Most excited about: Working with younger campers!
Favorite meal: Outdoor picnic
Favorite camp song: Purple Light
Favorite activity: Waterskiing



Max P.
This is my: 4th year at camp
Most excited about: Having a younger cabin
Favorite meal: Lasagna (regular not Mexican)
Favorite camp song: Chili Chili
Favorite activity: Sail Racing



Miles H.
This is my: 7th year at camp
Most excited about: Getting to help teach an activity
Favorite meal: Sodabread
Favorite camp song: Threw it out the Window
Favorite activity: Riflery

TBT: Rachel Remembers Some Crazy Weather!

Mother Nature at Camp

Rachel as a counselor for cabin Ishtakaba in 2011.

I will be a third year counselor this year and I don't even remember the number of summers I have spent at Foley. That being said, my first two summers as a counselor couldn't have been more different. The first year was cold and rainy, even I, a seasoned 1st session camper and native Minnesotan, thought it was too cold to jump in the lake. The number of days we changed lesson plans, cancelled classes, started late because of the rain were too numerous to count. My second summer was hot and I wished I could jump in the lake for the swim test at the beginning of the sessions, but was helping the nurse check everybody in. Last summer the accessory to have was a water bottle filled to the top at breakfast and empty by morning fun.  The differences in the summers taught me one very important thing, No matter how much you plan or think "I've got everything under control" don't count on mother nature cooperating.  

The treehouses at lower mosquito were put in during some of my last summers as a camper. With two trips as a camper and eight trips with my own campers to the treehouses I have learned that very lesson. I think it rained every trip up there except one which is a pretty impressive statistic. Even though it rained, I think those were my favorite trips; there is nothing like the sound of rain hitting the leaves of the tree when you wake up or as you fall asleep at night. The rain also does one very important thing that anyone who has gone to the treehouses will know….it keeps the mosquitoes down!  Despite the numerous trips I have made back to camp after in the rain after a night at the treehouses I wouldn't have traded anything for them. I got to know my campers better by sharing games and stories in the treehouse cabin then I ever could trying to catch them between classes or before they go to bed.

Rachel as a counselor for cabin MicMac in 2012.

The crazy weather brings about some crazy things including hours practicing for the camp-wide lip syncs and then being told that classes were getting back on schedule and the lip syncs would have to wait. Watching the cabins perform, starting with the youngest and finishing up with the oldest campers, is exciting and hilarious. You never know what song anybody is doing, that is kept like a national secret. The dance moves that everybody comes up with are hilarious, we can make moves to almost anything.

I can't wait for this summer and all the crazy weather that is bound to happen. I mean we still had snow at the end of April and several lakes still have ice on them in May. So let's get this summer started and see what the crazy Minnesota weather will bring us. Whatever it is it will create some awesome memories that I'm sure all my friends will be sick of hearing before I can make some new ones.

-Rachel Westra

Camp Creature: The Bobcat

This week we'll be introducing you to the bobcat! An "illusive" creature as Camp Foley's Director, Alli Faricy, put it. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), "Few humans ever see a bobcat in the wild."

The bobcat is the smallest of of all four species in the Lynx genus. Bobcats can weigh between 10 and 40 pounds, and stands one to two feet tall. Generally, it is tan to grayish-brown on top with a white belly and it has
black streaks or spots. The ears of the bobcat are black-tipped and pointed, with short, black tufts.

First bobcat fun fact: Bobcats from desert regions of the southwest have the lightest fur, and the northern bobcats from the forest regions have the darkest! 

Bobcats have excellent hearing and vision, and a good sense of smell. Plus, it is an excellent climber (they have been known to climb trees and catch and eat porcupines!) and can swim (but tends to avoid water)! The bobcat is muscular, and its hind legs are longer than its front legs, which gives it a bobbing walk. However, this is not why the animal is named the bobcat...

Second bobcat fun fact: Bobcats are named for its "bob" tail, which looks as though it has been cut off at about five inches long!

Bobcats eat a wide range of small and medium-sized prey such as mice, snowshoe hares, squirrels, birds and white-tailed deer fawns. The bobcat needs to watch out for coyotes and fishers, but fishers and coyotes should also beware of the bobcat.

Bobcats used to live across the state, but now it is seldom found in southern Minnesota. It most commonly lives in the woodlands of north-central and northeastern Minnesota. Bobcats are a designated game animal, meaning they can be hunted, but only during the prescribed seasons. It is typically hunted - with hounds - for its fur. 

In a Shawnee tale, the bobcat is outwitted by a rabbit, thus resulting in the bobcat getting its spots. After trapping the rabbit in a tree, the bobcat is persuaded to build a fire. The embers then scatter on its fur, leaving it singed with black spots. The bobcat, lynx and coyote are present in a lot of Native American Mythology and national folklore. 

Final bobcat fun fact: The bobcat we see in the western Great Lakes area (including upper Michigan, Wisconsin, Southern Ontario and Minnesota) is the L. r. superiorensis. It is one of thirteen bobcat species.

Environmental Ed - Week 1

Last week we had an AWESOME time with sixth graders for five schools in Minnesota (St. Bartholomew, Annunciation, Holy Trinity, St. Boniface and Marquette) at the Foley Environmental Education Center. Not only did we have some super fun students in camp, but we did some pretty cool things as well.

A Day at the Enivro Center

Dr. Earth

Each day students woke up in their cabins and then cleaned their cabin (in hopes of winning the Ms. and Mr. Spic and Span Award). Students then made their way to the Weather Station to predict what the weather would be like for the day. Each day at Foley we focus on a different character trait - Caring, Respect, Responsibility, Trustworthiness and Citizenship - so before breakfast each morning a couple of students would do a reading about the day's character trait. After each meal, Dr. Earth would visit to see how wasteful we have been. Dr. Earth would also remind everyone to stay on the paths (so we wouldn't become "Soil Destroyers") and to turn off lights when we left a building (so we wouldn't become "Energy Wasters") Throughout the day students attended academic classes and later in the day  had rec time (free time to go climbing, shoot at archery or play other games) and late-night adventure (going to look for snakes or frogs, large field games, twilight canoeing, etc.). On Wednesday night, the students went to various campfire-sites for Team Hotdog where they cooked hotdogs and s'mores over a campfire for dinner. 

Academic Classes

Wildlife Viewing

Aquatics & Wildlife Viewing: Students traveled to Hidden Lake to take in some beautiful scenery and canoe. Using binoculars students were able to spy some pretty cool things including two eagles' nests. As students traveled to Hidden Lake and canoed around they saw a variety of animals including eagles, painted turtles, snapping turtles, deer, beavers, muskrats and a variety of fish and birds.

Blind Hike: After every student put on a blindfold, they held hands and made their way through the woods without using their sense of sight and without talking! Over roots and rocks students used each other and their available senses to maneuver.

Climbing & Team Games: Students had the chance to take on Foley's 38-foot climbing tower! Using the commands they learned on the first day students used teamwork and encouragement to make it up the wall. When they weren't climbing, students had the chance to use teamwork skills during team games.

Critters

Critters: At critters, students learned all about the turtles and snakes in the Camp Foley Nature Center. Everyone had the opportunity to hold a Western Hognose, Pueblo Milk Snake or King Snake. Plus they met Foley's two turtles, a Painted Turtle named Muncher and a Snapping Turtle named Bowser.

Fish Survival: Students had a chance to get their science on while determining what kind of fish can survive in Whitefish Lake. Using samples of lake water, students went through several steps to come to a conclusion. about their fish.

Geocaching: Armed with a GPS ("Trust the GPS!") and a partner, students navigated through the woods to Upper Tree Houses where the group met up. Students then used their GPS to find different caches located around the tree house.

Geology: Students learned all about ROCKS in geology. They learned about how different types of rocks are formed, how the continents formed and separated, and all about erosion.

Muck Adventure

Micros: At micros, students had the chance to find microorganisms in water from a nearby Arrowhead Lake. Using their microscopes and their partners students recorded what they found.

Muck Adventure: The theme for this class seemed to be: How many worms can you eat? Students took off their shoes and socks, rolled up their pants and waded into the below-the-knee deep water to explore the muck pond.

Solos: Probably the quietest academic class, students had the opportunity to spend some time in nature all alone, away from their classmates. Students could write, draw, read or just enjoy their natural surroundings as they listened to the wind in the trees and the other sounds of nature.

Woodskills

Woodskills: Students spent their time at woodskills sawing, peeling the bark of wood, throwing tomahawks, starting a fire with flint and steel and whittling! Some of the tasks were easier than the others, but each student found something they seemed to excel at during their time at woodskills.

Overall it was a great week! We are so thankful for everyone that helped make it possible (including Mother Nature who provided us with some beautiful, sunny days)! We hope you left the Foley Environmental Education Center with as many great memories as we did!

2013 Preview: Activity Plus

If you got the March 2013 Newsletter you've already got an idea of what Activity Plus is, but for those of you who don't have any idea what it is - read on!

We're in the business of giving campers what they want. One thing that we've hear for awhile now is that campers want longer activity period to pursue their passions. The problem was: How do we do that without lengthening the activity periods and offering fewer activity periods a day? The answer to that question: Activity Plus! 

Activity Plus will be select activities with extended periods, so campers can work toward awards, advance their skills or just enjoy extra time at an activity they love! Campers can choose to take an Activity Plus during a regular three-day sign up. 

Examples of Activity Plus

• Archery - Small class sizes and extra time means campers can work towards awards and hone their skills! Perhaps there will be more time to shoot the animal dummies or play some Archery games.
• Beginner Ski/Wakeboard - It can hard to get up on skis or a wakeboard for the first time. So don't worry about stage-fright or being intimidated by the more advanced skiers and wakeboarders because this class is for beginners only! 
• Outdoor Cooking - Sure, everyone gets to cook over a fire at the Tree Houses, but in Outdoor Cooking you'll get to learn more elaborate meals or how to bake over a campfire. None of the standard, TFD/Pizza Pie/Hotdog stuff. 
• Paintball - A longer Paintball period means there is more time for campers to play in 3-on-3 Tournaments or play specialty games. 
• Riflery - Campers will have more time to shoot in classes with fewer campers, which means they'll have a better opportunity to perfect their aim and advance in awards. 
• Sailing - This is the perfect activity for campers who don't take Sail Racing but want more time out on Whitefish Lake. A longer period will give campers more time to sail between rigging and de-rigging. 
• Skiing/Wakeboarding/Surfing - This extended class will allow campers to advance in their awards and perhaps try to learn a new trick. Campers will be able to go on longer runs with the extra time!
• Ski the Chain of Lakes - A fun challenge for experienced skiers: How many different lakes can you ski on?
• Surf Only - This Activity Plus is for wakesurf enthusiasts only! Work on your skills and take some chances with this specialized class!

Which Activity Plus are you excited to try out? Do you have any suggestions? Share with us! We'll see you this summer for Activity Plus and so much more!

#CF2013

First Session: 36 Days, Second Session: 50 Days, Third Session: 65 Days, Fourth Session: 79 Days.

TBT: Katie McGuire Was Once Homesick!

Katie and Molly on staff in 2012.

If you know Katie McGuire (longtime camper and third-year counselor), you know how much she loves camp. Camp, Creighton Bluejays and Jerseys & Jordans -  that pretty much sums up Katie's passions. She loves camp so much, it's hard to believe that even she once struggled with homesickness! It happens to almost everyone, so don't feel bad if you get a little homesick. Here is Katie's Throwback Thursday story. And this summer, if you ever find yourself a little homesick, track down Katie and I'm sure she can help you out!

The first time I went to camp it was 3rd session 2004. I came with my cousins Shannon (11), Molly (10-like me), Megan (8), and Emily (7.) Shannon and Molly had come for a few years before, so I had heard all about Foley prior to my arrival. Many memories I have from my first few years are blurry or skewed, but I remember my first night like it was yesterday. 

My stomach had been in knots all day; I had never learned so many things or met so many people all at once in my whole life. I finally felt comfortable during campfire and enjoyed the energy everyone had. For the last song, just like we still close campfire, we sang taps. I didn't know the words, but I could go along with the hand motions. Listening to that song, in silence of the woods, I had never felt so at peace. 

Katie, Molly and cabin Micmac in 2004.

The quiet walk back helped me digest the day. Even though I had started to feel more comfortable, I was still apprehensive as we got ready for bed and did high-lows. Once flashlight time was over, it hit me that I was not going to be at home for two weeks, I had never spent even a quarter of that time away from my parents. I became homesick and cried until I fell asleep. 

The next morning, I told Molly how I was sad because I missed my family. She told me that I didn't need to be homesick because these people would become my family, and this place would become my home. Molly McGuire at the young age of ten was wise beyond her years (she was basically as wise then as she is now... she peaked early). 

Katie and Molly as CITs
in 2009.

And it turns out what Molly said was right. Because of her, and her wise words, I am about to start my 10th consecutive year at Foley. 

So if you are a parent or kid sitting at home wondering if it’s the right time to go to overnight camp, trusts me — it’s the right time. If you’re 8 or 16 or anywhere in between, sign up because you don’t want to miss any more chances to spend your summer in paradise. We promise we will never run out of room in the Foley Family; you can be part of it too!

Were you ever homesick at camp? How did you cope with it? Hopefully you had someone like Molly to help!

Camp Creature: Pileated Woodpecker

According to his press agent, the creator of Woody Woodpecker, Walter Lantz, got the inspiration while in Sherwood Lake, California with his wife. Apparently, a noisy Pileated Woodpecker outside the cabin kept the couple awake at night. Woody shares many characteristics with the Pileated Woodpecker in terms of physical appearance as well as his characterstic laugh, which resembles the call of the Pileated Woodpecker! (If you've never heard the Woody Woodpecker's laugh, watch the video below!)

Pileated Woodpecker Range Map.

Pileated Woodpeckers are the biggest woodpeckers in North America being about 16 to 19 inches tall - as big as a crow. The bird is mainly black with a red crest (the red feathers on top of its head) with a white line down the sides of its throat. In flight, the wings show white. Adult males also have a red line from the bill to the throat, but on adult females it is black.The only North American birds of similar coloring and size are the Ivory-billed Woodpecker and the Imperial Woodpecker (of the Southeastern US and Mexico respectively), but those two birds are extremely rare, if not extinct. Its pecking, or drumming, can be very loud and often sounds as if someone were striking a tree with a hammer. 

Pileated Woodpeckers typically live in thick forests near rivers or lakes. We can often see these birds in the woods around camp! Their habitat reaches from the Eastern-Middle United States, across Canada, to parts of the Western United States along the Pacific coast. The bird prefers large, mature hardwood trees. Usually, it will chip out a large hole in the cavity of a dead tree for its large nest. Sometimes, the hole gets so large it can cause a small tree to break in half, and there are typically multiple entrances to nest holes. Once the brood is raised  the hole is abandoned, and each year a new hole/nest is created. Can't create  nest in the same hole twice... that's just silly! Luckily, the abandoned holes become home to song birds, owls or other animals such as raccoon.

A Pileated Woodpecker pair stays together in its territory all year round. Pileated Woodpeckers are non-migratory species. It will defend its territory in all seasons. When clashing with unwelcome guests, the birds engage in chasing, calling, striking with the wings and jabbing with the bill. Drumming (pecking) is most commonly used to proclaim its territory  Hollow trees are used to make the loudest sound possible. 

Last fact: The oldest known Pileated Woodpecker was 12 years and 11 months old.

TBT: Wise Words from some Hall of Fame Staff Members

As I was working on a project, I realized how many 2013 staff members have been inducted into the Camp Foley Hall of Fame, meaning they have been at camp for 10 or more summers. So, for this Throwback Thursday I thought I'd share a bit about what makes Camp Foley so special to them and why they have continued to come back. Maybe their wise words will be just the spark you need to write your five year essay? Or maybe it will just help you to realize how much the staff really loves Foley and why they are here for yet another year!

Kylie Beltz (inducted 2007) – written 2003, age 10: “I, and maybe you, have noticed that everywhere you look there are smiling faces of the campers. Friends are a huge part of Camp Foley.”  

Emilia Kronschnabel (inducted 2007) – written 2002, age 10: “This is my fifth year at Camp Foley, and boy have I learned a lot! And I still have a lot to learn.” 

Ally Daily (inducted 2009) – written 2009, age 15: “There are some things in camp that are visible to everyone, but some things can only be seen by those that have experienced the magic of Foley.” 

Courtney Kronschnabel (inducted 2009) – written 2004, age 11: “It means once I’m here, I never want to leave because of all the laughs, cries, falls, meals you've had, you don’t want to leave all the fun at Camp Foley.” 

Claire Revord (inducted 2010) – written 2005, age 11: “When I stop and think about two simple words, Camp Foley, I realize that it isn't just a camp. It’s a place where friendships grow, where memories are made, where laughs and smiles are shared. 

Chris Revord (inducted 2010) – written 2006, age 12:“The thought of Camp Foley brings smiles to my face. It reminds me of so many incredible memories, and brings tears to my eyes.” 

Peter Hughes (inducted 2010) – written in 2010, age 16: “When my hand goes down for the last time for taps, that beautiful chapter of my life will be dotted with its final period… With me I will take the friendships, the lessons, the memories, and the idea of how truly amazing life can be.” 

Joe Dwyer (inducted 2012) – written 2007, age 13: “Ever since that first day a lot of things changed at camp around me like new campers, new counselors, and new activities. It’s all really awesome with all these new experiences, it’s like opening up presents during Christmas.” 

Molly McGuire (inducted 2012) – written 2005, age 12: “Oh, another thing I can’t forget is expressing yourself. At camp you are free to be yourself and not pretend to be someone you're not.” 

Together, these counselors have almost 100 summers under their belt! That is outrageously cool and we couldn't be more excited for them to be back sharing their love of Foley with all the campers. 

What do you think makes Camp Foley so great?