Top 10

Since the launch of our Foley Fact Videos, overall excitement for summer has been on the rise. Along with the facts those videos highlight, I also would like to point out a very broad fact - our campers are talented and demonstrate their skills in countless ways each day. With 30+ activities to choose from, each camper is able to create their own adventure by signing up for activities in which they desire to grow in confidence and skill. Just to get our minds on the summer days ahead, let's check out our camper's Top 10 favorite activities..

10. Springboard Diving

9. Fencing

8. Crafts

7. Climbing

6. Paintball

5. Archery

4. Riflery

3. Wakeboarding

2. Sailing

1. Waterskiing

While we patiently await summer, check out the specifics on these activities and more!  

What Camp Foley Activity Are You?

TBT: Learning to Shoot at Foley

One of my first memories of Foley, actually one of my first memories period, is being at the Rifle Range with my Dad during family camp.  Sitting in his lap while he held the .22 up for me, I tried to shoot at the paper targets down range. I can’t remember whether or not I hit them but that wasn't important. What was important was that at that moment I was forever infatuated with the art and precision of shooting.

Jack teaching Riflery in 2012.

When I was old enough to go to Foley by myself I was always most excited to be able to shoot again and in my eight wonderful summers of heading up north to camp I took Riflery every signup.  As I got better at shooting, I realized that it wasn't the result of my work or the awards I got that were the things I loved about Riflery but the process. Taking that big breath, relaxing the rest of my body, and focusing on that little black dot. Lining up that shot was when my mind was at it’s clearest, body at it’s calmest, and heart as relaxed as it would ever be.   I have not been able to find any activity that replaces those feelings, which is why to this day I still shoot and hunt, and it is what inspired me to be a Camp Foley counselor.

In the summer of 2012, teaching campers new shooting positions became a joy as I watched kids transfer to the sitting position after shooting prone for so long. I especially remember helping Claudia Leon with her elbows when sitting and Thomas Schroeder with his balance and hands while he figured out the standing position on his way to the Expert Award, the highest Riflery award Foley has to offer. 

Teaching me how to safely and responsibly shoot, the Foley Riflery program was probably one of the best things that ever happened to me, and I am proud to have passed on those values and traditions on to other campers last year. Which is why I returned again for summer 2013!   

-Jack Revord

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 - Heard it at the Pizza Parties!

We were so happy to see so many great people in St. Louis and Minneapolis this year at our Pizza Parties! At both of these Camp Foley get togethers, we asked those who attended to share some things with us.

What is your favorite memory from 2012:

"Making up sailing songs with Natalie Cooper & Meghan O’Connell." – Kieran O’Connell, St. Louis

"Waterskiing." - Anna Krummenacher

"Sailing, also treehouses, waterskiing." - Annie Epstein

"Treehouses." - Kate Krummenacher

"Sailing, treehouses and dancing in our cabin to ‘Chasing the Sun’" - Claire Krummenacher

"My favorite memory was our last cabin activity, and we stole one of the boats to take out on the lake. After awhile we stopped, and anchored down, and started jumping off the boat while saying or attempting to make the sounds of the animal a person said. It was fun and a good last memory." - Molly Bauer

Twin Cities Pizza Party

"Shooting a rifle for the first time."

"Playing with friends."

"I liked when i got up on skis."

"Double skiing with Sophie Corniea and MC!"

"The banquet."

"Windsurfing."

"Waterskiing." 

"My favorite memory of Camp Foley is the nice campfires and bonfires." - Emily Jurgens

St. Louis Pizza Party

What are you most excited about for 2013:

"Seeing all my friends and new activities." - Anna Krummenacher

"Sailing! Also seeing friends again." - Annie Epstein 

"Seeing all my FRIENDS!" - Kate Krummenacher
 
"Getting my American Archer."

"Attending camp for the first time!" 

"Summer!"

"Food."

Lastly, we asked people to share what words come to mind when they think about Camp Foley: Fun, Cool, Awesome, Playful, Sunny, Exciting, Delightful, Tiring, Great.

If we didn't have a Pizza Party in your area, or if you couldn't attend in St. Louis or Minneapolis, share you memories with us anyway in the comments below, on Facebook, on Twitter (@campfoley) or by email (fun@campfoley.com)! We're always excited to hear from our Foley friends!

Throwback Thursday: Top 12 in '12

As 2012 comes to a close, Camp Foley is counting down the Top 12 in 2012!

12. Norm came to Camp Foley!

11. The LIT morning and evening programs of relays, races and large-field games were fun for all! The LIT 2 campers from First and Second Session even prepared the evening activity for the 4th of July!

10. CIT Opening Campfires were creative and entertaining! Themes were Despicable Me: Camp Foley and The Bachelor: Lower Mosquit/Disney Princesses.

 9. Dr. Seuss and Roald Dahl Final Banquets were a success! The Dr. Seuss banquet featured a rousing game of Sneetchball and a visit from The Grinch and Cindy Lou Who while Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory was set up in the Wabi for the Roald Dahl Banquet.

8. Flick n’ Float made its return to Foley! Campers enjoyed watching "The Little Giants" or "The Sandlot" down at the Marina, under the stars!

 7. According to campers, Waterskiing is Camp Foley’s favorite activity! Sailing and Riflery came in second and third, respectively.

6. Camp got a new wakeboard boat, which made it easier for 27 campers to earn their Closet Junkie Award!

5. 96.5% of campers achieved a Foley First in 2012! Our goal for 2013: Have 100% of campers say they achieved a Foley First!

4. In its first year, Club Paradise brought 68 new families and 101 new campers to Foley! A special shout out do Second Session's Martin Dieck who had so many referrals sign up for camp that he already has all four of his official Camp Foley Root Beer Mugs and set of spoons!

Claire receiving her Silver Paddle.

3. Nine very deserving Anchor Awards were handed out to Jack Cunningham, Erin Foley, Nick Goldman, Paige Harrington, Ari Hechter, Maddie Lorentzen, Thomas Schroeder, Mary Grace Schuler and Parker Stevens. 

2. Claire Hickey earned her Silver Paddle! She is the 44th overall camper and 13th female to receive this award. Way to go, Clarie! 

From left: Thomas, Toby, Jack, Regina, Loic, Nick and Sarah.

1. Campers earned some of camp’s hardest activity awards: American Archer in Archery (Toby Glover), Force Four in Windsurfing (Loic DeRichecour), Expert in Riflery (Nick Goldman, Thomas Schroeder), Skipper in Sailing (Jack Cunningham, Regina Flores, Sarah Kruemplestaedter)!

If you think we left something off of our "Top 12" be sure to let us know! It's pretty clear that 2012 was an AMAZING summer at Camp Foley. We can only hope that 2013 will be just as fun, just as exciting, and just as memorable! If you haven't registered for summer 2013 yet, you better get on it. If you're already registered, what are you looking forward to next summer?

"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.