Thinking About Summer Plans? We Know We Are!

Our mission here at Foley is, 'We partner with parents to drive campers to grow, gain grit, investigate, and build independence.' But what does that truly mean for me (the parent)?

As parents, you are probably starting to get to the end of your summer planning and beginning to finalize all the plans for the family. Why not make camp a part of those summer plans?! Summer camp is a benefit to your child's growth and development, but it's also a benefit to you - the parents!

You might be thinking: "So what do I, as a parent, get out of this summer camp thing?"

Your kids are experiencing an intentional, individualized, structured few weeks away from home that gives you (the parent) the benefit of having more independent, confident kids. The article above has a great link for parents on how to prepare both themselves and their children for summer camp. The list has applicable ways to get ahead and lay the groundwork for a successful time away.

A safe environment for kids (and parents) to take risks is proving to be a much needed aspect of our lives. We know that homesickness is natural, but so is kid-sickness. Parents, you are definitely going to miss your kids, but it's a great opportunity for you to also take the risk of sending your child to a place that positively shapes them. Sending your child to a place where they are safe, cared for, and encouraged to take risks allows that room for growth and independence that we at Foley strive for.

The article, Anxious Parent? Sending the kids to camp can be great for you, too, from the Boston Globe goes into more depth regarding the benefits of summer camp for both you and your kids.

Parents, including our own Beth Foster, consistently see a difference in their kids when they return home after time spent in camp.

So, as you finalize those plans, think Camp Foley. Give your kid the gift of camp, complete with lifelong skills, friendships, and memories. Give yourself the gift of risk-taking growth, practice coping, and time doing what YOU would like to.

Register today for Summer 2019 and experience the benefits of camp for you and your child!

Maintaining Whitefish -- Don't Let Invasive Species In!

Let's get deep for a second. Let's talk about one of the most incredible aspects of Camp Foley. Let's put aside the friendships and the skills learned over a summer for just a minute. We're going to discuss how fortunate we are to be located on such an amazing body of water. Lower Whitefish Lake is an ideal setting for so many people to learn how to ski, sail, swim, fish - you name it. Whitefish makes it happen.

Campers Snorkeling in Whitefish Lake

The topic that is heavy on our minds is AIS, or aquatic invasive species. Keeping our lakes clean is such a priority to us at Foley, as it is a big part of who we are. We have worked closely with our local lake association (WAPOA) and a few members of the Foley team were trained as DNR volunteers to check boats going into and coming out of the Whitefish Chain for these aquatic invasive species. We feel fortunate that we were able to be trained in this and feel proud that we are protecting our lakes. Campers also had the opportunity to sign up to come shadow us as we checked boats so they felt they contributed to the greater good of our chain as well.

Here's where things get tricky.
Even with our stepped up efforts, over the past few years we have seen a few changes occurring in our treasured lake. Changes due to zebra mussels making their way into Whitefish. With no direct way to get rid of the zebra mussels, we now need to do a better job at ensuring more invasive species don't get in and do what we can to manage the AIS we do have.

Now down to some facts and where you all can help stop the spread of AIS.
Up until 2018 the DNR offered grants to lake associations to go directly toward managing aquatic invasive species. A good portion of these funds went directly to staffing the landings with boat inspectors. In 2018 no grants were available and that is the same for 2019. This means the DNR and volunteers spent 7,500 fewer hours at lake landings inspecting boats in 2018. Senators are currently working to pass a law that would allow for $1 million of General Fund money for matching grants to lake associations for controlling aquatic invasive species.  Lake associations do not have the means to fund their efforts alone, so this law would provide means for continued prevention of the spread of AIS and ultimately keep Whitefish as pristine as possible. We need to be part of this effort together.

As a population who utilizes one of Minnesota's gorgeous lakes, I encourage you all to click the "Take Action" button below to send an email to ask our senator to support this legislation. Let's work to keep the Whitefish water quality high for generations and generations to come. You can also donate directly to WAPOA is this is something that you directly would like to support!

"While AIS is a statewide problem, for too long the costs have been local. Lake Associations deserve support in the work they do to protect the public good of healthy lake ecosystems." - Jeff Forester, Executive Director at Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates 

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We're Sharing Our Favorite Camp Meals

Our Favorite Camp Meals

Winter may be starting to feel a little long, cold, and snowy. What would be better than a little taste of Minnesota? (We promise we don't mean snow!) We mean TTHD (Tater Tot Hot Dish), Soda Bread, Skillet Brownies - all of our camp favorites! Foley has an amazing kitchen staff that cook some pretty awesome meals for camp, and we know we're already counting down the days until we can eat camp food.

Cabin Groups posing with their Soda Bread!

Camp meals at home sometimes taste different, but it's definitely worth a try. Raise your hand if you miss Grilled Cheese and Soup! Do you dip it in your soup or eat it alongside instead? Try making it at home.

Campers and Staff enjoying Hoagies

Tater Tot Hot Dish is a camp favorite - rarely do we have leftovers for that one! Aside from it being so tasty at camp, it's also a Minnesota staple (and super simple to make).

I'll be honest, one that I LOVE is Mexican Lasagna, and I can never seem to get enough! See if this one is as good at home as it is at camp.

All of camp eating together in the Dining Hall

Speaking of all our favorites...a camp favorite is Soda Bread. The food itself is great, BUT we also get to enjoy it while sitting on the benches underneath the trees on beautiful sunny mornings.

Like I said previously, we've got some amazing staff that do a great job in the kitchen serving up Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner day in and day out. And we're reminded daily of just how lucky we are. Try out these recipes and comment below to let us know which ones YOU wish you could eat year-round. We can't wait to hear from you!

Casey and Joey helping serve milk to campers

Camper, Charlie, getting himself a HUGE
piece of Soda Bread

Tales of Creativity and Play: A Ted Talk for All of Us

Tales of Creativity and Play

Raise your hand if you believe playfulness helps drive you towards more creative solutions and ultimately more happiness in your everyday life? Our hands are raised high! We love play, and it has a place in as much of our lives as we allow for it. Here are three takeaways that excited us from this Ted Talk:

1.  Having a sense of trust and friendship is what allows us to feel secure in taking creative risks - something we should all be doing and what we strive for at Camp. 
2. Learning is a by-product of play (learning by doing), you don't need a formal workshop to be creative - use what you have around you to think with your hands!
3. Act out flaws in whatever you may be working on. Role-playing can be a great tool for understanding rules of social interaction. Think about "playing house" or "playing store." You are trying out this identity and living through experience to learn what works and what doesn't when it happens in life.

Playful exploration, playful building and role-play are great ways to learn and gain new insight!

In the Ted Talk below, Tim Brown discusses and expounds on creativity and play in schools, in the workplace, at home, etc. Prepare to be inspired to become more playful!  

Ted Talk: Tim Brown Tales of Creativity and Play