Camp in all its Beauty

Sunset over Whitefish Lake 

This fall, Mother nature has blessed us with all of the weather we could possibly wish to experience in northern Minnesota. From temperatures reaching the 60's throughout early November, to a blizzard bringing in nearly 20 inches of snow, we are thankful this Thanksgiving for all the beauty these conditions have provided.

November typically prompts us to head indoors as it brings colder temperatures, with highs reaching in to the 40's. This November we experienced temperatures twenty degrees warmer than usual. This provided an ideal setting to continue spending time outdoors, including many bonfires and enjoying the nightly sunsets over Whitefish Lake!

Director hotdog roast
in early November

Our transition from these warm temps to snowfall happened in a short weeks time. Mother Nature decided she wasn't going to bring on the snow gradually this winter, she was going to start us off in a total whiteout- 18.5 inches of snow fell last Friday. Although this provided for much less than ideal driving conditions, it layered camp in a white bliss. For most of our alumni, campers, and staff who have only seen the wonders of Foley in the summertime, observing camp in these conditions is truly a unique experience.

Jack, a longtime camper and staff, was in awe as he walked passed the Chapel last weekend. Jack said it perfectly, "This is beautiful. Camp is always beautiful, but this is something special. For many years I have seen this place so full of energy and excitement. Seeing it calm, covered in snow, and quiet made me take a step back and really appreciate how secluded and fully immersed in nature we really are."

Director Alli Faricy took full advantage of this snowy opportunity and captured some fascinating shots of Camp Foley in its winter form, enjoy the pictures below.

We encourage you all to #optoutside and find the beauty in everything you encounter this Thanksgiving!                
    

  

         

What's in a Letter?

Parents! You drop your child off at camp, say your goodbyes and then you leave that child in the care of these certain amazing individuals we call, camp counselors.  Those counselors are going to be the ones on the front lines giving your child the best growing experience of their young lives. You are entrusting your child to us. That’s a big responsibility, but guess what; we are highly trained, compassionate individuals who want nothing more than the safe well-being of your child.

But how do you know this is what your child is getting? 

This is when those fancy parent letters come into play. Personalized letters seem like a thing of the past. People seem to turn to social media "stalking" to get information or communicate with other people.  The camper letter however, is a personal and sentimental account of what your child has accomplished over their time at camp. It shows that the counselors are paying attention not to just what your child is doing in activities but how they are growing as a person while at camp.

Although campers send home letters to their parents throughout their camp experience, most of the time they leave out certain details or don’t say much at all (generally a sign they are having too much fun while at camp).  The counselor letter adds on to those amazing experiences your child is having. It adds the friendships that have bonded, the struggles they have overcome, and the mountains they have climbed and then jumped off into new experiences.  This certain letter helps bring about a certain piece of mind, and tranquility that might help the parent through the separation.  The parents can realize the impact camp has on their children. The impact it has on their physical, mental, and social capabilities. These soothing letters provide that sense of worth that you hope your child is getting while at camp. 

The counselors take a great deal of time writing, re-writing, correcting mistakes and then possibly throwing it away and starting over again on these letters. They want you to feel the pride they feel when these events happen to your child. They want you to know that you might the correct decision sending your child to camp. They want you to know that even though your child might not realize it, they are growing is the most of positive of ways in their youth.  These letters do just that. They are not just part of the job description. They are an intricate part of camp and keeping your relationship with camp to the highest standards. 

So when you as a parent, receive a letter from a counselor, think of it as an outreach of further trust between yourself and the entire camp and what it holds dear to every counselors heart. That the true meaning of these amazing, and time developed letters are to insure that you know your child is receiving an amazing experience at camp and these counselors and directors are proud to help partner with you in helping your child grow in every aspect of their lives.

Wes Long, Assistant Director

TBT: Emilia and Windsurfing

2013 counselor, Emilia Kronschnabel, reflects on why she loves 

Emilia Windsurfing as a camper.

Windsurfing so much, and in my professional opinion, her love affair is completely valid. (As Windsurfing is absolutely the best activity offered at the Marina. But I, Krista, may be biased.)

So I love camp, who doesn't? One of the many reasons I have come to love camp over the years is the ability to learn new skills while at camp. I was a camper for 11 years, but it was my first year as a counselor that I realized how much fun it can be to teach new skills to campers. I teach Windsurfing, and though Courtney may say Sailing is better, I believe Windsurfing is the best activity to take down at the Marina. (So come take it if you haven’t yet!!) I learned to Windsurf at Foley, and every day I teach it, I love it more because I’m able to teach campers a skill they probably wouldn’t have learned anywhere else.

Teaching Windsurfing, like a pro, in 2012.

When a camper pulls up the sail successfully for the first time and begins to go, I think I get as much satisfaction out of just watching them as they do actually sailing.  My time learning to windsurf began while I was young and inexperienced, and Christine McGarvey (one of the AD’s this summer) taught me how using the old simulator on Foley green. I signed up for Windsurfing because I needed a water activity, I thought Christine was cool, and I had never tried it before. I ended up loving it and signed up for it every sign up for the next eight-or-so years. When I was finally able to successfully turn around and not have Christine tow me in it was a great day. I came to love the sport and developed some quality skills, and now I love to teach it. 

This is not a joke, in 2008 (Emilia's last year as a camper)
she took a pic of her last signup sheet. The picture is
captioned as: "Always fourth period, don't know
what I woulda done without it."

 Last summer, I was lucky enough to have some campers that reached that same goal. They would go out at the beginning of the class period, cruise far out into the lake, and then make their way back. Don’t get me wrong, I love towing windsurfers in too. I get an extra boat ride where I get to learn more about the campers in my class, but seeing the look of success on someone’s face when they've accomplished something for the first time is truly magical. Learning for myself as a camper was one thing, but watching others learn is much more satisfying. Foley gives campers the ability to make wonderful friends and to learn some amazing new skills. Signing up for something new can open up a new world for campers, as it did for me, and as I’ve seen it do for others. So this summer- try a new activity- it might just become your favorite!  

-Emilia Kronschnabel

Did you ever try an activity for the first time and have it become a new favorite? What activities are you excited to get back to, or to try, this summer? 

From Campers to Counselors

Everyone knows that the best kind of friend is a camp friend. For whatever reason, you make some of your best friends at camp. Many of our counselors from 2013 were past Foley campers as well. Berns Villareal, talks about what it's like making the transition from camper to counselor, and how special it can be to make that transition with your friends from camp. 

Berns’s First Day

Berns and Pete in Cabin Wahtassa in 2007

After six summers as a camper, it was hard to see the camper days come to an end and say goodbye to those friends that I had come to love and admire. We, as great friends, promised to see each other again and to stay close through time and space… “Always and forever,” we said. Little did we know that chance, destiny, and life would bring us together sooner than we expected. 

Mary Claire and Berns with friends in 2006. 

Three years later we found each other standing upon a familiar sight: Camp Foley. It was here, where it all started, that we were meant to live this new chapter of our lives, not as campers but as counselors. 
For me the weeks leading up to THE DAY (when we would meet in camp again) were the hardest. Thoughts started running through my head. “Will it be like the old days?” “Will we be as close?” “Will we pick up right where we left off?” “What if we've changed a lot?” “What if we've changed too much?” I was scared of what might happen. It had been three years since we had seen each other, three years of stories and experiences, of building and living lives without each other... How do you pick up the threads of an old life? How do you go back in time and get it all back? 

Then a memory hit me. I remembered my first day as a camper, which was pretty much like the first day of all my summers at camp. I would be nervous to find out who would be in my cabin, or worse that I wouldn't know anyone at all. But in camp getting along is a natural thing: It’s as if the air that flows through camp is a magical one that makes everyone accept you for who you are and like you for it. It was then that I came to understand that we don’t have to go back in time, we can live the days to come as if time doesn't exist, as if camp was never going be over. 

Austin, Berns and Peter at the Trap Range in 2011.

Finally THE DAY came when we were all breathing the Foley air again and the excitement was overflowing our bodies. We all had many great stories, memories, and experiences to share with each other, and as I had remembered, it was as if it was just yesterday that we all had been together. 
AMEN 

--Berns Villarreal

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

What Does Camp Foley Mean to Eric?

For those of you that have reached your fifth summer and are still putting off your "What Does Camp Foley Mean to Me?" essay, read how guest blogger and 2013 counselor, Eric Wilson, answered the question before he embarked on his third summer. Maybe it will help give you some inspiration to write it 

What Does Camp Mean to Me? 

Eric with cabin Mandan in 2011.

I figured this would be a good question for the basis of a blog post about Camp Foley. I came to camp after my first year of college. I only knew one person and I had never been to Minnesota before. To be honest I was scared to death. I thought that I wouldn't fit in and I'd be stuck in this foreign land all summer long. Fortunately that didn't turn out to be the case. Everyone at Camp Foley immediately welcomed me with open arms and minds. I found that for the first time in my life I was truly being myself 100% of the time. That's the magic of Camp Foley; people accept you for who you are. It was such a liberating experience and allowed me to forge some of the closest bonds that I ever have. Camp Foley has given me some amazing friendships. 

Eric with cabin Mandan in 2012.

After my first summer of fun I didn't think I'd be able to come back to Foley. I told myself that I needed to get a "real" job (whatever that means). Fortunately that real job didn't work out and I was able to come back to Foley, the best job of all. My second summer was just as incredible as the first, but in so many new ways. 

Now heading into my third summer I can't wait to see what fun things I have ahead of me. 

--Eric Wilson. 

TBT: Zac and the Corn Snake

Calvin the Corn Snake!

As I was getting packed up for my return to Camp Foley in 2013, it made me think about all the memories and friendships I made. One of the activities that I really liked to teach was the nature class. The campers were always excited to go on nature walks and hold the snakes. The nature room was very busy some days and I always enjoyed showing the campers the snakes. One of my favorite and strangest memories from the nature room was during my snake class. I had taken out the Corn Snake so the campers could hold it and see what it looked like. What happened next was quite strange and I have never had this happen to me before, but when I set him on the table all of a sudden he decided to go to the bathroom on the table. It startled me for a second because it was so random and it hadn't happened before. It was very memorable and will always remind me about my first year at camp.

Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust

One of Camp Foley's best traditions (in my professional opinion) is it's birthday tradition. I love when the entire Dining Hall sings "happy birthday" to someone as they stand on a milk crate and followed by the counselors surrounding the birthday camper and singing the staff birthday song. Who can resist ominously chanting, "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, we hate do it, but we must we must," as campers and counselors follow the birthday boy or girl to the lake to be thrown in by his or her counselors? Follow all of this up with a special Foley birthday cake - amazing! Guest blogger and 2013 counselor Melissa Martutartus recalls the birthday of one of her 2012 campers.

Melissa helping to throw Jessica into Whitefish Lake.

I have many favorite moments that I can recall from my first summer at Foley. I love the fact that there are so many traditions that one would only understand having gone to Foley. One of which is to be thrown in the lake on your birthday. It was one of my favorite moments, being a new counselor, that I was a part of throwing my camper into the lake. It made me feel like I helped make Jessica’s day even though she knew it was coming. However, it made my day even more because the entire camp was watching. I felt as though it is an honor to throw someone into the lake. And since Jessica was a member of my cabin, we were able to laugh as a cabin about it that night together! 

-Melissa Martutartus

Have you ever celebrated a birthday at Foley, or  might you be a first-timer camper this summer and have this tradition to look forward to? Do you have another Foley tradition that's your favorite? 

TBT: Parker Remembers Some Camp Dances

One of the favorite nights of camp is the Grand Dance Festival. Campers dress up crazy and make their way to the Wabi for a memorable night of dancing like a fool with friends. As you grow up and out of camp, you'll definitely remember a lot of the dance themes, popular music and spending time with friends in the Wabi (or Basketball Court if you were around for those dances).

This summer will be my tenth at camp. For most of my summers, especially as I got older, one of my favorite nights was the dance. Gettin’ my boogie on to some classic Backstreet Boys hits and rocking out to Bohemian Rhapsody--what could be better? When I look back at my dances as a camper, two moments jump out at me.

Parker with friends at the PJ Dance in 2009.

One of my very first memories of camp is from my first summer in 2003. I was a wee young ten-year-old in Yakama, and first session had been progressing quite nicely. I had made new friends, and I learned how to play Mafia; everything was great. Then, disaster struck. The dance theme was announced: Cabin Colors. Each cabin picked a color and everyone was supposed to deck themselves out from head to toe in said color. My cabin-mates decided that pink was the best choice, and I started freaking out because I didn’t own any pink. Worst case scenarios started flashing through my head: Would my cabin-mates stop liking me because I didn’t match? Would they bar me from the dance if I wasn’t dressed for the theme? Ten year old me couldn’t handle it. I was so distressed about not having any pink that I started crying.  

Everything turned around when, probably about twenty seconds later, some of the girls in my cabin asked if I needed to borrow anything.I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited to don a bright pink rain poncho than I was on that night.  All of my earlier fears were completely unfounded. I really hope that I gave my friends a caring bead at our cabin counsel later, because their offer to share brightened that entire session for me.  

Fast forward to my last year as a camper, 2009 first session. Something about being a CIT, being back out on the basketball court, and being there with a ton of my friends made that night incredibly special. When all the wolves got together at the end of the night to circle up and sing along to Piano Man (because that had magically become a thing the year before), I felt like we were a family. That dance was the cherry on top of a great session, and one of my favorite camp memories.

Parker with staff and campers at the dance in 2012.

As a counselor, the dance is still one of my favorite nights of camp. The Wabi and its new tech is cool as can be; the flashing lights just make me want to break out into a round of Call Me Maybe or Aaron’s Party. All of last summer’s dances were fantastic, and had some particularly brilliant themes (I’m looking at you, Bro-down Throw-down). Even if it’s a little warm, when the music is blasting, I feel the need to dance with anyone and everyone. I will dance at you until you dance with me. Though my dance skills are a bit lacking, I like to think I make up for that with enthusiasm. I’ve got at least four spectacular nights ahead of me this summer-- who’s going to dance with me?  

--Parker Poche

Are you ready to put on your dancing shoes this summer? We hope so because each session you can count on attending an awesome and memorable Grand Dance Festival! 

If Tess Can Conquer a Fear, so Can You!

This week's guest blogger, 2013 counselor Tess Lee, tells us all about her fear of spiders and how her time at Foley has helped her to (slowly) begin conquering the fear. This year, we think it would be awesome if every camper took a page out of Tess' book and tried to conquer a fear this summer at camp! 

Let me give you small snapshot into my life, I feel comfortable in a city, in the mountains, in lakes, rivers, oceans, pretty much wherever, as long as I am surrounded by good friends. But what really makes my skin crawl are bugs...spiders especially. Now I know what most people are thinking, all that, “they are more afraid of you then you are of them”, and the “they wont do anything if you dont bother them.” I have tried hard to believe in these positive thoughts, but the honest truth is that I can’t even look at a spider without my palms sweating, and some sort of yelp coming from my mouth.

What is so great about camp is how completely engulfed in nature you are in nearly every activity, so bugs and such are going to be a natural occurrence.

It started the night of one of last year’s Flick-n-Floats, I was in the Washo getting ready for bed with my cabin when one of my campers casually let me know there was a spider right on my forehead. One can imagine what a scene I made, ripping off my sweatshirt and slapping myself in the face, all the while screaming. I realized this was getting out of hand...
 Being a referee on the paintball course last year, I would be walking through webs on the woods ball courses, take a deep breathe, wipe off the spiders and such, and just keep on moving. I learned that if I had spent day in and day out in those woods all summer and never got bit by anything worse than a mosquito or a tick here and there that maybe I was being a little irrational with my fears all along. Although my fear of spiders has not completely disappeared, I have learned to deal with them without tears, and running now. 

Tess, paintball ref extraordinaire! 

Being a camper I always relied on my own counselor to get rid of creepy crawly things, but now being a counselor, I have tried to take on that responsibility. Even though many times I am still running away, I stop, take a deep breathe, and try and walk back and deal with that small little creature, which may seem like a small insignificant step, but for me has taken years. If I think about the line that I have heard hundreds of times over, “they are more afraid of you than you are of them,” I cant help but think that is a little true now, if I was a small tiny insect (even shorter than I am now), and saw some giant screaming at me and running, I would definitely be a scared.

-Tess Lee 

What fears will you conquer this summer? Perhaps you'll try a new activity, talk to someone you've never met before or try to earn a difficult award. With whatever you try to conquer, we're excited to help you try!

TBT: Mary Claire and Spidey Sacajawea

Counselors Katie and Mary Claire
with CIT Maddie L (center).

For this Throwback Thursday, guest blogger and 2013 counselor, Mary Claire, recalls some of the weirdness that happens at camp and how fun it can be! We can't wait for all of the counselors to start planning cabin themes and special events for summer 2013. Who knows what kind of crazy shenanigans they'll have the campers doing in 2013!

When I think back on my time as a counselor at camp, I think of being creative, quirky, and weird! That's what is so magical about camp to me: you can be the person you want to be without fear or reservations. I think this is perfectly demonstrated by the themed cabin activities we do at Foley. 

Everyday Sacajawea

Every session, the cabin theme changes and along with it, a cabin event. Regardless of the age group, each cabin has some kind of themed evening. One that sticks out to me happened this past summer during 3rd session.  

Our cabin theme was Spidey Sacajawea. On any other day, the girls in the cabin looked like normal, Coyote girls but on that night, everyone looked like a little bit silly and a lot red! That evening we had a spider web made out of rope that everyone had to make it through, Spider-Man style (that means no touching the rope!) We walked like spiders all the way to the short climbing wall and climbed across it sideways. Then at the end, we made some pretty tasty cookies with chocolate frosting that looked like webs. And during all of this, we had a BLAST. 

Spidey Sacajawea.

Just like most things at camp, cabin activities are what you make them. If the girls had had bad attitudes or didn't want to do the cabin activity, it could have been a mediocre evening. But instead, they decided to make the most out of it by dressing up, taking funny pictures, and being unafraid to be a little weird and have a lot of fun. 

-Mary Claire Costello

What kinds of fun activities are you looking forward to this summer? Before you come to camp, be sure to visit the Meet the Staff page on the website. Find out which counselors (like Mary Claire and her 2012 Spidey co-counselor Katie McGuire) are returning in 2013, and to learn more about the first-time counselors.

Molly Challenges You...

Guest blogger and 2013 counselor, Molly McGuire put together a list of thing she wishes she had she'd done as a camper. Molly's list is a great challenge for all of our campers this summer! 

Camp is a pretty spectacular place, and I think we can all agree on that. But what makes camp so amazing? Is it the famous soda bread on Sundays or the sailing on Whitefish Lake? Or is it the nights spent giggling with your cabinmates or hitting a bull’s-eye in Archery? When I think of what makes camp great, I think of all of the friends I made and the experiences I had. 2013 will be my eleventh summer at Foley and my second as a staff member. As I prepare to head up to paradise for the summer, I've been thinking about all of the things I wish I’d done while I was a camper. So here goes...

Check out how fun getting dirty at the Muck Pond looks!

1. Try every activity! It seems silly, but break out of your comfort zone and try something new! Whether it’s you’re tenth year or your first, take a class you've always wanted to take! Try shooting trap, wakeboarding, or finally getting to the top of the climbing wall.
2.   Go on a trip! Talk about stepping out of your comfort zone! Take a three-day trip with your cabin or pack group! Trips create lasting bonds and endless jokes and songs that will last well beyond the trip.
3. Play paintball (and don’t scream like a girl)! Paintball is a blast; don’t let inhibitions get in the way! Something about paintball always intimidated me, but once I tried it, I couldn't believe how fun it was. It is such a rush!
4. Adventure to the Muck Pond! It took me ten years into my Foley career to experience the wonders of the Muck Pond. There is something about it that just screams summer camp. Where else in the world could you do something like that with your best friends?
5. Meet everyone in camp! This one sounds a little cheesy but it’s the truth. I challenge every camper to make a new friend each day. Sometimes we get wrapped up in with cabinmates or friends from last year. This summer, make it a goal to get to know everyone in the camp community.

-Molly McGuire

So there you go campers. How many of those challenges do you think you can accomplish this summer at Foley? Hopefully at least one of them seems doable! 

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

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

TBT: Matt Carney's First Summer Birthday!

Matt and Aaron in 2009. Pre-birthday shenanigans. 

For me, summer of 2012 at Camp Foley seemed like it was filled with a lot of empty birthday wishes. In a matter of two months, I went from being a thriving, young 19 year-old counselor to an old geezer somewhere between the ages of 50 and 80.

Allow me to elaborate. On a fine Foley morning, my good friend and assistant director, Aaron Nelson, decided he would play a practical joke by telling my campers to sing me happy birthday as a wake up call. Not only did they sing happy birthday, they made sure to remind me that it was, indeed, my birthday. I’ll let you in on a little secret: my birthday is in December.

Maybe Aaron was trying to be thoughtful, “Matt Carney never had a birthday at Foley, maybe I’ll give him 50 of them!!” And so the wishes continued. Day after day, campers would say “Happy Birthday!” and I would say “thanks” or “it’s not my birthday!” Nobody got the memo. The wishes became so real that Aaron actually convinced me Candy was baking a cake for my cabin. Unfortunately, the cake never came.

Campers Mary Grace Schuler and Megan McGuire
collecting fish during sailing. Fourth Session 2012.

As the sessions passed, my continuous birthday stayed continuous. But as the wishes stayed the same, Whitefish Lake decided to give me a new present. As many others can probably recall, the temperature of the lake killed off a certain species of fish, which collected in thousands upon the shore. The Marina and Swim dock became a disastrous place for water activities. At one point, there were so many fish that the JY’s racing class had a competition to see who could collect the most fish in their boat.

While many of the counselors and campers saw this as an opportunity to be on the land, Mr. Nelson saw this as gold mine for his cruel joke. At the peak of the fish infestation, Aaron had the majority of the campers join in singing happy birthday to me while gathered on the benches. After lunch had ended, I could hear the chant “Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust” erupt behind me. That day would officially be my unofficial birthday.

Matt as a cabin counselor for Kadigomeg.
Third Session 2012

A few of the Wolf boys grabbed me and wouldn't let me go. As the chant continued, I was dragged to the swim dock to face my wet and fishy doom. I walked down the stairs and turned around to see several counselors with giant grins, ready to toss me on the count of three. I lied down at the edge of the dock and let the counselors grab my limbs. The only thing I could do now was embrace my destiny. And so it began: “ONE... TWO... THREE!!!!” I was airborne. As time seemed to stop, something inside me was changing. I hit the water and euphoria came over me. Even though I never had a birthday at Foley, all of my dreams had come true. A “Foley Never” had become a “Foley First.”

As I opened my eyes to observe my fishy comrades, I realized that all of the empty birthday wishes were not empty at all. They were signs of love and affection. I had people around me that cared for me and supported me, but it wasn't only me. Everyone at camp has it because it’s what camp is all about. At Camp Foley, it’s everyone’s birthday every single day. Even if you might not be turning a year older, every camper and staff is treated with the excitement and joy similar to the way they would be treated on their birthday. To me, that’s what makes camp great.

To conclude this elongated tale, I raised my head out of the water and did what any wet, grimy counselor would do: run after campers. So I jumped out of the water, and sent the kids screaming. On this fine day, nothing could stop me from having fun.

We Dare You To Climb That!

Ever looked at the side of a mountain or building and wondered if you could climb it?  Or what it would feel like to make it all the way to the top and check out the view?

Climbing at Foley - 2012

These yearnings inspired the sport of rock climbing.  Rock climbing allows you to experience the adventure of scaling the face of a mountain cliff, in a safe, easily accessible location.  But rock climbing wasn’t always a sport.  For early man it was often an important means of travel, or a way to escape dangerous predators! 

In the 1920s, wealthy Englishmen began meeting regularly in the French Alps to practice a new activity they called “Mountaineering” (mountain climbing).  Some of the techniques they developed became the basics of modern rock climbing.

By the 1950s, rock climbing had become its own dedicated sport.  People were drawn to the thrill and challenge of climbing the face of a cliff by your own power, using ropes and other equipment only for safety, rather than pulling yourself up – a style that eventually became known as “free climbing.”

Climbing is never boring!  It teaches you balance, confidence, patience, and rewards persistence and creativity.  Just don’t try it on your own!  Professional instruction and the proper safety gear are a must.

Camp Foley features a 38 ft. climbing tower with two walls and four different routes (paths you can choose to ascend).  Our Foley Instructors teach campers proper safety and climbing technique – including great tips and strategies for success.

Start slow on our flat wall.  Once you’ve mastered that, try your skills on a more challenging route that features an incline or overhang!  Foley offers two skill level awards – the Biner and the Rock Jock.  Climb all the way to the top and ring the tower bell to let everyone know you made it!  The bell can be heard all over camp.

Tackling the "Overhang" Foley Climbing Challenge!

In addition to being fun, climbing is a great way to stay in shape.  Some famous celebrities who rock climb for fun (and to stay fit) are Keira Knightly (Pirates of the Caribbean), Kristen Bell (“Gossip Girl”), and Tom Cruise.  (Yes, that was really him rock climbing in Mission Impossible 2.)

Sound like fun?  Check these out to learn more:

Camp Foley’s Colossal Climbing Tower
USA Climbing

OK, Foley Campers - sound off!  How many of you have tried our climbing wall?  Did you ring the bell?  Did you meet your personal goal?

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