A is for Appetite

At Foley, our campers and staff have a special kind of hunger. Maybe it’s the rumbling in their bellies after a tough afternoon spent canoeing on Whitefish Lake, twisting in and out of yoga poses, and ringing the cowbell at the top of the climbing wall. Perhaps they’re especially ravenous dreaming of soda bread on Sunday mornings. But anyone at Foley, from the youngest fox campers to our oldest veterans, will tell you that the real appetite at camp is a true desire to be more, do more, and most of all, grow grit and investigate independence.

Campers wake up in the morning wanting to push beyond the boundaries they may have previously set for themselves. They try new activities, open their hearts to new friends, and discover new talents they never knew they had. They are not afraid of failure because they know that even the clearest path to success is riddled with it.

At the end of the day, after the dinner grace has been sung, food has been shared and eagerly eaten, and the last activities have come to a close, the counselors put their campers to bed knowing that their biggest challenge for the next day will be to provide them with the best opportunities for growth. The Camp Foley experience is a multi-course meal, the meat of which is the confidence kids have after seeing that there is no end to what they can accomplish. This is why the appetite here can never be fully satisfied; the possibilities are endless, and the growing never stops.

A camper works hard to get up on water skis for the first time.

From New to Cool

When I spoke to Maggie H on the phone the other day, she was happily on spring break and enjoying sleeping in and laying low. That being said, the moment I started talking about camp you could sense the excitement rise in her voice. Suddenly she was off the couch and across 3 states (she lives in Illinois) and was back on the waves of Whitefish Lake (she said waterskiing was her favorite activity). Here is what she said:

Maggie H. During Summer 2011.

So your sister came to Foley for a few years before you joined us, what was it like finally being able to understand what she was always talking about when it came to camp?

It was really cool! She talked about it so much that I knew a lot but now we can talk about it together which I really like. 

What was it like being a first year camper?

Scary. I didn’t know anyone so I was pretty nervous I wasn’t going to make friends. But the minute I got to camp I realized how nice everyone was and they were just so warm and welcoming I felt like I had been there for 5 years. 

What is a skill that you learned at camp that you can use now that you aren’t here?

Well, I am getting ready to go in to high school next year so now I know what it is like to be in a new environment and make friends. I also learned how you shouldn’t have to put on a show for people all the time and that you can just be yourself. 

Do you keep in touch with your friends that you made?

Yes. We use Facebook. Ha. 

Is there anything else you want to say to all the readers?

Camp is so much fun! If you don’t know whether to come or you are trying to decide – do it! You will regret it if you don’t. 

I can’t make this stuff up, people.

Maggie is a twelve year old from Northbrook, IL where she is finishing up 8th grade. Besides waterskiing, she loves making friendship bracelets in her spare time at camp as well as hanging out in the cabin and talking. Thanks to Maggie for spending some of her hard earned spring time talking to me. If you would like to be interviewed for the “Rattlin’ Blog” – email me!

- Alli Faricy, Director

The importance of playing with your children

I am totally happy as a parent when I am outside “playing” with my children. A highlight over Christmas vacation was the adventures on frozen Whitefish Lake! We walked, we skated, and we played with the dogs. We laughed and visited with family and friends as we marveled at the beauty of nature. It is in those silly moments that the bonds of family are strengthened.




Kylie sprawled out on the ice with
Nike as if above the water.

The ice was so clear that you could see the Crayfish

moving on the lake bottom.

Skating all over
Whitefish Lake!

The same is true for our campers as they become part of their “camp family” – it is in those moments of gazing at the stars, watching the sunset, or dangling their feet in the water, that they come to value their deep friendships with each other and the beauty of nature! Let’s partner together and “play” with our children!

- Marie Schmid, Executive Director, Camp Foley