Music Monday! Home

We're going to slow it down a bit this week because it's the week of Thanksgiving. One thing we're always thankful for is camp and anyone who has ever considered Foley their summer home. We thought 1st Session's Closing Campfire rendition of "Home" by Phillip Phillips would be appropriate this week.. Lead by Molly McGuire and Claire Revord on guitar.

1st Session - Home

TBT: Camp Cousins - Courtney & Emilia

A Family Tradition

Kronschnabel camp clan in 2008!
Clockwise from left: Courtney, Emilia, Matt, Nick and Tory.

The whole reason I got involved with Camp Foley was because of my dad, Peter Kronschnabel. In 1967, at the age of seven, he went to camp for his very first summer. He probably didn't realize the tradition he was starting with our family when he walked into Mic Mac on arrival day. Since he was a camper, there have been 18 family members that have either been a camper, counselor or nurse at Camp Foley. I have had the pleasure of going to camp with my brothers, Matt and Nick, as well as my cousins, Sara, Emilia and Tory.  

While going to camp with my brothers was always a treat, being at camp with Emilia has been an experience I’ll never forget. Ever since our first year together in 1999 we have shared more than just a last name. During our 10 years as campers we shared three cabins, one bunk and countless memories together.

Emilia and Courtney getting on the camp bus in 1999!

One of my favorite camper memories with Emilia has to be when she helped me write my Bridge Crossing Essay. She had written hers a year earlier than me, and I thought hers was the greatest, so I just HAD to get her advice on what to write about. She sat with me for a whole rest period and helped me write what seemed like the longest, most important essay I would ever write. At the age of 11, Emilia helped me realize camp is about more than just learning how to sail or knit a scarf. It’s learning about myself and what kind of qualities I want to carry with me. While this essay definitely wasn't the longest I've written...it still may be the most important.

Our shenanigans didn't stop when our camper days were over. Last summer we spent our first summer as counselors together. It was the first year in our Camp Foley history that we weren't in the same age group doing the same activities. She being a Fox counselor and myself a Wolf counselor, we had different schedules and events to plan/go to. We learned to cherish our time together at the Marina. 

Emilia and Courtney, part of the 2012 Marina staff.

Ever since we were little, our favorite activities took place at the waterfront. I loved sailing and she (for reasons that are still a mystery to me...) loved windsurfing. Our love for the marina did not come out of nowhere. The rich tradition that my dad and uncles laid down started way before Emilia and my camper days had even begun. Hearing their stories about the good ‘ol days at the Marina is what really sparked our interest and kept us wanting more. While their stories are pretty top notch, I’d say Emilia and I have created some quality ones of our own in 2012. The site of Emilia hundreds of feet from shore stranded in a safety boat that she was unable to start will always make me chuckle.

I can honestly say that with out my cousin Emilia, camp for me would not be the same. We share so many wonderful memories at the one place we can both call home. I am truly looking forward to spending another glorious summer with her at Camp Foley. 

Written by Courtney Kronschnabel. 

Crafts has a new home...

Shop class - before the move.

If you follow the blog and remember what I blogged about the last time I signed in, well this is Part 2!

Okay, so now that the shop class is moved into its new building we now can start the revamping process to give Crafts their own home! Crafts will never have to move, well maybe at least not for a while. I am sure I was not as excited as the campers, but I was excited...

So the first step was to, BOOM, get rid of everything in there. Okay, we did not get rid of everything, but most things. We took out both old-school counter tops/work benches running along the sides of the building. We also took out the old sink that was in there to make way for a new one! Whoop.

Out with the old - working on the new.

The supplies for this revamp showed Foley’s true recycling capabilities. The new Counter tops we used for the project came from Alli’s house, Marie’s house, and pieces from an old cabin. The frames for the counter tops were made specifically for the room itself, making storage and use of mediums easier.

New counter top in Crafts.

Another major contribution to this new crafts building was the use of the cabinet frames for the main center island and the sink vanity. They fit perfectly and made the transition very smooth, and gave the crafts room its’ own personality. It took some time and elbow grease but it came out awesome! The set up/arrangement of the Crafts building works perfectly for the activity. It became a place not only the campers liked to do Crafts it became the head quarters for the staff to create the fun and entertaining props for end of session banquets and grand central name tag station as well.

I know that this newly updated will bring the Crafts program a much needed ‘home’ for a long time to come. I had a fun throwing on the old tool belt for this build, and I am glad that it is enjoyed by all!

The result: Crafts fit for a KING!

Until next time…
 
- Chris Mathiowetz, Director