TBT - Camp in 1993

OLS: Cooking over a fire in 1993

For this edition of Throwback Thursday, we're going waaay back (20 years!) to summer 1993. After picking through some old newsletters, I found some pretty interesting things...

-In 1993 Outdoor Learning Skills “OLS” was introduced as an activity at Camp Foley. Now known as “Campcraft, “OLS” was introduced to teach campers important tripping skills including fire building, cooking and baking over a campfire, safety and first aid, knifesmanship, putting up tents and how to have fun exploring our wilderness. There was even an OLS pledge:
 

The OLS Pledge
To be among the animals and plants,
And in providing for my comfort and safety,
To respect my natural neighbors and their homes;
To step carefully and travel gently,
Finding friendship and beauty in my natural world.

Coke bottle a the boys canteen in 1993

-Camp Foley got a bike trailer in 1993, which meant bike trips could go out. Camp cleverly called these trips, “Bikepacking.”

-If you got a pop (or soda) at canteen you received it in a glass bottle, which you had to return to crates outside the canteen after you finished. Also, in 1993, girls were still getting their canteen between Pocahontas and Matoaka!

-Campers and staff used 864 Hershey bars for s’mores in 1993. Do you think we can eat more or less in 2013?

-Camp Foley played a four-hour baseball game against Camp Lincoln. The newsletter leads me to believe we lost…

Sailing on the P'zzazz in 1993

-The 1993 Closing Banquet was nautical themed. Campers were encouraged to bring cruise clothes or sailor outfits. Campers joined in the fun of Foley’s version of the “Love Boat” and/or “Gilligan’s Island.” There were five other special all camp theme days: Pirate, Sherlock Holmes, Fourth of July, Paul Bunyan and Gold Diggers.

 -Foley campers competed and did well in a regatta on the lake sponsored by the Whitefish Chain Yacht Club.

 Were you a camper in 1993? Or, were you a camper when Foley still had glass bottles at canteen, when OLS was still an activity, or when girl's canteen was still between Poc/Matoak? Let us know! What do you remember about your days at Camp Foley?

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: 2005

The youngest campers at Camp Foley in 2013 will be eight years old. That means, they were born in 2005, which happens to be the year we’re going back to for this Throwback Thursday.

First summer of Paintball at camp in 2005!!

Paintball wasn’t a Foley activity until 2005. Can you guess how the activity came to camp? That’s right, camper request! Those surveys you fill out at the end of the summer really do matter, as camp often makes changes to programming and facilities based off of what our campers say. Look for new paintball markers in 2013!  

Hammocks at Camp Foley!

Summer 2005 was also the first year that hammocks made an appearance at Camp Foley! According to an old newsletter, “In order to ensure maximum comfort while you socialize, we will be adding a couple of areas of hammocks!” We have seen many campers utilize the space for some quiet time or to chat with cabinmates and other friends. 

Sports Banquet

Prior to summer 2005 some big things were happening to some of the most frequented buildings at camp… the Washos! The clean, bright Washos you have come to know and love weren’t always so clean and bright. The tile floors, blue stalls and bright lighting weren’t there until 2005. And do you know who brought about the change? The campers! After many camper requests, the Washos were updated. So you may need to send some ‘thank you’ vibes to the campers on the early-mid 2000s. 

Caribbean Banquet

Some of the programming in 2005 included: Sports Heroes & Caribbean Island banquets. Happenin’ Halloween, Casino Night and CampJam were some special even programs planned. We also did Foley Records, Pajama Rama Sunday (think Lipsyncs mixed with a talent show... all over breakfast!), Wet 'N' Wild and Giant Pac Man.Camp Foley also brought in a HOT TUB in 2005 for a special Spa Night for the girls and Sport 'N' Soak for the boys. It was quite memorable!

Do any of you remember 2005? Do you think camp should bring back any of the special programs from 2005? Let us know!

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?