Veronica Chooses Camp

In a little over three months I will arrive to my second home. I'll get to see the campers that I've known for eight years now, and meet new campers that will soon become my friends in the next amazing four weeks.

Cabin Hiawatha 2017

Every summer I leave my home in Florida (leaving the CRAZY 95 degree heat!!!!!) and head up to Pine River, Minnesota. I've been doing this every summer since I was born. I have never spent a summer in a place other than Whitefish, and I wouldn't ever want to change that. For as long as I can remember, Foley has been in my vocabulary. My mom was one of the first girls to ever attend and I have had countless cousins as campers and counselors. So going to Foley was always sort of like a family reunion, but not just family, it's also reuniting with the people I made amazing friendships with in the past eight years.

Veronica flying high over her paradise. 

Yes, eight years. I'm going into my junior year this fall so this means that 2018 will be my final year as a camper. This brings me nearly to tears looking back at all the amazing memories, friendships, meals, banquets, trips, and everything that makes camp, camp. Over the past eight years I have spent 30 weeks at camp. That’s a really long time, and many people ask why I would spend all that time at a summer camp when I could be spending time at the beach, traveling, or my favorite “how can you spend that much time without your phone?”

You see, these few weeks at Foley provide me with life skills and experiences you can't get anywhere else.

You have to learn how to live with 12 other girls, embrace your crazy side, and you get to be the absolute best version of yourself without judgement. I get to make friends with people that have had such a great impact on my life. I find myself at a loss for words when describing how amazing this place is. It is my home away from home, my happy place, and truly is a paradise. You get to forget about the worries of everyday life and just live. Being at camp is like living on cloud 9.

Foley offers so many opportunities for campers that we would never have the opportunity to do, both in regard to activities and friendships. The friendships I have made at Foley are cherished and reminisced upon year round. Every year is a new adventure, with new friends to be made, new banquet themes, staff, and you have become a year older.

So why do I love camp? That would take over a day to explain but I’ll shorten it up. It's all the LIT days, the cabin agreements, the Grand Dance Festivals, the trips to tree houses, CDOs, Friendship Campfires, tater tot hot dishes, canteens, canoe trips, lip syncs, evening programs, free swims, and the most amazing people you will meet.


Knowing that my time as a camper is coming to a close I realize how much camp helped me grow as a person, both inside and outside of camp. Camp Foley is not only a camp, but a home. So make it a great day or not… THE CHOICE IS YOURS!

-Veronica

Veronica will be spending her final summer in camp as a CIT (Counselor in Training), with her focus being on ensuring younger campers can build meaningful  connections just as she has over her eight years in camp. Her leadership can be seen in all aspects of camp life, from cabin living to her knowledge and skill on the rifle range. Come grow at camp this summer just as Veronica has.  REGISTER TODAY! 

TBT: Katie McGuire Was Once Homesick!

Katie and Molly on staff in 2012.

If you know Katie McGuire (longtime camper and third-year counselor), you know how much she loves camp. Camp, Creighton Bluejays and Jerseys & Jordans -  that pretty much sums up Katie's passions. She loves camp so much, it's hard to believe that even she once struggled with homesickness! It happens to almost everyone, so don't feel bad if you get a little homesick. Here is Katie's Throwback Thursday story. And this summer, if you ever find yourself a little homesick, track down Katie and I'm sure she can help you out!

The first time I went to camp it was 3rd session 2004. I came with my cousins Shannon (11), Molly (10-like me), Megan (8), and Emily (7.) Shannon and Molly had come for a few years before, so I had heard all about Foley prior to my arrival. Many memories I have from my first few years are blurry or skewed, but I remember my first night like it was yesterday. 

My stomach had been in knots all day; I had never learned so many things or met so many people all at once in my whole life. I finally felt comfortable during campfire and enjoyed the energy everyone had. For the last song, just like we still close campfire, we sang taps. I didn't know the words, but I could go along with the hand motions. Listening to that song, in silence of the woods, I had never felt so at peace. 

Katie, Molly and cabin Micmac in 2004.

The quiet walk back helped me digest the day. Even though I had started to feel more comfortable, I was still apprehensive as we got ready for bed and did high-lows. Once flashlight time was over, it hit me that I was not going to be at home for two weeks, I had never spent even a quarter of that time away from my parents. I became homesick and cried until I fell asleep. 

The next morning, I told Molly how I was sad because I missed my family. She told me that I didn't need to be homesick because these people would become my family, and this place would become my home. Molly McGuire at the young age of ten was wise beyond her years (she was basically as wise then as she is now... she peaked early). 

Katie and Molly as CITs
in 2009.

And it turns out what Molly said was right. Because of her, and her wise words, I am about to start my 10th consecutive year at Foley. 

So if you are a parent or kid sitting at home wondering if it’s the right time to go to overnight camp, trusts me — it’s the right time. If you’re 8 or 16 or anywhere in between, sign up because you don’t want to miss any more chances to spend your summer in paradise. We promise we will never run out of room in the Foley Family; you can be part of it too!

Were you ever homesick at camp? How did you cope with it? Hopefully you had someone like Molly to help!

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.