Foley Friends are for Life.

We've said it before, and we'll say it again, camp is a magical place. I recently had the opportunity to spend time with 4th sessions' Anchor Award recipient, Louis E., in his home city of St. Louis and chatted with him about what Camp Foley means to him.

Now that you’re away from camp, what is the one spot at camp you miss most? What do you like most about this spot? 
Louis: I miss the loft where LIT meetings were held. I made some amazing friends that I keep in touch with everyday now. Shout out to Avery O.!

If you were helping a new camper pack for camp, what is the one (or two or three) item(s) you can’t live without? 
L: Fancy clothes for CDO (Cute Dinner Outfit), which is a wolf tradition. Follow the packing list so you are well prepared. A specific pair of shoes & clothes that you can get dirty!

Why do you prefer coming for 4 weeks over 2 weeks?
L: I go for 4 weeks because I get to meet so many more people, enjoy life at camp and overall get a lot closer with the staff. 

You have probably heard rumors about what is in the Wheelhouse (staff lounge), but what do you hope they have in there by the time you are a counselor? 
L: I really hope that there is an elevator that goes to a secret bowling alley under camp with an arcade. Louis has goals to someday be a counselor and truly find out the wonders the Wheelhouse holds. 

What do you want the world to know about Camp Foley? 

L: You will get to express yourself and make life lasting friendships. If there is any place I could spend my life it would be Camp Foley. You can't make this stuff up, folks. 

What camp accomplishment are you most proud of, and what does this mean to you? 
L: I am so proud about winning the anchor and it means the world to me. I keep it with me everyday.

Outside of camp, you can find Louis playing football and lacrosse. As you can infer from our chat, his favorite thing to do is hangout with friends and he loves meeting new people. Thanks for taking the time to chat, Louis!

Do you know someone who wants to be a camper like Louis? Get them to  Register TODAY! 

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

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: 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! 

Foley Encounter in St. Louis!

Symi and Annie at the concert.

Symi B. was in St. Louis with her family and was desperately trying to meet up with Annie E! (Both girls attend Camp Foley's Third and Fourth Session.) All hope appeared lost as snow and Annie's school schedule were proving difficult to schedule around. Symi's family headed into the city for a surprise concert, Owl City. They arrived a bit late, after the opening act, when someone in the crowd shouted "SYMI!" That's right, it was none other than Annie! Despite not being able to plan a time to meet up, the girls ended up being at the same concert in St. Louis.

Cabin Menominee in 2012
(Annie far left,Symi far right)

We ask ourselves, is there anything better than a reunion with camp friends? It doesn't matter if it's a big group or a small group, there is always a lot of fun to be had! Why? The answer is simple: Camp friends are the best! Even after you've grown out of camp, reunions with camp friends are the best kinds. They always involve a lot of laughter as you remember summers past and crazy times as you create new memories with good friends.

When was the last time you met up with camp friends? If you've had any Foley reunions lately (big or small!) make sure to share them with us. Email us: Tell us what you did and share a picture!

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 – 1997-2002 with Melanie

Melanie, 1997

Melanie Pflug Anderson first came to Camp Foley at age 19 in 1997. She spent six summers at Foley in the late 1990s and early 2000s – three summers with the Ish-Yak girls and three summers as an Assistant Director. Most of her time was spent down at the Swimdock teaching Swimming, but she could also be found at Soccer and Tennis.

We reached out to Melanie to find out what was happening at Camp while she was here and what Camp Foley meant, and continues to mean, to her. 

What were your first few days or weeks like at Camp Foley?

I met two people that I still consider two of my dearest friends, even though we don’t see each other much – Emily Hofstede and KC Williams*. I fell in love with camp almost instantly. There was a lot of hard work, excitement and anticipation about campers coming.
*You may recognize KC Williams West, who now helps out in the summer and her son, Shef, now attends camp!

In the years you worked at Foley, what were the new additions?

The climbing wall went up during my time at camp and the walls in the tennis courts were painted. However, of the things that I can remember, the most significant is the Dining Hall. The [old] Dining Hall was so small and dark and crowded. The re-building of that changed the camp grounds in an incredibly wonderful way!

The old Dining Hall (left) was much smaller than the new Dining Hall (right)

Foley counselors at the first Harry Potter Banquet, 2001

What were some of the Banquet themes you remember?

Mardi Gras, one where they smoked a pig in the middle of camp and Harry Potter. Harry Potter was the best during the time I was there. Alli created the game “Quidditch,” which the campers LOVED. There was root beer for dinner and [Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans]. The teams were really into the whole day and the songs that were created to represent each team were so thought out and GREAT! I mean, it was so exciting and everyone was so into it. That was one of the most fun days that I ever remember at camp.

How did Camp Foley change you as a person?

Camp made me who I am. It gave me leadership skills, confidence in myself and so many skills in working with people. I didn’t experience camp when I was a kid and after my time at camp, I will do whatever it takes to give my kids that experience. It changed me in the best ways imaginable.

If you could give one piece of advice to current Camp Foley campers, what would it be?

Experience as many activities as you can fit into your time [at Camp], even if you aren’t sure that you will like it. Be open to making friends with people that you may not have considered being friends with at school, you will be amazed how much better you life is because of this. Be open-minded and HAVE FUN!

Also: A big Camp Foley Happy Birthday to Melanie whose birthday was on Monday!Everybody... sing it with us!!
Happy Happy Birthday, to every girl and boy...

Throwback Thursday: Memorable Moments of 2012

As the days get shorter and the nights chillier, we thought it would be a good time to remind everyone how much fun was had at Camp Foley in 2012.

We caught up with Meghan O'Connell and Lachlan Ewald to find out their funniest memories from camp in 2012. Here is what they had to say:

A funny story about Meghan's first day at Camp Foley in 2012:

I do have a funny story that involves Claire [Krummenacher] and the first time I met her, actually!

I was saying ‘Hi’ to everyone in my cabin when I got off the bus, and I said ‘Hi’ to Claire, and I just thought, ‘Oh she seems really nice.’ What I didn't know is, because I was the only incoming 2nd session camper for my cabin, that they decided that it would be funny to play a few tricks on me. So Claire, for the whole first day, talked in a British accent and told me that she was from London. [She] played up this whole story about her sisters and everything!

On the first night she came over to my bed, and then said, ‘Meghan I'm not from London. I was just kidding about everything I told you today.’ of course I just started laughing and felt so gullible, but it's okay now.

Meghan and Claire at Camp Foley, summer 2012.

A funny memory Lachlan has of a 2012 Evening Program:

Cabins Ojibway, Seneca and Matoaka were playing [a made-up game] Sniper. So we played a few games, then the counselors got creative. They got squirt guns and if we got shot, we were out. So after the counselors were done being snipers, they handed [the task] over to us, the campers.

 I became a sniper and had my sights set on Marnie [Brown, Matoaka counselor]. As I’m filling my water gun, I realize it doesn’t really hold water, so in order to get Marnie, I cupped my hands, filled them with water, and ran to go get her. After many failed attempts, I FINALLY got her!

We want to share your summer memories on the Rattlin' Blog! Email us at fun@campfoley.com with the subject : TBT Blog. If you do, you could see yourself featured on Throwback Thursday!

Bejewled - Epic Trailer!

Looking for a great new movie to watch this summer? Getting bored with the same old romantic comedies or horror movies? Then look no further than here, folks.

That's right! The creative minds in our Video Madness class this summer filmed and produced the trailer for their latest box office smash 'Bejeweled'. Check it out...


- Ricky Searson, Assistant Director

How Fencing came to Camp Foley

Camp Foley is proud to bring you the history of Fencing...well, at least the history according to our most recent group of campers who attended our "Video Madness" class here at camp.

Check out this hilarious video created by our campers who let their creative sides run wild!

 

Stay tuned for more postings from the newest craze to hit camp.

 

- Ricky Searson, Assistant Director

What’s cooler than cool? Ice Cold!

That is what the dining hall is going to be this summer! Just kidding, it will be climate controlled for sure. If you remember those couple times last summer when the floor of the dining hall looked like a lake and we were always telling you to walk slow and be careful, I am sure you do if you worked in the kitchen, mopping up all that dirty water after meals!

AC units on east side of Dining Hall.

Well, fear no more! This spring we installed two air conditioner units. This will help out with the humidity issues we have in the dining hall and make a much more enjoyable place than it already is. Remember, rain, sun or snow, we eat 3 times a day, the only activity that goes on no matter what! I am excited to put them to use!

Until next time, stay cool!!

- Chris Mathiowetz, Director

Quick check up with Shane

Shane F.

We are busy preparing all of the details for Camp Foley to be ready in time for summer, and I had the chance to have a few questions answered by 2nd year camper Shane F. from Edina Minnesota. Looking back on Shane’s first year at Foley I can see that he was a “busy camper,” no pun intended! Shane left 2011 with 8 awards and also went on a 3 day canoe trip! 

I asked him what he remembers about his first day at camp. “It was very welcoming, but I was a little confused at first. The camp counselors explained everything and took care of me and put me at ease.” His favorite activities were shooting rifles, his three day canoe trip, and fishing.

How has camp changed you as a person? “It has made me more independent and confident.” And lastly I always ask for some advice to give to a first time camper. “Don’t be afraid to try new things, even if you have never done them before.”

This returning year Shane will be accompanied by his sister, so he must have been talking all about it when he left Foley…

- Adam Ashley, Assistant Director.

Why the world needs summer camp

It is not easy for parents to make the decision to send their child away into the waiting arms of strangers who promise to take care of them – people who promise to show them the wonders of nature, fun, new skills, and friendships.

Jeff Merhige, executive director of YMCA Camp Kern, believes the world needs the next generation to be more tolerant of each others views, ideology and beliefs. Summer camp is an opportunity for children to be exposed to the best of human character. Trends show that children are making more friends online than at any other time in the past. This in itself is a startling statistic because it lends itself to children to desire to spend more and more time online and therefore away from a healthy real-life social environment.

Camp Foley... where kids can be KIDS!

Camp Foley enables campers to meet kids and staff from all over the world - from many races, cultures and socioeconomic cultures! Foley teaches children valuable skills, including social skills and challenges in a wide range of physical activities. These skills could never be taught from a computer screen.

Camp is a place where kids interact with people face-to-face, and at the same time, learn about themselves and others around a camp fire.

Growing up in the UK, summer camp was simply not an option for me as a child. Unfortunately the United Kingdom does not offer these kind of precious opportunities. I believe that the youth of the UK would benefit greatly from being able to attend summer camp much in the same way that American kids can. Personally I would have loved the opportunity when I was young. My advice: truly embrace this opportunity!

- Ricky Searson, Assistant Director

Busy Spring weekend

The weekend of April 14th and 15th was a busy but extremely fun weekend! We had our first ‘work weekend’ of the new season. We tackled a little spring cleaning, erosion, shingling, and stick-pick-up! It all started on Friday the 13th, scary right? Actually it went very well! We handled a little rain but muscled through it! We tore the shingles off Nature, Crafts, and Kildare! Our goal was to finish 1 roof a day, so in the shingling department, due to rainy weather on Sunday we fell short! But we did what we could do. You will have to look close next time you come to camp!

Emma helps with the shingles

We cleaned the newly redone windows in Mic/Sac, they are too fancy! We also worked on conquering some erosion that gives us trouble in the spring time. We back-filled troublesome places on the main tarred loop of camp along with some giving some trees some much needed new black dirt.

Jake helps with some pickup

I would like to say thank you to our wonderful helpers of the weekend... Tom, Emma, and Jake Ryan, Jim Welch, and Perry, Amy, Matthew and Thomas Greenfield.


Until next, stay handy…

Chris Mathiowetz, Director

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

A Trip Down Memory Lane

What better alumnus to ask to capture their Foley reflections than Peter Kronschnabel! Anyone who has spent time at Camp Foley since the early ‘60’s, has probably run into a Kronschnabel or two. As Peter started chronicling his 45 years of Foley experiences, he realized it couldn’t be summarized into just a few paragraphs. Here is his first submission -watch for more in the future. Sit back, and relax as Peter takes us back in time…

Peter K. (left) pictured with friends during 2010's Alumni Triathlon

Reading the blog brings back memories of being a camper, counselor, marina director and a parent. It's amazing to say the least that after 45 years, I continue to be a member of the Foley family. Camp has created lifelong friendships that continue today for both me and my family. When gathering with camp friends there is always an exaggerated story of how someone did this or that. Even with facebook, internet and blogs the stories continue and amazingly enough still are exaggerated even with photos. As I reflect on my Foley experience you’ll be reading things that may sound strange, harsh or even totally absurd to today’s societal standards. But please remember Foley has evolved as society has changed. Foley was great back “in the day”; it is great now and with the current leadership the future looks very bright for the Foley tradition.

I began my Camp Foley journey years before I was old enough to be a camper when my family would vacation at "Myrwin Manor" which is now known as Alli’s house. Yes, there are some home movies of me playing in the sand on Whitefish as early as 1964. My actual camp experience began at the tender age of 7 in 1967. "The Hill" was for the younger campers and my first cabin was MicMac. Back then "The Hill" consisted of MicMac, Ishtakaba, Yakama and the West Washo. Tekawitha was the heath center/ nuns quarters and Pocahontas/Matoaka was the tripping center and the garage was used as a garage. I think there were about 12-14 boys in MicMac for those two weeks. It was an assortment of characters from all over the Midwest.

Some the things that stand out are:
• Those who could not pass the swim test had to wear a “red ribbon” around their neck. If they passed the swim test while they were at camp, there was a big ceremony. They used a meat cleaver more suitable of butchering a cow to cut the ribbon. Very dramatic.
• Food from the plates was scraped into empty milk cartons and burned.
• For some reason I remember nuns working in the kitchen. 
• We got to take overnights on the Voyager—a house boat. Making popcorn, eating s’mores and sleeping at an island or in a bay was always an adventure. But not as much as an adventure as when we awoke the next day missing our gas hose or gas tank. Yes, the old staff would pull pranks on the new staff and that poor counselor would have to figure out how to get that big house boat back to camp.
• Huge closing campfires with tons of action, extravagant costumes and story lines.
• Singing lots of songs on stormy days in the Dining Hall.
• Lifejackets were not needed on the boats, unless you had a red ribbon. Later that evolved to taking, but not wearing, a life jacket.
• The Checkmate (wooden C scow) was the king of the fleet.
• Big Red was real.
• A bunch of boys running around the cabin in their “tighty whities”; them screaming in panic when the nurse was at the door.
• Vi Schmid’s cousin “Aunt Frannie” was the camp nurse.
• Standing outside the cabin at night gargling salt water—then getting a splash of honey from Frannie.
• The swim dock “H” faced the west.
• Not a day went by that somebody didn’t get a leech on them.
• Two weeks, two sign ups. Only 4 periods in a day. The rest was cabin activities, free swim, canteen or rest period.
• First time I saw colored lights indoors was in Foley Hall. Also known as the Library.

Stay tuned, more to come...

- Mary Stevens, Administrative Assistant.