How to Send Your Child Mail/Emails and other Helpful Hints!

The first day of camp is only a few weeks away, and as we start to think about Summer 2019 (YAY!), we think about everything we need to do to prepare. As parents, you're making sure your camper has triple checked the packing list and that you have all the necessities before they come to Foley for the next one, two, three or even four weeks! The topic we really want to hone in on today is mail.

Every camper loves to hear from home. Although calling is not an option, you can write them letters, postcards and emails! Campers will write home at least twice if they come for a two week session. They will have a mandatory postcard that is written in the first few days and a letter is written at the end of the first week. We say 'no news is good news' at Foley thinking your camper is just having too much fun to write home! (Please let us know if you haven't heard from your camper at all)

Here at Foley, we encourage the sending of snail mail! Sometimes a handwritten note is just what someone needs. You have the option of doing so, just make sure that you send them ahead of time, so they get here while your child is at camp!

Our Address: 9303 Father Foley Drive, Pine River, MN 56474

You also have the option of sending emails to your camper! Head over to your CampinTouch account (use your same log in that you used to register for camp), and follow these simple steps:

1. Go to this LINK and enter your EMAIL and PASSWORD to log in. (If you don’t remember your password, click the “retrieve/set password” option and follow the steps to retrieving your password.)
2. Once you are logged in, you will see your “Online Community” section.
3. One of the first options should be a yellow envelope icon titled, “Email”. Click on this icon!
4. You will be given CampStamps to send 5 emails per camper per week of camp. If you desire to send more, you can purchase additional CampStamps from your account.
5. Compose and send your emails to your camper! We then receive them, print them out and deliver them to your camper. 

Helpful Hint #1: It's recommended that you only write to your camper a few times a week. Don't feel too much pressure to write each day. Campers will sometimes feel the need to respond to each letter they receive, and we're pretty sure you'd rather have your campers enjoying all the aspects of camp while they're here!

Helpful Hint #2: Campers cannot receive packages! If we can, we'll return anything that comes in a box or over-sized padded envelopes. 

BUT if you realize you've forgotten something at home - contact the office and we can help you get it sorted out! The package will be opened in the office and then taken to the camper.

"What if my camper is celebrating their birthday at camp?" You can definitely send them a birthday package (nothing edible) - just label it as such so we know! You will also be able to call and chat with your camper for their birthday as well.

 - "What are all the other things I'm able to do with with my CampinTouch account," you ask?

• Email your campers
• Stay up-to-date with all things 'camp' including weekly blogs, news posts, pictures, and updates
• Load your camper's canteen account
• You can also see and monitor what your camper buys at canteen.

Follow these easy steps to access your CampInTouch account and stay updated with Camp.

1. Go to this LINK and enter your EMAIL and PASSWORD to log in. 
2. Once you are logged in, you will see your “Online Community” section.
3. Under the “Online Community” section you will be able to email campers, read the latest news, and update your credit card information for purchasing CampStamps & photos.
4. If you keep scrolling down, under “Your Family” you can view your campers canteen account and what transactions have been made or if you need to add funds.
5. Explore the rest of your account and stay tuned for updates!

Helpful Hint #3: Your CampinTouch account is going to help you stay connected not only with your camper but with camp as a whole!

Hopefully these tips are helpful for communicating with your camper. Be sure to check out our Parent Guide on our website for more information about communication and all things you need to know before your camper gets to Foley!

"America, Take a Walk"

Get Hooked On Nature. 

The trend for today's youth spending less and less time outdoors is continuing to climb. In this Ted Talk from 2014, Ben Klasky states, on average, school age students' screen time use is 7 hours and 40 minutes per day. In his Talk, he repeats this statistic just to make sure those numbers sink in. This is a startling statistic that environmental educators are trying to curb. Listen to Klasky's Talk below to hear health benefits to getting outdoors and leave with some ideas on how to get your child out into nature even more! 

 "When you're just a little bit out of your comfort zone you're at peak learning" - Ben Klasky

Update: Environmental Education at Camp Foley!

We had our first groups of Outdoor Ed (and of 2019!!) arrive Monday, and we have gotten the schools off on a good [green] foot. As most of you know Camp Foley hosts various schools during the month of May (and September) specializing in Environmental Education. This week we've got four schools her at Foley, and we'll have a packed schedule of Climbing, Birds, Microscopes, Muck Adventure, Critters, Woodskills, and many others! Check out our Promo Video for a view of the awesome adventures our kids experience while at Foley.

School group goes on a Blind Hike along the trails

We have a heavy focus on doing what is right for the environment and expanding the knowledge of everyone who takes part in our Outdoor Education program. Groups are encouraged to reduce their carbon footprint by using sidewalks instead of walking through the dirt and soil to prevent erosion, minimize food waste by finishing everything on their plate and taking only what they need, taking three minute showers, turning off lights if leaving a building, washing kitchen rags with a plunger washer and natural lye soap, composting waste from meals, and using alternatives to the lights in their cabins (i.e. Gravity Lights and solar lights). We have a contest for each cabin to gain points by showing environment stewardship and become a Master Greenfoot!

A cabin group using an energy-efficient gravity light

 Last year the Core Staff here at Foley became part of the Greenfoot Family and the groups are often visited by Bigfoot's cousin, Greenfoot! Though elusive at first, he makes his appearance as school groups become more involved and invested in showing investment in being environmental stewards.

The ever-elusive Greenfoot

We will continue many of our environmental efforts throughout Summer Camp while encouraging shorter showers, turning off lights when they're not needed, composting and using Gravity Lights in the Treehouses! We love shaping the lives of youth and opening the eyes of our groups at Environmental Education to grow up with a love of nature and the environment. Join us in making a difference in the environment and reducing your impact!

A cabin group makes a difference by
composting the kitchen waste to be used around camp

We Can All Be Leaders

Everyday Leadership

Drew Dudley states, "we have made leadership into something bigger than us." I couldn't agree more. Leadership has been put on this pedestal that makes people question if they are even capable of being a leader. Let me tell you, you are, and can continue to be as strong of a leader as you want to be. Let's see if Drew Dudley can inspire you, check out his TedTalk below. 

We encourage leadership skill development in each of our campers and truly believe everyone is capable of making a difference.   

New New New. Even Better Than Llama Rides...

We did a thing yesterday. Some of you loved it. Some of you hated it. It was all in good fun. If we offended you, we’re sorry, but we couldn’t let April Fools go by without some kind of prank. So if you didn't figure it out by now our social media post yesterday was an April Fool's joke! We're sorry for all of the crushed spirits and heartbroken campers who wanted Llama Rides this upcoming summer... BUT we do have many NEW things this summer at Foley!

One thing we strive for at Camp Foley is to be active listeners to our campers. Specifically we want to listen to what their input is for new items, different programs and overall changes to camp because after all, they’re what camp is all about! Check out below some of the NEW changes coming to Foley this summer all thanks to our amazing campers and their feedback.

Photo taken from campbusiness.com

Archery Tag

We are bringing a new meaning to the word “tag.” Campers wanted more “shooting sports” so let us introduce you to Archery Tag from Upshot. With so many variations of tag already at camp, why not add the most exciting version yet? This event requires the same safety equipment needed for paintball, except replace the paintball marker with a bow and arrow. Archery Tag is a high energy activity that will pit two teams against one another and using large foam tipped arrows they will work to eliminate players on the opposing team. Will your cabin group prevail? See you this summer to find out!

Photo taken from SolFit at swimline.com

Giant Stand-Up Paddleboards 

Paddleboards aren’t new to Foley, but in exploring more items to use down at the Waterfront because of camper input, we stumbled upon the Maori Giant SUP! These giant paddleboards fit up to 6 people and are perfect for cruising around with your best friends while working on those communication and team building skills. Camp will be gaining 2 of these boards and we can’t wait to get down to the lake to try them out!

Photo taken from SolFit at swimline.com

Floating Yoga? Bring on total relaxation!

With the interest in yoga continuously on the rise, paired with requests from campers to combine their passion for yoga with their love of Whitefish Lake, we are proud to announce the arrival of Aquatic Fitness Mats. Prepare yourselves for the most incredible Swim Dock fitness classes you could have ever dreamed about. These durable mats will be absolutely perfect for yoga, meditation, and other general mindfulness activities. This might be the best way to calmly take in the beauty of Foley’s waterfront and Lower Whitefish Lake.

SkyHigh FlyRide

Photo taken from Zapata Flyride

Every year, Wolves (campers aged 14-16) get to experience camp from a different viewpoint. During Fun in the Sun each session Wolves are able to try Flyboarding. Flyboarding has been a part of camp for the last few years giving the oldest campers the experience of soaring above Whitefish while learning from the best in the world. (Seriously. Our instructor Caleb competes Internationally!) This year we are kicking it up a notch by incorporating a new flying craft: Flyride! This new device is like a bike on the water and is something new for our campers who have already experienced the thrill of the Flyboard. Imagine being able to see Camp Foley from an aerial view while hovering on a floating jet ski – pretty awesome, right? Check out the photos and we’ll see you on the lake for Summer 2019!

We are excited about all of the new activities this summer! Which new activity are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments below.

Camp Creature: Top 5 Highlight Reel!

One of our favorite things to post about is our featured Camp Creature. We have tons of camp creatures here living in this part of rural Minnesota, which puts us in an excellent spot to explore and see animals of all types. Today we are bringing together some of your favorite editions of Camp Creatures past to bring you ..... the Camp Creature Highlight Reel! You might remember some of these blog posts, and for those of us who do not, we are reminded of all the nature that we're connected to here at Foley:


Coming in at Number 5: The Bobcat
More than likely, we won't catch a glimpse of these elusive creatures, but they are local to the area. A fun fact about the bobcat is that it gets its name from its 'bobbed' tail which looks as though it has been cut off. Check this blog out to learn more fun facts about the bobcat!






Next, at Number 4: The Common Snipe
This small brownish bird is also sometimes called the 'Jacksnipe' and can be found in Minnesota especially near wetlands and damp forests to help them probe for food in the soft ground. Ever wanted to learn more about snipe hunts? Well here's your chance!






At Number 3: The Beaver

Photo by Alli Faricy at Hidden Lake

What's cooler than being the largest rodent in North America? What about having webbed feet? Wait, you mean to tell me that beavers are the largest rodent in North America and have webbed feet? How neat is that! Raise your hand if you've seen one of these creatures around Hidden Lake. We think it's pretty neat having the beaver as our neighbor on the lake, and we've got a lot more interesting facts about them here!

Our Boys' AD, Jordan, with a massive snapping turtle

In the Number 2 Spot: The Snapping Turtle
If you've taken Nature as an activity, come to our Outdoor Education program, had the chance to paddle to Hidden Lake, or driven down the road then you may have had the experience of seeing a snapping turtle. This is the largest turtle in Minnesota, some even reaching 80+ pounds! Check this blog out for even more cool things about snapping turtles.







And finally, at NUMBER 1: The Bald Eagle
The numbers don't lie - this blog post is one of our most popular to date! These majestic birds are stunning mid-flight, and more than likely, you've seen at least one during your time here at Foley (if not, just take a moment in the quieter hours of the day to look out over the lake and up in the trees). Our Director, Alli Faricy, has been known to take stellar shots of these birds of prey as they soar around Whitefish Lake. Check out our top blog to learn more and check out her amazing photos!

Photo by Alli Faricy

Photo by Alli Faricy, an eagle perched with its prey

Photo by Alli Faricy, an eagle mid-flight with a fish in its talons

Well, that just about covers it - our TOP FIVE camp creature posts to date. Comment below and let us know what Camp Creatures you'd like to see featured on the Rattlin' Blog!

Oops, and we almost forgot!
For Honorable Mention: Camp Dogs 

They may not be too wild, but we can't just leave out three of our best camp creature buddies. Remember throughout the summer to stop and say hi to our furry friends who continually travel around camp!

First Time Camper? Check this out: A Beginner's Guide to Camp Foley

A Beginner’s Guide to Camp Foley

Welcome to Foley! As two long time campers (with a combined 10 years at Foley), we know that coming to camp for the first time can be pretty intimidating. So from some formerly terrified first year campers to another, here’s a guide to help ease your fears as much as we wish ours could’ve been. Prepare to make this summer incredible!

First off, the packing list. Now, it’s pretty extensive and has a great outline for all you’ll be needing, but let’s get into the specifics. While some things are definitely necessary to bring with you to camp (deodorant, shampoo, sun screen, etc.), other items are up for more personal preference, like swimsuits, for example. Although the Foley packing list says to only bring two swimsuits, this year we’ll be bringing three. We spend a lot of our day at the waterfront and prefer to avoid any situation where we might have to put on a cold, wet suit. If you're like us, these next 1-4 weeks you’ll be spending a lot of time around the water. Believe us, you'll want that 3rd suit! Next, your actual clothes. Bring some extra layers to put on during those cooler nights, and make sure to bring comfy clothes to wear around on the daily. Most importantly, bring clothes that you feel most comfortable in! To be honest, there will probably be 4-6 outfits that you’ll find yourself wearing almost every day. Make sure they’re ones you’re totally able to move around in, and make sure you don’t care about them too much (not all of our shirts have always survived). Pack some extra accessories, too! Personally, we always bring some sort of camera (to document all of the good times), letter-writing materials (send the Foley address to your friends and family so they can write you!), and friendship bracelet string. Above all, we bring tons of costumes. We can promise you that there will be more than enough opportunities to dress up in wild outfits- make sure to bring enough to stunt on everyone during all of Foley’s special events.

So the day finally arrives! You’re stepping out of the bus or car and into that blinding Minnesota sunshine. What should you expect? For starters, step out with an open mind. Be ready for new experiences. Let yourself be excited! In our opinion, it’s pretty impossible to not have a great time at camp, but making the most out of your time can really help you have the best time possible.

The first day is always a whirlwind of rules, introductions, campfire songs, and spaghetti. It can get to be overwhelming at times, especially if you’ve never been away from home for too long. It can also be really exciting! You get to meet all of the new people in your cabin (they won’t be new to you for too long, though), set up your bunk and unpack, and watch the crazy opening campfire skits. If you’re ever feeling too overwhelmed, talk to one of your counselors. They’re there to talk to you and help you through things- reach out to them!

On the first night, when you’re finally lying down in your bunk, surrounded by the people who are about to become your best friends, take a second to think about what you want to make sure to accomplish in the next few weeks. Set some goals for yourself to live up to. Try to do one thing everyday that scares you. Get out of your comfort zone, talk to as many people as possible, put yourself out there! If there’s any place on earth to take risks and be yourself, it’s definitely camp.

Now- the first morning! The day before, you will have picked your first out of three schedules that you’ll have during your time at camp. When choosing those five activities, here’s what we recommend:

1. Choose two things that you’ve never tried before.
2. Choose two activities you know you love.
3. And choose one activity that’s going to get you out of your comfort zone. 

If you’re not sure where one of your activities begins, don’t be afraid to ask someone. People at camp are some of the friendliest people you’ll probably ever meet, and no one expects you to know where everything is on your first day. So ask around!

The next few weeks will go by in a blur. Win as many canteens as possible, laugh as much as you can, and don’t bet that you’ll eat six pieces of Sodabread (believe us. It’s not worth it). Above all else, make sure to live in the moment. Enjoy the gorgeous nature surrounding you, enjoy the amazing time you have with the people around you, enjoy the little things that make camp what it is. Explore, be open, be curious!

Time spent at camp doesn’t match up to time spent at home. Days can feel as if they’ve gone by in a week, and weeks can feel like they’ve gone by in hours. At the end of your summer at Foley, it might feel as if it’s only been minutes since you first stepped out of that bus or car and into the sunshine. And you’re definitely going to leave already looking forward to what next year’s camp adventures have in store. So before you first walk out into your new home away from home, remember to make the most out of your time. We promise it’ll be worth it. Camp has been one of the most meaningful experiences in our lives, and we hope it’ll be the same for you. Can’t wait to see you this summer!

Faith and Grace :)

Maintaining Whitefish -- Don't Let Invasive Species In!

Let's get deep for a second. Let's talk about one of the most incredible aspects of Camp Foley. Let's put aside the friendships and the skills learned over a summer for just a minute. We're going to discuss how fortunate we are to be located on such an amazing body of water. Lower Whitefish Lake is an ideal setting for so many people to learn how to ski, sail, swim, fish - you name it. Whitefish makes it happen.

Campers Snorkeling in Whitefish Lake

The topic that is heavy on our minds is AIS, or aquatic invasive species. Keeping our lakes clean is such a priority to us at Foley, as it is a big part of who we are. We have worked closely with our local lake association (WAPOA) and a few members of the Foley team were trained as DNR volunteers to check boats going into and coming out of the Whitefish Chain for these aquatic invasive species. We feel fortunate that we were able to be trained in this and feel proud that we are protecting our lakes. Campers also had the opportunity to sign up to come shadow us as we checked boats so they felt they contributed to the greater good of our chain as well.

Here's where things get tricky.
Even with our stepped up efforts, over the past few years we have seen a few changes occurring in our treasured lake. Changes due to zebra mussels making their way into Whitefish. With no direct way to get rid of the zebra mussels, we now need to do a better job at ensuring more invasive species don't get in and do what we can to manage the AIS we do have.

Now down to some facts and where you all can help stop the spread of AIS.
Up until 2018 the DNR offered grants to lake associations to go directly toward managing aquatic invasive species. A good portion of these funds went directly to staffing the landings with boat inspectors. In 2018 no grants were available and that is the same for 2019. This means the DNR and volunteers spent 7,500 fewer hours at lake landings inspecting boats in 2018. Senators are currently working to pass a law that would allow for $1 million of General Fund money for matching grants to lake associations for controlling aquatic invasive species.  Lake associations do not have the means to fund their efforts alone, so this law would provide means for continued prevention of the spread of AIS and ultimately keep Whitefish as pristine as possible. We need to be part of this effort together.

As a population who utilizes one of Minnesota's gorgeous lakes, I encourage you all to click the "Take Action" button below to send an email to ask our senator to support this legislation. Let's work to keep the Whitefish water quality high for generations and generations to come. You can also donate directly to WAPOA is this is something that you directly would like to support!

"While AIS is a statewide problem, for too long the costs have been local. Lake Associations deserve support in the work they do to protect the public good of healthy lake ecosystems." - Jeff Forester, Executive Director at Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates 

--> TAKE ACTION <--

Tales of Creativity and Play: A Ted Talk for All of Us

Tales of Creativity and Play

Raise your hand if you believe playfulness helps drive you towards more creative solutions and ultimately more happiness in your everyday life? Our hands are raised high! We love play, and it has a place in as much of our lives as we allow for it. Here are three takeaways that excited us from this Ted Talk:

1.  Having a sense of trust and friendship is what allows us to feel secure in taking creative risks - something we should all be doing and what we strive for at Camp. 
2. Learning is a by-product of play (learning by doing), you don't need a formal workshop to be creative - use what you have around you to think with your hands!
3. Act out flaws in whatever you may be working on. Role-playing can be a great tool for understanding rules of social interaction. Think about "playing house" or "playing store." You are trying out this identity and living through experience to learn what works and what doesn't when it happens in life.

Playful exploration, playful building and role-play are great ways to learn and gain new insight!

In the Ted Talk below, Tim Brown discusses and expounds on creativity and play in schools, in the workplace, at home, etc. Prepare to be inspired to become more playful!  

Ted Talk: Tim Brown Tales of Creativity and Play

As the saying goes, let's "Disconnect to Connect"

Unplugging Our Kids.

Steve Baskin hits the nail on the head when he says, "a fulfilling life starts with face-to-face, interpersonal connections." Check out this insightful TedTalk to hear from another source why helping our kids unplug is so crucial in youth development.  

Unplug with us at Camp Foley! Register Today!

Camp Moves Simon. Participant Spotlight!

This October we saw our highest number of Camp Moves Me participants yet! 20 wonderful members of our Foley family dedicated their October exercise (running, biking, swimming, hiking, walking, kayaking/canoeing, etc.) and asked family and friends for donations. Donations go directly into the Camp Foley Scholarship fund, thus directly impacting our campers. 90% of the money raised will be deposited into our fund so we can help get more kids to camp next summer (the other 10% goes to the American Camp Association). We are ecstatic to say this Camp Moves Me campaign was our most successful yet! Thank you, thank you, thank you, to all of the participants and donors. You are incredible. 

We recently had a conversation with one of our campers who participated for the first time to get his thoughts on the Camp Moves Me campaign. Simon was a first year participant and raised over $400 during the month long campaign. The heart and drive this young man displays to help make this world a better place is inspiring. 

Featured Participant: Simon M.

Age & Years as a camper: I'm 12 and next summer will be my 6th summer at camp!    

                 

Simon racing in Vail, Colorado, while repping a
Camp Foley sweatshirt! 

Hobbies Outside of Camp: football, lacrosse, downhill ski racing, hanging out with family and friends, and helping people in need. 

Favorite Camp Meal:  Pancakes! They are so good!          

Favorite Camp Song: Down By The Bay

Why did you choose to participate in Camp Moves Me? I chose to do Camp Moves Me because I wanted to help raise money for people who couldn’t go to camp and experience the awesomeness of it so that they could go and experience it. 

What mode of exercise did you choose and how many miles did you complete?  I chose biking and I biked 100 miles. 

Completing 100 miles of biking is quite the accomplishment! What motivated you to complete your miles? My motivation was like I said before, because I like to help anyone in need. Also, I love to be outside and biking. 

Do you feel that all kids should have the opportunity to go to summer camp?  Yes, I do think that all kids should be able to go to camp, especially Camp Foley, because it changes your life. It makes you a better person and you have the most fun of your life. 

Would you recommend others participate in Camp Moves Me? Yes, I do think that more people should participate in Camp Moves Me because they are helping other people and it’s a good, healthy choice for them to push themselves to be active.


Way to go, Simon! We are proud of your accomplishments. Thanks again to all of the donors and participants - you help make camp great! 

The Foley Beach

It has been a dream of ours to add a beautiful stretch of beachfront to our Camp Foley paradise. This fall, our dream came true! All of the stars aligned when a nearby neighbors property went up for sale and we took the necessary steps to make it ours. And let us tell you, we are beyond excited for our campers to utilize this incredible space!

Watch our Facebook Live video to see our big reveal of the new beach. It's an amazing piece of property but don't take our word for it, watch the video and SEE for yourself!

The uses for The Foley Beach are endless and we are loving all of the suggestions we have already heard! Here's a quick compilation of some of those suggested programs:

1. Opening and/or Closing Campfires
2. Sand Castle Creations
3. Rock Skipping and Agate Hunting
4. Star Gazing
5. Swimming, of course! Complete with inflatables, canoes, and other general water toys!

Do you have an idea of how we could use this new property?! Email Jordan and let us know!

In the meantime, check out some photos of the new Foley Beach below:

Bravery Is Learned

In Caroline Paul's Ted Talk "To raise brave girls, encourage adventure," Caroline discusses the importance of guiding our daughters to develop bravely, rather than foster the growth of fear in their everyday lives. Why should girls be any less brave than boys? I don't believe that.

The issue is that adults are willing to encourage our boys to go out and try new, "dangerous" things, while we pause at the door with our daughters and tell them to be careful or not to go on an apparatus at the playground because we as adults have fear.

Wouldn't it be great if we were out there actively guiding both our young boys and girls to develop these brave characteristics?  This is part of our mission at Foley. We partner with parents to guide campers to grow grit and investigate their independence. Of course our staff are encouraging, coaching, and ensuring overall safety, but we are allowing children to grow in confidence and ultimately become braver individuals.

"Bravery is learned, it just needs to be practiced." - Caroline Paul

Check out the full Ted Talk below! Caroline's words make us even more excited for the adventurous summer ahead.

Top 10

Since the launch of our Foley Fact Videos, overall excitement for summer has been on the rise. Along with the facts those videos highlight, I also would like to point out a very broad fact - our campers are talented and demonstrate their skills in countless ways each day. With 30+ activities to choose from, each camper is able to create their own adventure by signing up for activities in which they desire to grow in confidence and skill. Just to get our minds on the summer days ahead, let's check out our camper's Top 10 favorite activities..

10. Springboard Diving

9. Fencing

8. Crafts

7. Climbing

6. Paintball

5. Archery

4. Riflery

3. Wakeboarding

2. Sailing

1. Waterskiing

While we patiently await summer, check out the specifics on these activities and more!  

5 Reasons Why...

First steps toward investigating
independence. 

As a parent, it is important to know you have a support system backing you as you take on the beautiful task of raising children. Our mission at Camp Foley is to partner with parents to guide children to grow grit and investigate their independence in a safe, kid focused environment. Parents, we have your back.

Time in the muck with your besties?
Yes, please. 

Some of the best, and maybe hardest, acts of parenting occur when a child is provided the opportunity to branch out and experience life without a parent's immediate guidance. A longtime ACA member and camp director, Audrey Monk, wrote  5 Reasons Why Great Parents Send Their Kids To Camp. This is an incredible post that simply puts 5 of the major benefits of camp into words. Click the link to read why allowing a child to develop independence, experience outdoor childhood fun and adventure, relax, unplug, and become better at making and keeping friends could be the best decision you make as a parent all year.


If that article speaks to what you desire for your children, grandchildren, or neighborhood friend - REGISTER THEM TODAY!

A Home For All

Matt throwing up the double peace signs as he leads his squad on banquet day

Since 2010, Foley has had the privilege to be the proud employer of more than 20 international staff members. The vast international presence in camp is undoubtedly one of the most exciting facets of the camping experience.

"MOM! You won't believe it, my counselor, Matt, is from the Czech Republic and he is the COOLEST." - Campers in Cabin Kadigomeg 2017.

This international experience is made possible by the J-1 Visa, which allows individuals to come to the US on a cultural exchange work program. Earlier this year, the "Buy American Hire American" executive order put obtaining a J1-Visa at risk, which would be a major bummer to camps far and wide. In honor of camp professionals continuously pushing forward to ensure the camp counselor portion of the J1-Visa is not impacted, we'd like to share some heart warming words about what camp means to an international counselor as well as how one of our American campers feels about the amazing international staff who call camp home.

Jimmy, Counselor 2017, Australia

"When you go to camp in the US as an international counselor, like I did, the process for getting there can look a little daunting. Flights, J1-Visa application, paperwork, and interviews can look intimidating. But is it worth it? Yep. You bet it is.
There isn't anything like spending a summer at camp in the US, with each camp having their own ingrained culture, community, focuses, and the opportunity to be a part of something that should not be forsaken.

Jimmy sharing his passion for biking

I can't talk about being an international counselor without thanking the team at Camp Counselors USA for getting me there. I don't care how organised or mature you are, it's awesome to have someone hold your hand and walk you through the process. You'll find that virtually all camp organisations will be amazing in their own ways. I heard no complaints about organisations from the other internationals, all positives.
I mentioned earlier that all of the paperwork to get to camp and even once you're there can be a bit daunting. But I want to reiterate that it is 100% worth it. Camp gives you endless opportunities to grow as a person and make a difference in someone else's life. Be a superhero in the eyes of a ten year old even though you don't see yourself as a hero. Be a life coach. Be life coached! Learn more about yourself and about how other people work. I took so many valuable skills home from camp, some basic, like how to do laundry, and some were genuinely life-changing. Learn how to comfort grief, how to brighten someone's day, how to give purpose to someone who believes they have no purpose. Camp is not easy, it's not supposed to be easy. It's supposed to make you a better person, whether you're a counselor or a camper. Camp is definitely worth it and it could not have been possible without the J1-Visa."

Patrick, 7 Year Camper, USA

"It is absolutely amazing, the things you can learn from all the staff coming from different countries. Their beliefs, and different cultural backgrounds always intrigue me. The diversity at Foley is what sets is apart from other camps and is one of my favorite parts about Camp. It is crazy how much you can know about another place after spending just two weeks with a person. Camp wouldn't be the same without the international staff."

We are excited to make even more memories with international staff as they all play an important role in our culture. The J1-Visa is a vital part in allowing us to do just that. If you would like to read more into the logistics behind how the J1-Visa could be impacted, please check out this Public Policies Article that appears on the ACA website.

Thanks to Camp

"Let's face it. The impact of camp can be hard to explain. We know it's more than s'mores, games and crazy costumes." - Canadian Camping Association

Here's a shout-out to our neighbors to the north. The Canadian Camping Association put together an incredible video, "Thanks to Camp", that beautifully portrays the wonders of summer camp.  Individuals from across Canada submitted their iPhone footage which was ultimately compiled to create this masterpiece, and let me tell you, it just warms your soul.



If this video inspires you, please create your own #thankstocamp and post to our Facebook wall. We would love to see and hear how Camp Foley has impacted your life.

Smooth Sailing into Summer '17

The ice is out on Whitefish and we can't contain our excitement for the fast approaching summer months! As we have watched the ice retreat and leave behind more and more open water, one specific addition to the waterfront comes to mind, the Hartley 12s.

Picture this, you and three of your besties are nervously walking across Foley Green to join 3-4 sailing. I say nervously because this will be your first time sailing in a boat larger than a Bic. When you arrive, you are instructed on the necessary skills required to sail before you even head down to the boats (which helped one friend who has never sailed, but of course you already learned in Sailing Bics). After hearing all this, your confidence is building and you head down the Marina steps and finally get a good look at the new, blue Hartley 12 sailboats, and woah are they beautiful.





As you and your besties begin rigging your boat, you realize these boats are nowhere near as intimidating as you thought. With the ample crew space, deep cockpit, and a high boom, you start thinking you don't need to be a pro to enjoy sailing these boats. One of your friends, who is an experienced sailor, also looks excited as she explains how smoothly a Hartley 12 sails through big waves and she points out that it is a very stable boat so capsizing is unlikely. You and your friends set sail and enjoy the next hour out on Whitefish learning how to maneuver this Hartley 12. By the end of the summer you know you will be confident and ready to teach new friends the exciting art of sailing in the summers to come!

Hartley 12's are a phenomenal sailboat to develop and enhance your skills and we cannot wait to see campers out sailing on Whitefish this summer!

Umuganda in Rwanda and also Gorillas

This past February, I was lucky enough to travel to Rwanda and Uganda for a once in a lifetime

experience photographing the Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees. The animals were of course very impressive and watching them interact with each other was not much different than watching my cousin’s families interact (they have lots of young, spirited children and we, as a group of adults, tend to share parenting responsibilities when we are all together). The Gorillas and Chimps are incredible animals that are threatened by habitat loss, climate change and poaching but in recent years have started to rebound (thanks to treaties by Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo). I could go on for hours about them, and probably will if you ask me, but something else has burrowed in to my soul and had me thinking since my return – “Umuganda” and Rwanda’s Plastic Bag Ban.

So what is Umuganda? In Rwanda, every last Saturday of the month, all able-bodied citizens between the ages of 18-65 spend 2 hours volunteering in their communities, in a day they call “Umuganda”, which translates to “Coming Together”. Umuganda has been practiced in Rwanda for decades but it wasn’t until after the genocide in the early 1990’s that it got a makeover and took on its current form. For many years (until 2007), it wasn’t technically the law, but the social pressure to help was so high that estimates put participation at over 80%. Those that don’t participate are often not invited to local events or shunned at birthday parties and weddings. Now it is the law and fines can be administered if people are found to be skirting their responsibilities.

It is estimated that Rwandans do 18 million hours of community service per month. They pick up trash on the roads and trails, paint houses, help a neighbor who lost their farm to a mud slide, volunteer professional services like medical or dental care, dig trenches to prepare for rain water run-off and countless other acts that better their community.

And it works! The people of Rwanda are so committed to keeping their country clean and helping their neighbor. They voted to outlaw plastic bags and when you drive around you rarely see trash on the ground. If they don’t put it there, they don’t have to pick it up at the end of each month. Neighbors are helping neighbors and the whole time, guess who is watching? Kids!.

5 million children watch each month as their parents help others, as government officials work side by side with community members and skilled professionals offer their services for free. The kids watch (and usually help) and prepare themselves for a future where they, too, will be called on to help their communities.

What does this have to do with Camp Foley? In the spirit of Umuganda, this summer we are going to have 1 block of time each session that will be dedicated to community - both directly related to Foley and in our local area.  Every camper, counselor, and director will participate in some way, giving us time to connect as a camp community and do something that makes us proud. Just think. If every person in the USA, between the ages of 18-65, dedicated 2 hours a month to helping our communities we would have 624 million hours per month.

Of course the process isn’t perfect, and they have to revisit each year how to make this work for their communities. But I have been to quite a few countries and something was different in Rwanda. I’m not sure if it was their storied past, their sense of urgency that it can’t go back to how it was or something else that I, as a foreigner don’t understand, but something was different. There was an acceptance and a community and a togetherness that I haven’t always felt when I have traveled. I came back thinking and yearning to be better and pushing to find new ways to engage my neighbors. And for that I thank Rwanda, the Gorillas and Chimps, and most importantly, the Rwandan people.

Marie and I look forward to working side by side with the campers and staff this summer as we strive to make our community a better place and partner with parents to start kids on a path to bettering the world they live in.

For more pictures that I took of Gorillas and Chimpanzees see EightLegsPhotography.com or follow @eightlegsphoto on Instagram . 

~ Alli Faricy, Director