Nearby Nature!

Woah! How neat is that!?

Countless students, teachers, parents, campers, and staff take the hike up Wolf Trail toward the Muck Pond each summer. Before we begin the trek, I always tell the group if we are quiet we have a better chance of spotting an elusive fox, or the chubby porcupine waddling toward the nearest tree. Although most groups prefer to sing or practice their Sasquatch calls over walking quietly, we still see wildlife in the form of noisy squirrels and the white flags of whitetail deer fleeing off in the distance. Wildlife sightings, no matter what species, are always a highlight of a camp experience.

But what other critters actually live in the Foley woods? This fall we set up a trail cam with the hopes of snapping shots of a monster buck before deer season. We were not only satisfied with the amount of deer we saw, but were thrilled to capture activity from raccoons, foxes, squirrels (of course), a coyote, and one of the most photographed critters, a blackbear! Our cam was set not too far off Wolf Trail heading toward the Muck Pond. Let's add the simple statement that these critters are much more terrified of us than we are of them, so have no fear campers!

It is a fantastic thing, knowing we share this magnificient habitat with such amazing critters. Enjoy just a handful of the trail cam shots below, and keep in mind trail cam quality isn't always the best- especially in the dark!

Whitetail Deer

                                                

Raccoon

Red Fox

Coyote

Black Bear

BONUS PICS! Taken by the one and only, Dr. Earth. Follow Dr. Earth on Instagram to fully appreciate the beauty of Earth's wildlife. These 3 shots were all taken at camp! 

Grumpy Raccoon

Just a little guy!

We like to call this pose "King Porcupine"

Molly Challenges You...

Guest blogger and 2013 counselor, Molly McGuire put together a list of thing she wishes she had she'd done as a camper. Molly's list is a great challenge for all of our campers this summer! 

Camp is a pretty spectacular place, and I think we can all agree on that. But what makes camp so amazing? Is it the famous soda bread on Sundays or the sailing on Whitefish Lake? Or is it the nights spent giggling with your cabinmates or hitting a bull’s-eye in Archery? When I think of what makes camp great, I think of all of the friends I made and the experiences I had. 2013 will be my eleventh summer at Foley and my second as a staff member. As I prepare to head up to paradise for the summer, I've been thinking about all of the things I wish I’d done while I was a camper. So here goes...

Check out how fun getting dirty at the Muck Pond looks!

1. Try every activity! It seems silly, but break out of your comfort zone and try something new! Whether it’s you’re tenth year or your first, take a class you've always wanted to take! Try shooting trap, wakeboarding, or finally getting to the top of the climbing wall.
2.   Go on a trip! Talk about stepping out of your comfort zone! Take a three-day trip with your cabin or pack group! Trips create lasting bonds and endless jokes and songs that will last well beyond the trip.
3. Play paintball (and don’t scream like a girl)! Paintball is a blast; don’t let inhibitions get in the way! Something about paintball always intimidated me, but once I tried it, I couldn't believe how fun it was. It is such a rush!
4. Adventure to the Muck Pond! It took me ten years into my Foley career to experience the wonders of the Muck Pond. There is something about it that just screams summer camp. Where else in the world could you do something like that with your best friends?
5. Meet everyone in camp! This one sounds a little cheesy but it’s the truth. I challenge every camper to make a new friend each day. Sometimes we get wrapped up in with cabinmates or friends from last year. This summer, make it a goal to get to know everyone in the camp community.

-Molly McGuire

So there you go campers. How many of those challenges do you think you can accomplish this summer at Foley? Hopefully at least one of them seems doable!