| Name (Maiden Name) |
Years at Camp |
Email Address |
Comments |
Submitted/
Updated |
| Julie Austin |
1991-1999 (Camper), 2000-2001 (Staff) |
jewels_campchick@hotmail.com |
Camp was my life. I still look back at the wonderful time I had at Camp Pepin. I cannot begin to express the joy I have shared with all of the staff and campers. One day, I want my kids to have the time of their life as I did as a child and a young adult. From these experiences I decided to work as a recreational therapist. Thanks For the Awesome Memories. |
2/15/07 |
| Aimee Baxter (Richcreek) |
1983 (Junior Counselor), 1984 (Senior Counselor) |
aimee@baxtercreek.com |
As a kid, I always wanted to be a camper - but never had the experience. As soon as I graduated from high school I signed up to be a Junior Counselor. I had such a great time working in the kitchen cleaning the dishes, creeking, playing capture the flag, and singing camp songs, I came back the next year as a Senior Counselor. I met one of my best friends at camp, and all these years later, we love to remember our days at Camp Pepin. I hope when my daughters are a bit older, they have the Camp Pepin experience as campers! |
1/11/07 |
| Jen "Jennie" Berg (Ringeisen) |
1991-1992 (Jr. Counselor) |
jrberg12@msn.com |
Camp was a great part of my life. Being a junior counselor was actually my first job ever - and what a great job it was! I remember some things like they happened yesterday! I met one of my great friends today through working at camp - and am thankful we've been able to keep in touch throughout the years despite the physical distance between us. I look forward to re-connecting with other alum from when I was there! |
9/22/06 |
| Melissa "Shorty" Bergdall |
1994-1999 (Camper), 2006 (Resident Counselor), 2007 (Trail Director), 2008 (Leadership Director) |
bergdalm@csp.edu |
|
8/8/08 |
| Dana Brokken |
1992? (Camper),
1995-1999 (Assistant Counselor) |
brokkends@gmail.com |
I, too, enjoyed my time at Camp Pepin. What a great way to spend a summer - enjoying friends and making memories. My memories of Pepin are some of my best. I am currently living in Battlement Mesa, Colorado, and am engaged to be married August 2008. I am a physical therapist and really enjoy it! I would love to hear from old friends! |
7/21/07 |
| Michael Brown |
2003 (Staff) |
finch77@hotmail.com |
I just wanted to say hello to everyone and see where everyone's life has brought them. As for me, I am a science teacher presently looking for a place to teach. So, I just sub right now. I am most likely moving either to washington (state) or south carolina to work. Anyway, please respond back for it would be nice to hear from you all. Later. |
12/1/05 |
| Ivy Conrad (Studeny) |
1995 (Counselor; Ropes Instructor) |
imconrad@yahoo.com |
I tell my kids stories about when I worked at camp. I have two kids, a boy and a girl. |
7/20/06 |
| Renee "Froggie" Cornish |
2002 (Counselor), 2003 (Waterfront Director) |
renee_cornish@hotmail.com |
Hi everyone! I got a chance to visit camp again and it was awesome. So many memories came back and I thought of you all. Hannes "Arnie" and I are doing well in Germany. If you're in Germany, hope to see you! |
10/27/07 |
| Brendan Croft |
1992 (Senior International Counselor) |
stardockmagic@gmail.com |
Amazing times with amazing people. I even came back from Australia to visit in 1995. I miss camp times. |
8/2/08 |
| Keith Edwards |
1984-1991 (Camper), 1992-1993 (Junior Counselor), 1994 (Senior Counselor), 1995 (Ropes Course Coordinator)
|
keith@keithedwards.us |
As a camper for 7 years and staff for 4, I have lots of great camp memories. But my favorites all involved the fabulous people I worked with. It would be great to hear from folks. |
8/3/06 |
| Nora Edwards |
1989-1992 (Camper), 1993 (CIT), 1994 (Jr. Counselor)
|
norsky14@hotmail.com |
|
9/24/06 |
| Bruce Evans |
1955-1960 (Volunteer) |
bruce-evans@cox.net |
My Grandfather was Joe Saul. He was the Red Wing YMCA director for many years ending about 1960. When we would visit him during the summer we would visit the camp, fish on Lake Pepin and do a little cleanup work. |
9/27/06 |
| Anna Fekete |
1993 (Staff) |
anna.fekete@chello.se |
I am a former employee by the ICCP (International Camp Counselor Program) who worked the summer of 1993 at Camp Pepin, Stockholm WI. I am trying to get in contact with a friend of mine who also worked that summer, but the best I could come up with was to Redwing YMCA. Can anyone please help me get an e-mail-address, or regular one if email does not exist, to former coworker Craig Symalla, from Stillwater, MN? I know Craig did work as a SR Counselor 1993 and as the Waterfront Director, the summer of 1994. Any help you can give me will be highly appreciated. I live Sweden, without access to your phonebook system in US. Kind regards.
|
5/15/05 |
| Becky Gilles |
1983-1984 (Camper), 1985-1986 (Junior Counselor), 1987 (Senior Counselor)
|
gilles69b@aol.com |
I loved everything about Camp Pepin! My favorite activity was creeking - it was so much fun to get covered in mud and then jump into the lake upon return to camp. |
9/5/06 |
| Reid Gisslen |
1988 (Camper) |
rgisslen@yahoo.com |
It was a fun week. I don't remember what cabin I was in, but most of the other kids in there were from Red Wing. My Dad, Steve, was also a camper during the 1950's. |
10/29/07 |
| Sara Grabko |
1998 (Counselor), 1999 (CIT/LIT Director), 2000 (Program Staff), 2001 (Camp EMT)
|
sara.grabko@gmail.com |
I am doing well! Living in Seattle for 3 years now, going to school full time. I have a lot of fond memories of Camp Pepin and hope to visit next time I am back in the Midwest!
|
9/7/07 |
| Todd Haase |
1980-1985 (Camper), 1990 (Staff)
|
rockyp@mncable.net |
|
5/5/06 |
| Mike Hammer |
1979-1986 (Camper), 1987 (Junior Counselor) |
mhammer59@hotmail.com |
Some of my happiest memories are from being a camper at Camp Pepin. Being a junior counselor, I learned some of life's greatest lessons. I took with me a love of sailing, which I now share with my two sons who I hope will someday also have the same camp experiences that I did. It would be nice to reconnect with the old gang. |
3/10/07 |
| John "Hollywood" Henderson |
1989-1990 (Junior Counselor), 1991-1992 (Senior Counselor), 1993 (Program Director)
|
jhenderson_75@hotmail.com |
I've got so many stories, they could fill a book. When I've got some time, I'll add some of them to the Alumni network. Camp has been a huge part of my life and many of my closest friends are friends I made at Camp. I love sharing camp stories and welcome anyone who remembers me to contact me so we can share stories and reconnect.
|
5/19/06 |
| Julie Hoss |
1993-1997 (Camp Director) |
gunbatte@hotmail.com |
It is amazing how far this camp has come in a relatively short amount of time. This website makes me homesick for campfires and canoe trips on the Chippewa. Is anyone planning an alumni reunion? I would love to help out if one comes about. Keep up the amazing work Camp Pepin staff! I think back at ALL THAT RESPONSIBILITY of being a camp director and that it was my first REAL job out of college...oh my! |
9/11/06 |
| Mike Jackson |
1967 |
iytJackson4233@who-got-mail.com |
|
10/12/08 |
| Trevor Johnson |
1984-1986 |
trj2204@yahoo.com |
Memories that I have from attending Y.M.C.A. camp are some of my best childhood memories. I hope to send my son there next summer. I just took my boat out on Lake Pepin and saw the camp for the first time in more than 20 years. It brought back a ton of great memories!!
Thanks Y.M.C.A.!!! |
8/20/08 |
| Laura Kirwin (Grabko) |
1995-1999 (Camper), 1999-2001 (Counselor) |
lmkirwin@gmail.com |
Oh boy, I have really come to appreciate what Camp Pepin has given me. I had gone to work at another camp, and it didn't seem like home. Camp Pepin felt like my second family, and I miss them very much. As for me, I am happily married and living in Duluth, MN. I am a supervisor for a group home (Northland AFC), where I can do what I do best: making people happy. I love my job! Favorite Camp Pepin Memories:
-Starting a food fight on taco day
- Having to cross the Chippewa River during a tornado warning
- Buddy check!
- 7 am Polar bear plunge
- Theater camp!
- Meeting wonderful people whom I will remember for the rest of my life. Miss you guys!
|
12/11/07 |
| Andrei Kloss |
1999 (Food Service) |
klots007@yahoo.com |
I was the first who crossed the river on canoe with Colombian guy Edwin Bueno and Ryan and got big "green dot" for that. Dragon boat competition - article in local newspaper for showing off. I remember almost all but lost contacts with them. If you know anybody's info let me know. Special interest Vincenzo Vitale, Kasey (my kitchen assistant) and Edwin Bueno Gonzales. |
10/9/05 |
| Cindy Lahr |
2002 (Counselor), 2003 (Female Unit Director) |
cindy.lahr@gmail.com |
Camp Pepin was the first camp I've ever worked at, and it got me hooked! After Pepin, I worked at a YMCA camp in Colorado for three summers. I've now graduated from college and am now a text book editor. |
10/27/07 |
| Daniel Loomis |
1984-1995 (Counselor)
|
dloomis@mainegeneral.org |
I took working in camps to another level and went to Maine and worked at Camp Androscoggin in Wayne, Maine. It is an 8 week camp for boys focusing on sports and we compete with other camps in the area. I earned my degree in Recreational Therapy and when finished moved to Maine. I have been here since 1990. I work as a Recreational Therapist in a community hospital with Mental Health patients. I have gone back to school and earned my RN degree. I did drag another former camper and counselor with me to Maine and she is still involved in the camp setting. Hi Becky. This site is a great idea and I would enjoy hearing from people who were there when I was. If anyone knows what happened to Dianne the red head cook from my first year that would be great. |
6/14/06 |
| Luis
"Lu-Lu" Lopes-Serrao |
2000 (Senior Counselor) |
superlouie50@hotmail.com |
After my days at camp I moved on to college in Eau Claire and finished my degree in Criminal Justice. I worked in Pepin County for 5 years before moving to Wausau, WI, where I am still a police officer. Christina and I got married in 2006 and welcomed our first son Levi on May 23, 2008. |
9/19/08 |
| Andrew Meade |
1988, 1990, 1999 (High Ropes Director), 2000-2001 (Camp Director)
|
aandlmeade@clear.net.nz |
Lorna and I are now firmly settled back in New Zealand, and have added baby Neve to our family. Neve was born on July 20th 2006. Lorna is teaching elementary school 1 day a week and I am self-employed laying carpet again and everything is going well. We have spent the last 2 years remodling our house and have just about finished. After finishing at camp in 2001, we lived in England for 3 years and traveled all over Europe and South Africa before coming back to New Zealand in 2004. |
9/21/06 |
| Lorna Meade |
1988, 1990 (Senior Counselor), 1999 (Trips Director), 2000-2001 (Camp Director)
|
aandlmeade@clear.net.nz |
| Greg Merseth |
1992 (Jr. Counselor), 1995 (Senior Counselor)
|
merseth@frontiernet.net |
|
9/22/06 |
| Owen Morton |
1980 (Counselor) |
owen.morton@siigroup.com |
|
11/28/05 |
| Trika Nelson-Kalmes |
1993, 1995 (Counselor) |
tnelson@arcadis-us.com |
I went to school at the University of North Dakota and received a BS in Geology in 2002. Moved to Florida for 2 years, and then moved back to Minnesota. I work as a Hydrogeologist for a Environmental & Engineering Consulting firm in Minneapolis now. I was married in Florida in Feb. 2006. No children yet.....but maybe in a year. I worked at Camp Pepin during the infamous Zeke and Al years under Julie Hoss as Camp Director. I have a lot of good memories there......canoe trips down the Chippewa, to pontoon trips to Agate Beach - the list is endless. |
6/5/07 |
| Valerie Olson (Banaszewski) |
1983-1986 (Camper), 1987 Junior Counselor |
volson@bemidji.k12.mn.us |
I loved being a camper and still have my 3 yr. paddle. Then working there and meeting Becky, Tim, Mike Hammer and the others! Miss you Becky. I loved Creekin and swampin! The dances, buying treats at the camp store, carrying my shower supplies by ice cream bucket, and singing at the campfires. Singing to get mail was always great! Good times, and now I am thinking of sending my kids there. |
11/8/08 |
| Marcelle Pearce |
2003 (Counselor) |
marcellepearce@yahoo.co.uk |
I was a counselor at Pepin in summer 2003! My nickname was Turtle. I was there when Shaggy was still the camp director. I was wondering if there is a way to find out what everyone is up to that was with me that year as I have ony kept in touch with a few. It truly was one of the best summers of my life! Nice to see you all going strong. Just felt a bit nostalgic reading about good old Pepin! Much love, Turtle
|
10/16/08 |
| Tim Peterson |
2000 (Counselor) |
tdiddybonedawg@yahoo.com |
I became an uncle Labor Day weekend. I'm 26 and still live with my parents in the Minneapolis area. Thinking about going to South Africa next March. Pete, are you still running a wildlife reserve over there? 2000 Dragon Boat champs.
|
9/8/07 |
| Chris "Jambo" Pinkman |
2002 (CIT & LDP Counselor) |
christopher_pinkman@yahoo.co.uk |
My memories of Pepin are as fresh in my mind 5 years on as they were when they were made. The day I left camp and made my way back to New York where I would eventually fly home would turn out to be my last for the time being, and I really really miss it. The atmosphere there, the way the sun set over the bluff on the other side of the river - amazing. Something I'd just never seen before. Being someone from Scotland, I really warmed to the American way of life and the culture. An experience I've yet to match in terms of "wow factor" but there's still hope yet. I brought back a lot of memories home with me that year, memories of some fantastic people that I met and wished I'd stayed in touch with, but all those memories remain in my heart and I pay them a visit now and again whenever I need cheering up.
Love to all,
Jambo |
2/1/07 |
| Shannon Powers |
2001 (High Adventure Counselor) |
shannon_lrp@comcast.net |
Just wanting to say hi and maybe get in touch with some friends! |
7/8/06 |
| Heidi Ridgeway |
2004 (Camper), 2005 (LIT), 2006-2007 (Assistant Counselor), 2008 (Assistant Waterfront Director) |
heidilou08@hotmail.com |
I love camp!! I loved it as a camper and I loved being on staff!! |
8/8/08 |
| Dan Schroeder |
1987-1990 (Camp Director) |
dschrades@msn.com
|
My first job out of college! I enjoyed my days at Camp Pepin and wonder what happened to all of those great kids and staff members! Great idea for the alumni site! This site is a great way to find out what people have been up to since Camp Pepin! Best of luck to you all! |
3/24/08 |
| Eric Sundell |
1998-1999 (Camp Director) |
esundell@comcast.net |
|
7/13/06 |
| Susan Tangen (Gilles) |
1983-1984 (Counselor) |
gstangen@comcast.net |
I loved the 2 summers I worked at Camp Pepin! Most memorable to me - singing for mail, creeking, Capture the Flag and campfires. I met a lifelong friend while working at camp, and my sister followed a few years after I did. |
6/20/07 |
| Abe Torkelton |
1979 |
ixsTorkelton8670@cape-mail.com |
|
11/1/07 |
| Manda Vlasak |
1995-2000 (Camper), 2000 (CIT), 2001 (Assistant Counselor), 2002 (Female Unit Director), 2003-2004 (CIT/LIT Director), 2006 (Leadership Director), 2007 (Program Director), 2008 (Leadership Director)
|
myletters03@hotmail.com |
|
8/8/08 |
| Kajan Widlund (Thorstenson) |
1989-1990 (Senior Conselor) |
cattor@home.se |
I came from Sweden to be a conselour at Camp Pepin. I have so many good memories from camp and I often think of co-workers and campers. I have been back to visit a few times. I'm hoping I'll be back again in a year or two. I've kept in touch with a few friends from camp, but it would be fun to hear from more of you. |
12/11/07 |
| Susanna Yoemans |
1996 (Assistant Counselor) |
susannady@hotmail.com |
What a great experience! |
10/30/08 |
| Seth York |
2006 (Assistant Counselor) |
alone.eap@gmail.com |
I can honestly say YMCA Camp Pepin is the greatest job ever, so good in fact that I can't even call it a job. I would say it's more like the single greatest experience of your life. and you get paid for having it. Looking forward to seeing you all again soon. |
10/15/06 |
| Kelly Zimmerman |
1981-1987? (Camper), 1988-1989? (Staff)
|
zimmerkj@pitel.net |
I would love to hear from any staff and campers!!! Feel free to e-mail me. Thanks!!! |
10/31/05 |
