|
The Lakesider Newsletter of YMCA Camp Pepin
Holiday Issue 2007
Director’s Chat
On Thursday nights during summer camp, we hold a traditional event at Camp Pepin called the Friendship Fire. All campers and staff gather at the firepit down at the beach, and cabin groups share their memories from the week. We also sing songs that contribute to the reflective atmosphere of our last night together. Early this past summer, my four-year old son, Joshua, began joining me for Friendship Fires. Mostly, he would just sit quietly and watch the sharings and the songs. One of our traditions is that we all throw a stick into the fire (a way of leaving a part of ourselves at camp), and Joshua would throw a stick in, too. I always wondered if he ever completely understood what was happening, or if he just liked seeing the flames and being by the lake.
One evening this Fall, as my son and I were playing with his wooden railway set, I heard him humming a tune that sounded very much to me like the one that we sing at the end of each Friendship Fire: “By Lake Pepin’s rippling waters, where the campfire’s bright; Keep the flame of friendship burning, in our hearts tonight” (sung to the Kellerman anthem). I asked him what he was humming, and he replied, “It’s from Friendship Fire.” I was amazed that he had carried that with him since August, when we would have last sang it together, and asked him what other songs he remembered. He actually could recall quite a few of them, which caused me to realize that our Friendship Fires really did have an impact on him. Since then, he has asked me when we will be going to Friendship Fire again, and luckily my response of “After Christmas,” seems to satisfy him. For now, though, we have been playing Friendship Fire songs on a variety of instruments here at the house (both his and mine).
When I think about what my young son has already gleaned from his brief camp exposures on Thursday nights, I can only imagine what our campers and staff must take home with them after a full camp experience. For Joshua, Camp Pepin has given him some new songs (and a great place to grow up with his little sister!), but for others, camp has given them life skills, broader interests, new talents, memories, friendships, careers, and even spouses. Realizing all of this, I am very humbled and very proud as the camp director to be a part of a place that can give so many good things to so many people.
Scott Kolby
The Ultimate Christmas Present
As with a number of American households, part of my family’s Christmas tradition has typically included giving presents. However, as I look at my son’s and daughter’s toys strewn all across our home, it is hard to imagine that they would ever need any more toys to add to this collection, especially knowing that they will not remember most of them when they are older.
With this in mind for the holidays, we are trying as a family to invest in less “stuff” and in more experiences – something that our children can enjoy for the rest of their lives. Some of these experiences will involve service to others, a truly rewarding and fulfilling gift. Others will be activities that will enrich their lives somehow – that will make them better people.
Camp, I believe, is one of those experiences, and even with money being tight around the holidays, I feel that the worthwhile things in life are simply worth budgeting for. Toys eventually break, or get put away in a closet, or get sold in a rummage sale, but what camp can offer a child is (as the TV commercials would say) “priceless.” Speaking personally, I have more vivid memories about my time at YMCA camps as a youth than I do of the things I got for Christmas during those years. What’s more, YMCA camps have given me lifelong friends, a career, and a family – much more than my Atari 2600 ever gave me.
So if you, too, are looking for an alternative to giving or getting “stuff” for the holidays, think about what the gift of camp will do for a child. In fact, a Camp Pepin mom just recently told me that her children will be receiving a week of Wrangler Camp for Christmas this year from their grandma and grandpa; I am betting that, unlike most toys, this is a gift that her children will cherish for years.
Scott Kolby
Sign Up Early for Summer Camp 2008
We will be accepting early registrations for Summer Youth Camp 2007 throughout the month of December. Since many sessions had waiting lists last year, this is the opportunity for our returning campers to sign up for their preference of sessions and dates before we open these slots up for general registration, beginning January 2nd. An Early Registration Form is enclosed. Registrations may also be submitted by phone (1-651-388-4724) or fax (1-651-388-5340) to our Camp Office Manager, Joetta, at the Red Wing Family YMCA, or online at www.camppepin.org.
Parent Information and Pizza Nights Coming Soon to a Community Near You
Starting in late January, we will again be visiting many communities with our Camp P.E.P.I.N. (Pizza Extravaganza and Parent Information Nights). These gatherings are held from 6:00pm – 7:00pm, and are a great way for new and old campers and their parents to learn about camp, ask the directors questions, and see slides from last summer. Of course, all are invited to partake in some delicious pizza, too! Parents of current campers have found that these nights have been helpful for introducing camp to younger brothers and sisters, and to friends that have not attended camp before. More information on specific dates and places will be available on our website and in our 2008 summer brochures. We look forward to seeing you!
You Asked For It, You Got It – More Sessions of Wrangler Camp 2!
Wrangler Camp 2 was one of the first camp sessions to fill this past summer, and campers and parents on the waiting list asked if there could be more sessions of it in 2008 – so here they are! We will be offering two more weeks of this popular camp next July at Lost Creek Ranch in Ellsworth, WI. Remember that campers will have needed to learn basic horsemanship skills in Wrangler Camp 1 (which also fills quickly) at Hawkridge Stables in Pepin, WI, before they can sign up for Wrangler 2.
3rd Annual Maple Syrup and Family Fun Day Scheduled for March 29th
Join us again next March at YMCA Camp Pepin for our 3rd Annual Maple Syrup & Family Fun Day, where we will doing maple syruping demonstrations with trees that we tap right here at camp. Archery, the Climbing Tower, and Arts & Crafts will also be open. And, of course, we will be serving pancakes and sausage with real maple syrup. The event is free, and everyone is invited. More information will be posted this winter on our website and in our 2008 summer brochures. Know someone that’s never been to Camp Pepin? This is a great opportunity to show them what camp is all about!
Staff Scoop
Alumni Connections
Wish List
If you would be willing to contribute any of these items to Camp Pepin, please contact the Camp Director at 715-442-3811 or at camp@redwingymca.org. As a part of the Red Wing Family YMCA, Camp Pepin is a non-profit agency.
Kimmy’s Korner
Hi folks! It’s Kimmy the Kayaker.
Here was October’s game:
How many meal graces hang on the wall of the Dining Hall?
Congratulations to Kelly McKinley of Rochester, MN, who correctly answered that there are seven graces. (In fact, they are pictured in a Week 3 summer camp photo entitled “LUNCH IN THE DINING HALL” in our Photo Gallery at http://www.camppepin.org/photogallery.htm.)
My game for the Holiday Issue - a crossword!
ACROSS
DOWN
You can either mail me a copy of your completed puzzle (addressed to Camp Pepin), or you can scan or digitally photograph it and email the picture to me at camp@redwingymca.org. A winner will be drawn from the correct entries, and will receive a YMCA Camp Pepin $10 gift certificate. The winner's name and answer will also be posted in Kimmy’s Korner in the January Issue of The Lakesider. Anyone can play, including campers, staff, and alumni. Good luck!
YMCA Camp Pepin Staff Scott Kolby, Camp Director William Norman, Assistant Camp Director Joetta Oien, Camp Office Manager
|
|||||||||||||||||
