One of the first things people notice when they walk into Camp Nebagamon are the trees. Maples, birches and towering pines span as far as the eye can see. The predominant color around the place is green, from the canopy above to saplings inching into the sky. Intricate root systems weave above the surface and dive deep into soil.
For two months each summer, the space between the trees comes alive with children in search of the greatest summer ever. Laughter rings from the Hill to the Axeman Village. Campers run from place to place because, no matter where they’re going, the destination is just that worth arriving quickly. On windy days the trees whisper to us while we play between their giant trunks. We bask in the sun shining through the leaves and the Camp Nebagamon positivity that makes us feel that everything is right in the world–because in our world at camp– everything is.
This year’s search for the greatest summer ever was a success. Each and every camper and counselor who walked past Paul Bunyan made it so. From Andy Mack and Joe Crain celebrating their final summers after illustrious careers at Camp Nebagamon, to first-year campers who joined us just a month again, we all bought into the idea that for four or eight weeks we’d disconnect from our screens and reconnect with each other. We’d depart the “virtual world” for the “real world”; the world of lakes and loons and forests and the starriest skies we’ve ever seen. We worked every day to make our cabins, villages, and camp the welcoming places that make us feel at home.
Today, aside from our staff who will remain until tomorrow or through Family Camp, the space between the trees is empty. The last four square game has been played underneath branches that provided shade all summer long. “Buddies” was called one more time under the watchful presence of the iconic waterfront maple. The last cabin cookout fire has been doused out on Lorber Point, where our newly planted saplings sit alone. There’s an emptiness to the place that highlights just how full of joy our summer really was.
In Camp Nebagamon’s earliest days trees were far more scarce than today, as the fresh scars of the lumber years healed. Over the decades, countless diligent stewards planted and nurtured, slowly but surely raising our canopy.
It takes a village to make the Nebagamon experience work each summer too.
Thank you to our staff for pouring their souls into their work, and for leading with the question, “What’s best for the kids?”
Thank you to our parents for trusting us with your children. The weight of that trust is not lost on us. We view summer camp as a partnership with families and we are so grateful for your collaboration.
And of course, thank you to all of our campers for filling our woods with laughter, joy, and fun.
Another thing people notice when they visit Camp Nebagamon, after their first glance up at our spectacular forest, is the growth they see happening between the trees. It’s hard to imagine a forest rising into the sky across decades. Fortunately, we don’t need to wait 97 years to witness our campers grow. We saw it every day this summer.
Campers gained competence in projects, laid the foundation for lasting friendships, and learned not just to live in a group with other people, but how to turn that group into a family.
The space between the trees now lies empty (aside from a few dirty socks awaiting cleanup). Now our campers can carry all they gained this summer back out into the world with their roots planted firmly in the soil here at Camp Nebagamon.
We can’t wait for the summer of 2027, and until then, it was our pleasure to live amongst the pines with your boys and watch them grow.
Thank you all for the best summer ever.
All is well in the Northwoods.