As I write this today, the entire Camp Family — in fact, the entire World Family — is working through truly unprecedented and challenging times. All of us are learning how to manage the shakeup in our lives that the Coronavirus situation has thrust upon us. And, knowing the Camp Family as I do, I am sure you are all figuring out how to navigate it. We are hopeful that this pandemic has directly affected as few of our camp families as possible, but for those of you whose lives it has touched, please know that our hearts and thoughts are with you.
In the camp office, we continue to move ahead with exciting and fun plans for the summer, as well as creating new protocols, cleaning procedures, and policies that will ensure a safe and healthy summer for all.
As I wrote in my note to all families two weeks ago, please know that we take our role very seriously and are closely monitoring the situation. We are receiving information and recommendations from our state and local health departments, the American Camp Association, and our own network of infectious disease doctors and other camp directors. This information is critical to us, and we will continue to stay on top of it.
Still, with all of these challenges, I am sure that many of you have noticed unexpected positives as well. The massive amounts of family time that we have all been gifted by this situation will undoubtedly strengthen and deepen our family connections. Truth be told, I had thought this degree of time with my family (one of whom is in college and the other two at an age when their non-family life becomes increasingly important) was gone forever…that I would never again have the special time with my kids that childhood affords. And now I have that time…. we all do. In all of our families, we are coming to understand each other in ways that “normal” life would not have allowed. In the long run, it is my belief that this will lead to healthier family relationships and closer families. Also, I am betting that this increased home time has decluttered many “just throw it in there” closets, junk drawers, and garages as we all find productive ways to spend our time. (Not sure my kids have viewed this as a positive. Except maybe my son, Ben, who now realizes he DOES have enough MATCHED socks to make it through 10 days. In the long run, he may appreciate denying his 17-year-old pals THAT avenue of attack in the future….and it might help him get a date too!) Additionally, I am betting that we are all becoming better and more creative cooks as we learn to make do without the exact items we want for a given recipe. (I have found that chocolate chips are an excellent substitute for just about everything!)
To be sure…I don’t mean to suggest that what we are all dealing with right now is a good thing. Rather, there are some positives that come of it, and it is healthy for us to remind ourselves of this.
It is with this in mind that we present our annual April Arrowhead. If you have been a reader of these monthly newsletters over the past 17 years (yes, I know….that means my dad, one mom in St. Louis, and an alumnus from Seattle) you might remember that the lead article of April’s Arrowhead is always intended to be a lighthearted prank on my vast readership. And I see no reason to deny you that piece of normalcy….
Take care everyone, and feel free to reach out to us for anything.
Adam
This past weekend was the Brule River Steelhead fishing opener, and I was not able to go. I respected the wishes of Wisconsin’s Governor, Tony Evers and the Wisconsin DNR, and stayed at home. While I was bummed that I wouldn’t be wading waist deep in the Brule, freezing and generally being miserable and happy all at once (the true essence of fishing for Steelhead: the more miserable the conditions the better the fishing), I was still able to get outside. I headed out to a friend’s old farmstead just outside of town. I don’t need to stop the car anywhere, just drive to the farm, have fun and relax, and drive back… no shopping, and more importantly at this time, no people. There was a ton of mud which made riding my four-wheel ATV around the land super fun. I worked both days of the weekend, cutting trails through the 120 acres with the chainsaw, and of course hitting every muddy hole with the four-wheeler! It’s just like my days of playing with Tonka trucks in the back yard growing up… but with a little more adventure. Today, after the clock strikes 5 p.m. I’m headed out to the local ski hill in Duluth to earn some turns. The “mountain” shut down last week, but since it is owned by the city of Duluth it operates like a city park. I’m going to throw my telemark skis on and slowly (very slowly) skin up the hill, and then free heel my way down.
