Camp Nebagamon

By Adam Kaplan

As I have written many times, one of the tricks of serving as the director of Nebagamon is finding a way to, at the same time, preserve the 94-year-old traditions and history of Nebagamon, and to keep the place current so that today’s kids will be able to relate to the happenings at camp. This tension requires us, when something new comes along, to evaluate it and try to ascertain whether or not the “next big thing” is compatible with Camp Nebagamon and what it continues to stand for 94 years after Muggs and Janet Lorber founded the place.

Before I introduce the changes that we are planning for this summer, it is important that I spell out, as a baseline, the core philosophies of Camp Nebagamon. It behooves us to enumerate the values and ideals that are incumbent upon us, as stewards of the institution, to promote and to protect.

One obvious tenet is that Nebagamon is an institution that fosters connection and community, whether it be children connecting with each other, connecting with role models, or connecting with nature. It is a goal of Camp Nebagamon to promote and nurture these connections for everyone that passes Paul Bunyan, even for the first time, on their journey into the camp family.

It is with this lofty ideal in mind that we are proud to announce that we are embracing one of the most important tools for “connection” that has ever been created…social networking. For those of you that are still unplugged and in the dark ages, social networking has revolutionized and streamlined communication and connection like nothing before. Through online chatting, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and whatever exciting new platforms are on the horizon, it is now possible for people to engage in their interpersonal relationships without ever having to go through the trouble of physically meeting with their friends. All that they need to do is connect through their phones virtually. This way people can constantly be connected to their friends and know what they are doing almost all the time. Want to know when your buddy is reading the newspaper? He can simply post “Reading the newspaper” on his Twitter account. Dying to know when your pal is about to brush his teeth before bed? Simply log on and he will likely have posted that information. Just got to know if that greasy burger joint that you went to for dinner resulted in some gas for your girlfriend? Well, not only can she tell you about it through words, but Twitter even has the option for some audio updates. What better way to stay connected?

Starting this summer, when each camper hops off of the bus, they no longer need to be worried about having to get an uncomfortable hug from Steph, instead they will each be issued an iPad along with pre-generated Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and Twitter accounts. Instead of wasting time down at CNOC learning wilderness skills, campers will be offered tutorials on how to best share all of the details of their lives with the entire cyber world, both within their cabins and with the world at large. Talk about life skills!!!

For the skeptics out there, one needs only look back at one of camp’s tenets outlined in the third paragraph of this article to see how this new program perfectly supports that goal. First, connecting children with each other is obviously fulfilled by their ability to electronically get together without ever having to do more than click a screen. Plus, an added benefit on this front is that it allows the campers to avoid physical contact with each other, ensuring a healthier camp. Not to mention how much easier it will be for kids to sleep since there will be none of that annoying “talking” thing going on in the cabin… just typing…and what better than the rhythmic tapping of keys to gently lull one into sleep.

Secondly, connecting with role models will be supported by this new program because, in addition to the boys being able to follow their counselors’ social media accounts, we will help the boys connect with other tweeting role models out there. With hourly updates from countless athletes and pop music stars, I have no doubt our boys will benefit from their tutelage. Why, just today I was reading tweets from my Twitter buddy and role model, Kim Kardashian, and she commented about her current vacation to New York and Florida. She said, “Was a beautiful, sunny day in NY today. Went shopping at Top Shop today, so many cute things!” and “Beach Bunny in paradise!” Great stuff to learn from… great stuff.

Our connection to nature is fostered through our new social networking program because our adoption of this program shows, once again, Nebagamon’s commitment to protecting the environment. The fact that campers will largely stay in their cabins throughout the summer and won’t be tramping all over camp, all day long, will decrease the erosion issues we face at camp and allow the grass to grow at a much faster unhindered rate. More greenery, more oxygen for the environment! Also, given that the new program will be replacing the tripping program, think about how many hundreds of gallons of gasoline will be saved, how many Boundary Waters portages will be left in their pristine untrodden state. Finally, I mentioned before that the computers will mean that the children do not need to speak at camp. This will result in a marked decrease in carbon dioxide emissions. Checkmate greenhouse gasses. No need to thank us. Just doing our part to save the world.

I know that I speak for all of us here at camp when I say, “OMG…this is gunna be so fun. i know ur sooo excited cuz its gunna be soooo fun. i cant wait 4 it. Gunna luv it. ROFL…LOL. TTYL!”

And, oh yes, Happy April Fool’s Day from the camp office!