The Arrowhead

The Arrowhead Archives

Camp Nebagamon's Monthly Newsletter

Volume XCI

Number 6

June 2019

Return to Our New Style

Welcome for All – The Nebagamon Philosophy

By Adam Kaplan

In a previous year’s June Arrowhead, I shared one of my favorite arrival-at-camp rituals, the annual solitary walk around camp. The purpose of this walk is at least four-fold. First, I need to make sure that I still remember how to get around the place! Second, I like to make sure that I can still physically walk around the place! It is a time to relax a bit, collect myself and my thoughts, and transition from life in a city to my entire world being 77 acres of cabins, trees, four square courts, and cookout sites. This walk is exclusively a solo excursion. It is a time for me to be truly alone, for perhaps the last time, for the next three and a half months. It is a chance for me to leave behind the hustle and bustle of that life in a city and connect with the land that I will be so intimately tied to all summer long. (In fact, so connected to it that I will basically never leave it for the entire time I am up here!) Others have offered to accompany me on the walk, but that just would not do. This is alone time…it is a time of welcome for none!

Now before you get too alarmed about the camp director not living up to perhaps the most well-known mantra that we profess, please know that prior to this self-indulgent “me time,” I take care of the single most symbolically significant task of my year. Immediately upon arrival at camp, I march on over to Swamper 3 to retrieve the This Shall Be A Place Of Welcome For Allsign from the counselors’ quarters and hang it in its rightful place just outside the Big House. (Thus the answer to an interesting trivia question is divulged for the Arrowhead readership. But, do not fret, given how many of you appear to read these articles, I suspect the sign will be safe for many winters to come!)

This Shall Be A Place Of Welcome For All

For those of you that are new to the camp family (or have failing memories), there is a sign that hangs outside of the Big House porch that states This Shall Be A Place Of Welcome For All. The concept is so central to who we are as an institution that it is stated not just once on the iconic sign, but it is stated thirty-four times in the same place. It is stated first in English, and then again in the language of every person that has come to camp that speaks a different native tongue. Yes, you read that correctly, thirty-four different languages! You’ll find Hebrew, Arabic, Spanish, French, Ojibwa, Danish, Chinese, Japanese, and, our newest addition, Greek. The fact that so many people from so many places have found this place to be that “Place of Welcome” speaks volumes about what we are all about here at Nebagamon.

The principle is simple enough. Any summer camp worth its salt attempts to create an environment where folks will feel welcomed. But at Nebagamon, I really believe it is part and parcel of who we are. The fact that the sign sits prominently at the entrance to camp is evidence of this. It was a deliberate choice to make this sign, this message, the first thing that people encounter upon arriving at camp. The fact that so many people have come here knowing not a soul and left at the end of the summer with a brand-new group of people to call their family, means that the philosophy is actually working.

Staff welcoming new campers to camp Some may think this philosophy is directed solely at the international members of our community, but I disagree. I believe that this is a message intended for every member of our community. Certainly, we work very hard to make our international visitors feel comfortable and welcomed. But, really, any person coming into camp for the very first time likely feels a bit of anxiety melt away upon seeing those words displayed so prominently. That sign say to them that the time spent worrying about whether or not one will be comfortable at Nebagamon in their very first summer would have been better spent finishing off the last few puzzles in that Tomb Raider game that will be denied to you while at camp. Because the worry was misplaced…of course you will be made to feel comfortable…to feel welcomed.

Just as that beautiful sign is a message to all newcomers to Nebagamon. The sign is also an important reminder to the many of us that have been around here for a few years that it is our responsibility to work hard to ensure that all of those that walk through these gates for the very first time, and even those that are returning, are made to feel like a part of the family….are made to feel welcomed. Our first sight upon returning to camp is a reminder to all of us that it is all of our jobs to make sure that each of us is a part of ensuring that we live up to our ideals here at Nebagamon.

And it all starts with that sign. That sign sends a clear message to all that walk through our gates that they are welcome here. We want to get to know you. We want to share this place with you. We want to learn from you. You are invited…join us.

And so it is, that every May when I make my pilgrimage to my favorite 77 acres on the planet, I take an hour or so to selfishly enjoy it…but before that, I make sure that indeed, This Shall Be A Place Of Welcome For All.

Looking forward to another great summer up here…

Adam Kaplan addressing camp at council fire

PLEASE REMEMBER TO COMPLETE YOUR CAMPER FORMS!

With camp just around the corner, our office has been busy checking in forms and getting ready for the first round of campers to arrive on June 18^th. Regardless of which session your child is attending at camp, please submit his required paperwork if you have not already done so.

Please make sure the following items are completed as soon as possible:

*Cabin Preference Form: We need this information within the next few days in order to work on cabin placement before the season begins.

*Health History Form: Parents, make sure to complete all sections of this form (including medications and vaccination records) so that we are able to accurately understand your camper’s health history and prepare for his arrival. If your child needs prescription medications, please place your order with CampMeds, Inc. at www.campmeds.com. The ordering deadline is 30 days prior to your son’s arrival at camp.

*Physician’s Examination Form: We need paperwork showing that your son has received a physical exam within the past 12 months. You may download our physician’s examination form for your child’s doctor to complete or submit a copy of similar documentation from the doctor’s office. Please note that any immunization records provided by your doctor should also be entered in your son’s online health history form by you.

*Medical Treatment Authorization Form: This form MUST be signed by a parent/guardian prior to camper arrivals. A copy of his health insurance card should also be attached.

*Objectives & Personality Form: This information helps our counselors prepare to guide your son towards completing a happy and productive summer. You may also email a more detailed letter to his counselors at [email protected].

Last, but not least, when you have logged in to the camper forms system, make sure YOUR contact information is up-to-date and that you have listed two emergency contacts besides a parent/guardian. You may do so by clicking on “Update Addresses/Phone Numbers” under the Your Family section.

Mailgabber: A Pre-Camp Perspective

In the Mailgabber column, a member of the Camp Family has the opportunity to share thoughts on Nebagamon in the Arrowhead. This month, Assistant Trip Director Andrew Meyer reflects on his Pre-Camp experience.

Andrew helping position the advanced rafts

If you’ve never been here for pre-camp before I highly suggest you take the time next summer and head up to the Northwoods for these special weeks. When you first arrive, Paul Bunyan greets you as usual, but the grounds have not quite grown into the magical summer green we generally think of when we think of camp; instead, what is most apparent is the lack of noise and the lack of a set up waterfront. The camp we all think of and love takes time and a committed team to bring this place to life after a long winter (if you haven’t seen the pictures make sure you go take a look at the inches of snow that fell in the month May on camp’s Facebook).

The first meal of pre-camp is held in the Big House on an unusually chilly late May night that should have been shaken at this point. Faces new and old are scattered around the table. We jump right back into the banter, the stories from summers past, and remembering talking about camp over the offseason. For those who can’t even remember how many times they have done pre-camp and those whose first time it is, something holds true for everyone: an immediate bond takes place due to the setting and the shared love for this place.

Pre-camp is a beautifully orchestrated jumble of different goings-on that result in the place we love, all ready for the campers. While one group pushes canoe docks into the water on tippy toes trying to salvage every inch of dry skin as humanly possible, another group is fully submerged arranging the diving board barge. In the coming days the crew will swap their aquatic duties for terrestrial ones. The cabins will be cleaned, the rec-hall assembled, and the fishing equipment delivered.

The shockingly cold water completely alters one’s view about what Nebagamon is to them. For me in particular, this place has become a summer fixture. My name is Andrew Meyer and I am working as the Assistant Trip Director this summer. I am from the Hudson Valley in the great state of New York. I graduated from Colorado College (2017) and have since lived in Wisconsin and Costa Rica. But the place I have spent the most time is right here in Lake Nebagamon. As I begin my tenth summer (seven as a camper, three as staff) I am lucky to be surrounded by coworkers from my class of 2010. If you don’t feel like doing the math I’ll just let you know that it has been nine years since all six of us were last campers here. Since being eligible to work on staff our year has always had a strong presence here on these beautiful 77 acres during the summer months, but why?

While pre-camp may be this special time of year, it is the upcoming season that gets us most excited. It is neat to think that there are going to be boys who have no idea that almost 15 years later they can still be working with the same guys, that they can be playing a game of cribbage on the Big House porch, a walk down to Lorber Point or even just walking through the gates after a long hiatus. It may be repetitive to say but… This place!!!

The calm that I definitely recommend everyone experience at some point will fade, but lucky for us we enjoy the energy of happy people.

Andrew Meyer is the Assistant Trip Director.

News of the Camp Family

Compiled by Adam Fornear

Our new Hobie Kat ready for transport

Between hiring staff for the upcoming summer (still have a couple kitchen staff positions to fill), firing up our fleet of boats and any other task that needs to happen to make the summer amazing…It’s been a bit tough to squeeze in a little recreational boating of my own. Tough but not impossible. Just this past Saturday I was fortunate enough to assist a friend transport a new boat to him from Washburn, WI to Duluth, MN. I couldn’t pass an opportunity for an 80 nautical mile boat ride…that’d be crazy to miss. So, I packed up bag with some extra clothes, snacks and phone numbers and emails for work to take care of on journey. Disappointingly, there was a strong westward wind that put up some big waves on Lake Superior that made the ride a little bumpy, but no problem for the 40-foot boat. We cut though some of the Apostle Islands, cruised past the sea caves and found ourselves 12 miles off shore at times. We did take a break from running through the heavy seas to fish a quiet bay, boating one Coho salmon, but were soon back at covering ground to make the 7pm lift of the Lift Bridge in Duluth, MN. It was a great day on the water, lots of laughter and some minor accidents that will provide some funny stories well into the future.

Crossing the Big Mac with the new Hobie!

Speaking of new boats, Camp Nebagamon has added an awesome new Hobie Cat Getaway to our already massive fleet. Sadly, we had to retire our old Hobie but I was determined to find a new Hobie for this summer. So, after a nine-hour drive, lots of Cheddar Chex Mix and a crossing of the Mackinac bridge we hooked up the Hobie Getaway and hit the repeat button for the drive back. Many miles logged, but this boat is going to be so sweet to sail out on Lake Nebagamon. It has a boomless main sail, roller-furling jib, and wing seats for cruising. We’ll be able to heel it over and zip across the lake in strong winds and still be a ton of fun on those lighter wind days. Hopefully you are all just as excited as I am for getting out and grabbing some wind on this sweet new rig!

Even though The Arrowhead is going into hibernation for the next three months, please keep on sending any news of the camp family. Thank you for your contributions, and I look forward to sharing updates with you after the summer. Summer’s coming…See you soon!

IT MAY INTEREST YOU TO KNOW Ben Effress(La Jolla, CA) is wrapping up his high school volleyball season and is now in full swing of the spring football practice and strength training season. Ben Shacter (Chicago) ran the lights and sound for his school’s production of Harvey. Jason Shacter (Chicago) performed and had lots of fun with the school band at Six Flags. Jake Powers (Chicago) was the fastest runner on his cross-country team as a freshman. Jake also runs an active and successful street wear resale business.

IN THE WHERE-ARE-THEY-NOW DEPARTMENT: Spencer Brown (Phoenix ’96-’00,’02-’07,’09,’13,’16,’17,’18) is the Assistant Principal at Legacy Traditional School in Casa Grande, AZ. Michael Deutsch (Atlanta ’06-’11,’13-’14,’16-‘18) will be starting as a data analyst at Ernst & Young in Atlanta, GA.

IN THE BIBS AND DIAPERS DEPARTMENT…It’s a boy, Harrison Arthur, for Emily Jodock (Northwood, ND/Denver ’05-’07,’09-‘15) and Jason Yale (Denver ’94-’00,’04-’08,’10-‘15). It’s a girl, Oriah Vera, for Tucker Slosburg (K.C./Seattle ’93-’99,’02-‘11) and Krista Nelson (Seattle).

BAR MITZVAH CONGRATULATIONS go to Joel Fisher (Chicago) and Sam More (Chicago).

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2019 GRADUATES

June is graduation month for many campers, staff, and alumni, and we want to say “Congratulations!” Obviously, this list is not exhaustive, so please let us know of other members of the camp family that you know who have graduated this year. We’ll include those names in the October Arrowhead. Also, this newsletter is a great place to note which college’s people are attending in order to connect with other members of the camp community at the same school. So please e-mail us that information as well.

High School Graduates: Alex Buring, Isaac Weiss, Eric Portillo, Matthew Grosman, Joey Rivkin, Andrew Guest, Michael Berler, Ben Platt, Luke Herzog, Elana Scharff, and Tiana Hursh.

College Graduates: Walter Fromm (University of Puget Sound) and Michael Deutsch (Auburn University)

Caretaker Joe’s Weather Woes

By Joe Crain

With the pre-camp crew in the lake setting up the docks in 70-degree weather it is really hard to fathom that only ten days earlier, on May 19^th, we had six inches of wet heavy snow on the ground! Crazier still is the fact that the storm of the 19^thwas the second storm of the month. The first was a two-day snow storm on the 8^thand 9^thof May that left us with a little over 10 inches! Thankfully we had warm weather between the storms and the totals were not added together, as a matter of ironic fact both storms were preceded by beautiful weather that reached 70 degrees.

Caretaker Joe splits wood in the snow

The two-day storm of the 8^th-9^thwas a monster that shattered several area records. The single snowiest day in May was 8.3 inches, breaking the previous record of 5.5 inches that had held since May 10^th, 1902 (A 117 year old record!). The snow fall on the date May 8^th, at 8.3 inches, broke the previous record of five inches set on the same date back in 1924. The most snow fall on the date May 9^th, at 2.3 inches, broke the previous record of .2 inches set on the same date back in 1990. And finally, the May 8^th-9^thstorm broke the most snow total in the month of May record at 10.9 inches, easily passing the previous record of 8.1 inches set in the May of 1954. Of course, that last record was broken again with the storm of the 19^th. That second storm raised the record snow fall for the whole month of May to 18 inches! The second storm also grabbed the record snowiest date record for May 19^th at 7.3 inches, all recorded just down the road from camp in Poplar, WI.

And if that wasn’t enough precipitation for the area, the month also dropped several inches of rain before and after the snow events, leaving the lake in a very high “over its banks” condition and all of the area rivers close to flood stage. Luckily things have started to go down slowly and only minor damage has occurred in our immediate area. Camp has had some minor beach erosion and the pre-camp crew has had to set the docks quite a bit farther in land than usual. The lower bike trail Joe’s Jaunt and the Spitting Springs Trail are both very soggy and may be impassable for the first week of camp or so, but if the current trends hold things should be drying up soon. All of the other bike trails are in good riding shape.

Blowing the brush out of the Axeman Village

We had a couple of other firsts with the wacky early spring snows. You may recall from previous articles this off season that the first snow (about 10 inches) took place on November 11^th, about a month ahead of normal. Of course, that snow stopped the annual fall leaf blowing. Well the spring storm of May 8^th-9^thalso happened during the annual spring blowing! It was the very first time in my 24 years as a caretaker that the blowing chore was stopped both in the fall and the spring. Last fall’s snow stayed with us and was also responsible for keeping us from splitting the CNOC wood supply – a chore that takes about a week to accomplish every fall. Well we thought that we would finally be able to get the wood after the first snow of May had melted. But as it happened we were in the middle of splitting when the second snow of May arrived, stopping that chore again, which was also the first time in my 24 year history with camp that wood splitting was delayed both in the spring and the fall by snow! It’s funny to talk to the old timers from the area about this year’s early spring snow. They all seem to say the same thing, “You know I was here when we had snow in June that time…”

Hoping that the tide has turned and we will not see any flakes of snow in June, it’s Caretaker Joe at camp.

The tide sure turned… Up onto the point!

Congratulations to our June Birthdays!

June 2nd – Adam Fornear, Phineas Lindgren, Spencer Litwin

3rd – Matthew Gordon, Matthew Wilhelm

4th – Andrew Condrell, Judah Thacker

6th – Harrison Lane

7th – Zachary Pearson, Nathan Xiong

8th – Jake Paderewski

10th – Jack Gordon, Jesse Herzog, Chase Kornblet

12th – Allen Bennett, Reece O’Connor

13th – Isaac Murray-Stark

14th – Sam Branstad Phillips, Jack Carriere-Auer, Annie Hackbarth

15th – Daniel Cohen, Max Fleischer, Matthew Hooper

16th – Grady Clark, Noah Schfirtman

17th – Ryan Crean

18th – Drew Malk

19th – Ben Polonsky

21st – Holly Geurts, Micah Stone

23rd – Logan Segal, Maddox Sohn

24th – Nathaniel Kehrberg

25th – Chase Herbert

26th – Fernando Cuevas

28th – Nathan Starhill, Tanner Toback

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Meet the 2019 Staff!

We had an excellent year recruiting staff for the upcoming summer. Saying that we are proud of our 2019 staff lineup would be an understatement! Many of them have a wealth of experience working with kids and everyone is excited to continue the tradition of counseling amongst the tall pines! Their experiences vary from playing competitive futbol to creating amazing ceramic artwork. Whether they are from California, Memphis, River Falls, or France, they all have one common goal, to create an amazing experience for the 320 campers coming to camp this summer!

(* denotes a new staff member)

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF AND PROGRAM SPECIALISTS: Stephanie Hanson (Director), Adam Kaplan (Director), Joe Briggs (Associate Director/Office Manager), Adam Fornear (Associate Director/Wilderness Trip Director), David Sachs and Jake Miller (Swamper Village Director), Alex Gordon (Logger Village Director), Andy Rolfe and Jason Hirschhorn (Axeman Village Director), Noah Stein andAndy Cohen (Lumberjack Village Director), Louis Levin (Program Director), Henry Pulitzer (Waterfront Director), Walter Fromm (Waterfront Director), Grant Rosskamm (CNOC Director), Cindy Rolfe (Nature Director), Matthew Wilhelm (Artshop Director), Heather Kennedy (Art Specialist), *Audrey Hurt (Artshop Specialist), Sophia Gatzionos (MOCA Director), Zach Pearson (Target Shooting Director), *Jack Falcon (Climbing Wall Specialist), *Annie Hackbarth (Climbing Wall Specialist), Hugh Broder (Waterskiing Specialist), and *Lucy Stephenson (Photo Specialist).

SENIOR COUNSELORS: Fergal Spencer, Isaac Murray Stark, Matthew Wilhelm, Josh Levitas, Sam Branstad Phillips, Charlie Fromm, Eli Striker, Jake Lescher, Josh Abraham, Jake Beren, Tony Bogolub, Ben Huston, *Henry Quinn Pasin, *Pierre Chevalier, *Max Krupnick, Joey Apter, *Laurie Eastburn, Nachi Santa Cruz, *Carlos Beaujean, Jake Miller, Mauricio Zambrano, Eli Fromm, *Arthur Brook Young, *Eugenio Callabaro, *Josh Sheridan, *Elliot Egan, Reid Kahn, and Daniel Hayen.

JUNIOR COUNSELORS: Alex Buring, Isaac Weiss, Eric Portillo, Matthew Grosman, Joey Rivkin, Michael Berler, Drew Sklar, Nate Susser, Charlie Steinbaum, Jack Carriere-Auer, Coby Keren, Ben Sklar, Jesse Herzog, Luke Herzog, Ben Dubinsky, Ben Lindy, Micah Franzel, Ari Krupnick, Ari Weiss, Tommy Belaire, Elliot Heldman, Dylan Fox, Jack Rogen, Henry Lokken, Sebastian Klein, Jamin Eisenberg, Ben Platt, Ben Serwer, Sam Reichert, Ethan Rosenberg, Camden Blumberg, and Zack Lechter.

TRIP STAFF: Adam Fornear (Trip Director), Andrew Meyer (Assistant Trip Director), Amy Mack (Driver), Ron Gaare (Driver), Bill Hensel (Driver), Allen Bennett (Quartermaster), Jonah Domsky, Kate Bennett, Trenton Flegel, Grayson Nolan, Ethan Strull, Ethan Berman, Max Fleischer, Ted Chazkel, *Quincy Hirt, *Liam Janson, *Liam Casey, Zach Muzik, *Atish Batliwalla, *Holly Geurts, Diego Santa Cruz, and Hannah Kane.

FOOD STAFF: Anne Rowe (Food Service Manager), Cody Keys (Cook), Daisy Mack (Cook), Alex Fuller, Jonathan Burbul, Kaitlyn Lundeen, Ben Hanson Kaplan, Oliver Held, Asher Burvall, *Noah Swanson, and *Tiana Hursh.

MEDICAL STAFF: Amber Burvall (Nurse), *Molly Buring (Nurse Assistant), Melissa Moy (Nurse Assistant), Betsy Murray (M.D.), Trent Rosenbloom (M.D.), Mitch Cohen (M.D.), Jill Marcus (M.D.), Andrew Gordon (M.D.), Zach Lutsky (M.D.), and Amy Garcia (M.D.).

OFFICE STAFF: Joe Briggs (Associate Director/Office Manager), Linnea Moss (Town Driver), Jaye Hensel, Elana Scharff, and *Jordan Liebich

MAINTENANCE STAFF: Andy Mack (Head Caretaker), Joe Crain, Jack Raatz, and Cathy Fries (Big House Housekeeper).

Important Information Regarding Camper Luggage and Travel

LUGGAGE TAGS:

These should be firmly attached to every bag a camper brings with him, whether it is being checked in, carried on an airplane, or taken on the Chicago bus. This applies to everyone, regardless of airline or travel arrangements to camp. It is important that we, and airline personnel, are able to identify all baggage by the yellow Camp Nebagamon tags.

DUFFEL BAGS/LUGGAGE:

ALL Airlines: Please pre-pay baggage fees for your son’s return flight. This has changed from recent years and now includes Delta Airlines. (Please note that if for some reason the airline does not allow you to pre-pay, we will pay the fees on the return trip and charge your son’s spending money account.)

If you need to ship bags to camp, please notify Briggs ahead of time and send them at least one week prior to your son’s arrival at camp. Camp’s physical address (needed for any UPS/FedEx deliveries) is 11454 Camp Nebagamon Dr, Lake Nebagamon, WI 54849. Please note that if you also want the luggage shipped home at the end of the camp season, it is simplest for our office (and our local UPS & FedEx drivers) if you can mail to Briggs’s attention at camp ([email protected]) completed FedEx/UPS tags or forms. (Please note that due to limited storage space at camp, and our arrangement with the MSP airport, we do urge you to check bags on the trip home if possible, especially on Delta Airlines.)

CAMPERS TRAVELING VIA AIRPLANE:

If you are booking your tickets through our travel agent, Travel One, any questions about airline tickets should be directed to Travel One at 800-245-1111. Ask for Liz Egge or Sonni Banks. Travel One issues electronic tickets for each camper, so do not worry about receiving a paper ticket for your child. If you are arranging travel independently, please submit the information via the online transportation form.