Camp Nebagamon

Compiled by Adam Fornear

I was lucky enough to get out to camp the other day to work with our caretakers Andy and Joe. The main project was cleaning up some downed trees we’d had to remove this summer (don’t worry, we still have plenty on the property). I love getting the chance to do some chainsaw work. With the smell of burning oil, cutting through giant logs and cleaning up the area…it just brings a smile to my face. Hard to compare the punching of keys on the keyboard (my other day job) to ripping through a massive old pine tree. So, I’ll keep on punching away on the keyboard and jump at every opportunity to fire up the saw when I can.

Now, my skills as a modern-day lumberjack are still developing. I took every chance I could to fire up a saw this summer, and more importantly, I asked questions of Andy and Joe. Although I’ve done some chainsaw work before, these two guys really know their way around a tree, how to work safely and efficiently, and have a bit more experience than I do. No shame in asking a couple questions so I do the job right, and between that and getting more hours on the saw, I can only get better. This is one of the philosophies I love most about our culture at camp, particularly in our project areas. You find a project that really grabs your attention and you pursue it with curiosity and time. We try to foster a safe place for campers to ask questions and gain experience at all sorts of skills (although, we haven’t given any campers a chainsaw yet…). And by the end of the summer they feel confident in something new!

We have so many cool projects at camp. Our climbing wall is awesome, the mountain biking project is sweet, and of course our sailing program gets campers hooked for life. I could go on and on about all of our projects (I want to do them all next summer!) but those of you who have been here know that there is no shortage of great activities. For those of you that are planning on attending next summer, I hope you are getting excited to hit up your favorites and try some new ones. As for our alumni…I trust that you are still enjoying those projects today in your everyday lives and have fond memories of learning new skills on our 77 acres!

I’m still trying to adjust to not hitting the road for the fall reunion tour. Not only am I missing a couple meals at a Waffle House, more importantly I’m not able to connect with the camp family in person. This has put a huge dent in news of the camp family that I’m able to submit into the Arrowhead every month. I would love to hear from all of you via email (fornear@campnebagamon.com. Send me some news about yourself, your kids or your friends and I will make them famous in our newsletter…Promise (send a picture too!) Hope all is well in your neck of the woods and I hope you are getting outside for some fresh air!

IT MAY INTEREST YOU TO KNOW that in Emmitt Gerstein’s (DC) last baseball game of the season he crossed paths with a cabinmate. He was up to bat and realized that the catcher was non other than Steven Wheeldryer (DC). They started talking to each other between pitches just like MLB players do who knew each other. It was a good laugh for all.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: Adam Quiat (Denver ’06-’11,’13-‘14) received his Master’s in Fire Protection Engineering from the University of Maryland. He is now working for Rhino Fire Protection Engineering. Jim Cohen (DC/Flint, MI/Ogden, UT ’89-’95,’97-’99,’04) has moved to Ogden, UT to join the faculty at Weber State. Grant Sachs (St. Louis/Vail ’05-’10,’12,’15) was a rafting guide near Vail this past summer and will be leading snowmobile tours this winter.

WEDDING CONGRATULATIONS go to Michael Weinberg (Highland Park/Madison ’02-’07,’09-‘14) and Liz Myhre (Chicago).

IN THE BIBS AND DIAPERS DEPARTMENT: It’s a boy, Joshua Elon, for Mike Goodman (Denver  ) and Amy Goodman (Denver). It’s a girl, Ava Madeline, for Clay Schmidt (NYC ) and Sam Schmidt (NYC)