Camp Nebagamon

Updates

News of the Camp Family – November 2021

Compiled by Adam Fornear

I’m sitting on the dock with my feet positioned on either side of the stern thwart on Sawbill Lake, entry point #38, in the BWCAW. Were about to push off for our 23rd year of former-Nebagamon staffers getting out into the Boundary Waters for a fall paddle. Overcast skies, some light mist, temps just reaching 50 degrees, one sitting duff, and Duluth Packs loaded up with some classic Nebagamon trip food. Here we go!

We paddle to the north end of Sawbill and then take a couple portages onto Cherokee Creek, making our way to a very sweet site on Cherokee Lake. Many Nebagamon campers and staff have traveled this route, and for good reason: Cherokee is a spectacular lake. Lots of islands, exposed Canadian shield granite slabs, and undulating topography. Our group traveled smoothly, telling some of the same stories year after year (and still laughing). Portages were smooth, efficient, and beautiful with all of the downed leaves. I love traveling in the Boundary Waters this time of year. Once we arrived at our campsite, everyone got to work setting up tents, hunting down firewood and of course enjoying a bounty of Hill Valley Cheese, triscuits, smoked whitefish and apples (Jim Stewart insists that we bring a bag of apples every year…). Dinner was a delicious Pesto Carb (real pesto from Andy and Amy Mack’s yard/kitchen and was thoroughly enjoyed by all around the fire that Sam Kohn kept going well into the night.

The next morning Sammy got the fire going and we enjoyed some coffee and the classic egg glop (hashbrowns, scrambled eggs, onions, green peppers, cheese and spinach) before heading back down to Sawbill for our final night. It was a gorgeous day to travel by canoe and we ended up scoring a sweet, west-facing site on a giant slab of granite. Laughter, messing with the fire, and a stunningly beautiful sunset made for a solid final night in the Northwoods.

The crew consisted of Adam Braude, Randy Needlman, Jim Stewart, Jim Feldman, Peter Braude, Sam Kohn and myself. As I stated earlier, this was our 23rd year paddling the Boundary Waters together. Many of us were on staff together in the early 90’s and those connections and friendships that we made way back then are what keeps this trip alive year after year. I consider myself lucky to be a part of this crew and the strength of these relationships remind me everyday of the greatness of the Camp Nebagamon family.

After a final cup of coffee and some oatmeal around the fire Sunday morning, we loaded up the boats and paddled south back to the landing. The lake was flat, the paddling was smooth, and of course the laughter amongst friends from a summer camp in Wisconsin put a smile on my face all the way back to the traffic lights in Two Harbors.

Nice work on those of you that sent me some news since last month’s Arrowhead. Thank you a million! Let’s keep up the good work and have the rest of you send me some news as well so I can make you famous in the Arrowhead and maybe even (no promises) get that news/picture on our social media. Please shoot me an email at fornear@campnebagamon.com. In the meantime, reach out to your camp friends to say hello or better yet, introduce Camp Nebagamon to someone new and let them enjoy all the great things about camp!

IT MAY INTEREST YOU TO KNOW THAT Micah Rosenbloom (Nashville) is rowing crew for his school and the Nashville Rowing Club. Jude Alderman (Tulsa) is going as Paul Bunyan for Halloween. We’ve seen the picture and Jude totally pulls it off, nice work!

IN THE WHERE-ARE-THEY-NOW DEPARTMENT: Bill Guthman (Atlanta/Chattanooga ‘70-‘75) has come out of retirement, as Sales Director for Tennessee Brown Bag, a manufacturer of Premium, Home Style, Fine-Cut Beef Jerky. Mark Caro (Chicago ’74-‘79) has created his own podcast and website called Caropop. First, there’s the Caropop podcast (or Caropopcast!) where Mark shares extended conversation with a creative person. In the first episode, up now, Mark interviews his favorite guitarist who’s also a fantastic singer-songwriter, Richard Thompson. Ryan Glasspiegel (CT/Chicago’96-’02,’05-’07,’09) is starting at the New York Post, covering the intersection of sports and entertainment.

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE RECENT ENGAGEMENTS go to Madeline Scharff (Memphis/Portland, ME ’10,’12,’14) and Tommy Mourmouras (Portland, ME).

WEDDING CONGRATULATIONS go to Peter Soroko (L.A. ’02-’06,’08-‘09) and Kristen Kalkin Soroko (L.A.), as well as Jeff Schram (Boston ’97-’02,’04-‘06) and Natalie Mandel (Boston).

IN THE BIBS and DIAPERS DEPARTMENT! It’s a girl, Hannah Jo, for Joe Briggs (Columbus, ’12-’22) and Katay Briggs (Columbus ’17-‘19). It’s a boy, Trent Plaza, for Judd Rosenblatt (Playa del Rey, CA ’99-’04,’06-’08,’11) and Melanie Rosenblatt (Playa del Rey, CA).

News of the Camp Family — October 2021

Compiled by Adam Fornear

Wow! Now that was a summer to never forget. There were so many different firsts, like COVID testing stations, vaccination shots behind the Big House, and most meals outside, but more importantly to me, much of the summer felt the same. There was still the Big Brother/Little Brother Soirée, a busy waterfront and of course a wilderness trip program that got out all over the region!

Despite a shorter window to send out trips this summer, we got all campers who wanted to go out an incredible wilderness experience. We got our 3rd graders out on their cabin trip to the YMCA camp across the lake and the 4th graders paddled the Eau Claire Lake chain in the Chequamegon National Forest. Our 5th graders paddled down the Namekagon River, scouting out some new sections for me that I’m excited to send trips to next summer as well. Then there were the older boy trips, 6th through 10th grade.

We were able to get 32 campers over to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore for an incredible 5 days of hiking, all ending their last day with a scramble down the 300-foot sand dune at Log Slide. The older campers also took advantage of the Superior Hiking Trail. The SHT is a gorgeous and rugged trail that is 310 miles long that follows the north shore of Lake Superior from Duluth to the Canadian border. Our boys experienced some amazing vistas overlooking Lake Superior, beautiful bog walks and of course amazing meals on trail (one of the new classics is spring rolls…I tried them out and they are legit!). We also paddled hundreds of miles down the Namekagon and St. Croix rivers. One group of campers on the Namekagon caught over 25 smallmouth bass in a couple days! And our two 9th grade Big Trips each paddled over 110 miles on the Nam and St. Croix. Lastly, we got plenty of trips up to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Trips ranged from 4 days, perfect for lots of campers first experience in the BWCA, to our 10th grade Big Trip. Our 10th graders, who normally go to Quetico for their big trip, headed into the BW zigging and zagging through the park for 13 days and then getting picked up at Lake Superior after completing the 8.2-mile Grand Portage on day 14. What a great way to wrap up your wilderness tripping career as a camper at Nebagamon!

Needless to say, I am proud of what our wilderness trip program accomplished this summer. The staff did an incredible job. The camper’s enthusiasm for backcountry travel is refreshing and I believe that there was very quantifiable personal growth for everyone that went out on trail or helped make it happen. I cannot wait to fire up the Nebagamon Wilderness Tripping program for next summer!

Now, I know you all love my musings on the great North Woods, but the real meat and potatoes is the news of the camp family, and I’m going to need your help! I can spot news of the camp family on the Facebook and Instagram but what would be really sweet, is that if you have some news, please shoot me an email at fornear@campnebagamon.com. I would greatly appreciate your help! In the meantime, I trust that all of you are enjoying the fall and hopefully are getting outside for some fresh air adventures!

IN THE WHERE-ARE-THEY-NOW DEPARTMENT: Noah Saag (Baltimore/Boston ’00-’04,’06-’09,’11-’12,’14) is the Director of Operations for Boston University women’s basketball team. Matthew S. T. Mendelsohn (CT ’97-‘00) was named Yale University’s new chief investment officer. Victor Jacob Kessler (St. Louis/Ithaca, NY ’99-’04,’06-’09,’11-‘12) is now the assistant city attorney for Ithaca, NY.

WEDDING CONGRATULATIONS go to Dan Levis (Chicago/NYC ’98-’03,’05-’08,’16) and Lia Levis (NYC), and to Brian Zager (LA/Houston ’93-’99, ’01-’03) and Suzie Cohen (Houston).

CONGRATULATIONS ON RECENT ENGAGEMENTS go to Jordon DeGroote (West Windsor, NJ ’08-’13) and Claudia Siniakowicz (New Jersey).

IN THE BIBS and DIAPERS DEPARTMENT!  It’s a girl, July Glass, for Margot (Glasspiegel) Materer (CT/Chicago ’04-‘05) and Patrick Materer (Chicago).

News of the Camp Family — March 2021

Compiled by Adam Fornear

Mud season has arrived in Duluth. That means it’s time to put the skis away, shelve the ice tools, and take off the studded fat bike tires. What a great winter this was for being outside! The trails rode really well, I got many more laps on some vertical ice, and had many a campfire to stay connected and engaged with my friends in the region. It’s sad to see it go but every season has its rewards.

I got back into a canoe this weekend and that felt really good. Paddling season has begun! A couple friends and I paddled the Nemadji River, a large, muddy tributary of Lake Superior. It’s muddy because it runs through the clay basin of the headwaters of Lake Superior. It’s particularly muddy this time of year when the water is high from the snow melt at higher elevations and spring rains. With the high water, we were able to knock out 12 miles in a short two and a half hours. It was a beautiful stretch of water that none of us had paddled before and we all thoroughly enjoyed the float. At one point we came around a bend in the river and were greeted with a convocation of Bald Eagles flying above with their annoying friends, the crows. We also spotted some mallards and mergansers in their spring plumage. The last bit of wildlife that we saw were a couple beavers waddling along the shoreline…they are definitely more eloquent in the water. The other great surprise was a couple of beautiful cedar groves. We spied a particular nice one that we were able to pull over and take a break to stretch the legs and eat some trail snacks.

I loved exploring a new river. Our curiosity drove us to paddle a new section and explore a little bit of the unknown (to us). Our campers every summer aren’t the only ones that get to have the great reward of exploring something new to them. I really seek out these new experiences up in the Northwoods, and am still finding new places to explore. And one of the great things about Nebagamon is the opportunity for our campers to go exploring too. I hope all of you choose to search out something new for yourself. I’m sure all of you have these areas a short drive or bike from your homes. Let your curiosity guide your adventure. Then sit down on the computer machine and email me about it…I want to hear!

I’ll be here in Duluth, waiting to hear from all of you (alumni as well!). Get outside, breathe in some clean air, push yourself to bike up that steep hill and get excited for the never-ending days of summer to be on us soon! Just shoot news over to me via the interweb at fornear@campnebagamon.com. Be well and have a great day!

IT MAY INTEREST YOU TO KNOW that Atlas Barnes (Chicago) joined the Chicago Rowing Foundation last year and has been really getting into rowing crew. Atlas is also spending more time playing tennis and ping pong. Atlas – I’ve been playing a fair amount of ping pong as well. When you get up to camp this summer, I’d like to challenge you to a game. Sound good? Sebastian Alderman (Tulsa, OK) passed his drivers test on his first try – Nice Work!

IN THE WHERE-ARE-THEY-NOW DEPARTMENT: Charles Meyer (NYC ’06-’11,’12) recently released his first single, “Love” on streaming platforms. I had a chance to give it a listen and its cool…check it out at https://linktr.ee/CharlesOnTV . Isaac Weiss-Meyer (NYC ’10-’13,’15-‘17) is the manager for Charles Meyer Music.

IN THE BIBS AND DIAPERS DEPARTMENT: It’s a girl, Effie Lynne, for Karla Bright (Chicago) and Ryan Glasspiegel (Chicago ’96-’02,’04-’07,’09). It’s a boy, Weston, for Natalie Mandel (Lutz, Florida) and Jeff Schram (Boston/Lutz, Florida ’97-’02,’04-‘06).

News of the Camp Family – March 2021

Compiled by Adam Fornear

Right now, I’m in a really good routine of enjoying another winter in Duluth and I don’t want it to end just yet. Currently it is 38 degrees, the snow is melting and every meteorologist on the local news (except Adam Lorch on KBJR – who’s really into ice fishing) is saying how nice the weather is right now! Noooooooo!!! Winter is supposed to be windy, cold and snowy…period. It has always made me a bit puzzled when about this time of year when some folks in my region start wishing for spring to arrive. Well, I say, no thank you… Keep winter rolling right along. Skiing has been a blast, ice climbing a thrill, and adventuring up frozen rivers with the nephews has been a hoot!

This past weekend was no exception. We had another great crew of friends down at the local ice park. Being the rookie that I am, I’m continuing to work on my footwork and learning the sounds of good ice so when I swing the axes in so I can step up. Sunday, I found myself down on the shores of Lake Superior at 6:30 am for a bike ride out on the lake. I love sailing, fishing and ice skating on Lake Superior, so I knew biking out on the big lake would be bring the same smile. The sunrise was a disappointment, but fresh snow was an acceptable substitute. My friends Dave and Jon saddled up on the aluminum ponies and started pedaling up the shoreline towards Two Harbors. Not much flatter surface out there to ride on then a frozen lake — I didn’t get winded once. There were some larger pressure cracks that we had to find the right place to cross over but there was on average about eight inches of ice, so we felt relatively safe. After a while we turned back and rode back into downtown Duluth. It would have been great if the Portland Malt Shoppe was open, but we had to settle for some homemade shortbread that Dave’s wife made for us. Again, another satisfactory substitute. All in all, it was a beautiful morning be out on Lake Superior.

I’d like to circle back to our local meteorologist and their excitement for spring to arrive. A week ago, there was a cold snap with lows at about -25 degrees for days on end and highs not breaking -10 degrees. It was cold. Real cold. But many Duluthians still got outside for a ski, snowmobile or ice fishing. What’s the saying??? When in Rome… That’s winter and we cannot change that, so might as well enjoy it. I learned many years ago that you can be a tiny bit miserable and a tiny bit happy all at the same time.

I think many of you who have been on our wilderness trips at camp can relate, whether you were knee deep in mud on a portage with a canoe on your shoulders, paddling across Rose Lake in the pouring rain, or knocking out a 13-mile day hiking in Pictured Rocks. There are times out on trail that are physically challenging but at the end of the day you were smiling and laughing about the experience. An experience that you get to look back on later in life, smiling and laughing all over again. Most importantly, you finish the trip with a sense of accomplishment that will carry you through any tough times in the future. Yes, it is possible to be miserable and happy at the same time. So, keep the wind, cold and snow coming for a couple more months!

This COVID-19 is just beating me up in the news reporting. I need our reunions back so we can catch up in person and of course to get news from all of you. Please help me with making you famous in the Arrowhead! Perhaps I need to sweetn’ the pot with leftover Briggs Surprises or spots on Derby Pie day…but until I check with our legal department on that, send me some news! Shoot me some news via email at fornear@campnebagamon.com. Till next time, keep on smiling when times get tough!

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: Jen Daskal (Washington D.C. ’91-’92,’96,’99) has been named Deputy General Counsel (Cyber and Technology) at the Department of Homeland Security. Dan Feldman (Washington D.C. ’80-’81,’83-‘85) has been named as Chief of Staff and Counselor to Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry. Evan Dorfman (Chicago/Brooklyn ’99-‘04) and Ben Cronin (Chicago/Brooklyn ’04-’04,’06-‘12) of Gilligan Moss have a new single out, Slow Down. Check out the sweet new video here.

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE RECENT ENGAGEMENTS go to Louis Levin (Northbrook/Detroit ’05-’10,’12-’15,’17-Present) and Maggie O’Hara (Detroit) — and they just got a kitten named Winnie. Congratulations to John Nevins (Hampsted N.C./San Diego ’00-’06,’08-’12,’14) and Kate Davis (Hampsted N.C.).

IN THE BIBS AND DIAPERS DEPARTMENT: It’s a girl, Mara Annabelle, for Jessa DeGroote (Austin/New Jersey ‘10) and Joshua Bernstein (New Jersey).

BAR MITZVAH CONGRATULATIONS go to Micah Rosenbloom (Nashville).

News of the Camp Family — February 2021

Compiled by Adam Fornear

The Brule looks familiar!

What a winter this has been for getting outside. The thing is, it really hasn’t been that different from the past couple of winters. The biggest difference really for me is that my brother isn’t able to take advantage of free babysitting… which for me, is a big loss. While I’m learning less about Pokémon from my nephews indoors, I’m still able to enjoy the outdoors with them. We’ve had a great cross-country ski and a very cool snowshoe adventure up a frozen river that included cooking hotdogs over a fire, tree climbing way too high off the ground and about four pounds of marshmallows.

The region that camp’s 77 acres is located in is just packed with things to do. On the last day of 2020 a couple of friends and I were able to paddle the Bois Brule river from the Winnieboujou Landing down to the Ranger Station Campground. It was a beautiful float with some snow flurries, blue sky and a high temperature of 7 degrees. Nearly all of our campers will be familiar with this stretch of river right near camp, and while the conditions were a bit colder, the experience was almost identical. There were lots of laughs, smooth rapids and a great cookout over a fire at the end. I believe this is our seventh year getting out on this paddle and I look forward to it every year.

Now to take a moment to brag about the city I call home (Duluth) during the winter. As long as you embrace the cold and snow there are some great activities to take advantage of to fight off  COVID fatigue. Driving 10 minutes in any direction from my house, I can be pedaling amazing snow-covered mountain bike trails on my fat bike (four-inch-wide tires), go ice climbing (this has been really fun and challenging) and cross-country ski on well groomed trails. Aside from the health benefits of getting out on local trails, and of course the adrenaline rush of winter mountain biking or ice climbing, there is a greater reward: the friendships that I’ve formed through these activities. Now more than ever, I cherish these great friendships, as we all feel we can safely get together (outside in the cold) and laugh to stay positive during the past year of COVID. How lucky am I that I get to ice climb with a couple of friends who’ve climbed the Eiger, paddle the Brule with old professors, and bike with college friends from way back in the 90’s! I’m loving it and more important, I am thankful for these friendships.

That’s what is great about our camp family and I share this with all staff applicants during the application process. You will get a chance at new adventures in these beautiful Northwoods, but more importantly, you will make friends that will last a lifetime at camp. Just last week during a zoom call with the classes of 1999-2004, I was able to catch up with old camp friends. We hardly see each other anymore, but as soon as we see each other via the interweb, we are all smiles and I’m instantly traveling down memory lane, laughing, smiling and thankful for all of these alumni that I can call friends.

As you can see, the news is a bit skinny. I could really use your help with bragging about yourself or your friends and allowing me to make them famous in next month’s Arrowhead! Shoot me some news via email at fornear@campnebagamon.com. Get out there and explore those hidden treasures in your city!

IT MAY INTEREST YOU TO KNOW that Micah Rosenbloom (Nashville) has been taking ice skating lessons and has recently begun hockey lessons.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: Sarah Kerr (St. Paul/NYC ’08-’09,’11) is a video journalist at The New York Times, where she has worked since 2017. She covers politics and national news. You can follow her on Twitter @sskerrr. Chelsea Tom (Hawaii/Los Angeles ‘13) is a pediatric oncology nurse at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital.

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE RECENT ENGAGEMENTS go to Chelsea Tom (Hawaii/Los Angeles ‘13) and David Kosareff (Los Angeles) and to Ben Cronin (New York, ’01-’04, ’06-’12) and Julia Livick (New York).

WEDDING CONGRATULATIONS go to Trenton Flegel (Duluth ’18-‘19) and Tenille Jacobson (Duluth).

News of the Camp Family – January 2021

Compiled by Adam Fornear

Wild Ice…It’s a thing. I’d never heard of the term until one of my old professors mentioned it a couple weeks back in a text. It was a simple text: “Wild Ice in the Boundary Waters. Load up your ice skates and meet me at Seagull Lake at the end of the Gunflint Trail tomorrow morning.” I was game for a road trip north, so the next morning I made the three-and-a-half hour drive to the end of the Gunflint with my skates, snacks, lifejacket and some really good cheese. When I saw Seagull Lake and its “Wild Ice” it all made sense.

“Wild Ice” is the moment in time when the lakes freeze over smooth as glass and there is no snow, allowing you to freely ice skate into the Boundary Waters. I’ve backpacked in the BW, paddled the BW, skied in the BW and now I can say I have skated in the BW. I’m not talking about skating on a rink that someone shoveled off either, we had a huge part of the lake at our feet. All told we skated 22 miles that day on the most pristine, glassy ice I have ever seen. We skated along large rocky bluffs and over drop offs that played games with your eyes. We spied on insects and minnows swimming beneath us under the crystal clear two or three inches of ice. It was smooth, fast, and eerily enchanting.

Midway through the day we pulled up to a Boundary Waters campsite for lunch. Rather than pulling up to the site in a 17’ canoe we rolled up in our 20” Nordic skates. Cutting firewood to cook the brats in a pair of ski boots (Nordic skates have a cross country ski binding and you use your ski boots), sitting on the logs around a fire, just enjoying this great moment in time and the beauty of the BWCA.

It was a rather quick lunch as we came to skate, and skate we did. We racked up a bunch more miles, checked out another lake and skated well after the sun had set. It was a glorious day in the BWCA…one that will go down in history.

If you want to see a video from my best day in 2020 check it out here. It literally looked like we were skating on open water.

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). I’d love to hear about any of your mini adventures as well. Get outdoors and keep on laughing!

IT MAY INTERESTE YOU TO KNOW that Nicolas Kallos (Chicago) is building a scaled model of a ’69 Camaro Z28…now that is a sweet set of wheels! Ari Held (Kiev, Ukraine) has been staying active playing basketball with his brother Oliver Held (Kiev, Ukraine). Seth Lambert (Bloomington, IL) is taking care of his seven-month-old basset hound and is still growing the lemon trees that he started from seed over the summer. Addison Burvall (San Diego, CA) performed in The Nutcracker Re-Imagined last month. I watched it via the internet and can say that Addison has mad skills!

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: Cathy Fries (Lake Nebagamon, WI ’99-Present) would like to say hello and Thank You to the Camp Nebagamon family! Michael Kaplan (Evanston/L.A. ‘01-’05,’07-‘08) is an Investigative Producer for CBS News.

WEDDING CONGRATULATIONS go to Paul Schutz (Chicago ’97-’02,’04,’06,’08,’10) and Lauren Schutz (Chicago). Congratulations also go to Adam Scharff (Glyndon, MD ’00-‘04) and Kayleigh Scharff (Glyndon, MD).

IN THE BIBS AND DIAPERS DEPARTMENT: It’s a girl, Nola Jane Berger, for Andrew Oshman (Dallas ’85-‘88) and Amy Oshman (Dallas). It’s a girl, Vira, for Kathryn Korchak (Gallagher) (Lake Nebagamon/Minneapolis ’09-’11,’15) and Kostiantyn Korchak (Minneapolis). It’s a boy, Jack, for Elisa Noble (Minneapolis ’09-‘11) and Luke Noble (Minneapolis).

News of the Camp Family – December 2020

Compiled by Adam Fornear

Adam Fornear is a perfect 10!

With the cold evenings becoming the new norm as of late, our small lakes around Duluth have started to freeze over, giving us some more solid surface to explore. You could do this by foot, or take to the ice on Nordic skates like I did last weekend on Eagle Lake. There’s always this small window of time to get out and ice skate on the lakes in my neck of the woods. The lakes finally freeze over and before the next accumulating snow arrives you can get out and glide over the frozen waters.

There’s a sense of adventure going out on the first ice of the season. You bring ski poles (to help you go faster/better workout and as a rescue tool in case your friend falls in) and a lifejacket (the ice is only 2-4 inches thick). Every so often, the groaning and cracking noises the ice makes underfoot cause you to cringe. Thankfully, my childhood winters were spent ice fishing, so I feel comfortable with the difference between good ice sounds and the less good, ice-deterioration sounds. Back to the skating…It was a beautiful morning. No wind, snow falling from the sky and not another soul on the lake. Just two good friends who enjoy a skate just as much as I do. The skates were on and soon we were doing laps around the 20-acre lake, laughing, conversing and just enjoying the splendor of the newly frozen water. There were frozen otter tracks in the ice, you could see some weeds through the clear ice and a couple of small flocks of song birds passing by searching for their next meal.

As the morning went on, so did the accumulation of the snow. A few hours later, the window closed for the season of skating on Eagle Lake. While it was brief, just a morning or so, it was great. Time to wait for the larger lakes to freeze up and hit that next window of frozen lake skating.

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). I’d love to hear about any of your mini adventures as well. Get outside and enjoy our great outdoors!

IT MAY INTERESTE YOU TO KNOW that Josh Marcus (Chicago) has started two new clubs at his school, the Spanish Club and Investment Club. Trevor Harriman (Naperville) started a legit shaved ice dessert trailer in Naperville this summer with his sister and parents. Sno Problems Shaved Ice was a hit, so be sure to hit it up next summer!

Contrary to what it looks like in the 2019 Specialist photo, Sophia and Eli are not expecting a giant pinecone child anytime soon

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: Jill Kiersky Marcus (Chicago ’89-‘95) started a new job as Assistant Professor, Family Medicine at Rush University in Chicago. Kim Swenson (Superior, WI/Hong Kong ’89-’97, ‘01) is the Communications Lead, in Corporate Real Estate, Hong Kong at HSBC.

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE RECENT ENGAGEMENTS to Maggie Horvath (St. Paul/Boston ’10-’11,’15) and Alex Stone (Boston).

WEDDING CONGRATULATIONS go to Elijah Fromm (Kansas City/New Haven, CT ’06-’10,’12-’15,’17-‘19) and Sophia Gatzionis (Greece/New Haven, CT ‘19).

IN THE BIBS AND DIAPERS DEPARTMENT: It’s a boy, Max, for Brian Neil (Denver ’95-’00,’02-‘04) and Jessica Neil (Denver).  It’s twins(!), Jennie Mitchell and Quinn Natalie, for Daniel Abrams (Deerfield ’99-’05,’07-’08) and Rhonda Abrams (Deerfield).

BAR MITZVAH CONGRATULATIONS go to Ben Laytin (Chicago) and Aaron Levi (San Francisco).

News of the Camp Family – November 2020

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.

Adam Fornear, a real life lumberjack

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)

Michael Weinberg (far right) picked an odd outfit for his wedding, but it’s a camp classic!

News of the Camp Family – October 2020

Compiled by Adam Fornear

Hands down, fall is my favorite season. Sure, summer has the awesomeness of camp and warm, long days. Spring is beautiful too, with being able to witness our natural world awaken from its winter slumber. Winter is great as well with the eerie yet comforting blanket of snow and crisp, cold air. Though, in my mind, nothing compares to the beauty of fall.

Here in the Northwoods the leaves turning colors, cool, crisp mornings, and the wildlife packing their bellies before real cold sets in just sets a scene that speaks to me. On my drive to the Brule River to chase some steelhead on Sunday, I passed two flocks of turkeys, many deer grazing in the fields and of course the maple and birch trees were just popping with color! Stunning. Wish I could say the same for the fishing but there’s always next time (which will be today after work). I just love being outside in the fall.

With no road show this fall I’m going to need your help to make you famous! So, when you have a second could you please send me news on what you are up to or have accomplished in the past month or two? Hit me up at fornear@campnebagamon.com! Enjoy the fall be sure to have a couple extra snacks that with carry you over to spring.

IT MAY INTEREST YOU TO KNOW that Jonah and Elliot Kleinman (Northbrook, IL) recently stayed on a working dairy farm and got the chance to help with chores including gathering eggs and milking cows.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: Robby Balikov (Chicago/Bloomington, IN ’01-’06,’08-‘11) is currently getting his MBA at Indiana University Kelley Business School. Zach “Sully” Sullivan (Duluth ’16,’18) is making adventure bags for biking and other outdoor activities. They’re pretty sweet. Right now he is producing the Burrito Bag that attaches to your bike frame or handlebars and carries everything you need for an adventure (including a burrito). Hit him up @zsully99.

Robby is getting his dance moves ready for the reception!

CONGRATULATIONS ON RECENT ENGAGEMENTS go to Robby Balikov (Chicago/Bloomington, IN ’01-’06,’08-‘11) and Sadie Freedman (Highland Park, IL), and to Trenton Flegel (Duluth ’18-’19) and Tenille Jacobson (Duluth).

WEDDING CONGRATULATIONS go to Austin Christensen (Duluth ’14-‘15) and Amelia Bergquist (Duluth). Congratulations also go to Tara Ericksen (King) (Portland/Oakland ’05,’07) and Haldane King (Oakland).

IN THE BIBS AND DIAPERS DEPARTMENT: It’s a boy, Eli, for Peter Stein (Memphis/Durham ’98-’02,’11) and Lizzy Stokes-Cawley (Durham).

News of the Camp Family – September 2020

Compiled by Adam Fornear

Special Interests, Wannado, All Camp Activities…just a smattering of some of the evening programming that we do during the summer…a typical summer. We’ve missed these events, the weekly, and once-a-summer programs that make camp both comfortably predictable and excitingly variable. We’re always interested in finding a new activity to add, like the revamped All Camp Birthday in the summer of 2019. A couple years back we added something new called Counselor Hunt. The staff go off and hide throughout camp and then teams of campers go on the hunt for them. Simple concept and loads of fun. The counselors come up with some great hiding spots and the campers have a hoot chasing them down.

Time to start hunting for counselors!

While there are no officially sanctioned counselor hunts this summer, I still get to do a counselor hunt for the summer of 2021! As you read this the game has already begun…I’ve already checked the usual spots: the water tower, behind the bike shack, and down spitting springs trail. The only staff I found so far was Briggs setting up his game camera and Louis zooming by on his bike. So, time for me to utilize some other tools for the counselor hunt. Time to hit the virtual highway and begin the hunt for counselors, trippers, specialists, food service, office staff and infirmary staff…everyone that makes the magic happen!

For those staff that signed on for the 2020 season, you will be hearing from me shortly. I look forward to connecting and hearing about your summers and more importantly…hear about your enthusiasm for the summer of 2021! For those of you that are looking to apply for your first summer as an employee please reach out to me via my email: fornear@campnebagamon.com. Lastly, for those alumni that have not worked at camp in say…10, 20 or 30 years…feel free to email me as well. You never know (and we have a couple of, respectfully saying, “Old Timers” that are still living the dream.)

Alright, back to some projects here at camp. As you can see below, I could really use some news of all of you! Please send any and all news to me at fornear@campnebagamon.com and I will get you in the next month’s Arrowhead. Have a great day and be sure that you get outside!

IT MAY INTEREST YOU TO KNOW that Levi Gladstein (Prospect, KY) and his baseball team, the St. Louis Cardinals, won the St. Matthew’s Little League majors tournament championship. Nice work Levi! Atlas Barnes (Chicago) has been busy sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding and rowing crew all down at that awesome Lake Michigan waterfront in Chicago.

A Bull Of The Woods returning to the Northwoods!

IN THE WHERE ARE THEY NOW DEPARTMENT: Jaime Hensel (Atlanta/Anchorage/soon to be Minneapolis ’05-’09,’11-’13,’17) has accepted a job with the pain and palliative care department at Children’s of Minnesota.

Previous Page
Next Page