Stories of adventure, brotherhood, and growth from Camp Chippewa. Join us to learn more about the power of the outdoors, why summer camp matters, and much more!
Ryan's Five Favorite Things About Camp Chippewa
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Hello Reader, Welcome back to part two of our favorite things about Camp. If you missed part 1, check it out here. There are so many incredible things that happen at camp throughout the summer. These are the things that stick out the most. Without delay, let’s jump in… My (Ryan) Top 5 Things: Staff Training This may be an unexpected choice, but hear me out. Staff training is about 10 days long and is jam-packed with skill-building opportunities staff need to ensure a successful summer. Everything from handling homesickness to running an effective archery class, and so much more. The best part of staff training is seeing the team come together. Bonds are formed, skills are practiced, and comfort zones are expanded. Every summer, we build on the camp culture established by those who came before us. Each summer has a little different flair, but ultimately staff are here for one thing — the boys. I love watching them prepare, plan, and come together as a team. Those 10 days set the tone for the entire summer. It’s a time for our whole community to gather and enjoy each other’s company (and the cookies at lunch are amazing). Basketball during Evening Free Time Most evenings after dinner, all of camp enjoys an “open evening”. This unstructured yet supervised time is perfect for boys to try paddleboarding on Cass Lake or fish at Buck Lake. My favorite activity is basketball at Bear Paw court. Boys and staff of all ages and skill levels come together for some friendly competition. It’s a great way to use up the last of the day’s energy before dip time in Cass. Time on the Knutson Hall Porch Before meals and most all-camp activities, everyone gathers on the dining hall porch. It is a great time to reconnect with cabinmates and share stories of their day's activities. You'll see a 9-year-old regaling a 15-year-old with their epic sailing adventure, or a counselor checking in with a camper who was homesick earlier in the day. Seeing our small international community build connections and practice leadership skills is a great thing to experience. Time away from screens Like many of you, I spend much of my workday in front of screens. One of the best things about Chippewa is the absence of screens. Summer allows us to enjoy time away from the distractions of social media, constant notifications, and the pressure they create. Our community can collectively breathe and live in the moment. It’s a fantastic reset and a strong reminder of all the fun that can happen without a device in your ear or pocket. Meals in Kutson Hall Most camps serve three meals a day, and menus are usually the same for everyone. Pancakes, spaghetti, taco night, and dessert—you know the classic childhood favorites. Chippewa offers all of that and more. Our meals tend to last a bit longer than most, usually about an hour. Stories can go on a little longer, and we can celebrate the day's achievements. It’s a time to reconnect with friends and forge new relationships. For our new families, we hope this list sparks some conversation with your son. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out. For our returning families, what are your son’s Top 5? We’d love to hear about them! Onward, Ryan P.S. I love chatting about all things camp. If we haven’t connected yet (or recently), feel free to grab some time on my calendar. |
Camp Chippewa for Boys
Stories of adventure, brotherhood, and growth from Camp Chippewa. Join us to learn more about the power of the outdoors, why summer camp matters, and much more!
Like most important moments at Camp Chippewa, a boy's last summer as a camper is marked by a rite of passage. For as many as ten summers at camp, he has launched his canoe from shore, venturing on a greater adventure each year. Now, before he begins his senior year of high school, he and his cabinmates will embark on a journey far to the north, paddling a waterway with deep historical ties to the voyageurs and first peoples before them. After being flown by floatplane to a wilderness lake,...
6:00 am. The alarm sounds, and I reach over to silence it. Before I even open my eyes, my mind begins to churn with all the tasks for the day ahead of me. I think through each meal and its many components: “Did I get the bread out of the freezer?” “Has the meat been thawed?” “Oh yes, I need to communicate with that trip leader and ask if he needs a frozen dinner for the first night of their trip.” I enter the kitchen and almost methodically open the various windows and doors and turn on the...
Camp Chippewa is special for more reasons than one can describe in a few paragraphs. In the shortest form, camp’s mission is focused around adventure, tradition, and character. They sum up camp beautifully. But I often feel a vital aspect is missing from that phrase. Adventure is found in every paddle stroke, every campfire, every morning dip, every arrow that finds its mark. Tradition flows from morning table grace songs to coveted tams earned, to Taps played each evening before lights out....