In the swing of things

For the staff here at Highlands, the last 5-7 days have been BUSY. The end-of-term festivities and the full business of starting a second term is no small task. But here we are, Thursday of week one of second term, and I think I just heard a collective sigh of relief. Campers are getting settled into their cabins, forging new friendships. This is about the time when campers really start to feel comfortable, since they finally know what’s coming next. The bugle calls start to sound familiar (waiters, waiters come and get your pork and beans) and they look forward to what games they’ll play in the evening.
Yesterday was Division Day, otherwise known as cook’s night off! The guys band together as divisions and have activities and enjoy their counselor’s cooking of hot dogs and other picnic style food. We had an extra special treat yesterday when the older girls from Red Pine Camp came over for a social. It’s about what you’d imagine – games, punch, hot dogs, a “dance.” Awesome camp stuff. I can’t wait to count the letters that go out to RPC in the next few days. Our boys were perfect gentleman while hosting a great Highlands evening.
The weekend is coming up, and for me, it feels like the first weekend all year where we aren’t in the thick of something. Saturday will be an event day of some sort, to be determined. Check out the photos of Avatar day from last term to get an idea of what I’m talking about. Of course Sunday will bring Assembly and Sing! Come on up and visit if you can, the weather is AMAZING.
Oh, and have I mentioned our Pinewood Derby in effect? Maybe your camper wrote home about it? Jim Di Domenico and his wife Becky (who’s partnered up with Chris Dahlman in the craft shop) have headed up this AMAZING activity. We have an 80 foot track calling those pine wood cars names!
Keep checking the gallery for photos. We usually post on Facebook when there’s a fresh batch up.
And on that note…
I ❤ CH // tracy b.

The bugles have called, the water for the spaghetti is boiling and the buses have rumbled in, and all of camp has turned out onto the track to welcome in Second Term 2012! It’s an awesome scene. Boys who haven’t seen each other in a year slap hi-fives and bear hug.
Forever the mother, I worry about how the new boys will know what to do. How will they find their counselors? Who will carry their gear to their cabin (those trunks are heavy)!? It’s one of the many lessons I’ve learned as a serious female minority at boy’s camp. Leave them alone. This doesn’t need to be micro-managed (my specialty). They’ve got this. Moooooommmmmm.
Within minutes everyone’s gear was unloaded and hauled off to their cabins and the boys are on their way to being fast friends. There’s really no other way. The boys who haven’t been here before are eager to make some friends, find someone who can tell them what the heck is going on. And the boys who have been here before are excited to make new friends and lend a hand.
After dinner tonight, the guys will have campfires where they learn the in’s and out’s of Camp – baseline rules about how things work and what they can expect in the next few days. Tomorrow they’ll have more in-depth safety talks and get the inside scoop on the dining room and how to be the table waiter when it’s their turn. By 10:30 tomorrow morning they’ll be fully immersed in earning Achievement Credits (ACs) in their activities.
We are so glad they are here!
And on that note…
I ❤ CH // tracy b.

Is it just me or have these weeks flown by?! I can’t believe we are in the final week. I’d like to give you a quick run down of the events this week, and of course details of the final events on Friday and Saturday.
Today is Tuesday, the final Division Day of the term. The Cubs head off on their big adventure to the Wildwood Wildlife Park and then to the Lumberjack Show in Minoqua. It’s a blast! Tomorrow they guys will be out at activities as usual, but in the evening we will be dazzled and entertained at the Stunt Show (sort of a goofy talent show). Thursday, the guys participate in the age-old Kerchief Ceremony (more on that tomorrow) and Friday is the final banquet ceremony.
Friday is a blast. The festivities start at 3:00 pm with the Water Carnival, followed by a time for campers to show parents around, buy an extra t-shirt in the store and get their cars packed for the trip home. We have a picnic supper on Junior Hill. If you haven’t RSVP’d and you plan on coming, please email me. We make name tags! It’s $10 for adults, free for your camper and free for kids and under. Following supper, we pile into the dining room for the final banquet and events wrap up around 8:45 pm or so.
Parents always ask us, should we take our boy home on Friday night or wait until Saturday morning. I tell you, it’s completely up to you and your child. The bus for the trip to Chicago leaves at 9:00 a.m. and first term is officially over at that time.

I know! Where are the blog posts? Where are those photos? What gives?!
The last few days have been rife with power outages and painfully slow or NO Internet connection. Something about damaged towers. I think its because half of Chicagoland is in the north woods trying to escape the heat and using up all my interwebs. It makes my job hard! I suppose it could have been worse, though, I could have been Andy Bachmann who was up all night on Wednesday babysitting our three freezer/refrigerator units. Due to a power outage, he had to rotate them between the generator every thirty minutes! Ah, the glamorous life of a camp director.
I will tell you the boys are having a GREAT time. They went to Sayner to watch the fireworks on the 4th, played capture the flag (1-1 Army/Navy), had a awesome division day, and are looking at the start of the LAST WEEK.
Moms and dads, can you believe that a week from today, you’ll be headed to Camp Highlands to pick your boys up? Or maybe you’ll be shopping for his favorite dinner? Or getting ready to pick him up from the airport on Saturday evening. No matter what, it’s going by quickly!
Stay tuned for more information about the final days of camp. And I’m working on an excuse to go into town to find some Internet so I can upload some of these great photos! I see an iced latte and maybe a stop for some Paul Bunyan’s donuts. Have you tried those things?!
And on that note…
I ❤ CH // tracy b.

We had a great storm here last night that knocked out the power in the office. That means no email, answering machine, fax or lights in the office, for that matter. Thank goodness for an iPhone for a blog update! (please excuse any typos!)
No power in camp is an adventure for our cooks for sure. But we have generators in the kitchen and the boys will hardly notice the difference. (Benefits of not having electricity in the cabins!) And for all the storming last night, the sunrise brought us another day of pristine weather. Sunny, breezy. Perfect. So keep your eyes peeled for more photos tomorrow. It’s pretty much all we can do today. I have to admit, the required break from my desk is kind of great. The breeze on the lake is fantastic. Maybe a sail is in order…
And on that note…
i ❤ CH // tracy b.

Leadership is a common theme running through the program this summer at Highlands. Andy B. works hard before camp creating the pre-camp program so that our leadership staff can teach our counseling staff much of the same material from year to year, but in a fresh new light. This summer, there’s a focus on what makes a good leader. Not only are we emphasizing it for the staff, but we’re also giving them the tools to pass that knowledge on to their campers.
Yesterday during our Sunday Assembly, we saw leadership in action. A handful of guys defined some of the Highlands Honor Camper Qualities and gave an example of someone in their life that exemplified those qualities.
Casey Zinser spoke about Cleanliness and said, “His mother loved to clean and had taught him to be clean inside and out.”! Pep was Tavenner Smith’s inspiration and he spoke of his father who was always encouraging him to “try everything.” Nick Morgan, one of our camp buglers, called out his friend Charlie Yokom saying Charlie was a picture of Good Fellowship noting that he always had a smile and a “hello” for everyone he met on the path. John Milner talked about how Lois and Ronkow, our Highlands cooks, were examples of Generosity, since they give so much of their time and energy to make sure we always have great food to eat. KC Stanner spoke about how any camper at riflery and archery were examples of Self-Control, since you have to follow the rules in order to keep others safe. Tucker Nienhaus also said any camper who was living the “I’m Third” philosophy was an example of good Camp Spirit. Walker Harrison told a story of how his bunkmate Jack Burney was Dependable during a hiking trip in the Porkies. In a nod to the Army victory during the Track Meet, Drew Lezon said that General Pat Gallagher showed Inititive by charging up the Army and giving motivational speeches throughout the morning. And summing it all up Ian Pratt told about how his counselors Alec Grassi and Tom Lubenow showed strength in Leadership each night during bedtime when they help the guys in cabin 9 set goals they can work on the next day.
Now THAT was motivational. It was awesome to hear the words come from the camper’s mouths. Each of the speakers was from Senior division except for Ian Pratt (who happens to be the great-great grandson of Doc Monilaw!). The boys had to show initiative by volunteering without hesitation at breakfast and I watched as the younger boys listened intently – one could almost see the gears turning in their heads!
Every Sunday Assembly is a great opportunity for boys to reflect on some of the less tangible qualities of a summer at Highlands. It’s a time when they can process the successes they’ve had during the week and consider the goals they’d like to set for the days ahead. And while Assembly is always good, this Sunday was particularly outstanding. Ross gave his annual “I’m Third” speech and then he introduced Colin O’Brien who was on the Illinois State Championship baseball team Oak Park/River Forest high school.
Colin told the great story about his team’s unlikely trip to the championship. He spoke of the outstanding leadership of his coach, and more importantly the leadership and selflessness of the guys on his team.

He said, “Every player, whether they played or not, did what they could to win the game. We put others second, in this case our team. Throughout the season, people got benched for various reasons. But each person who was benched didn’t pout. They didn’t throw a fit. We only cared about the team.”

There are so many reasons I feel lucky to spend my summers at Camp Highlands. But one of the biggest reasons is that I literally get to see the magic manifest here at CH. In my own experience, our son, a 10-year old Cubbie, has had an amazing transformation already this summer. I hear him talking to other kids and it doesn’t sound like him. He sounds like the guys on Senior Row, or like his outstanding counselor and activity counselors. For all my lecturing on being a Worthwhile man, the experiences he has here at Camp, the role models he encounters around every corner are truly defining. And while of course he has a long way to go, I believe these days at Highlands (in the way they’ve shaped Mike and Andy Bachmann) will make our son the best he can be. In the words of another outstanding Highlands leader, Snow Nothdurtf, “How lucky we are.”
And on that note…
i ❤ CH // tracy b.
 
 
 
 

There must be something in the air, because before I left the house to head down to the office today, I put on my running shorts and sneakers so that I could be ready at a moment’s notice to break into a dash. What’s in the air, you ask? Tomorrow is the annual Camp Highlands track meet which dates back to the early 1900s when Doc Monilaw was the camp director. The first event actually starts today with the cross-country race – a one-mile course around camp. Each entrant gets a point for his team, no matter what he places. Tomorrow the boys will compete Army versus Navy in several track events including the high jump, the long jump, 50 or 70 yard dash and shot-put. It all culminates in the giant action-packed relay. In the afternoon, they’ll have a choice in clubs and a picnic supper on the hill. Finally boys will participate in the world-famous Games on the Hill complete with the broom relay, tennis ball/parachute game (what is that called anyhow? Leave a comment if you know), egg toss and a pie eating contest (among other things).
Happily everyone is in camp for the festivities! Cabins 10, 11 and 12 just got back from their hiking trips in the Porkies. Cabin 11 saw two bears! How cool is that? Many of our seniors will leave for their big trips next week. The remaining Junior cabins will go to the Porkies for their hiking trip and the Colts’ canoe trips are next week as well.
We just posted a good smattering of photos on the gallery. Take a look!
And now for that run.
And on that note…
i ❤ CH // tracy b.

It’s warming up nicely, and it sounds like we’re going to be lolling about in true summer temps by the end of the day. Wednesday at camp is Division Day (a.k.a. cook’s night off!) where the boys band together by division for activities and then a cookout. Cubbies will hike around the back bay of Plum, through one of the oldest old-growth hemlock forests in Wisconsin to Star Lake for their overnight. They’ll swim in the sandy lake, roast marshmallows, sleep in a tent and have a generally awesome time. Colts are headed into town for an awesome day at The Waters hotel where they have some great water sides. They’ll wrap up their day with a cookout supper and watching the ski show in Minocqua afterwards. Most of the Junior division is out on their hiking trip the the Porcupine Mountains and the others (cabins 8, 9, 13) will be in camp having “Worthwhile fun” (direct quote from Andy Bachmann) and the Seniors are off to Red Pine Camp for Girls for their annual social. What I’d give to be a fly on the wall!
There are new photos on the gallery. I’ve been trying to decide the best way to order them. I think I’ve finally decided they’ll be newest to oldest. Sorry to be such a flip-flopper.
This afternoon is kind of heavenly for team Bachmann. We will enjoy the first moments of quiet we’ve had in *weeks*. Not that we’re complaining. Trust me, nothing makes me happier than the sound of 50 Cubs and Colts at evening dip, but there is also something magical about the sound of the wind off the lake and not much more!
And on that note…
i ❤ CH // tracy b.

I can’t remember a more beautiful start to camp. It makes for a great day of activities. Water sports this morning had a nearly still lake, and this afternoon the breeze picked up and the guys were flying across the lake on the Sunfish. The guys at land sports were loving the sun and the cool breeze. All this great weather makes for lots of running around and the building up of a mean appetite.
Did you know that Sharon Bachmann does all the meal planning at camp? With her planning and Lois’ incredible cooking, we never go hungry here at Camp! A good majority of our meals are made from scratch, a very unique thing in the camping world. No frozen pizza for us!
Tonight is taco night. Let’s just say that taco night is more than a meal at Highlands. It’s a multi-media experience. Complete with costumes and oftentimes, music. You are just as likely to see a horse mask as you are a rainbow colored wig. It’s kind of crazy. My personal favorite is the dessert tonight, though. It’s ice-cream with a corn-flake and brown sugar topping. It’s almost embarrassing how much I love this stuff.
Tonight also happens to be….wait for it….Capture the Flag! We posted the Army/Navy list today and camp’s all a twitter about who is who. I’m not sure if you’ve been following the weather here at camp, but let me tell you: it is GORGEOUS out. Cool, sunny, clear, breezy. I can’t imagine a better night for this awesome all-camp event. I hope those boys packed their tube socks! (don’t worry if they didn’t they always figure it out.)
It’s not just the people-folk that are loving these summer days. I was out on the boat with Mike last night when we came up on a mama loon with TWO babies on her back. Amazing. I am hoping the boys get a chance to see her. Not to mention the bald eagle that was swooping over the boating bay today as the guys were coming in from canoeing. No kidding this is what I overheard, Camper 1: “Look! There’s a bald eagle.” Camper 2: “I love America.” Cracked me up. You can keep up with more funny things #overheardatcamp on the
@CampHighlands Twitter feed.
Are you looking to subscribe to the blog? You can do it by clicking on the RSS feed button in your browser URL field. Also, remember, there a lots of new photos on the gallery and there will be gobs more tomorrow. Mike Bachmann has been out all afternoon snapping pictures of the guys at their activities.
And on that note….
i ❤ CH // tracy b.
 

A little bit of jittery, nervous excitement. Old friends. New friends. Roasting marshmallows around a campfire on a starry, cool evening. Hearing Taps play for the first time of the summer (or the first time ever!). That’s what a first night at Highlands is made of.
Last night after a filling dinner of homemade spaghetti the boys learned a little bit about a “day in the life” at Highlands during the evening campfires. Taps did blow, and after a long trip in the car or on the bus, the guys were asleep. It was a cool night, but today warmed up nicely. The weather could not be more beautiful!
Boys rotated through stations learning about key points around camp: the kitchen and dining room, the rifle range, the waterfront and to a common area to learn about activities.
Tonight the guys will have chicken noodle soup and sub sandwiches with watermelon for dessert.
 
Bunk notes
If you need information about setting up Bunk Notes or Replies, you can download the informational form on the homepage. It’s a great system. Remember, if you want your boys to email you back, you must attach a Bunk Reply.
The summer is off to a great start. The guys are in the camp store (as I write this) getting their fill of water bottles, pens, stamps and toothpaste! It’s just business as usual here at Highlands. I’m so glad they are all here!
i ❤ CH // tracy b.