Divide and conquer

Wednesday is Division Day at camp, a time when boys divvy up into their divisions and spend the afternoon together. The Colt division gets to cruise into town today to goof off at The Waters water park in Minocqua, grill out at Clear Lake and end the day watching the awesome Min-Aqua Bats ski show. It’s an action packed day for sure, but they aren’t the only ones having a great time. The Cubs are packing up and spending the night on local Pallette Lake, they’ll roast marshmallows, play in pristine water with a sand bottom and get good use out of their sleeping bags and flashlights! God bless those Cubbie counselors who wrangle all twenty or so eight, nine and 10 year olds! The Senior division will convoy down Plum lake by whatever means available – kayak, canoe, etc. to tie up at the Sayner Pier. They’ll cook out in Sayner and play softball on the Sayner ball field. Juniors will have camp all to themselves tonight, cooking out on our large stone grill in the adventure ropes area and play games. These Wednesdays are a nice break in the routine. They offer up a little more free time to the boys, a slightly longer rest hour and time to just enjoy being together with all the boys in their age group. The cooks like it too, as it’s their night off!

We are gearing up for the camp birthday this Saturday. We will turn 111 this year, and I have to say, I think we’ve never looked better! We celebrate our birthday each year with the world-famous Steeplechase, a two and a half hour Army/Navy relay race, with a course that runs through camp and even around Five Pines and to the Star Portage! Each boy participates in their own crucial event in the race and it’s a rip-roaring good time. Events range from pin bowling, to soccer dribbling, to jumping through a hoola hoop from Tower Three. The relay culminates during the nail-biting water boil and Baker tent set up and breakdown. The fun starts about 9 a.m. and goes on throughout the morning ending around 11:30 a.m.
At 3 p.m., the Seniors host camp down in the Row for the random-little-known-games Olympics – the Senior Carnival – complete with homemade dunk tank, pillow fight jousting and bug juice chugging! And what do you win at this Carnival? Bachmann Bucks of course.
The fun doesn’t stop there. After the Carnival, we have a picnic supper on Junior Hill followed by Games on the Hill, also a Highlands highlight. This is also an Army/Navy competition filled with wheel barrow races and the copyrighted Broom Race (you have to see it to understand it). Saturday is ACTION PACKED and is my favorite day of the whole summer.
The weather continues to be dry and cool, which is better than wet and cool. We’ll take it! Check out this glassy lake photo taken just an hour ago. I don’t know how those sailors got all the way out there with such low wind! It’s just camp magic, I suppose.
We hope you guys at home are having half as much fun as we are here at camp!
And on that note… 
I ❤ CH // tracy b.

Sometimes I take the little things for granted. And then something as simple as watching a flock of boys run past me will remind me of just how special summer camp can be.
This morning I had one of those moments. I was sitting on the office porch enjoying one last cup of coffee before the onslaught of the day, and the bugle blew- and there they were- a flock of Cubbies clomping past the porch on their way to their activities. Running. I don’t know what it is about these little guys, but it seems like they are always in a rush to the next great adventure. They greet the day with enthusiasm and pep (Honor Camper Quality #3), and they don’t let a moment go to waste.
Some of that zest probably comes from the compressed energy of the last two days. Long car or plane rides. A forever-taking bus. Then all those safety talks! Riflery, Waterfront, Boating Bay, Free Swim. Then the instructional talks- how to be a waiter, how to request an activity, how to put up a tent, how to sweep the cabin, how to make a bed! And then the swim test! And then the bad weather drill! It’s no wonder they’re ready to rock on this second day at camp.

But all this preparation is what makes for an exciting and a safe summer. So today, it is time to RUN. The fellas in Cabin 24 told me they have the BEST day today. Kayaking, Archery, Adventure (our ropes course) and Riflery. Then they couldn’t wait for Clubs this afternoon. Two will be making model rockets. Two have signed up for our Soccer tournament. All four were brimming with enthusiasm and excitement for this great adventure called “camp.” And all four were running all around, with nobody telling them to stand still or calm down or be quiet or act right. Because they were acting right! They were boys, being boys.
I can’t remember the last time I ran just for running’s sake, but next time I see that flock of Cubbies blazing by, I think I will join them.
 
Better. Worthwhile. Highlands.
Andy B.
 
 

Sun? Check. White puffy clouds? Check. A gentle breeze on the lake? Check. All travel plans go off without a hitch? Check. What a way to start the summer. I am happy to report that the buses have arrived and the 2014 season is underway.
What happens when two motor coaches filled with excited boys unload on Highlands property? It’s a miracle, actually. Bugles blow to welcome the buses in and campers pile off the buses to be greeted by the boys who arrived by car and our staff. Trunks, duffel bags, tennis racquets and lacrosse sticks are distributed and toted off to their cabins. Beds are quickly made, and at 5:50 the bugle calls for supper.
Lois has had the water on to boil since lunchtime, at just the right moment she’ll drop 20 pounds of pasta (!!) in and spaghetti dinner will be served, hot and delicious. After supper, the boys will play games, get a tour of camp and learn some baseline rules while they sit around the first of many campfires for the summer.
We are so excited to have your sons with us. After all the forms you’ve filled out and socks you’ve labeled (you DID label their socks, right?), I might guess that you are feeling all sorts of things right now. Will he like his bunkmates? Will he eat the food? Will he drink too much bug juice? After 111 summers, there’s a little miracle that happens at Highlands. Things just sort themselves out after a few days. Both for you and for your boys! We have put together a fantastic staff who are trained to nurture, teach and guide your sons. We have a dedicated kitchen staff that’s making delicious food from scratch. And you have Andy, Tracy, Mike and Sharon Bachmann whose primary concern in life is making this experience the absolute best possible for your child.
Thank you for sending them to us. It’s our honor to have them for this amazing 111th summer!
And on that note,
I ❤ CH // tracy b.

We had a long discussion at lunch about how today was the last turkey dinner until Thanksgiving. Wait, WHAT? The last turkey dinner? That means tonight is the last Sunday Night Sing, and tomorrow is the last Monday (and so on). And while it’s true that we are verging on five days left of actual camp, Andy pointed out in Sunday Assembly (also the last) that we still have a quarter of second term left. Plenty of time for boys to accomplish new things in this summer of ’13.
In fact, in the past few days my kid accomplished two of his goals for the summer: to drop a ski and to climb to the top of the Clubhouse chimney (don’t mind this proud mama). But he’s been working on these things since June 23. Can you imagine? I watched that boy climb that chimney dozens of times this summer. Dozens. When was the last time you saw your kid try, fail and try again? And AGAIN? And again. (and so on). To me, more impressive than the actual accomplishment, was the effort. Perseverance. Grit. I’m lovin’ it. And trust me, it’s happened to your boys, too.
The past few days have been cool and beautiful. Of course we wish it was 78 and tanning weather, but I guess I ought to be celebrating I’m not at home in Gainesville, FL where it’s 97 every day. The boys have been amazing. In fact, you’d never know it was chilly. They’ve been running, playing and swimming every day.
This coming week starts to get a little crazy, so I’ll give you the run down on what’s going on, that way in case I can’t knock out as many blog posts as I’d like, you’ll still have a sense of what’s going on. Monday and Tuesday there will be several open activity periods so that boys can choose which activities they’d like to go to. That way if they’re really close to graduating tennis (or riflery or whatever), they’ll have the chance to get the last ACs (achievement credits) necessary. On Tuesday, we’ll have our last Division Day. Everyone will be in camp, and I’ve heard from reliable sources that the Juniors will be having some sort of Survivor Day. I’m hoping someone will tape it and make it into a movie for…..
Stunt Night. Which is on Wednesday evening. As many of you know, Stunt Night is the Highlands version of a talent show, however, history has proven that one needs not talent to perform in said show. It’s always a laugh. Thursday is the Kerchief Ceremony, a solemn, lovely ceremony. And then of course it’s Friday. The noon meal will bring with it the Honor Tripper awards, and starting at 3 p.m. is the Water Carnival and family picnic and banquet.
We love being able to share some of the camp spirit with you during this last day. In our eyes it brings a sense of closure to this remarkable experience your boys have had. They have grown so much, endured cooler temps and rainy weather. Blazing heat and pretty much the worst mosquitos I’ve seen in my 15 years up here in the North Woods. This night gives everyone the opportunity to process the summer. And when your son mopes around for a week or two as he readjusts to “the real world,” you’ll have a good idea of what it is that’s happened to him these four (or SEVEN) weeks. And of course, in my opinion, the best thing is hearing Mike read “Goodnight Little Cabin.” That coupled with the last Taps is magic.
Don’t worry, I’ve still got a post or two left in these fingers this summer. I’m still processing the INCREDIBLE Sunday Assembly this morning where we heard from long-time Highlands men express their love for Highlands. Let me just say there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. But that’s another story.
And on that note…
I ❤ CH // tracy b.
 

 
Dear Highlands staff,
We probably don’t say it enough, but we are so thankful for YOU. Without you we’d just be a spot on the map. You are special to us in so many ways.
From the CIT who taught me the proper way to mix the sanitizing bleach mix for the pots and pans in the kitchen, to the 70+ year-old guy who insures each trip goes out with the right tools and food – we appreciate you.
We notice when you take the extra effort to roast marshmallows with your cabin on Five Pines in the evening. We notice when you holler words of encouragement to that boy who is almost to the top of the clubhouse chimney. We notice when you put your arm around a fellow when he’s feeling blue and just listen.
We notice when one boy asked another boy to “smell his ice-cream” and then pushed the cone in the other boy’s face, and you didn’t yell at anyone. You said, “I’m waiting to see if they’ll work it out.” And guess what? They did.
We notice when you tell your guys to brush their teeth and blow their noses. Really.
We notice when you get up at 5 a.m. to start baking muffins and when you stay up until 11 p.m. to put turkeys in the oven. Thank you for keeping our bellies full and happy with homemade food!
We appreciate the time and energy you put into keeping Highlands clean and tidy. Lodge staff, we appreciate the hours you spend beating rugs and serving meals to our guests and making sure everyone feels welcome at camp.
When you truly appreciate the boys in your cabin – when you laugh at their jokes and make them feel incredibly loved – we notice.
You know how you are spending the better part of your waking hours with a zillion boys of varying ages, backgrounds, abilities, personalities and volume control? Well, we know that’s the hardest job out there. We know.
In a 17 short days, camp will be over. But long after the last cabin window is pulled closed, the time and energy you put into each boy will continue to permeate their lives – like a slow-release medication. The 11-year old you took a little extra time with in skiing might translate that attention into success in school and with his peers. Can you imagine that?
When you showed an extra measure of patience or humor with your cabin, you were modeling powerful behavior. Your dedication to the I’m Third motto, your commitment to the Worthwhile way and your appreciation for the men that came before you is contagious and inspiring.
We know Highlands is a special place, not merely a spot on the map. Highlands is a vortex for manhood. A place where boys can try, climb, learn, fail, succeed, fall and soar (in no particular order). And without you, the most powerful ingredient, that magic would not exist.
For all you do, we notice and we are thankful.
And on that note…
I ❤ CH // tracy b.
 

Seriously. This day. 84° F, 28.8° C. A light breeze. Sun. Puffy white clouds. Clear sky. It was a true north woods kind of day. Your boys had safety talks for their first activity period and were OFF! I can tell you that they have jumped head-long into their great summer adventure at camp.
I got to see so many boys today that I know and love. Two of my nephews are here (cousin power!!!), kids from my hometown of Gainesville, FL are here. A whole slew of midwest, Mexican, and Colorado-and-beyond-boys I’ve known since they were *this high,* are here. It absolutely amazes me how much these guys grow at this age. I’m talking FEET here, people. And the voices. They leave as boys and come back a year later with beards. Seriously. It happens.
We keep all this growing happening with the most amazing food. Thanks to our nutrition team of Lois Craig (head chef) and Sharon Bachmann (meal planner) these boys eat amazingly well. Did you know we do it old style here at Highlands? (I know this shocks you, 110 years later) The noon meal is called “dinner,” and the evening meal is “supper.” And we must be half Hobbit, because we have two breakfasts, starting with hot and cold cereal and yogurt bar, followed by a hot breakfast like pancakes, French toast, eggs and more. No one goes hungry at camp, no matter how picky.
While your boys were off having a blast at activities this morning, Andy B. and I were dropping our second-born off at girls camp for the first time.
Woah.
I’m ok, thanks for asking.
I have to admit, I was glad I had some big, dark sunglasses for the event. But it went really well. Partially because of an email I received last night from one of our Highlands moms, Sara Reed. Sara’s a first-timer, just like I am. And her words had me weeping at 11:30 p.m. as I answered my last email last night.
Sara, thank you so much for allowing me to share your fortifying words (my idea, not her’s!). I’m thrilled, awed and amazed my daughter is “at the right place, in the right time that one brave boy [girl!] is poised to have the time of his [her] life. HIS [HER] life.”
By Sara Reed, first-time camp mom to a boy in cabin 18
One very brave and excited boy chose one weepy Papa to walk him to the plane.
One very brave and excited boy kissed his sisters *on the lips* and told them that he loved them. Sisters were brave enough not to register the shock. Later, they said, “That’s the first time he kissed me OR told me that he loved me!” Their delight was evident.
One stinky, grumpy five year-old boy announced that he was glad that the brave boy was leaving. Then, he pouted all day and announced he does not like “so much girls at ‘diss house.”
One brave boy called approximately eleven hundred times on his phone. He’s in bunk #18. The lake is cool, it’s 7 miles long and his counselor is named Ben but he has NO idea where Ben is from. It’s very pretty here and not too hot. Lots of trees and he likes it. He ate all of the candy and chips we gave him for the plane. He saved the free cookies from the plane for his Papa. 
One excited sister moved promptly into the brave boy’s room to take advantage of the larger bed. More stuffed animals can fit, you see. The girl was scolded by one Mama who was ready to clean and purge that room. Mama cleaned. Girl skulked and was moody about missing brother.
Mama told the brave boy about the mess in his room. He laughed and said, “I’m too far away for you to tell me to clean it! You do it your way!”
One boy, released into the world and into his life…to the right place…at the right time said, “I am so excited. A little nervous, but SO excited. Thank you for letting me come to camp! I love you!” 
One Papa continued to weep intermittently all day and into the evening. But all told, he did not cry as much as the day that the brave boy was born – when he managed to sob for hours straight, and sobbed at record amounts. Papa announces he cannot live without his boy; however, Papa manages to appear as though currently alive and registers all vitals.
“Our boy is gone! I hope he’s okay!” announced the Papa. “Our boy is HAPPY! And he’s okay!” announced the Mama.
Three siblings, briefly un-moored by the temporary loss of their leader, renegotiated their tethers…with the now-oldest announcing, “I am the oldest available sibling now and you have to do what *I* say!” 
One great-grandmother called to say she was proud of the parents and thrilled to have seen her oldest great-grandchild have his first out-of-the-home experience. One Mama was filled up with joy at the approval of her greatest Mama-mentor and true love.
One lovely fellow-first-time-Mama (who may also have felt a little anxious) texted to share, “I saw him, he looks happy. He is in the bunk with mine and all seems good. They’re okay!”
One Mama took a celebratory nap, cleaned the boys’ room, drank the best wine in the house, took the beloved brave boys’ calls, chided the Papa and knew that above all else: at the right place, in the right time that one brave boy is poised to have the time of his life. HIS life.
Does anyone have a Kleenex?
And on that note…
I ❤ CH // tracy b.
 

Ahh, Sunday at Camp. It’s mellow. Most alumni will tell you Sunday at Camp Highlands means three things. Assembly, Turkey Dinner and Sing. Let’s start with Sunday Assembly, which is a quiet time lasting about 45 minutes where staff and campers offer reflections on what it means to be a Highlands guy, which is to say, a Worthwhile Man.
Today’s Assembly was great (I’m probably biased, since it was headed up by Andy Bachmann). He told stories about being a camper and the ways that he learned to live the “I’m Third” philosophy, not by walking around saying “I’m Third” all the time, but instead by modeling his behavior on older campers and staff members that took the time to mentor him when he was a camper.
He described his days back in cabin 25, when John Burnside took little Andy Bachmann under his wing. He’d invite him to go sailing with him, he’d invite him to be his buddy at free swim. And most importantly he’d let Andy twist his arm as he’d do an arm flip. (PS he probably had jeans like that guy, too)! Andy said he felt important because John was big and cool. And then he told about how he modeled that behavior when little Martin Miller first came to camp, by inviting him to be his buddy at swim and by inviting him to go sailing with him.
Those and the other stories Andy told got to me. It was hearing the names of guys that came as campers a long time ago – and who’s boys are now coming as campers! It was the idea of leading by example – through a time vortex! That’s one of the things that makes Highlands so special. I feel so lucky that I’m raising a FOURTH generation Highlands guy. I love that part of what makes MY kid so special is, in a way, John Burnside’s impact on Andy. Whew! Talk about “Pass[ing] it On.”
Couple all that the most gorgeous weather today, Turkey dinner and Sunday Night Sing, and you’ve got a recipe for general awesomeness. I’m feeling incredibly lucky to be here today. I know these boys are feeling that magic, too. It’s catching!
And on that note…

This weather. It brings a tear to my eye. I hate to brag, because I know many of you have been hot and sweaty all summer. But this day. It is perfect. It’s great for the boys who are out finishing up earning their ACs (achievement credits). Activities are open, which means your boys get to pick where they go.
History was made this morning. Elsworth the moose, who proudly hangs over the kitchen doors in the dining room, spoke to us after a 25+ year nap. He made an announcement about the 1st annual Elsworth Pine Wood Derby which will take place on Thursday. And then he led us in a cheer. It was awesome. Only at camp, folks!
This week is so fun. Tomorrow we’ll have the Top Shot competition at riflery, and a Wacky Canoe race. Thursday is the Art Show and the Derby Race. Add that to a final Division Day (Cubbies go into town to Jim Peck’s zoo, a picnic at Clear Lake and then lumberjack show), Seniors Dream Burger picnic, Stunt Night, Kerchiefs and the Banquet – and you’ve got the recipe for awesomeness.
It’s a fun week, but bittersweet. The wind has shifted, there is a crispness in the air. The nights get down into the 50s. It all means this summer of fun and self-discovery, challenge and friendship, is growing to a close. I just don’t know how I feel about that!
And on that note…
I ❤ CH // tracy b.

As a mother of a not-so-sportsy kid, I enter each summer with a little trepidation. J is a great kid, of course, but he doesn’t long to toss the ball around the back yard at the end of the day. He rides his bike. Plays the piano. He’s a really good drawer. Here we are at Highlands, where the guys are out playing basketball and baseball and lacrosse. Soccer, football, tennis. Not his thing. We are now in *his* 7th week here at camp. Our summers are a little different than most campers. We get here two weeks before camp starts, and we stay after camp ends. It has the potential to get….long. I worry. Has the magic worn off?
Yesterday he tracked me down. All smiles. “Mom, I dropped a ski. I couldn’t get my foot in the binding, but I was so close!” Seconds later, Ross walked by and said, “This kid! His hitting has improved SO much! He really worked hard on his swing AC and he was making great contact with the ball.” J was beaming. I got that prideful, swelley, prickly teary-eyed feeling. It wasn’t that I was so happy he’d hit the ball. It was seeing the look of accomplishment on his face. It was seeing this kid who can get down on himself for not being good at shooting hoops experience a true sense of pride.
He has been working on that ski drop all summer. He’s been encouraged to keep plugging away at ACs in baseball. At summer camp at Highlands, the structures are in place for him to stick with things. He’s got a huge network of guys, both staff and campers, encouraging him to set goals, work hard and make progress. All that, and he has time. Real time to improve. Time that in our day-to-day in Gainesville – where we are rushing to this, rushing to that, making dinner, doing homework – just doesn’t exist.
Maybe this summer isn’t too long. I’m going to slowly back away from my back-to-school shopping and I’m going to go sit in the boat and watch our campers have their successes, one Achievement Credit at a time. I’m going to watch these guys enjoy every last second of “camp time,” where they don’t rush, they make progress, they improve their skills, they have fun. I’m going to go watch them make small steps toward a better self. I’m going to go watch them be boys.
And on that note…
I ❤ CH // tracy b.
[slideshow elements=”10″] [image link=”https://www.camphighlands.com/wp/wp-content/themes/camp-highland-for-boys/images/blog072712/achievement10.jpg” caption=”Boys have success in everything from riflery to kayaking.”] [image link=”https://www.camphighlands.com/wp/wp-content/themes/camp-highland-for-boys/images/blog072712/achievement09.jpg” caption=”Adventure is a great place for the younger boys to gain confidence.”] [image link=”https://www.camphighlands.com/wp/wp-content/themes/camp-highland-for-boys/images/blog072712/achievement08.jpg” caption=”Working on ACs in baseball!”] [image link=”https://www.camphighlands.com/wp/wp-content/themes/camp-highland-for-boys/images/blog072712/achievement07.jpg” caption=”Working on ACs in baseball!”] [image link=”https://www.camphighlands.com/wp/wp-content/themes/camp-highland-for-boys/images/blog072712/achievement06.jpg” caption=”Working on ACs in baseball!”] [image link=”https://www.camphighlands.com/wp/wp-content/themes/camp-highland-for-boys/images/blog072712/achievement05.jpg” caption=”Working on ACs in baseball!”] [image link=”https://www.camphighlands.com/wp/wp-content/themes/camp-highland-for-boys/images/blog072712/achievement04.jpg” caption=”Working on ACs in baseball!”] [image link=”https://www.camphighlands.com/wp/wp-content/themes/camp-highland-for-boys/images/blog072712/achievement03.jpg” caption=”Working on ACs in baseball!”] [image link=”https://www.camphighlands.com/wp/wp-content/themes/camp-highland-for-boys/images/blog072712/achievement02.jpg” caption=”…and football!”] [image link=”https://www.camphighlands.com/wp/wp-content/themes/camp-highland-for-boys/images/blog072712/achievement01.jpg”  caption=”…and football!”] [/slideshow]