Dear Highlands Staff

 
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.
 

Oh my goodness. Can it be? We only have how many days left of camp?! I don’t know how you feel, but it’s gone by in the blink of an eye for us.
This coming week is filled with many traditions. From the Stunt Show on Wednesday night to Kerchiefs on Thursday, Honor Tripper recognition, Water Carnival – the list goes on. Tonight is the last Assembly, the last turkey dinner and the last Sing for our first-termers.
I have the inside scoop that Andy Bachmann and Co. will be talking about making the most of these last days at Highlands this morning at Sunday Assembly. We should all probably listen to that advice! Andy and I have had many interesting discussions recently about Eleanor Roosevelt’s famous and brilliant quote, “Happiness is not a goal, it’s a by-product.” At Highlands we believe that a worthwhile life, is earned by working hard, persevering and adhering to those camper qualities we hold to be sacred. By making the most of every opportunity, by putting the other fellow before ourselves, by being helpful and productive – happiness is inevitable!
Happiness also prevails when you get that boy you love so much home on Saturday, July 13th. Here are details on the last days of camp.
The final banquet is on Friday, July 12. Festivities begin at 3 p.m. during the water carnival (think ski show, synchronized swim routines, and something with a greasy watermelon – only at camp!). This is followed by supper at 6 p.m. and the banquet which wraps up around 8:45 p.m. You are welcome to take your son home at that time, OR they can sleep the last night in their cabin and roll out of camp at 9 a.m. on July 13. It is up to you.
The bus schedule on the way home is:
1:00 p.m. drop off in Madison at the Pinecone Shell, DeForest exit
2:15 p.m. drop off at Rockford Clock Tower
3:30 p.m. O’Hare Airport drop off
3:45 p.m. O’Hare Oasis drop off
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…

At Highlands, every Sunday is Thanksgiving dinner. And that means that every most weeks, we have turkey leftovers. Much to my delight, that means one thing. Turkey Tetrazini.
We here in the Bachmann household devoured our turkey, but I’m seriously considering roasting another bird so that we can enjoy Lois Craig’s delicious recipe.
Turkey Tetrazini (Camp Highlands style)
6 oz. spaghetti, broken in half
chicken broth for cooking spaghetti
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup milk
1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
2/3 cup mayonnaise
2 cup cooked turkey (or chicken), diced or chopped
1 (2-oz.) can mushrooms, drained
2 tablespoons diced pimento
3 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or Parmesan)
Cook spaghetti in broth; drain. Mix the soup, mayonnaise, and milk until well blended. Add spaghetti, celery, mushrooms, pimento, chicken, and half of the cheese. Pour into casserole dish and sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Bake in a 350° oven for 45 minutes.
 
 

If the weather a couple days ago was awesome, it’s pretty ragged today. Cold and rainy. However, we are looking forward to a slightly warmer day tomorrow with lots of sunshine. That’s great. You might grab a jacket on your way up to camp, though. It’s only going to get up to 71° the weatherman is saying! That’s nearly freezing by my Florida-girl standards!
Tonight the guys will participate in an age-old tradition, the Kerchief Ceremony. It’s another opportunity for boys to reflect on the less obvious benefits of a summer at Camp. Sure, they’re celebrating their achievements in activities, but even more, they are celebrating their bond to 109 summers of young men just like them. Boys that have run on these fields, slept in these cabins. Like many things at Highlands, it’s special. You can read about the ceremony in an essay written by our program director and alumni Craig Ericksen. He’s got a unique perspective as a former camper, father of campers, and staff member.
The dreary weather is not stopping the packing or the lost and found collection! The laundry is clean(ish), so hopefully, your boys trunks won’t be too terribly stinky upon their return. I’ve heard lots of great ideas on how best to unpack your camper when they come home. Two tips that were passed on to me: unpack the trunk in the driveway (sand!), and just throw the socks away (they’ll never be the same). Moms and dads, do you have any other tips? We’d love to hear about them in the comments below.
We should probably warn you about your camper’s reentry to the “real world.” I know in *this* Highlands family, we are all a little crabby after camp ends. We’re tired. We have culture shock. Yes, we’re happy to have 247 TV channels at our fingertips high-speed internet, but we are really ships without a rudder since we don’t have the bugle to tell us where to go! We miss our friends, our routines, the lake, Taps. Lois’ meatloaf. It’s hard. Again, moms and dads? Do you have any words of wisdom, or stories you can share to help the new camp parents know what to expect when their kid comes home after a month of living under a bug net?
Remember the final fun starts tomorrow at 3 pm at the Cub/Colt swim pier for the Water Carnival. You’ll have time to get your camper loaded up, a chance to shop at the camp store, and an opportunity to review the lost and found before supper starts at 6 pm. The banquet wraps up around 8:30. It’s a great way to wrap up the summer, and can help you understand what the last four weeks have been about for your boy. We’ll see you there!
And on that note…
I ❤ CH // tracy b.
 

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.

Not many camps can boast the kind of food we eat here at Highlands. At many camps, food is prepackaged, frozen and fast. At Highlands, meals are homemade. Meatloaf is mixed (70 lbs. at a time), cakes are made from scratch, and hundreds of pancakes are lovingly flipped – for groups of 150-180 people, three times a day! WOW. And the woman that makes it all happen is none other than CH Hall of Famer, Lois Craig. For 24 summers Lois, with her team of kitchen assistants, has been fueling the bodies and minds of our young men. We thought you might like to get to know her a little better.
TB: Lois, I’ve never known Highlands without you, and I’ve been here for 15 years. How long have you been coming to camp?
LC: This summer will be my 24th summer. My parents were good friends of Snow and Mim (Sharon B.’s parents). After graduating from Illinois State University, I started teaching home economics in the small town of Bath, Ill.. I started cooking for camp that summer of 1974 and continued until 1976 when I met my husband, Dale. We visited a number of times when my kids were growing up. On a camping trip with our two kids Lindsay and Andrew in 1990, I was really surprised that so many of the people I had worked with in the 70’s were still here! Kent Overby took Andrew, and sold him on being at camp. And I have been coming back since 1991.
TB: What’s your favorite thing about being on staff?
LC: I really enjoy working with a great group of people and spending my summers out of central Illinois.
TB: There are so many great things that you prepare, I’d be hard -pressed to pick a favorite. What’s your favorite meal at camp?
LC:  Meat loaf is my favorite, and penne pasta with meatballs is a close second.
TB: I always knew you loved to sew, knit and bake, but I was shocked to learn you played the flute!
LC: And the piccolo! I played in high school and college. I always thought it would be funny to play Brahms lullaby instead of Taps at night!
TB: You mentioned to me you like to read. What about TV?
LC: I just finished “Catching Fire” the second book in the “Hunger Games” series, and NCIS is the only TV show I try not to miss.
TB: I know it’s hard to beat being the head chef at Highlands, but if you could trade places with any person for a week, famous or not, living or dead, real or fictional, with whom would it be?
LC: I would like to be Guy Fiere for a week. I love to travel, and to do that and eat great food at the same time seems incredible!
TB: Ok, last question. Finish this sentence: Not everyone knows…
LC: I’d been to 48 states, and many parts of Canada and Mexico by the time I was 16. My husband of 35 years, Dale and I added Alaska to that list. I have yet to go to Hawaii. Another thing that not everyone knows is that I have two brothers and two sisters and I’m the only one who never went to camp.
TB: Well we fixed that didn’t we!? Thank you so much Lois for your commitment to Highlands. You are truly one person we couldn’t live without here at Camp!
Do any of you CH fans have special memories of Lois? Maybe you’d like to throw out a big THANK YOU? We’d love to hear about them on the blog. Leave us a comment!
[slideshow elements=”3″] [image link=”https://www.camphighlands.com/wp/wp-content/themes/camp-highland-for-boys/images/lois/lois01.jpg” caption=”Lois with her husband Dale”] [image link=”https://www.camphighlands.com/wp/wp-content/themes/camp-highland-for-boys/images/lois/lois02.jpg” caption=”Lois and baker, Marcella, stand with their beautifully decorated Camp Highlands birthday cakes”] [image link=”https://www.camphighlands.com/wp/wp-content/themes/camp-highland-for-boys/images/lois/lois03.jpg” caption=”Lois making french toast for 150 and the great spread for the end of term banquet”] [/slideshow] Remember, if you have questions on the end of term festivities, take a look at yesterday’s post.

It’s that scene in the movie. The flag waving over the boat house is blowing northward. There’s a pause in the breeze, the flag comes to a rest. And then the wind switches and the flag sputters up again, this time to the south. A change in the air. A new direction.
As this first term comes to a close, I can’t help but think about what will happen to these fierce boys who’ve often been plucked out of their nice, cozy nests and plopped right down in the middle of nowhere without screens on the windows or electric in the cabins. No doubt they’ll be logged into their Facebook accounts, watching a DVD and texting with a vengance before they even hit Highway 51 on their way home.
However.
There will be moments in the next few days and weeks when they will stop in their tracks and be transported to Highlands. It might be a cool evening storm that brings on the memories. It might be as they lay in bed and try to conjure the magical call of the loon on a moon-mirrored Plum Lake. It might be when they are helping mom and dad with dishes and laughing just like during cabin chores each morning. I wish I could bottle those moments. I’d make them into a snow globe so I could shake that magic up on demand.
I just snuck out of the final banquet early to work on tying up loose ends for second term, and I had a catch in my throat. It could have been exhaustion, or the fact I have been talking for three days straight. But the truth is, the wind HAD shifted direction and intensity during the evening. There WAS a change in the air. Utter quiet, save for the bursts of applause coming from the orange-lit dining room windows, combined to create a special calm in camp and in my heart. A bit of a snow globe moment of my own.
I’m overwhelmed with the bravery of the four boys who stood in front of a crowd of hundreds of people and confessed their love for Camp Highlands. First time Cubbie, Erik Anderson, who talked about all the amazing activities at camp. Colt, Christopher Russell, who was nearly swept up in emotion talking about overcoming his homesickness and his new Highlands family. Junior, Ian Pratt (great-great-great grandson of Doc Monilaw) who wrote his speech on the back of a riflery target. Senior, Diego Casas, second generation camper, who recounted his memories of the many summers he’s spent here at Camp starting with Kent Overby as his counselor, “The Best.” He spoke of the feeling he had when finding his father’s name written on his bunk. He said, “What I definitely won’t forget is what camp teaches us every day, to be Worthwhile Men….I am proud to be a Highlands Man.” I agree.
I’m sure I missed lots of good silliness during Tin Awards, and I know I missed moments of parental proudness for Honor Camper awards. But I think hearing about Camp in the words of those bold young men was the perfect way for me to usher out First Term.
I can’t wait for these guys to be struck with moments of pride in themselves for their accomplishments small and large. I can’t wait for them to live out the “I’m Third” philosophy in their everyday lives. I can’t wait for them to be more in tune with the natural world around them. I can’t wait for them to have that snow globe moment – slow motion, sweet and perfect. But mostly, I can’t wait for them to come back next summer.
And on that note….
I ❤ CH // tracy b.
 

Our program director, Craig Ericksen, gives us a glimpse into the age-old Kerchief Ceremony
Even though it represents the end of a camper’s summer at camp, the Kerchief Ceremonies are my favorite gatherings of the summer. I have fond memories of this ceremony during my time as a camper; darkness interrupted by a crackling fire, the smell of the smoke, Mike and Snow sharing friendly, thought provoking, words which prompt all campers to consider the less obvious but most important aspects of their summer. It was exciting to see the record of my achievements even though my accomplishments were not as numerous as those of many of my friends. The emphasis of the ceremony is one of recognizing accomplishments of all kinds and all campers share a sense of pride in recognizing how much they have grown in countless ways during the course of a camping session. There is a comforting sameness to this tradition that connects you to the Highlands family. You feel a sense of satisfaction in knowing that your friends, counselors and in many cases fathers and grandfathers have once sat in the same place and had this same experience. While many accomplishments are connected to activities, the bigger achievements are related to areas of personal growth such as gaining greater independence, overcoming fears and being considerate of others. I have been blessed with the chance to see all three of my sons’ progress from cabin 26 Cubs to staff members. Each time I saw my sons place their sticks on the fire of friendship I felt a great sense of pride at their growth. I feel a deep sense of gratitude for the many camping seasons that I have had the opportunity to enjoy at Highlands. Campers of today will have similar memories to mine; darkness interrupted by a crackling fire, the smell of the smoke, Andy and Craig sharing friendly, thought provoking words… The tradition lives on!

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.