CHOF's on Parade

I had an interesting realization the other day.
I was sitting with THREE of my former counselors at supper. And there were only 4 of us at the table.
How lucky am I?
Someone recently remarked to me that they thought it might be odd that we have SO many CHOF’s on staff. To me, it would be odd NOT to have them here.
I’m a big fan of depth; whether it is on my staff here at Highlands, or really in any worthwhile organization. At a camp, having guys who are 19 years old is important. They can be your high energy, every minute is an opportunity to do something zany, let’s go ahead and play dodgeball for two hours kind of guys. And their energy and enthusiasm drives camp—keeps it action packed and adventurous. And we need that- and we love that.
But it is also important to me to balance that with our seasoned veterans- our 24 year old guys who are swinging through Highlands during their grad school years, or as a last gasp before they head into the corporate world. These guys can still bring the enthusiasm, but they’re also the guys who are willing to step up to leadership opportunities; whether it is leading our big trips or teaching fellow staff members about trip safety and cabin bonding. They are gold.
And then I have our CHOF’s (Camp Highlands Old…Fellas). The CHOF’s are those of us (yes, us…) who range in age from 27-77. Dave runs the trip room. Otter helps there, and pretty much anywhere else he’s needed. When not at Highlands, Loren is a teacher in Kansas; here he teaches canoeing. Kent is a retired teacher and cross-country coach. Here he leads our low-ropes course, and is the head counselor of our youngest guys. I have 14 guys over the age of 40 on staff.
The value of having this 60 year swing in staff age is that I have a grounded, well-rounded group of guys who can bring their passion for all things Highlands, and provide the kind of coverage and decision making skills necessary to ensure that our campers have an incredible experience here. Their history at Highlands (heck, I have a few 19 year old guys who already have 10 years at Highlands!) means our values and the qualities we hold dear run deep. Both (2!) of our new staff men caught on pretty quick to the Highlands Way. My hope is your campers catch the spirit as well. I believe that having the old guys around is just as important as having the young. And I consider myself quite lucky to have the opportunity to bring them all back, year after year after year. To me, this is just one of the reasons why we have thrived for so long at Camp Highlands. And, to me, it is so cool to have my first counselor here, my last counselor here, and not one but TWO of the guys in the middle.
Better. Worthwhile. Highlands.
AB

We were anticipating rain and not a drop has fallen. The bus has arrived and campers have been settled. I once again feel the excitement in the air; but now the voices that echo out, “Ga-Ga-Ball!” are different than the ones I heard just two days ago. Second Term has officially begun, and I am already so excited for this new batch of campers to be here.
One quick glance through the cabin list this year and you might think we were in the 1980’s or 1990’s. It has been so fun seeing all these alumni drifting through camp—guys of my generation—dropping off their sons for their first (or fifth) Highlands summer. And we have a great crop of newbies, too! (I’m listening to an “old” camper explain the mailboxes to a new camper as we speak…and it’s kind of hilarious.)
The next 17 hours will have us memorizing names, listening to rules, learning about water safety, gun safety and archery safety; as well as learn how to be waiter and request an activity. Then swim tests, and BOOM! Right into the flow of camp.
Exciting times are in store for us this summer. Our staff is outstanding – one of the best I can remember (and no, I don’t say that every year…) and they are all pumped for Second Term.
So the stage is set- the players have arrived, and it’s time to raise the curtain on Act 2 of our 112th season. If it’s anything like Act 1 we are all in for a treat.
Better. Worthwhile. Highlands.
AB

Byron Shinn spent 49 summers at Camp Highlands for Boys.
Recruited as a young man by the man who was the director of Highlands before Mike Bachmann (William J. “Doc” Monilaw), Byron was one of the unique figures who could speak to the history of Highlands dating back to a time before those of us familiar with Highlands could even comprehend. Other than Mike and Sharon Bachmann, no one has spent more seasons at Highlands than Byron Shinn.
He was an integral part of camp life. He will be most remembered for his love and dedication of the sailing program. You could often hear Byron’s booming bass shouting cryptic sailing lingo out across the lake, telling boys to “Ease the main sheet!,” “Don’t pump the tiller!” or “lift up your daggerboard!” He was a stickler for proper terminology; and many befuddled boys quickly learned the importance of knowing what was what. Byron took special pride and pleasure in leading the sailing trips at Highlands. He would skipper a 32’ foot sailboat on Lake Superior with 4 or 5 boys on board; and by the end of their journey each of them would know the pride and joy of taking the helm while under sail. He was well known for his cooking skills on those trips, and boys would often return to camp regaling their cabin mates with tales of Byron’s hearty breakfasts and delicious steaks.
Though never a camper at Highlands, he did climb the ranks of the staffing positions; as counselor, trip leader, and eventually one of our head counselors. He took great pride in the fact that he was one of the trip leaders of Mike Bachmann’s first canoe trip, and was the man who taught Mike’s grandchildren to sail.
In his later years at Highlands, Byron played an intregal role in probably the most important place in all of camp; the kitchen. At Highlands, the boys are tasked with serving as the waiters for their cabin mates; and as you can imagine, not all 9 year olds are up to the task of properly setting the table, serving the food, or cleaning up efficiently afterwards. Byron masterfully made clueless young campers feel at ease with the proper protocols. He would arrive early before every meal, entertaining the campers with tales of why the knife blade always faces the plate (a ritual enacted by the knights of the middle ages, he claimed) as well as remind us all of the most important tool on the table, the ever present spatula!
His service and dedication will forever be remembered. Already a member of our Camp Highlands Hall of Fame, Byron Shinn will live on in our hearts as a most worthwhile and true Highlands man. He will be missed.
There will be a service of remembrance at 2 pm on Saturday, June 13th at the First Congregational Church of Western Springs. 1106 Chestnut, Western Springs Illinois.

Dear Highlands Family,
It is with a heavy heart that I write to you today. I recently spoke with Loren Shinn, and he passed along the news that his father and our friend Byron is in hospice care as he faces the end of the illness that he has battled these past several years.
After a meeting with his oncologist, they agreed that they had exhausted their best possible treatment options, and have decided to transition Byron’s treatment plan to pain management.
Byron continues to live at home, with assistance coming in regularly. While his physical state is deteriorating rapidly, he still has a warm heart and welcomes your thoughts and prayers. If you are so inclined, please drop him a note to:4309 Grand Ave. Western Springs, Illinois 60558.
Byron came to Highlands after being recruited by Doc Monilaw. That was in 1953. He took great pride in telling us that he took my father on his first canoe trip. Byron has shown many of us the great grace and joy of sailing. I have never seen him more alive than when skippering a 32’ boat through the Apostles- always with a grin on his face. Byron has been an active Highlands man for most of his adult life; sharing his love of Highlands with Loren, Carter, Janine and of course, our beloved Nanette.
His voice will forever be a part of the soundtrack of my Highlands experiences. Whether it is his bass harmonies on “Now the Day is Over” or his reminders to pick up the, “ever present spatula!” or hollering at campers sailing on Plum to “ease the main sheet!” This would have been Byron’s 50^th summer at Highlands. Though he won’t be with us on at camp, he will certainly be in our hearts. And Byron will forever be a part of our Highlands days.
Please keep the entire Shinn family in your thoughts this summer,
Many blessings to you all, and until we meet again, fare thee well.
Andy Bachmann
 

Last night I could hear the Cubbies finishing up their game of Mafia after a lively and adventurous Division Day. Division Day is when the divisions spend their afternoon together, playing games, tubing, hangin’ out, etc. They always end their day with hotdogs and marshmallows around the fire. Now, I’m not sure exactly HOW to play Mafia, but I know it involves one guy being the “mafia,” one guy being a doctor and one guy being a police officer. They all put their heads down, then the mafia guys lift their heads and designate someone to “off” and then the doctor lifts his head and designates someone to save, then the police officer gets to accuse someone – or something like that. I say this because I’ve never actually SEEN it played, but last night I HEARD it loud and clear.
One of the great things about being in the north woods is that there is almost NO noise pollution. Which means, on a beautiful clear night like last night, with no wind and a gorgeous sunset, I could hear everything those Cubbies said, even all the way over on the Point across the lake; which is where they were. And they were having a blast.
Funny thing about a campfire; it can make something as seemingly simple as lifting your head and trying not to giggle and pointing at your cabin mate seem like the greatest thing in the world. Whether it’s watching a marshmallow burn to a crisp, or gazing deeply into the embers of a dying fire, there is something magical about that time.
My son just returned from his three day hiking trip in the Porcupine Mountains. At this point in the summer, many of your guys have been out on their trips and have returned. His report post-trip was bubbling with excitement and pride; though most of the stories were of the zany misadventures and goofy things that happened. They always remember the goofy things – like when Jackson’s shoe got stuck in the mud, and he then accidentally sank his socked foot deep into the same mud; or when they all woke up in the morning piled in a heap in one small corner of the tent, with Eugenio’s feet in his face and Caleb’s head on his chest – and plenty of space in the other half of the tent.
One of the insights that my son relayed to me was a really cool realization he had one night, as they were all gathered around the fire. He looked around him and exclaimed, “There are FIVE different languages sitting around this fire!” And he was right. Two boys were from Mexico. One counselor has been preparing for his year abroad in China, and he speaks mandarin. One boy lives in France. And one boy speaks sign language. And yet here they were, this motley crew, gathered around the fire laughing at their misadventures, giggling about muddy socks, scheming how they can swipe the sweet campsite from the other camp tomorrow, having the time of their lives.
One of the greatest things I ever learned to do here at Camp Highlands is to make a one-match fire. A skill I still practice whenever my daughters beg for s’mores; and now that I think of it, a skill I will add to my resume. Because when you make a fire you do more than just spark a heat source. You invite imagination and laughter and thoughtful contemplation. And that, my friends, is a pretty awesome gift to share.
Better. Worthwhile. Highlands.
Andy

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.
 
 

It’s that time of year. There are endless graduations, recitals, art shows, teacher appreciation breakfasts and end-of-year parties. I don’t know about you, but I’ve probably had this conversation 10 times over the last couple of weeks as I mill about after said piano recital/art show/teacher-appreciation breakfast, drinking warm punch and eating iced grocery store cookies. It goes like this:
Adorable mom: So what are your summer plans?
Me: We do this *camp* thing. You know, oldest private boys camp in the country, northern Wisconsin, 111 summers, fourth generation, husband’s family, etc. [this is the abbreviated version] AM: Wooowww. That’s so cool! How many boys do you guys have?
Me: 110 or so per session. We have two sessions, a three week and a four week and many boys go for all seven.
AM: [look of terror crosses her face] Woah…four weeks? I could never send Howie away for four weeks. [Ok, almost no one is named Howie, I totally made that name up.] Well, I could see how your son could do it, since you guys are there all summer with him. What do your girls do while you’re there?
Me: Well, the baby is with a babysitter during the day, but our nine year old daughter goes to girl’s camp for four weeks.
AM: (GASP + look of terror) Four weeks! Don’t you miss her? Doesn’t she get homesick?
Me: I miss her like crazy! But after the first week, I adjust. She was homesick for the first week last year and we got the sweetest, most hysterical letters from her. But after that first week, we hardly heard a word from her. I figure it’s great practice for college. Plus, it’s been such a confidence builder for her. I can’t tell you how proud of herself she was when she came home. School isn’t her favorite, but camp, man, she’d live there year-round if she could. She is so excited she gets to take skiing this year!
AM: (considers this) Hmmm. Skiing? That’s really, really cool. You know, my dad went to summer camp in New York when he was a boy. What’s your website address again?
Moms and dads, you guys are doing a BRAVE thing. You are sending your child off to camp this summer. To a place that may or may not be known to you. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: it’s fierce. Remind yourself and your son that this a bold adventure and that, yes!, he might be homesick, and yes!, you’ll miss him. But he’s going to have so.much.fun. He’s going to learn.so.much. And you’ll all come out on the other side, counting down the days until next summer.
And on that note…
I ❤ CH // tracy b.
 

Camp Highlands is more than a camp. It’s an institution. It was founded in 1904 by a University of Chicago lab-school principal charged with giving boys a “real wilderness experience.” For more than a century we have had the honor of watching boys grow and learn, struggle and persevere, play and explore.

Boys throw balls on the same fields as Heisman trophy winners Jay Berwanger and Nile Kinnick. They paddle the same waters as Senator William Proxmire and Ambassador George Kennan. They perform on the same stage as playwright Archibold MacLeish and actor Bruce Dern. While we celebrate those great men of the past, we believe that every Highlands camper is capable of greatness.

Camp Highlands is more than a camp. It’s an institution. It was founded in 1904 by a University of Chicago lab-school principal charged with giving boys a “real wilderness experience.” For more than a century we have had the honor of watching boys grow and learn, struggle and persevere, play and explore.

Boys throw balls on the same fields as Heisman trophy winners Jay Berwanger and Nile Kinnick. They paddle the same waters as Senator William Proxmire and Ambassador George Kennan. They perform on the same stage as playwright Archibold MacLeish and actor Bruce Dern. While we celebrate those great men of the past, we believe that every Highlands camper is capable of greatness.

Camp Highlands is more than a camp. It’s an institution. It was founded in 1904 by a University of Chicago lab-school principal charged with giving boys a “real wilderness experience.” For more than a century we have had the honor of watching boys grow and learn, struggle and persevere, play and explore.

Boys throw balls on the same fields as Heisman trophy winners Jay Berwanger and Nile Kinnick. They paddle the same waters as Senator William Proxmire and Ambassador George Kennan.

Camp Highlands is more than a camp. It’s an institution. It was founded in 1904 by a University of Chicago lab-school principal charged with giving boys a “real wilderness experience.” For more than a century we have had the honor of watching boys grow and learn, struggle and persevere, play and explore.

Boys throw balls on the same fields as Heisman trophy winners Jay Berwanger and Nile Kinnick. They paddle the same waters as Senator William Proxmire and Ambassador George Kennan. They perform on the same stage as playwright Archibold MacLeish and actor Bruce Dern. While we celebrate those great men of the past, we believe that every Highlands camper is capable of greatness.

Camp Highlands is more than a camp. It’s an institution. It was founded in 1904 by a University of Chicago lab-school principal charged with giving boys a “real wilderness experience.” For more than a century we have had the honor of watching boys grow and learn, struggle and persevere, play and explore.

Boys throw balls on the same fields as Heisman trophy winners Jay Berwanger and Nile Kinnick. They paddle the same waters as Senator William Proxmire and Ambassador George Kennan. They perform on the same stage as playwright Archibold MacLeish and actor Bruce Dern. While we celebrate those great men of the past, we believe that every Highlands camper is capable of greatness.

Camp Highlands is more than a camp. It’s an institution. It was founded in 1904 by a University of Chicago lab-school principal charged with giving boys a “real wilderness experience.” For more than a century we have had the honor of watching boys grow and learn, struggle and persevere, play and explore.

Boys throw balls on the same fields as Heisman trophy winners Jay Berwanger and Nile Kinnick. They paddle the same waters as Senator William Proxmire and Ambassador George Kennan.

Camp Highlands is more than a camp. It’s an institution. It was founded in 1904 by a University of Chicago lab-school principal charged with giving boys a “real wilderness experience.” For more than a century we have had the honor of watching boys grow and learn, struggle and persevere, play and explore.

Boys throw balls on the same fields as Heisman trophy winners Jay Berwanger and Nile Kinnick. They paddle the same waters as Senator William Proxmire and Ambassador George Kennan. They perform on the same stage as playwright Archibold MacLeish and actor Bruce Dern. While we celebrate those great men of the past, we believe that every Highlands camper is capable of greatness.

Camp Highlands is more than a camp. It’s an institution. It was founded in 1904 by a University of Chicago lab-school principal charged with giving boys a “real wilderness experience.” For more than a century we have had the honor of watching boys grow and learn, struggle and persevere, play and explore.

Boys throw balls on the same fields as Heisman trophy winners Jay Berwanger and Nile Kinnick. They paddle the same waters as Senator William Proxmire and Ambassador George Kennan. They perform on the same stage as playwright Archibold MacLeish and actor Bruce Dern. While we celebrate those great men of the past, we believe that every Highlands camper is capable of greatness.

Camp Highlands is more than a camp. It’s an institution. It was founded in 1904 by a University of Chicago lab-school principal charged with giving boys a “real wilderness experience.” For more than a century we have had the honor of watching boys grow and learn, struggle and persevere, play and explore.