Camp Echo Weekly E-Newsletter July 29, 2002 The Camp Echo E-List is now at 450 members. Spread the word! If you want to be removed from this list, reply and let me know. ***** Next issue: 2 weeks, August 11 or 12 ***** Family Camp ----------- As of July 16, there were still 2 cabins available for Family Camp Week (August 17-24), 12 cabins for Family Mini Week (August 25-29), and 9 cabins for Labor Day Weekend. These numbers include both staff cabins and camper cabins. Terry and Jon Brenner will be coordinating the week-long programs and Katie Trippi will head up the weekend. We still need staff! Hit your reply button if you can join us. Main Camp Report for Session D ------------------------------ In a break from the traditional opening night Generals Game, Jorjambo (Jordan Shea, James Kinney and Bob Ettinger) created a clever station game that ended each segment with a dash to the bell tower and an ever-dwindling pile of "Spoons". Tuesday night was Sadie Hawkins Day, where the girls literally chased the boys, earning points for each capture. On Wednesday the boys marched off the peninsula for Field Training Exercises (FTX) while the girls had their "Night In". Thursday featured the "Mr and Mrs Echo" contest which Australian staff member Sean "Stretch" Waeny won for the second time this summer. For the weekend, staff members Jordan Shea (Tin Man), Tony Marshall (Cowardly Lion), Luke Larmee (Scarecrow), Lindsay Thompson (Dorothy), and Lisa Koerner (Glinda) brought us the Wizard of Oz Olympics. The Lollipop Guild, Flying Monkeys, Emerald Citizens, and Twisters competed to win back the heart, brain, bravery, and dog of the central characters. Sunday night saw over 90 campers participate in the summer's second Across the Lake Swim. Second week Monday we played The Game of Life and Tuesday was Rush Night, another Jorjambo Production. On Wednesday the CITs hosted a station game, this time with a maintenance theme. Property Manager Rob Johnston and his crew put together a dozen clever events and built a trophy for the winning cabin. On Thursday we played a four-way Generals Game concocted by Nate Baumgart -- campers played on teams named Kitchen, Barn, Maintenance, and Bell Tower. The session ended with another rousing campfire, the burning triangle, and a number of poignant (e.g. Al Head, Bob & Dan Ettinger) log dedications. Teen Camp Report (by Dawn Summers, Teen Camp Director) ---------------- During Session D, two trips departed from Camp Echo. Emily Kritzler, Gus Granchalek, and Tom Hodgman led 12 campers on the Great Lakes Bike trip. They started at the Wilderness State Park, just south of the Mackinaw Bridge and rode their bikes back to camp via the coastline of Lake Michigan. They spent a layover day at Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes part way through their trip. Although slowed by heat and the challenge of the terrain, all fifteen riders report having a great time. They rolled into camp on Friday, dropped their bikes, and jumped into the lake in celebration. Session D saw the return of our Georgian Bay Sea Kayak trip led by long-time trip guide Al Head, Kiersten Rippeteau, and Nate Plotkin. Six campers and their guides drove to Noble, Ontario and met with the staff of White Squall Paddling Center, who outfitted our crew with the proper gear, instructed them in art of paddling a sea kayak, and sent them on their tour of the Georgian Bay coastline. Each and every one of them said the trip was fantastic, the scenery gorgeous, and they had a great time. Session D saw two more fine crews of campers and instructors at Birches and Outpost. Tristan Roche and Tiffany Primus oversaw 11 campers at Birches and Brent Handy and Barb Morgan worked with 12 campers at Outpost. Both sites have gone rock climbing at Grand Ledge, canoeing on the Pine River, and spent time on Camp Echo's high ropes course. Additionally, they have done a service project, worked on leadership skills, and had an opportunity to do a solo. Both crews were reported to have a fabulous time. Once again during Session D, Tom Zwergel mentored the CIT's and LIT's. He was assisted by Tom Burke for a full week, and by volunteer Hannah Nelson, who came for 3 days to help out. This session they worked with 16 CIT's and 11 LIT's. The CIT's led cabin group activities and taps talks, led various camptivities, and learned some facilitation skills on part of the low ropes course. They also went rock climbing, took a trip to the Lake Michigan shore and challenged themselves on the high ropes course. Their final project was to construct a new element for our low ropes course called "The Ring on the Giant's Finger". Thanks CIT's for your hard work! The LIT's were assigned to and lived in camper cabins and worked to increase their "bag of tricks" - otherwise known as their leadership and counseling skills. The LIT's also had the opportunity to assist at the program areas in order to learn the skills necessary to run those areas in the future. Additionally, they received facilitation training on the low ropes course, had a night out in Fremont, and challenged themselves on the high ropes course. Our thanks for all their hard work! Alumni Notes ------------ Echo alumni Nick Laatsch and Elisabeth Traum were married on Saturday, July 20th, in Missoula, Montana! The wedding was at Snowbowl, the local ski mountain, and many friends from Echo and Evanston made it all the way out to help celebrate. Nick and Elisabeth met on "The Taste of the Southwest" trip during the summer of 1995. Elisabeth reports, "Besides many wonderful summer memories, you can imagine that Echo holds a big place in our hearts. We often talk about when we will make it back to Echo. If we ever move back to the Midwest, we will definitely be there." Volunteers! ---------- As mentioned above, Hannah Nelson joined us for three days last week, assisting Tom Zwergel with the CIT/LIT programs. Kudos to John Donohue and Katie Trippi who have been helping with the bus departures in Evanston on Sunday mornings. A big thank you to all the Camp Committee members who made it up to Echo last weekend, especially Brian Becharas (and Ajax!) who arrived on Wednesday. Dave Allen (with Betsy and Jack), Mark Collins, and Frank Barber joined us Friday evening, while Larry Goldberg and Ron Gibson came in Saturday for the annual Camp Committee Meeting. Our guest of honor was Neil Featherstone, Camp Director for 11 years spanning the 60s. Neil (and wife Karen) talked to the Committee and a number of current Echo staff members about his years at Echo and some of the personalities that helped to make Echo great. Sarah Flax, McGaw YMCA Development Director, visited this past weekend and helped Trading Post Manager Josh Newman (and my wife Louie, also a volunteer) tabulate the TP accounts for Session D. Songs of the Week ----------------- (These may be simple, but they are Big Hits this summer!) HOG CALLING TIME When it's hog calling time in the Ozarks, When it's hog calling time in the Ozarks, When it's hog calling time in the Ozarks, Then it's hog calling time in the Ozarks. Second verse: Humming and preaching Third verse: Same as first verse TARZAN OF THE APES I like bananas, coconuts and grapes; I like bananas, coconuts and grapes; I like bananas, coconuts and grapes; That's why they call me TARZAN OF THE APES! Subsequent verses: Same, quieter, with ending LOUD Feel The Spirit! -- Rob Grierson Camp Echo Director rg@mcgawymca.org