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The Lakesider Newsletter of YMCA Camp Pepin
Spring Issue 2010
Summer Camp is Coming! Sign up now online at www.camppepin.org or call 651-388-4724.
Camp Almanac
One month ago, snow still covered almost everything. Now the snow is gone and the daytime temperatures are very spring-like, although nights are still chilly. The robins are back. Sand-hill cranes can be heard almost daily overhead. Spring peeper frogs are enjoying the high water that’s left in the marshland from the swelling of the river. The lake opened up in front of camp in late March. Ice this winter on the lake measured 30 inches in some spots.
Director’s Chat: Camp – What Does It Mean To You?
The English word camp comes from the Latin word campus, meaning “a field.” And, in its earliest days, Camp Pepin really did begin as just a field. But the word camp has evolved into meaning so much more over the years, just as Camp Pepin has also become so much more in its 75 years of history.
It is interesting to note that many of the dictionary definitions of the modern word camp imply the notion of safety, or being safe – one of the top priorities of any camp director. But the other definitions of the word depend upon whom you ask.
My son and my daughter identify camp as home, since this is where they have grown up. But a number of campers have also told me that it’s their home-away-from-home, too. Some of our campers have said that this is a place where they feel safe or where they can truly be themselves. Others define camp by their favorite activities, such as a place to ride horses, create a theatrical performance, sail a boat, or swim in the lake.
Many of the campers and staff relate camp to the friends they have made here or to the brothers, sisters, and cousins that they come with each summer. It as a place to practice a craft and to play Capture-the-Flag. It is a place to take on team challenges and to train college resident hall mentors. It is a place to practice a symphonic piece and to join in fellowship with each other. It is a place of many people playing games and singing loudly; it is a place of quiet solitude among the trees.
It is amazing to realize how this one place along the shores of Lake Pepin – this one camp – can mean all of these things to so many people. Yet over the course of 75 years, these are the definitions that have emerged from the thousands of guests, visitors, campers, and staff that have been a part of Camp Pepin. Camp has come a long way from its roots of being just “a field.”
Just Announced: 1-Week Dance Camp, August 8-13
Many campers have asked about the possibility of there being a 1-Week Dance Camp (just like our 1-Week Theater Camp), so here it is! The 1-Week Dance Camp will just be a shortened version of the original 2-Week session. The Dance Campers will be able to work with instructors from the acclaimed James Sewell Ballet of Minneapolis as they create a modern dance performance that is “stage-ready” by the end of their session. The performance will be held at the historic Sheldon Theatre in Red Wing, Minnesota, on Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. Tickets will be on sale at the theatre’s box office the night of the show. No dance experience is necessary to register for this camp.
Maple Syrup and Family Fun Day celebrates 5th Anniversary
On March 27th, Camp Pepin celebrated its 5th Annual Maple Syrup and Family Fun Day. This year, we served over 250 pancakes as visitors took part in maple syruping demonstrations, camp tours, arts & crafts, archery, and the climbing tower. It was nice to see so many past and present staff and campers, as well as many of our neighbors from the local communities. Thank you to staff volunteers Melissa “Shorty” Bergdall, Katie “Katie Kat” Gramse, Anna Hennessy, Makenna Klein, Manda “Biner” Vlasak, and Bryan Weir (who came all the way from Scotland to halp). Next year’s Maple Syrup Day will be on Saturday, March 26th – hope to see you there!
Last Camp Pizza and Parent Information Night on April 26 at the Red Wing YMCA
This will be our last scheduled pizza and parent information night before the summer for anyone that would like to learn about Camp Pepin and meet the directors in person. This event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP with Joetta at 651-388-4724.
Camp Pepin to Host Family Camp over Memorial Day Weekend
For all of the adults that have wanted to come to camp with your campers - now you can! Start the tradition of coming to Camp Pepin's annual Family Camp over Memorial Day weekend. Our flexible schedule will allow you and your family to play at the lake, make a craft to bring home, try your skill at the target range, go for a paddle, challenge yourself on our high ropes course, or simply spend time relaxing together. We will also provide family-style meals in our Dining Hall and have an evening campfire blazing on the beach for families to enjoy before heading for bed. The quaint towns and villages nearby also provide wonderful day-trips for antiquing, shopping, or dining at a local eatery. Our cozy cabins are shared by family groups, so if you know of others that would like to attend camp and stay in your cabin, have them sign-up with you. Tent camping is also available at one of our campsites. Call the Red Wing Family YMCA at 651-388-4724 to register.
Making Camp More Affordable For Everyone: Camperships
The YMCA offers financial assistance to campers and their families who are eligible for Camperships. Camperships may be applied towards camp tuition and are based on available resources. To learn about eligibility or to request a Campership application, contact the Red Wing Family YMCA.
Meet the 2010 Staff!
Welcome to the summer staff members of 2010! They are:
Sam Brady (Red Wing, MN), Robyn Brommer (Nelson, WI), Gina Carswell (Corcoran, MN), Frances Carlson (Minneapolis, MN), Caleigh Cassidy (South Elgin, IL), John Dahl (Minneapolis, MN), Betsy Dorow (Carver, MN), Sam Dunn (Wisbech, England), Michel Emery (Milperra, Australia), Emily Evenson (Cambridge, WI), Erin Gallagher (Woodbury, MN), Luke Granholm (Arden Hills, MN), Erin Gutknecht (Inver Grove, MN), Sarah Harrington (Minneapolis, MN), Adam Helsby (Liverpool, England), Anna Hennessy (Red Wing, MN), Meg Hennessy (Red Wing, MN), David Hill (Liverpool, England), Taylor Hills-Phillips (Peterborough, Australia), Brenda Johnson (Pepin, WI), Tim Jurney (Apple Valley, MN), Makenna Klein (Hastings, MN), Cynthia Koenigsberg (Farmington, MN), Scott Kolby (Stockholm, WI), Mitch Korbel (Montgomery, MN), Milton Link (Leominster, MA), Ru McDowell (London, England), Chris McFarlane (Tirau, New Zealand), Judy Mittag (Wabasha, MN), Josh Mogenson (Kiel, WI), Layla Moosavi (Greendale, WI), Megan Neveau (Kewaunee, WI), Hillary Niemi (Withee, WI), William Norman (Stockholm, WI), Celeste Olson (Wabasha, MN), Crissi Schieffer (Waconia, MN), Jake Seward (Liverpool, England), Mikey Spaulding (Nerstrand, MN), Oscar Stewart (Tauranga, New Zealand), Joel Torgeson (Pine Island, MN), Rachel Watson (Edinburgh, Scotland), Bryan Weir (Edinburgh, Scotland), and Alison York (Pepin, WI).
Our staff will be coming from all over the world this summer with the common goal of providing a safe and enjoyable experience for all of our campers. We are very much looking forward to the summer!
Hi folks! It’s Kimmy the Kayaker.
My game for the Winter Issue was a trivia game:
The answers are:
Unfortunately, no one answered all five questions correctly, so here is my new game:
Unscramble these five camp words:
Winners with all five correct answers will receive a Camp Pepin baseball cap from the Camp Store. The winners’ names will also be posted in Kimmy’s Korner in the next issue of The Lakesider. Anyone is eligible to play, including campers, staff, and alumni. Good luck – see you at camp!
Wish List
YMCA Camp Pepin Staff
Scott Kolby, Camp Director William Norman, Assistant Camp Director Joetta Oien, Camp Office Manager
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