Camp Echo E-Newsletter August 12, 2002 Back issues are archived at The Camp Echo E-List is now at 459 members. Spread the word! If you want to be removed from this list, reply and let me know. ***** Next issue: 2 weeks, August 26 ***** Announcing ---------- Alumni Play Weekend (a work weekend without the work) September 13-14-15, 2002 Come back to Echo to swim, sail, ski, do archery, canoe around the lake, play softball, or simply hang out on the peninsula. Returning alumni will run the areas. Children will need full time supervision from their parents; this is an unstructured weekend, and is not set up like a true 'Family Camp'. $100 adults 18 or over $ 50 children 2-17 $ 25 children under 2 Choose tent camping in the trip center field; dormitory living on the hill; or shared family cabins on the peninsula, all at the same rates. Meals served Saturday breakfast through Sunday lunch. To register: Reply to this email and request a PDF form via email attachment, or a printed form via snail mail (include your snail mail address!) Questions? Email Tom Fischl . Main Camp Report ---------------- After the traditional opening campfire on Sunday and the Generals Game on Monday, Session E campers were treated to three very creative programs. Tuesday featured a unique question-and-answer game (sort of a treasure hunt) devised by Bartek Bartoszwicz; Wednesday we were treated to a giant game of Clue with a rock star theme; and Thursday was Austin Powers Casino Night. Our weekend Olympics, a JorJamBo (Jordan Shea, James Kinney, and Bob Ettinger) production, had a "Lord of the Rings" theme. The Wizards, Elves, Dwarves, and Hobbits competed in numerous clever events. At the closing ceremony, Galdalf threw the ring into Mount Doom (the swim raft) and it exploded into a shower of fireworks. Sunday night's Across the Lake Swim saw over 60 campers go the distance. Monday was a Staff Auction with fabulous prizes. Tuesday night was Lip Synch night, and Wednesday was "Aussie Day" -- Tom Gardner and Stretch Waeny took over the reigns of camp and it was ... literally ... chaos; a Staff Hunt ended the day. Thursday's closing campfire wrapped it all up. At the closing staff campfire the 2002 Rookie of the Summer (Tony Marshall) and Good Guy (Rob Grierson) were announced. Their names will join the ranks of the many others from years past on the plaques in the Dining Hall. Teen Camp Report (by Dawn Summers, Teen Camp Director) ---------------- During Session E, the two final trips of the 2002 summer departed from Camp Echo. Gus Granchalek, Tom Hodgman,and Nate Plotkin led a group of 10 boys to the Upper Peninsula for the Boys Trailblazers Trip. After a few days of preparation at camp, they headed to the UP to paddle the Big Two Hearted River and hike the North Country Trail. After practicing lightning drills the first day due to big thunderstorms in the area, the weather for the rest of the trip was beautiful and mosquitoes were almost non-existent. It was reported that a good time was had by all and all came back sporting moustaches. I guess these trips really can turn boys into men. The other trip this session was the Isle Royale Trek led by Brent Handy, Emily Kritzler, and Meredith Stevens. Six trekkers accompanied the instructors over land and water to the archipelago known as Isle Royale; into the beautiful and remote landscape where no roads exist. They hiked and mingled with loons, moose, leeches, and the historical remains of mines and other human operations that have dotted the island's landscape for generations. The views were breathtaking and the early morning swims in pristine lakes were the coffee the hikers needed to jumpstart their days. All said they would turn right around and do it again if given the opportunity. 'Nuff said! Session E saw the final two crews of campers and instructors at Birches and Outpost for 2002. Tristan Roche and Liza Behles oversaw 14 campers at Outpost and Tiffany Primus and Christy Lombardi worked with 14 campers at Birches. Both sites canoed the Pine River, spent time on Camp Echo's high ropes course, did a service project, worked on leadership skills, and had an opportunity to do a solo. Outpost was able to go rock climbing, but unfortunately, Birches climbing day was rained out. Both crews were reported to have had a great time and to have learned more about themselves and each other. It is not an easy thing to live in and as a community for two weeks. Way to go! Once again during Session E, Tom Zwergel worked his magic with the CIT and LIT program and this session he was ably assisted by Sara Lipton Carey. The CITs led cabin group activities and taps talks, as well as various camptivities. They learned some facilitation skills on part of the low ropes course, went rock climbing, and challenged themselves on the high ropes course. They helped run two evening programs and were one of the best groups of CITs all summer for their energy and drive to learn and help. Over the weekend of the session, the whole group took off and hiked 11 miles of the local portion of the North Country Trail, spending a night camping before returning to camp - one of their better experiences, I was told. The LITs were assigned to and lived in camper cabins and worked to increase their "bag of tricks" - otherwise known as their leadership and counseling skills. They were an integral part of the main camp cabin experience. The LITs 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! My personal thanks to all of my teen staff and the campers that came to Teen Camp programs this year. You have all worked to make this summer a smashing success. I have learned tons in my first summer at Camp Echo and respect you all for the integrity and spirit you bring to camp. Thanks for a great summer. Keep your eyes peeled for news this winter of changes, improvements, and additions to the Teen Camp Program that will be available for next summer. Onward and upward! Alumni Notes ------------ Justin Belew writes, " As I take a break from the hustle and bustle of work (but it's only 9:45 am!), reading this makes me miss Echo so much. The place is so special in and of itself, but just reading the names of the staff brings back wonderful memories. I know a lot of the old gang understood when I started to distance myself from Echo, leaving for 'the real world', but I have not forgotten Echo and I definitely intend to return one day. While on my extended 'departure', it is good to know that Camp Echo is still going strong. I'm disjointed as usual, but very happy to get the emails, even if they bring a tear. Best always, Justin." Jeff Campbell writes, "I cannot express how much I have enjoyed the email updates on Echo. Each time I read them I feel the 'Echo' calling and am ready to say to my wife (Liz) and two children (Adam, 10 & Ben, 6), 'We are moving to Fremont and living the rest of the summer at Echo!' Rob Johnston stopped by my house last winter on his yearly winter break and we reminisced about the great times we had at Echo. "I am in Cleveland Ohio, Sales manager of Health Aid of Ohio selling wheelchairs (powered of course). Liz and I are celebrating our 16th wedding anniversary this week. I am the Den Leader for Adam and Ben (Cub Scouts) and am still working on my Sky Ranch project (building a barrier free family campground check for info). Keep up the great newsletter updates." Andy Hammerman writes, "Greetings from Ecuador! I started coming to Echo when I was in fifth grade (1976) when you were Program Director at Boys Camp. Ken Mulsoff was the Director, and I remember the years with Ted Brunger and Muriel too. I kept extending for more sessions and coming back even through high school when I worked on Barn Crew teaching horseback riding. My older brother Arnie was also a horseback riding freak. "Even now, so many years later without riding horses, I can get on a horse and feel completely comfortable and in control. My wife and I live in rural Ecuador, where it is more common to have a horse, burro or llama than it is to have a car. In fact we have 7 llamas, 3 dogs, 4 ducks, 12 chickens and a flock of black sheep. We have run and built the Black Sheep Inn. As a suburban boy from Highland Park, I am sure that it was my summer experiences at Camp Echo that that made me choose to live so rurally now. "I often try to explain the wacky traditions and songs to my wife, Michelle, and she just looks at me funny. Camp Echo has such a fantastic creative emphasis; it has a get it done attitude, whether as a team or by yourself; AND Camp Echo also has an anything is possible attitude. I can't say that I could rave about my Highland Park experiences as much as I can about Echo. "Anyway, check out our web page . I would love to get contact information for Joan, Sue and Sandy Mulsoff, and for Patti Bischoff if you have it. There are others like John Fowler, Ken Tramel, Steve Carver, and more that I remember ... Claire Carver and I have remained friends over the years and as she said, she plans to 'honeymoon' in Ecuador in the fall. All the best, Keeping the Echo Spirit, Andy." Job Mart -------- O'Fischl Sports in Evanston is looking for someone to work retail. No experience necessary; limited weekends; flexible hours; full time; benefits; fun place to work. Call Tom Fischl 847-475-7777 or email . You Know You're An "Echo Head" If ... ------------------------------------- .. you own a Mambo-Sock. .. you remember when Arts & Crafts was in the boat house. .. you ever lived in the Point cabin. .. Rob Johnston and Flo don't scare you. .. you ever went to Pleasure Island for layover. .. going to WalMart and Goodwill sounds like a blast. .. you ever got the Spirit Award. .. you've ever been to Crystal Lake. .. you were there when they had Riflery camptivity. .. you crave grilled cheese and tomato soup. .. you've ever kissed the moose. .. you consider pink cake a delicacy. .. you attended a campfire behind Ben Snyder Lodge. .. you watched an Echo vs. Pinewood softball game. .. you've ever stayed in the tripping center. .. you were ever on the old swing at outpost. .. you stayed out all night on your solo. .. you own a Crazy Creek. .. your name was ever called by "Peter Pumpkin Package Man". .. you ever ran so you could be the first in line at TP. .. you've had a group that couldn't complete a low ropes. .. you used to swing on the rafters before they got covered up. .. you ever woke up early to go to a polar bear swim. .. you've helped paint a plaque for your Olympics team. .. you know what wintergreen Lifesavers do in the dark. .. you've ever played a Sleeze in the Social Lodge on a rainy day. .. "You wanna wake up in the morning at dear old Camp Echo..." Contributed by Rachel D. Goldberg, Junior Counselor 2002 Feel The Spirit! -- Rob Grierson Camp Echo Director rg@mcgawymca.org