Week 3, 2005

The Great Northwoods EcoChallenge!

Every other year the great Northwoods becomes the staging area for Nicolet's very own version of the EcoChallenge. Patterned after one of the original reality TV shows, 15 teams compete to see who can be the first to complete a course of 15 separate environmental elements and challenges. This event requires teamwork and collaborative leadership in order to successfully negotiate the entire team through the likes of "boulder valley", the "raging river", the "haunted forest", and the "spider's web". Teams must cross a channel, climb a mountain, and canoe around yellow island. One of our favorite special days at Nicolet, 2005 EcoChallenge was a huge success and everyone displayed great enthusiasm, wonderful sportswomanship, and had lots of fun!

		Above: taking a mandatory rest stop in the shade at Bivouac Base Camp. Below: The yellow team works together at Pioneer Portage to get to the Trading Post canoe rack.
Navigating the obstacles through Boulder Valley. The Spider's Web was a problem solving game. The trust walk through Haunted Forest. The channel swim cooled off our hearty competitors. The Blue Team came in #1! The Black Team was ready for the challenge while the Red Team was in close pursuit.		Braving the Raging River crossing required teamwork. Spotters help a team member over the big mountain.

Each team runs to the tennis courts holding hands to be greeted by preceding teams that have formed an arch and cheer them to the finish. The Northwoods EcoChallenge is truly a day of working together with friends of all ages in the spirit of fun and support.

Nicolet Riders Enjoy Gymkhana Games

During the final week of 1st Session all Nicolet riders are invited to participate in fun games on horseback. Using the skills learned during lessons, riders try their skill with egg

on spoon races, dodging through cones, and other fun games. The toasty time at the stables was followed by lunch and a refreshing all camp dip (ACD) in Franklin Lake.

Hawaiian Luau is Special Dining Hall Event

Complete with a Hawaiian princess, fruit pizza, and music for the mood, campers and staff dressed for the occasion and limboed their way out of the Dining Hall during this fun time.

Creative Cookouts in the Outpost Campsites

		Pines and Spruce cabins enjoy kabobs and trying their hand at making dough boys for dessert.
		Pumping water from the well at Gunner's Grove is always a new and fun experience.
		Cedar cabin wins the potato fry for the week! Left: Nicolet alumna, Barbara "Bog" Hollmann, is the person who originally helped establish some of the sites in the 1960s which are now a part of the Outpost.
Marina finishes off a record seventeen pieces of juicy watermelon at the 7 weeker BBQ Saturday evening.		7 Weeker Trip a Hit All the 7 week campers enjoyed a fun Saturday outing which included a special private showing of "Willy Wonka", go karting at Kartway, lunch at McDonald's, followed by an ACD at camp, a BBQ supper, a rousing game of capture the flag, another ACD, and a slumber party in Forest Lodge. Whew...what a day! We are now anxiously awaiting the arrival of our 2nd Session campers and more fun times to come.

Campers Receive Awards for 1st Session Accomplishments

Above: campers display certificates and patches earned during their first session activities. Congrats! Left: Riding staff award the Most Improved First Session Rider honor to Alyssa for a job well done.

"The Godmother" Comes to the Little Theater

The Nicolet Players proudly presented a most entertaining rendition of David Foxton's

"The Godmother". Parents, campers, staff, and friends of camp viewed the production which was directed by Karen Julyan, our 2005 Theater Arts Director. Thanks to the numerous helping hands and hours of rehearsals, our 1st session play was a great success and enjoyed by all.

Franklin Factoid: E-mail your camper at notes@campnicolet.com or fax a message to 715-545-3737. Remember to include your daughter's cabin name on mailed envelopes!

Thanks to Kelly Edwards and Karen Julyan for their photographic contributions in this issue of News from Franklin Lake.

Coming up in Week 4 (July 17 - July 23):

Sunday, July 17 - 2nd session campers arrive, evening introductions

Monday, July 18 - activity orientation and sign-ups, Camp Sister party, sea kayak

                          safety clinic at camp

Tuesday, July 19 - sea kayak trippers depart, evening electives

Wednesday, July 20 - Manitowish Leadership course, cookout #4

Thursday, July 21 - evening electives

Friday, July 22 - sea kayak trippers return

Saturday, July 23 - Nicolet Invitational Sailing Regatta