July 21, 2003

Thanks for dropping by this edition of "News from Franklin Lake," where we have lots and lots to show you and tell you about from the past week and a half or so at Camp Nicolet! Campers and staff sure have been busy, as we'll show you some great pictures from the First Session Riding Gymkhana, the First Session Nicolet Players Production, pictures from the arrival of Second Session campers, from Marathon Day - which took place yesterday, and we are proud that some Nicolet Alums joined us at camp for some of these awesome activities... and of course, we did catch them on camera, so we have those pictures, too! So, as you can see, there's never a dull moment when you're at camp... and more things are happening as we speak. The Sea Kayak and Sylvania Canoe trips left today, the Kawaga Ski Tournament is coming up later this week, the first-ever Red Pine tennis tournament will happen this coming Saturday, and of course we're looking forward to Week 5 Cookouts, Campfire, and more! Whew! So sit back and enjoy the pictures, and Think Sunshine!

- Excellent Events At Nicolet -

July 20th, 2003:
Marathon Day 2003!!!

July 21st, 2003:
Apostle Islands Sea Kayak Trip and Sylvania Canoe Trip Depart

July 23rd, 2003:
Sylvania I Returns, Sylvania II Departs, & Kawaga Ski Tournament
Week 5 Cookouts and Trail Adventures

July 24th, 2003:
Sea Kayak Trip Returns

July 25th, 2003:
Sylvania II Returns

July 26th, 2003:
Red Pine Tennis Tournament & Campfire

July 27th, 2003:
Second Session Talent Show

July 28th, 2003:
Porcupine Mountains Backpacking Trip Departs

July 29th, 2003:
Nicolet Invitational Soccer Tournament
& Menominee Tennis Tournament

July 30th, 2003:
Porkies I Returns, Porkies II Departs
Week 6 Cookouts and Trail Adventures

July 31st, 2003:
Discover SCUBA (for enrolled participants)

The 2003 Nicolet Gymkhana
photos by Georgi Starz


The Gymkhana gets rollin' with a running start... Fun!

Camp Nicolet traditionally holds a Horse Show at then end of Second Session each year... but a number of years back it was thought, "What special event can be held in the riding area for First Session campers???" And with that, the Nicolet Gymkhana came to be. The Gymkhana is an afternoon full of relays and fun - on horseback! Campers enjoy this challenging afternoon, as it tests their skills learned during their First Session riding classes. Relays include leading horses, the bucket race, cone courses, and more! Here are some fun pictures of the games in action and of the participants following this special event!


Who can lead their horse the fastest and most accurately?

Happy participants receive their Gymkhana ribbons!!!

Everyone's a winner at Camp Nicolet!

First Session Drama Production by Jeremy Starz All through First Session campers and staff worked very hard on the Nicolet Players production of "The Real Snow White - Uncut" presented on Friday, July 11th for fellow campers, parents, and alumni. As the title suggests, "The Real Snow White - Uncut" is the story of what "really happened" in the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The "Real" version was written by Drama Director Tabitha Collins and was produced by Collins, Co-Director Katy Eagen, and the Nicolet Players. Congratulations on a GREAT SHOW to all who participated!!!

Great Job Nicolet Players and Staff!

Congratulations!
Some First Session award winners...
photos by Georgi Starz

Congrats to the recipients of the
First Session Riding and Sports Awards!
And Welcome!!!
Second Session 2003 Begins at Nicolet...
photos by Georgi Starz

Cedar... on camera, welcoming new campers...
and caught off guard!

Balsam and Little Fawn welcome new campers to their cabins!

"Grin and Bear it..." Part Two! by Jeremy Starz Picture day is also one of those long-standing Camp Nicolet traditions. Hanging in the Lodge are many pictures from years gone by that are actually two pictures spliced together in the middle to make one camp picture. The photographer used to line up the entire camp on the Lodge steps or on the Sportsfield... he would aim the camera at one half of the group and snap the picture, would change the plate in his camera, and then aim at the other half of the group and take another picture. Provided no one moved, the pictures would then fit together in a perfect match and would give the appearance of one big camp picture. Nicolet Alums probably remember this process quite well. But, times have changed, and we have some fun pictures of Staff, Nicolet Chips, and Sisters to show you from Second Session "Grin and Bear It" Day!

Always lots of smiling Nicolet faces!

"Green Pride... and Buffy Duckies!"
Marathon Day 2003!!!
photos by Chris Starz


The Buff Team and the Green Team get set for Marathon Day!
It's a day which is anticipated throughout the year... who will win the most events? Who will score the most points? Who will win the Marathon? Who will have the bragging rights throughout the next year? These are questions only an event like Camp Nicolet's Marathon Day can answer. Marathon Day, another camp tradition, was devised sometime during the late 1960s by then-Program Director Barbara Hollmann. The premise was that camp would be divided into two teams, the Green Team and the Buff Team - which represent the camp colors. These teams would meet during the morining of Marathon Day and would devise a team song, banner, and cheer. Also, campers would be given a spot in one of the "team" events and in the Marathon which is the final event of the day. After the presentation of the song, banner, and cheer after lunch, the "team" events would begin... tennis, softball, volleyball, trampball, badminton, basketball, tug-of-war. In the "team" events, the winning team would be given a certain number of points for each event won, and the runner-up would receive consolation points for participation. After the "team" events conclude, the Marathon Race - worth the most number of points - begins. Each camper on each team waits at one of about 50 stations around camp... stations include horseback riding skills, putting on water skis, fire building, lap swimming, rigging sailboats, kayaking, rowing, free-throws, volleyball serves, riding bikes, and more! Everyone has a chance to get involved! Runners begin at the sound of an air horn from in front of the lodge... they have batons which they pass to the next person waiting at the next station. Then that person passes the baton to the next person at the next station at the completion of their event, and so on. The goal is to be the team which gets through the 50 stations the fastest, and get your baton to the flagpole before the other team does. In 2003, the Green Team won the Marathon! Go Green! But after the points from the "team" events were totaled, it was determined that, even after being runner-up in the Marathon, the Buff Team had accumulated enough points to win Marathon Day overall! Way to go Buffy Duckies! But in the spirit of competiton at Camp Nicolet, everyone emerged from Marathon Day a winner... and it's cool to witness another long-standing camp tradition by which campers and staff continue to have so much fun!


Hangin' out with teammates on Marathon Day 2003!

Servin' up some Badminton and Volleyball during "team" events...

Softball is always a fun "team" event...
and the Captains get set for the big Marathon!

The Green Team and Buff Team runners get set
to kick off the big race in front of the Lodge!
Ready... Set... Go!!!

Alums Visit Nicolet by Jeremy Starz The plaque on the flagpole reads "May the Spirit of Nicolet Burn in your Heart Forever...," and for the alums who have visited camp in the last two weeks or so, that spirit definitely continues to burn. What's even more awesome is that some of these alums have also pitched in teaching activites when regular staff have been out on trips or with campers at tournaments or out of camp events. It's so wonderful to hear each one say that "it was just like yesterday" that they were campers or instructors at Camp Nicolet. Whatever the reasons may be for alums to return to Nicolet - to vist camp for a few hours, or to enjoy the serenity of Franklin Lake from one of the Village Cabins for a week, we're always glad to have them here, no matter what the reason or what the season (that's right... you can come visit us at camp in the winter, too! Just ask last year's Junior Counselors!) Some of the alums above were campers and staff when camp first began in 1944. We feel honored to have them come visit us when camp is in full swing during the summer. It's always interesting to hear their stories of what camp was like then compared to the modernization and improvements of today. These alums have returned year after year to help out with activites and administrative tasks around camp. From helping out in the ski area, in riding, with pre-camp, with Ski School, to office work, their assistance is always appreciated... and I think they appreciate the little break from the "real world" which camp has to offer. Thanks very much to all of our alums who come back and visit us! Are you an alum interested in visiting camp this summer? Drop us a line!

Editor's Corner Jeremy Starz It's been since sometime this past spring that I have written an Editor's column, but with space permitting and a couple things in mind to share, I thought I would take the opportunity to do so this time around. It's hard to believe the First Session of 2003 has already come and gone. In fact, that it's all going by so fast really is unbelieveable to me. Another thing which is unbelieveable to me was the amount of accomplishment which took place in that short three week period. In the ski area I would see accomplishment all the time... campers getting up on the boom for the first time, dropping a ski and crossing wakes, or barefooting on the boom for the first time. In other areas accomplishment abounded as well... majestic masks were created in Arts & Crafts, soccer skills were learned in sports, riders jumped their horses for the first time at the stables... what a beautiful thing! And perhaps I feel privledged to have witnessed an immeasureable amount of accomplishment from those who participated in the 2003 Isle Royale Trip. This year's Isle trip encompassed hiking over 40 miles over a period of 5 days. Participants pushed their personal limits, set goals, and achieved results, while growing and learning through the entire process. The fact that all participants accomplished the great challenge which this trip sets forth makes everyone at camp very proud. My hat goes off to everyone who participated in the 2003 trip... and my hat also goes off to everyone who gives it their best everyday in and out of camp to accomplish goals and overcome challenges. Going over "Slippery Sidney" is another great accomplishment of campers in the advanced skiing levels. Congratulations to all of our First Session campers who accomplished so much this summer, and we're all so proud of our Second Session campers and staff who continue to realize great accomplishments everyday.

"Flag Lowering"
by Virginia "Ginger" O'Brien, Nicolet Staff 1954-1959

The shadows are gathering, the wind hums a prayer;
As the sun now descends the celestial stair.
The moon is bashful, still hiding from sight;
But the stars are impatient to turn on their light.
We gather here now, in the sun's final ray
To honor our flag and give thanks for this day.
As we watch it being lowered and folded to rest
May we hope that each day you will live to your best.
Twilight is nearing, the sun scurries in haste;
But tomorrow is yours, much too precious to waste.



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