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March 5, 2003
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Greetings from a cold and snowy Camp Nicolet! We sure are looking forward
to some warm weather as we get ready for a great summer in 2003! Thanks for
dropping by and checking out the first edition of "News From Franklin Lake" for
2003. No, the subzero temperatures didn't freeze up the internet connection for newsletter updates
as some may have thought - we have, however, been very busy hosting reunions
and open houses across the midwest and the west, and we have had the opportunity to
visit with many great Nicolet campers, staff, and alumni in the past couple months... and
we have some great pictures from the West and Midwest Reunions/Open Houses to share with
you in this edition. Also, lots of exciting things have taken place at camp since our last
update, and we have some fun pictures of those to show you as well.
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A blanket of snow covers Camp Nicolet!
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And even though the
weather has been cold and snowy at Nicolet, we have been very busy planning some awesome events
for summer, 2003 - about which we'll tell you more in just a little bit. So, thanks again for
dropping by, read on, enjoy the pictures, and think sunshine! - Because it's cold up here!
Nicolet
Technology Update
On-line Registration is rollin'!
Have you re-enrolled yet for summer, 2003? If not, please know that space is becoming limited in both the
three- and four-week sessions, and we would love to see you again as part of the Nicolet family in 2003! Please
click on the On-Line Registration link on the Camp Nicolet homepage to begin the on-line registration process. Thanks
to all the parents and campers who were patient while we worked the "bugs" out of the system when we launched the new
registration process in November. Again, if you haven't re-enrolled, the on-line process is running very smoothly now and
is very, very easy to use, so please don't delay. You can easily choose your transportation options to and from camp, pick
any special activities in which you want to be involved during the summer, sign up for special trips, and more, all with
a couple of clicks and in just a few minutes! If you have any questions, please contact the camp office anytime at
(715) 545-2522. Again, spaces are filling quickly, and we don't want you to miss out on another
exciting summer at Nicolet!
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- Excellent Events At Nicolet - |
March 20th, 2003:
First Day of Spring!
That's exciting, right?
April 1st, 2003:
Franklin Lake ICE OFF Contest Begins! Watch for your entry!
April 11th - April 13th, 2003:
American Camping Association Midstates Convention
May 31st, 2003:
Official "Start Shopping for Camp Stuff" Day!
June 6th, 2003:
Nicolet Staff Arrive!
June 12th, 2003:
Nicolet Pre-Camp Begins!
June 21st, 2003:
First Day of Summer and...
NICOLET CAMPERS ARRIVE!!!
"Still Chillin' at Nicolet...
(still no pun intended)"
Winter, 2002-2003
photos by Georgianna Starz
An igloo on Franklin Lake! Who needs a tent?!?
A chilly but beautiful winter's evening at camp...
The Dining Hall and the Ski Pavillion... all set for 2003!
A wintertime view of the ski area and the swimming area...
An alternative to water skiing: cross-country skiing on Franklin Lake!
"Ringing in 2003 - Nicolet Style"
Jeremy Starz
The holidays are always an exciting time at Camp Nicolet. This year they were especially exciting as some great Nicolet staff members
decided to take a little hiatus from the big city and joined us for a New Years celebration at Camp Nicolet! Talk about ringing in 2003
in style! Counselors Kate Cochrane, Ellie Dyer, Caitlin Gould, Lauren Pfeil, and Caroline Spellman all made the journey to camp to enjoy
some fun in the sun - and snow. Ice skating replaced sailing on a frozen Franklin Lake, and it was decided that snowmobiling to Tiger's Tail
is lots faster - but certainly colder - than canoeing there. A great couple days were had by all, and it was great to see their smiling faces
at camp!
"Timber!"
Cleanin' Up Camp
Newsletter Staff
As Jamie and the Camp Nicolet maintenance crew began to get camp all ready for the long
northwoods winter, a dilemma became quite apparent. "What are we going to do with all
those trees which were knocked over in the Harry Potter Day storm?" Well, it was decided we
couldn't really just pick 'em up and move them, as they are far too big. It was also decided
that it would take at least the next three summers to cut them up into pieces little enough to move
them by hand. Then, Jamie had an idea: "What if we cut them as much as we can and then PULL them
out of the woods?" Georgi and Jeremy agreed, as they, too, had tried to help move some of the gigantic
trees by hand. So, a friend with a big tractor was called, and the cleanup process began, supervised by
the crew foreanimals, Slyder and Mr. Wiggles. For almost two months, the man and his tractor worked, with
the aid of Jamie, Jeremy, and Chris, cutting the huge fallen trees and pulling them out of the woods, down the
road, past the cabins, and into the parking lot. Some of the logs are so long they just barely fit in the parking
lot! The branches were cut from the trees and burned in really big campfires! Soon, a logger will be coming to
camp to haul the big trees to mills where they will be made into lumber and paper. Just think, you could be writing
on paper at school made from a Nicolet tree! To make things safer for campers, some of the other big, old trees
around camp have been taken down before another big wind comes along. Taking down the big, dead trees allows sunlight
to reach the little trees so they can one day become big trees in the forest.
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"Open Houses and Reunions in the Midwest...
And the WILD WILD West!"
Jeremy Starz
Nicolet pals from all generations gather
at the Western States Open House in Denver, CO
It's been so wonderful seeing so many Nicolet campers, staff, parents, and alumni at our annual Midwest Open House/Reunion and at
a new Western States reunion held in Denver, CO during the last week in February. The annual Midwest Open House was held on Friday, January 31st
in Winnetka, IL, and was attended by prospective and current campers, staff, and parents. It was also fantastic to see so many Nicolet alumni at
the event. And thanks again so much to the Cochranes - Lisa and Kate - to Caitlin Gould, and to the many others who assisted greatly in making the Midwest
Open House such a great event! We couldn't have done it without you! Here are some pictures from the Midwest Open House!
Nicolet campers, staff, and alumni at the Midwest Open House!
CITs and JCs to be... hiding in the bushes?!?... and
Nicolet staff hosting the booth at the Naperville Camp Fair!
It's the Nicolet Staff Downhill Ski Team...
Takin' some turns after the ACA National Convention in Denver
"Mushers bring Sled Dogs to Nicolet"
Jeremy Starz
Nicolet is a place full of traditions, and this one is no exception. From the time that I was very small,
a special group of people have been coming to Camp Nicolet year after year - in the winter - and each year they bring their beautiful
Alaskan Malamute sled dogs. Just like you may have seen in the movies, these "mushers" hook their dogs up in teams and, in a cloud of snow,
away they go on the wooded trails behind camp; the trails we use for mountain biking and hiking during the summer. The mushers and their dogs
usually go for runs of four to six miles, depending on the time of day and how many times the dogs have run on the trails that day. Sometimes,
if the weather is clear and the moon is shining, they will take their teams for moonlight runs on the trails. With no leaves on the trees, one can
see quite a bit in the woods at night if the moon is out. This year, the mushers came to camp twice; once over the New Years holiday, and again in
February, when there was more snow. They brought some cute Malamute puppies this year, too. Check out the pictures of the mushers' annual
visit to Camp Nicolet!
A team getting ready to depart from "Little Wilderness" and
Malamute puppies love as much attention as they can get!
Two Alaskan Malamute teams on the trail near the Old Pasture...
a beautiful day for a run!
"Someday we'll be racing too! But for now, please pet us..."
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"Cool Improvements"
Jeremy Starz
We call this section "Cool Improvements" because, yep, they are cool, but also because we're making them during the winter, anticipating having them all done
when campers arrive for an awesome summer in 2003! But I guess you wouldn't call remodeling the showers a cool improvement because when you think of the
showers you think of WARM or HOT water, right? Well, rest assured, the showers are being remodeled - Jamie and Bob have been very, very busy - and there WILL be
warm and hot water, which I guess, falls into the category of "cool improvements." Seriously, though, the new shower facility looks absolutely wonderful, and those
of you who remember the old showers will think you're in a totally different building. Also on the list are some great new kayaks to add to the fleet of smaller red
ones new this past summer. Wouldn't it be fun to go on a cookout or overnight in KAYAKS? Hey, it could happen! Camp's fleet of mountain bikes is currently getting all
tuned up for summer 2003, and bathrooms in some of the cabins - eventually all of them - are going to have a new look, too. We'll get some pictures as soon as we can.
And finally, a new project which we have begun for spring 2003 is the redevelopment of 6 NEW campsites for cookouts and overnights. Some older campers will remember names
like "Gunner's Grove" and "Strawberry Hill"... Well, the existing sites are being renovated and new sites are being built, too, complete with metal fire rings, new shelters,
and picnic tables on which to prepare your food! Cookouts will have a new and exciting twist to them this summer - as you adventure out to one of Nicolet's New Outpost Campsites!
And as always, these "cool improvements" are being implemented to make your summer experience that much more enjoyable, fun, and SAFE! Summer 2003 is gonna be lots of fun!
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Some plans for and
the official map of
the NEW Camp Nicolet
Outpost Campsites!
Isle Royale
2003
Jeremy Starz
Tuesday, March 4th was an exciting day, as plans and reservations were finalized for Nicolet's annual honors trip to Isle Royale. Are you in
8th grade or older and are you interested in participating in a wonderful camping/tripping experience? 2002 was camp's first year taking a
trip to the Isle, and people, including myself, still are talking about it. The six day hiking trip gives all participants an opportunity to
advance their skills in outdoor living, to learn and grow in an outdoor environment,
to set goals, and to accept and overcome challenges. The Isle Royale trip is challenging, but there seems to be a strong sense of accomplishment
at the conclusion of the trip. Last year's trip spanned 28 miles of the island, departing from and concluding at Rock Harbor on the northeast end of
the island. This year's trip promises to be full of adventure, as the trip will take place on the opposite end of the island, departing from and
concluding at Windigo. The route promises breathtaking scenery from Feldtmann Ridge, a cool dip in Lake Superior at the Siskiwit Bay campgrounds, a
trek down an old wagon road, through an old mining town, and past the historic Island Mine. The trip includes a 15 mile stint on the Greenstone Ridge
Trail with an overnight stay at beautiful South Lake Desor, and then down the Greenstone back into Windgo and the Washington Creek campgrounds. Can
you tell I'm just a little excited about IR 2003? It will be a challenging but worthwhile trip, and if you are interested in participating, please indicate so on
your on-line registration forms.
"It's not like camp, it's not like home, it's like nothing I've ever done before!"
- 2002 Participant
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COMING SOON
To Mailboxes Everywhere!
Did you catch the premiere of Camp Nicolet's 2002 summer video "Soak Up The Sun" at the Midwest Open House in Winnetka, IL?
Well, if you missed it, never fear! It will be arriving in your mailbox shortly, so be watching for it!
From The Editor:
by Jeremy Starz
So, as you can see, there are all kinds of fun things to which to look forward. I'll keep it short this time around
since this was such a large edition of "News From Franklin Lake." We are gearing up for a great summer in 2003 -
our staff coordinator has interviewed some outstanding applicants who will certainly contribute their many talents to
the camp experience. We are most definitely looking forward to having our returning staff members back with us for
another summer, as they endlessly contribute their energy and knowledge to the camp experience. And, of course, camp
wouldn't exist without all of our wonderful campers, each contributing in their own special way to phenomenal summer after
phenomenal summer. So, great people, combined with some great program and facility improvents give us all here at Nicolet
a whole lot to which to look forward for 2003. If you're planning on returning, but have yet to complete your on-line
registration, we urge you to do so soon as time and space are becoming limited. Thanks for checking out this edition of
"News From Franklin Lake." As the summer approaches, check back for frequent updates and pictures from camp. In the meantime,
all the best to you and your family, and Think Sunshine!
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