Hello again and welcome to another edition of News from Franklin Lake! This time around we've got lots to share with you from Camp Nicolet's annual Independence Day Celebration! The morning was filled with a special wake-up, followed by a skiing-in of the American Flag - then on to breakfast, patriotic skits, relay races, a picnic supper, and fireworks and the barndance at Red Arrow Camp! Although slightly rainy, no patriotic spirits were dampened on this fine day - instead, competition was fierce as the Red, White, and Blue teams battled it out on the relay fields. Enough talking... let's move on to the exciting pictures! And be sure to check the camp calendar along the way for important dates coming up at camp.

What's Happening at Camp??

• Thursday, July 22nd - Evening Elective Activities
• Friday, July 23rd - Sylvania II Returns - Cabin./Unit Night
• Saturday, July 24th - Nicolet Invitational Sailing Regatta
  Harry Potter Dining Hall Evening
• Sunday, July 25th - Harry Potter Day All-Camp Activities
  Second Session Talent Show
• Monday, July 26th - Porkies I Backpacking Trip Departs (Balsam)
  Cabin/Unit Night
• Tuesday, July 27th - Intercamp Soccer Matches with Camp Agawak
  Evening Elective Activities
• Wednesday, July 28th - Porkies I Returns/Porkies II Departs
  Camp Kawaga Invitational Ski Tournament
• Thursday, July 29th - Discover SCUBA - Evening Elective Activities
• Friday, July 30th - Porkies II Returns - 2004 Staff Variety Show
• Saturday, July 31st - 2004 Nicolet Horseshow and Riding Banquet
  Special Dining Hall Evening - 2004 Final Campfire
• Sunday, August 1st - 2004 Nicolet Tennis Tournament Finals
  Candlelight Vespers
• Monday, August 2nd - Last Day of Visitation - 2004 Water Ski Show
  Second Session Little Theatre Presentation
• Tuesday, August 3rd - Heart Friends Party - 2004 Final Banquet
• Wednesday, August 4th - Second Session Ends - Campers Depart
• Thursday, August 5th - 60th Anniversary Alumni Reunion Begins
  

The Fourth of July is always a very special and very busy day at camp! It was tons of fun for all who participated in the activities. Coming up in the next edition of News from Franklin Lake, we'd like to show you more about one of Camp Nicolet's oldest and newest traditions - the Isle Royale Honors Backpacking trip. It's one of camp's oldest traditions because this Honors Trip used to be led in the 50's, 60's, and 70's by Wendall Schrader, co-founder of Camp Nicolet. He did not lead the participants to Isle Royale, but originally to Canada to the Boundary Waters for an extended canoe adventure. In 2002 the Honors Trip was brought back, this time led by Chris and Jeremy Starz and exceptional Camping/Tripping staff members. Instead of Canada, though, the trip departs for Isle Royale National Park each summer during the second week in July for a 7 day, 35 mile backpacking trip. It's a memorable experience for the campers, and one of Nicolet's oldest and newest traditions lives on.

Before we go, however, another "newsletter rewind" for you. This time around we found some pictures of what camp looks like in the winter time, just in case you were wondering. No, these aren't pictures from the first three weeks of camp - as some campers will tell you that it truly was unseasonably cold. But indeed, they are from last January and we thought you might enjoy them. Think Sunshine (to melt the snow) and be sure to check out other editions of News from Franklin Lake!