Letters from Camp Magazine - Fall 2023 - Issue No. 2

KNOW? DID YOU

Did you know that YMCA camps prep several thousand pounds of food each summer before sending campers out on trips?

Camp Widjiwagan Executive Director Matt Poppleton said, “We did a quick brainstorm on the amount of food we pack out and it’s literally tons of food (2,000 lbs = 1 ton)! For example, we order twenty 50-pound bags of oats every summer, and that’s just oats.”

Contents

Letters from the Editor

Upcoming Events at Camp

Camp Widjiwagan

On & Off the Trail: A Tale of Lifelong Friendships Forever Rooted in Adventure

Camp Northern Lights

It’s a Beautiful Day at Bear Island lake, it’s a Great Day to be Alive!

Camp du Nord

They Helped Purchase Pine Pointe, then Preserved it in Perpetuity

Camp St. Croix

Jack Murdock’s Croix Legacy is More than a Dining Hall

Camp Icaghowan

That Island Treehouse Magic isn’t just for Kids

Camp Iduhapi

Friends for the Third Week of Summer?

Why not for Life?

Camp Menogyn

He came by Canoe, by Canoe He’s Remembered

Camp Warren

A Love Story Between One Family and Camp Warren

Completed Camp Work Orders

Letters from the Vice President

Letters from Alumni

Letter from the

Given that we call our magazine “Letters From Camp”, I thought I would share with you a letter that I wrote from camp.

About three decades ago.

The first time I went to camp was when I was 8 years old at YMCA Camp Ihduhapi. I remember a lot of fun parts of camp, but I was also very homesick, and the photo to the right is an actual postcard I sent home to my parents.

there have been a lot of tears. Not tears of homesickness, but tears of joy, tears of gratitude, tears of nostalgia. Tears mixed with laughter as people shared their memories.

YMCA OF THE NORTH 651 Nicollet Mall, Suite 500 Minneapolis, MN 55402 ymcanorth.org

YMCA CAMP DU NORD Ely, Minn. campdunord.org

YMCA CAMP ICAGHOWAN Amery, Wis. campicaghowan.org

YMCA CAMP IHDUHAPI Loretto, Minn. campihduhapi.org

YMCA CAMP MENOGYN Grand Marais, Minn. campmenogyn.org

YMCA CAMP NORTHERN LIGHTS Babbitt, Minn. campnorthernlights.org

In the “Retrospective Surprise Endings” category, this one might have earned first place. Today I’m the director of alumni philanthropy at YMCA of the North, the latest position in a long, camp-filled career. I was on staff at a YMCA Day Camp Guy Robinson for 6 years, directed the Shoreview Y Day Camp for 2 years, and then spent 13 years as the executive director of a private overnight camp, before returning to the YMCA in my current role working with the 8 overnight camps. So, despite the rough start, camping has been central to my life and my career.

As a camp director, I shared this postcard with parents every year to talk about homesickness. I am sharing it with you because while interviewing folks over the past few

Camp changes lives. I feel privileged to have a job that lets me to listen to people’s camp stories and share their laughter, tears, life lessons, and warm memories. The goal of our magazine is to tell the story of camp through the combined stories of our community. Campers, staff, volunteers, donors, parents, and friends — you are our camp community.

I appreciate your willingness to share your stories, your time reading this magazine and all of the feedback you gave from our first issue in January.

I look forward to hearing more: more feedback, more stories, more updates. Please reach out and let this magazine be a conversation!

Natalie King

NATALIE KING Director of Alumni

Philanthropy Editor, “Letters from Camp”

YMCA CAMP ST. CROIX Hudson, Wis. campstcroix.org

YMCA CAMP WARREN Eveleth, Minn. campwarren.org

YMCA CAMP WIDJIWAGAN Ely, Minn. widji.org

GIVE THE GIFT OF CAMP ymcanorth.org/k2c

EDITORIAL STAFF

Natalie King Editor and Lead Writer Director of Alumni Philanthropy natalie.king@ymcanorth.org

Joe Pollock Latner Photo Director

Breanne Subias Gretchen Heim Production & Design

Monica Kenney Shane Hoefer Editorial Team

Michelle Edgerton Executive Vice President of Advancement and Development

Ashanti Taylor Intern

Yes, that’s a drawing of myself crying!

UPCOMING EVENTS AT CAMP

BRING YOUR TEAM TO CAMP

Throughout the year, all of our camp locations offer the backdrop for a variety of outdoor experiences. Think of a Y camp for your next corporate retreat, team-building event, wedding, or other event. ymcanorth.org/adventure/seasonal_adventures

Returning to camp for a variety of events in the spring, fall, and winter is a great way to stay connected.

ymcanorth.org/adventure/events

2024 95th Reunion at Widjiwagan

Work Weekend at Icaghowan

Alumni Weekend at Ihduhapi

Youth Fall Camp at Warren

MEA Family Camp at Icaghowan

Camp After Dark at Ihduhapi

Northern Fright at Northern Lights

Brewery get together with Camp Warre

Harvest Fest at Northern Lights

Connect to Croix Black Friday at St. Croix

Coffee and Carharts with Camp Menogyn

Breakfast with Santa at St. Croix

Work Program at Camp du Nord

Youth Winter Camp at Warren

Half Moon Frozen 5k at Warren

Winter Camp at Icaghowan

Ice Fishing Weekend at Icaghowan

Y She Skis Weekend at Ihduhapi

Candlelight Ski and Hike at St. Croix

Adult Winter Camp at Warren

President’s Day Family Camp at Icaghowan

Alumni Social Lake Monster Brewing at Northern Lights

Facilitator Summit at Ihduhapi

Maple Syrup Immersion at Ihduhapi

Spring Break Horse Camp at Ihduhapi

Spring Break Horse Camp at Ihduhapi

Maple Syrup Festival at Ihduhapi

Mother Daughter Ranch Weekend at Ihduhapi

Memorial Day Family Camp at Icaghowan

Memorial Day Weekend at Icaghowan

A TALE OF LIFELONG FRIENDSHIPS FOREVER ROOTED IN ADVENTURE

1973

Surrounded by ledged sandstone cliffs colored pink, purple, and orange, the Fond du Lac River thundered white down the Manitou Falls, air misting and cold.

Sally Stockwell recalls paddling close to the falls with her five trail mates, the cliff-tops studded by the green and brown boreal forest of far northern Saskatchewan. They were in a green wood and canvas Chestnut canoe cutting a line through swift moving water, and Sally’s trail counselor Katie (Knopke) Bartholomew warned them to stay close to the shore. “You will paddle so close, I want

to see a line of green paint on those rocks!” (No canoes were actually harmed in this story).

It was a legendary Widji moment made possible by a pioneering group of women who blazed a new trail for female campers 50 years ago, and in doing so, brought lifetime friendships into being.

They’ve kept their paddles wet

The women involved refer to themselves as GV73 — Mary (DeBur) Pesta, Karen (Gustafason) Crossley, Keelin Kane, Wendy (Friedlander) Doane, Sally, and Katie — and

KEELIN EXPLAINED,

“ The peace and quiet, the solitude, the chance to travel with the sun, eat when you are hungry, to sing under the stars with your friends, to live for just a while in the great green north. ... People who haven’t done it can’t see the appeal, but those who know, nod in understanding.”

have remained close ever since that trip. Very close. This year marks the 50th anniversary of their trip, an occasion they marked this August with a trip into the Boundary Waters, straight out of YMCA Camp Widjiwagan.

But it all stems back to that moment, 50 summers ago. In 1973, Camp Widjiwagan’s Voyageur trip was 40 days for the male campers and 23 days for the female campers. That didn’t sit right with Katie, who was set to lead that trip. Title IX had been enacted the year before, and the cause for equal opportunity was sweeping the country.

1998- 25th anniversary trip

Wendy, Sally, and Keelin at Camp Widjiwagan on the eve of their 50th anniversary trip on Aug. 14, 2023

Katie, determined to make a change, went to then-Camp Director Armand Ball, and argued that girls were capable of doing the same trip as the boys. With some convincing, he agreed. Soon after, Katie was asked to organize the first 30-day Voyageur trip for women. The women on that trip were well-trained, had been prepared by previous trips with knowledgeable guides and were ready for a groundbreaking trip.

That’s how it came to be later that summer, the GV73 women set off on a 30-day adventure that would end up stretching into the next 50 years (and beyond).

From Hatchet Lake to Uranium City

The group traveled from Camp Widjiwagan to Winnipeg and then took a train north. Their canoes were stored in the cargo area, but there weren’t any passenger

they encountered was a senator from Iowa and his fishing guide. According to Wendy, “They were catching 30-inch trout and throwing back anything that was smaller than 20 pounds!”

Keelin explained, “The peace and quiet, the solitude, the chance to travel with the sun, eat when you are hungry, to sing under the stars with your friends, to live for just a while in the great green north. ... People who haven’t done it can’t see the appeal, but those who know, nod in understanding.”

We laughed, we told stories, we sang. We had a second lifetime of experience to share. This time, instead of our own coming of age, we discussed that of our children, instead of what we would be doing in college and the future, our topics ranged from careers to travel, politics, religion. We were more mortal. … Young and fearless then, older and smarter now.

cars, and so they rode overnight in the caboose with the engineers. When they arrived in Lynn Lake in Manitoba, a bush pilot took three of the ladies and one canoe attached to the pontoons of the plane and dropped them at Hatchet Lake (and then repeated the process). This was the first time Widjiwagan had flown female campers in for a trip.

They launched their canoes from Hatchet Lake along the Fond du Lac River and spent the first half of the trip completely cut off from civilization. The first person

The women were prepared for challenges and hardship. On the first set of rapids, out of caution, they portaged their gear first, reasoning that if they swamped, they would still have food. But they didn’t have a problem on those rapids, nor the ones that followed. Their confidence grew, as did their ability to communicate with few words.

The campers were 17, Katie as the leader was just seven years older. They felt invincible. They were ready, willing, and strong. They relied on the knowledge

and experience they had gained from Widji counselors and guides from summers before. The influence those leaders had was a foundation that prepared them for this trip.

Their trip ended at Uranium City midway down the north shore of Lake Athabasca in Northern Saskatchewan.

A seven-mile cliff rose on the northern shore east of Uranium City. Knowing that if a wind came up as they paddled past it, they would find no landing, they stayed up all night to paddle in the calm pre-dawn hours. “I can’t stress how daunting these cliffs were!” remembers Wendy. “If it had been windy at all, we wouldn’t have been able to paddle.”

The Northern Lights filled the sky with bright color. They sang and paddled until the shimmering green and blue night sky gave way for the sunrise and completed their journey at dawn. When they got to the dock, they hauled in their gear and all curled up and fell asleep. Wendy explained, “When the people who worked at the docks arrived in the morning, they found us all asleep. They took us in, cooked us meals and took us on a boat to go water skiing. They were so kind. We were grateful, but also a little sad to be back to civilization.”

They were catching 30-inch trout and throwing back anything that was smaller than 20 pounds!

25 Years in, better friends than ever

In 1998, in an article for “The Camper”, Keelin wrote, “For all of us, [the ’73 trip] was a journey toward independence and adventure and we remember it now with great fondness, for it forged our lifelong friendship and helped us create the people we became.”

After the trip, women remained friends and kept in touch, getting together periodically over the years. All the women married, had careers, children, and busy lives in different parts of the country. But their adventure stayed with all of them and in 1998, the 25th anniversary of their trip, they came together again, this time on a six-day trip to the Boundary Waters.

Keelin shared, “We laughed, we told stories, we sang. We had a second lifetime of experience to share. This time, instead of our own coming of age, we discussed that of our children. Instead of what we would be doing in college and the future, our topics ranged from careers to travel, politics, religion. We were more mortal. … Young and fearless then, older and smarter now.” She continued, “What brought us together 25 years ago was the thrill of adventure and the unknown. This time it’s the pull of friendship.”

The trip was a chance to pause the day-today frenzy of families, jobs, volunteer work, carpooling, getting dinner on the table, and the million other responsibilities. To go back to the wilderness, slow down, swim, sing, eat, soak in the surrounding beauty. During one night of the trip they sat on the rocks under the moonlight, singing the entire Widji songbook, start to finish. It took them 2 hours and they all knew all the songs.

Twenty-five years had passed, but they still knew how to work as a team, communicate, and appreciate being together. In notes from a skit they did

while at Widjiwagan, they said, “What keeps us together? It’s simple — we like to paddle, we like each other very much, and we laugh a lot.”

After the 25th reunion trip, there were more trips and gatherings, coming roughly every 5 years. Not everyone could make it to every gathering, but they were always together in spirit. They’ve paddled the Allagash River in Maine, Little Indian Sioux in the BWCA, Lac La Croix and the lakes east of it, Warrior Hill and Rebecca Falls.

The mutual love, affection and respect are immediately apparent when the women are together. There is laughter, the ability to finish each other’s sentences, and knowing looks that convey a deep understanding of one another. There is an ease that comes from 50 years’ Widji connection and friendship. They are older and wiser, but in some ways, still those same young women with fiery spirits, ready for adventure.

CAMP WIDJIWAGAN

Camp Widjiwagan offers transformative wilderness experiences for youth from the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northeastern Minnesota since 1929. Through wilderness travel and environmental learning experiences, youth participants explore extraordinary places.

Tracing the routes of past Widji trips

The 50th Anniversary Reunion Trip

On Aug. 14 this summer, Widjiwagan was buzzing with energy from just-arrived campers, eager to start their adventures in the week ahead. Keelin, Sally and Wendy arrived at camp, ready to embark on their 50th anniversary trip the following day, with the other women unable to participate this year.

During after-dinner announcements, Camp Widjiwagan Executive Director Matt Poppleton introduced the group who showed off their original Voyager sashes. Director of Alumni Philanthropy Natalie King presented replica paddles (smaller versions of the original that hangs in the Trips building) to commemorate the anniversary. Afterwards, campers and staff surrounded the women, eager to talk. They walked through camp, reminiscing and telling stories, learning about recent updates to camp from Matt.

Sally said she “loved being back in the Boundary Waters, the feel of paddle in her hand, gliding across the water, never knowing what is on the other side of the portages, being with longtime friends, and even though we hadn’t canoed together in five years, we very quickly slipped back into the same camaraderie. Everyone knows what to do.”

In an after-trip email, Wendy said, “the trail clothes are washed and folded. The trail boots drying out and ready for some oil. The reunion trip to Widji and the BWCA with lifetime friends is over; but the warm, happy, and proud feelings are very much alive and with me. The ‘proud’ feelings come from seeing Camp Widji today and all that it has become. There has been a lot of vision work and real respect for what has come before. The Widji spirit and way is alive and well.”

The following morning, they set off for a five-day journey, beginning with a Lake One entry point. Keelin noted, “It was easy to be together. You just start from where you are.”

And they’ve already started talking about another trip for next year.

Wendy shared, “meeting the current campers and counselors was a highlight for me. That is a part of me that most of the people in my current life know nothing about, and yet the experience forged me into who I am today.”

The GV73 team’s original Voyageur sashes from 1973

Keelin, Wendy, and Sally celebrate with campers in Widji’s dining hall.

BEAR ISLAND LAKE

the windshield – YMCA Camp Northern Lights’ first-ever summer camper.

“He rolled down the window and stuck his phone out to take our photo!” Dan laughed, recalling his reaction. “This is the energy we need!”

Dan O’Brien sheltered under a blue pop-up tent with Niki Geisler, avoiding the drizzle. They stood in a small clearing by a dirt road, a few miles north of Babbitt.

It had been a whirlwind spring leading up to that moment in June 2019. Dan, program director, and

Niki, executive director, waited in their blue and green rain gear: exhausted, energized, and very, very ready.

It was time to open camp. Finally.

A car approached, tires crunching on the gravel. Taylor Fay’s face appeared behind

A Long Road to Family Camp #2

It had been a long haul to get to that point, a figurative extension of North Arm Road, beginning at YMCA Camp du Nord. The origin story for Family Camp #2 — YMCA Camp Northern Lights — has its start there, and winds through the Northwoods to a place all its own.

With its start in 1961, du Nord had grown exponentially over time, expanding its footprint and camper base. As the years went by, camp’s popularity outstripped its capacity. Nowhere was this more clear than during the lottery — camp’s one-day, early December summer registration marathon, built to create fairness and steeped in an amalgam of excitement, hope, expectation, and trepidation.

“You would get a call at some point in the day, you don’t know when it will be,” explained long-time du Norder, Mary Beth Casement. “You’re at Target or grocery shopping, no calendar with you. You get the call and they say, ‘when do you want to come?’

It’s a beautiful day at it’s a great day to be alive!

Dan O’Brien and Niki Geisler greeted Northern Lights’ first summer camper in June 2019.

“Sometimes the phone call would last 30 minutes. … Sometimes you would get a call back and in the time between making your choice and hanging up the phone, someone else would have booked it before you, and you had to start the process over!”

Empirically speaking, camp had a real waitlist problem for years, and by 2017, twice as many people registered for the lottery as camp had available spaces

leadership, already proud of its seven overnight camps.

“It’s time to acquire Camp #8.”

Trials to Trails

Niki, executive director of Camp du Nord during that era, had already proved family campers were willing to try something new away from the North Arm. Experimental trials with limited family camp sessions at Northern Minnesota’s famous Gunflint Lodge, and also west of Grand Rapids on Boy Lake, attracted droves of erstwhile du Nord campers.

in the summer. Stories like Mary Beth’s became common, with hundreds of families feeling left out of the family camp experience. It was about that time that then-Vice President of Camping Tom Kranz declared a new goal to YMCA of the North

Confident a permanent, second family camp would thrive in the YMCA, Tom adopted a goal to find Camp #8 as his personal mission. Beginning in ’17, he toured resorts, camps and properties across Minnesota and Wisconsin, seeking the perfect space.

He found it on Bear Island Lake, between Babbitt and Ely, when two adjacent resorts went up for

sale at the same time. He and Niki remember walking down the trail as it winds downhill past the cabin Cassiopeia and on toward the beach, thinking, “This is i t! This is the place!”

Niki worked closely with Tom throughout the process, so much so, the quest for Family Camp #2 became her own. One day, she pulled Tom aside. “I can’t imagine doing all of this

You would get a call at some point in the day, you don’t know when it will be!

The origin story of communities on the land we now call Camp Northern Lights really begins with Indigenous peoples, including the Lake Superior Chippewa (Ojibwe), people who still live in the area today, Niki said.

to prepare camp but not being there to lead.” Tom agreed, and the leadership was set.

From the very beginning, there was a commitment from those involved to intentionally create a space where everyone would belong and where equity and diversity would be celebrated.

“We had an opportunity and responsibility to ensure that equity and belonging were foundational principles of the camp,” Niki said.

When Tom visited potential camp sites, he was cognizant of the history of the land.

A team of volunteers and staff worked with the local tribal community at the Boise Forte Band of Chippewa to honor their legacy, committing to educate camper families about the history of the land before colonization. YMCA of the North closed on the sale of both properties in September 2018, and an incredible team of volunteers, staff, family campers, and donors got to work preparing program, cabins, and yes, trails.

The First Summer at a New Camp

Nine months later, Taylor arrived on the first day, as the first camper, and not by mistake.

A self-described Y guy throughand-through, Taylor met his wife Jasmine at Camp Menogyn where they were both campers and staff. His daughter is the fifth generation in his family to attend Camp Icaghowan, and his family also has experiences with camps St. Croix, Widjiwagan, and du Nord. He was serving as board chair for Camp Menogyn when he was asked to join the advisory board for the new

family camp the Y was building, and when registration for the first summer of Camp Northern Lights opened, he knew that he wanted to be the first camper through the gate.

“What an amazing story to say that I was the first camper to arrive! But also, I wanted to make sure that moment was special for Niki and Dan.”

Taylor wasn’t the only one to do something special to mark the opening of camp.

Dan, who became executive director at Northern Lights in 2021, remembers sitting with Niki, listening to a voicemail from the Okee Dokee Brothers. Known for their Grammywinning album, “Can You Canoe”, the band had crafted a Northern Lights-inspired, bespoke set of lyrics to their tune “Church of the Woods”, and sang it right into the phone.

“We had been multitasking and just going nonstop working on all the details, and when we listened to the song, we both stopped and got really quiet,” Dan shared. “Niki had tears in her eyes. We couldn’t wait to share it with everyone.”

That first summer had a special magic. There was a sense of togetherness and exploration.

The pandemic had a dramatic impact on camp’s second year, reinforcing what was becoming a serene experience. Camp culture really coalesced that summer, forming around that early intention to build a place authentically committed to equity, diversity, and inclusivity.

For Tseganesh Selameab, first board chair of Northern Lights, she was intrigued by the idea of creating a camp focused on equity, rather than trying to retrofit to decades of tradition. She talked about that summer of 2020, following the murder of George Floyd.

“The energy of the counselors raising money and creating the S.T.E.P.S. program. The way people showed up felt transformative. It felt like a beginning. It was an incredible week of camp and I remember leaving and saying ‘I think we did something.’”

“Camp is usually quiet, but the last night we had a dance party around the fire. The teens

We created a space where people belonged,” Tseganesh said.

“It was like, this is your space as much as mine.

“Families didn’t expect us to have all the answers,” Dan said. “They were willing to work with us to explore and define the culture. It was really forgiving.”

Tseganesh Selameah and daughter Liyu at camp.

started it and they came and got the adults and the little kids. It was so loud and it felt like us,” Tseganesh said. “It didn’t feel like visiting someone’s house.”

Already, Celebrating the Fifth Anniversary

It took years of hard work for YMCA Northern Lights to go from an idea to an active camp. For Niki, it was just a few days into the first week of the first summer of camp for her to know that it was going to be a huge success.

“Everyone was gathered together, the lake was beyond them and the sun was setting,” said Niki of a moment when she stood atop the steps leading up from the Bear Island stage looking out over camp. “Anna Marie’s window was open selling ice cream. The sounds of laughter and camp songs and kids on the water trampoline filled the air.” She continued, “You do your best with what you know, but it’s still hard to believe what we were able to create.”

In the summer of 2023, Camp Northern Lights celebrated its fifth anniversary. Niki and Tom, along with their respective families were there as family campers.

For those who love Northern Lights most will point to camps’ commitment to belonging as its biggest attribute.

“We created a space where people belonged,” Tseganesh said. “It was like, this is your space as much as mine. That’s rare. Usually it is ‘you are welcome here, but it’s not your space.’ This was truly a community building experience. It was spectacular.”

There is a joy at Camp Northern Lights, a love of life that comes from togetherness, laughter, and the simple beauty of the great outdoors.

The

May we all be a family And in the time we spend May we keep on singing And dancing to the end

As to Northern Lights’ popularity, well, camp is full, and on lottery day 2022, enough people registered to completely fill Camp Northern Lights … and Camp du Nord … and a third family camp, at least as big as the other two.

CAMP NORTHERN LIGHTS

Located on Bear Island Lake near the edge of the Superior National Forest, Camp Northern Lights offers an incredible variety of seasonal activities for families to enjoy throughout the year, with 130 acres of trails and woods for families to explore. Founded in 2019, Northern Lights is the perfect destination for families looking for a firsttime camping experience or groups interested in trying a new experience like mountain biking or cross-country skiing.

We had an opportunity and responsibility to ensure that equity and belonging were foundational principles of the camp.

Okee Dokee Brothers’ song rings out at camp’s closing gathering:

THEY HELPED PURCHASE PINE POINTE, THEN PRESERVED IT IN PERPETUITY

The sun was shining, the lake was filled with canoes, the roar of laughter and cheering created a palpable energy. YMCA Camp du Nord’s weekly Family Triathlon was underway and two teams of Harpole family members raced through the water.

In the middle of each canoe with huge smiles on their faces were the patriarch and matriarch of the family. It was the summer of 2008 and Murray and Ruth Harpole were celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary, surrounded by their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and friends. Murray and Ruth’s daughter Jan described how much they loved Camp du Nord and shared, “it was so symbolic and so special to have them in the center of everything.”

Funny thing, nobody seems to remember which canoe won.

Murray and Ruth’s legacy at Camp du Nord begins many years before that triathlon. In the 1980s, Murray joined the general board of the YMCA of Greater St. Paul. During that time, he was involved in the purchase of a plot of land that would expand Camp du Nord. He joined staff and other board members to tour the land, and even flew over it to look from an aerial point of view how it could be used. He helped with the fundraising, planning, and building of Pine Pointe Village, including donating the money to build the cabin called Greenstone.

When Pine Pointe opened in 2000 directly east of du Nord’s other two camp villages, he and Ruth, along with Jan, her husband Dave and three small children stayed for a week to “try out” family camp. Twenty-three summers later, there are countless memories to share for Jan’s family and many other family members who have joined the fun over the years.

Since 2000, Jan and her family have missed only two summers. “Who goes to family camp with just adults?!” Jan laughed as

she explained that even after the kids grew up, they all kept going because they love it so much.

For Jan and Dave, there have been so many memories from their years at camp, but the highlight was watching their children go through the Leadership Development Program, growing in confidence, interacting with other parents and kids, developing public speaking skills, and immersing themselves in positivity. Their children — Lauren, Cole, and Brittany — were all in the Leadership Development Program (LDP) for multiple years, and Cole continued as program staff for 3 more summers after that.

In 2006 Murray and Ruth created a legacy gift for the YMCA of the North through a charitable gift annuity. Upon their passing, their charitable contribution established a named endowment fund for Camp du Nord with a significant focus on maintaining the infrastructure at Pine Pointe.

Jan described her dad as “forward thinking.” He knew that eventually Pine Pointe wouldn’t be new and shiny anymore. It would need maintenance to keep up and he knew it would be a challenge to raise money for a new septic tank or a road or roofs. By setting up an endowment, Murray and Ruth knew they could help maintain Pine Pointe for many years to come.

In addition to their endowment, Murray and Ruth funded several projects over the years, including the building of a second cabin at du Nord in Northland Village, dubbed “Twilight,” the new LDP cabin and the Crossroads Patio. Both Twilight and Crossroads Patio were named by one of Murray and Ruth’s granddaughters. They enjoyed supporting du Nord in a variety of ways.

Jan shared, “my parents were such amazing role models. They knew that they wouldn’t benefit from their gift, but they wanted to take care of camp and make sure that they could pass on the experience they had to future families. That’s how they were. They cared about and wanted to take care of people.”

Murray and Ruth Harpole

Murray and Ruth were described by family and friends as unassuming, humble, down to earth, folksy. If you met them, you wouldn’t have any idea they had the means to contribute so generously. They were a team and aligned in their thinking. They liked helping people without publicizing it.

In April 2011, Murray spoke at the annual YMCA Heritage Society luncheon. He wanted to talk to people about leaving a legacy. Family friend and longtime du Nord camper and board member, Tony Bassett remembers that speech.

“He was clear and to the point and just said, ‘this is how you do it.’” Before that, Bassett didn’t remember the YMCA promoting planned giving in such a straightforward way. Murray came right out and said, “This is a good thing. We need this for the longterm financial health of the camps.”

Murray passed away just one month later. His passing was unexpected and that speech, Bassett said, “was his final word with an exclamation point.”

Ruth continued to both support and attend Camp du Nord until her final summer as a camper at 92 years old. She loved sitting on the porch, watching everything go on around her. She passed away in June 2022 at the age of 95.

“My parents lived their life and supported so many of the same values that Camp du Nord stands for,” Jan explained that living in community was important to her parents and to her and her family. She likes that du Nord is filled with families who like to do things together, communicate, have fun, and enjoy each other, and the outdoors. Sharing a meal together, singing songs, getting to know people. It is what makes Camp du Nord so special, and the reason why Murray, Ruth, Jan, and their whole family have been — and will always be — champions of camp!

CAMP DU NORD

Founded in 1961, Camp du Nord is a family destination located deep in Minnesota’s Northwoods. Situated on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, du Nord provides access to miles of hiking and skiing trails, as well as family and group programming throughout the year.

At Jan’s request, we’re including this QR code to make it easier for you to learn more about creating your own family endowment

Ruth, Murray and family in the family triathlon

Pine Point, Camp du Nord

Jack Murdock’s Croix Legacy is

MORE THAN A DINING HALL

Jack Murdock didn’t want to go to camp.

It was 1939 and his dad told him he was going to YMCA Camp St. Croix. He wanted to stay in town with his friends, and so he began “a campaign against camp.”

Like many such contests of will with a parent, Jack’s campaign failed.

“Needless to say, I went to camp. It was probably the best decision my dad ever made.”

Jack continued on as a camper each summer and when he was 14, became a counselor. It was 1944 and young men who would have been counselors were overseas fighting in World War II. He was on summer staff until 1953, when he left to serve as the executive director of the Midway YMCA in St. Paul.

In 1957, Jack received an offer to return to Camp St. Croix, and he jumped at it. He began what would become an iconic, 20-year run as

executive director, where he would translate his forward-thinking vision for camp into massive changes to both the physical campus and program offerings.

Jack passed away November 3, 2022, at the age of 92, leaving an unparalleled legacy of leadership at Camp St. Croix. Family, friends, and admirers held a small remembrance of Jack on July 15, 2023.

“If we’re not improving ourselves, and we’re not designing programs and doing the things that will improve for the youngsters at camp,” Jack would tell the YMCA in his later years, “then we might just

as well not be in our business. I think that’s what camping is all about.”

Introducing skills progression and welcoming all

With Jack leading St. Croix, “camping became a progressive experience, as activities were retooled to provide ongoing opportunities for personal development and relationship building among campers and between campers and their counselors,” reads the YMCA of Greater St. Paul’s “150-Year Commemorative Celebration.”

“Under the new system, returning campers, as they grew and matured were provided with progressively more difficult challenges. Challenges were age-appropriate and were experienced as members of small groups.”

“[Jack] built the progressive model you see in current youth development. The idea that kids learn and gain skills. That wasn’t

done before Jack,” said Michel Tigan, Vice President of Camp Operations and Adventure for the YMCA of the North.

Jack also worked to make camp more inclusive and welcoming to all.

When he took over as camp director in 1957, Camp St. Croix featured significant Indian-themed programming, which wasn’t appreciated by Native Americans. So, in 1959-60, he worked hard to refine the 20-year-old programming so that it treated cultural issues more sensitively. Working with a group called the Calumet Indian Dancers, 2 counselors, Mike Kellum and Wayne Potratz conducted research and developed activities so that, “when campers earned an eagle feather and Indian name, they understood what it was about.” As time passed into the ‘70s, it became clear that even those changes weren’t enough. Jack and other camp leaders eliminated the program altogether to avoid appropriating and demeaning indigenous cultures.

Perhaps Jack’s most significant move to bring more people to camp came in 1974 when he led Camp St. Croix to become co-ed, welcoming girls for the first time. The decision in 1974 to enroll girls

reads “Voices of St. Croix,” Murdock took the position that program and staff should be fully integrated — that boys and girls should be in camp at the same time. This was a new concept in camping, and a very wise move.”

at a camp that had been serving only boys for 65 years was perhaps the most highly debated and discussed program change ever implemented.

Jack Murdock

NEW BUILDINGS

One could say Jack literally left his fingerprints all over camp.

During his two decades there, he oversaw several large building projects including a new dining hall in 1974 that is still in use today. The dining hall that was in place from 1954-73 had a capacity of 170. The new dining hall that Jack built had seating for 300, a reflection of the growth that camp was experiencing.

Cabins were expanded to include year-round use, and by the time the dining hall was completed in 1974, the camp could accommodate 250 people, even during the winter.

John Duntley, a subsequent executive director of Camp St. Croix shared, “Jack came along and he was all about the big picture: buildings, working with labor unions, using volunteers, acquiring neighboring properties … the [modern] footprint of camp was established during Jack’s time.”

Phil Fabel, counselor under Jack and longtime Camp St. Croix volunteer added, “camp it is what it is because of Jack.”

Jack’s

This sentiment has echoed through the decades.

“In retrospect, the end of Jack Murdock’s 20-year tenure at camp in 1977 marked the closure of an era,” “Voices of St. Croix” said of Jack. “The idea of progressive theme camping had evolved and matured, and St. Croix’s buildings were greatly expanded and enhanced. But perhaps Jack’s greatest achievement was the development of a generation of young leaders … whose experiences at camp nurtured a deep sense of loyalty and commitment to St. Croix. All these accomplishments have become integral to the camp’s success today.”

In Remembrance

On July 15, 2023, nearly 70 friends of Camp St. Croix, as well as alumni from as far back as the 1950s, to present day staff, gathered together for a day of celebration. Part of the day was dedicated to memorializing Jack Murdock and celebrating his contributions to Camp St. Croix.

Gathered together on the newly dedicated Stu Weitzman patio, there was a lot of laughter, a few tears, and many Jack memories eagerly shared by those who loved him.

People remembered everything from his masterful baconcooking technique, to his passionate ability to mentor and teach young people.

“Jack Murdock was a force. That covers it all.”

- Don Gruber

“For Jack, it wasn’t about what we build out here, it was about what we did. He didn’t want a building named after him.”

- Phil Fabel

“He had a reputation as a builder. But it’s bigger than buildings.”

- Paul Chapman

CAMP ST. CROIX

Founded in 1909, Camp St. Croix is situated on 400 acres of woods, prairies, gardens, and pine-covered bluffs overlooking the St. Croix River National Scenic Riverway. Camp St. Croix is a perfect place for kids, teens, families, adults, and organizations to connect with nature and each other.

Jack Murdock is gone, but clearly not forgotten. His legacy, his memory, and his impact on camp and the people who had the privilege of knowing him will live on.

family at Camp St. Croix to honor his legacy- July 2023

TREEHOUSE MAGIC

YMCA Camp Icaghowan’s treehouses, she gets tears in her eyes.

Considering the 115-year history of Camp Icaghowan, the treehouses are relatively new, having been built in 2008 and 2011. But since that time, they have become an iconic symbol of camp, and Bob Gagner is the reason they are part of camp.

The origin of these treehouses doesn’t begin at Camp Icaghowan, rather, in a backyard in Roseville. When Bob talks about his childhood, his eyes twinkle and his words paint a vivid picture of carefree summer days. He was 7 when he and his friends built their first treehouse.

buying hammers as he lost “at least 12 of them” in the building process.

Bob has a warm smile and passion that pours out of him when he talks about camp. Bob was the executive director of Camp Icaghowan from 2006-15, and before that, spent 25 years at Camp Many Point and 3 years directing day camps. His career is impressive, but it’s his enthusiasm and love for camp that make him so fun to talk to.

In 2002 Bob went to Oregon to meet Michael Garnier, a well-known treehouse builder, to learn more about the engineering that goes into large, safe, permanent treehouses. Back at camp, Bob scouted the land and looked at the trees and found the best location for a treehouse.

Summer camp is a magical place that is just slightly removed from real life. A place where intentional spaces inspire wonder and awe,

“It was our private club house, like in ‘The Little Rascals.’” His smile lights up the room as he talks about running through the woods, gathering supplies, and his dad’s willingness to keep

When Bob became the director of Camp Many Point in 1981, his joyful memories of that first treehouse, and those that followed throughout his childhood came back to him. When he realized that his own children had never been in a treehouse, nor had many of his campers, he wanted to make that part of camp.

This one was built differently than those of his childhood, even meeting local building codes. They included special hardware that allowed the trees to sway in the wind but not move the tree house. Additionally, the construction didn’t damage the trees. Because of its popularity with the campers, he would go on to build a second treehouse a few years later.

When Bob came to Camp Icaghowan, he knew camp had a long history and beautiful legacy

Every single person reacts when they see it for the first time. While campers start to play right away, you can see the adults pause and remember, says Georgia.

Treehouse during construction

(left) Bob Gagner and Chris Bennett-Gagner, at the wedding of daughter Robyn to Nick Lister.

Icaghowan now has that

Bob sought to create. Georgia, relaying this story, smiles. “And then to watch the campers see it for the first time. It’s amazing. They run to the treehouse. They grab the ropes, they climb. They immediately know how to engage with it and play.

Icaghowan’s tree houses ignite a camper’s spirit of adventure and willingness to try something new and will provide those summer camp memories for a lifetime.

nearly 97 years strong (at that time), but he also wanted to give camp something of a “wow factor.”

wowLike with his previous treehouses, Bob explored the island, searching for the perfect set of trees. Once he found the location on a ridge overlooking the lake, he had an arborist come out to check the health of the trees, created the design to fit those trees, found a builder, and the Eagle’s Nest Treehouse (named after the eagles that circled the area during the construction) was complete in 2008. A second treehouse, named Otter’s Lookout after the otters that played in the lake near the site, was completed in 2011.

Bob’s vision of invoking a sense of adventure, fantasy and creative play came to life the instant the first campers saw the treehouse. Georgia, then serving as program director for Bob, remembered listening to Bob describe the treehouse before it was built.

“Bob has the ability to see the world through a child’s eyes, and then make the imaginary

it would be,” says Georgia.

adventure tangible. When he talked about it, he could make you feel how magical it would be,” says Georgia.

The treehouses are currently used for a variety of programming during the summer and yearround. During the summer, all campers go on an overnight adventure. The youngest campers stay in the treehouses — Eagle’s Nest is closest to camp and an

Icaghowan now has that “wow” Bob sought to create. Georgia, relaying this story, smiles. “And then to watch the campers see it for the first time. It’s amazing. They run to the treehouse. They grab the ropes, they climb. They immediately know how to engage with it and play. Icaghowan’s tree houses ignite a camper’s spirit of adventure and willingness to try something new and will provide

CAMP ICAGHOWAN

Founded in 1908, Camp Icaghowan is Wisconsin’s premier overnight camp for kids seeking a small community environment. Set in 120 beautiful acres of oak savanna adjoining Lake Wapogasset, Icaghowan features three tree houses nestled in the forest canopies and a 44-acre island.

Bob has the ability to see the world through a child’s eyes, and then make the imaginary adventure tangible. When he talked about it, he could make you feel how magical

Treehouse during construction

Icaghowan campers, 2023

Friends for the Third Week of Summer?

WHY NOT FOR LIFE?

Camps and friendships go together like marshmallows and graham crackers.

Lifelong friends — even spouses — can trace their start back to a Y camp.

The subject has even blurred the line between dad jokes and memes. “Friendships at camp are in tents!”

Nowhere is this truer than at a Y camp that puts relationships first. This is the story of one such friendship — 38 years long and counting — that found its beginnings at YMCA Camp Ihduhapi in 1984.

Enter the main characters. Jason Star. Starts his Ihduhapi story in 1982 at age 8.

John Hendrickson. Gets his feet on the ground at camp in 1984 at age 10.

In the summer of ’84, Jason and John met, sharing a cabin the same week, and became fast friends.

“We were the odd couple. I was the big kid (at that age),” says John, “and he was the scrawny

mouthy kid … we were always poking fun at each other. We were two jokesters who wanted to horse around. And of course, we were both more interested in the girls than the canoeing.”

Jason and John also discovered they would both be going to the same school the following year. “A lot of people had come from elementary schools together and already knew each other. Neither of us knew anyone else,” says Jason.

The two friends fondly remember those first years at camp. Jason recalls his counselors and activities, riding horses for the first time, and walking down Toboggan Hill. He tells a story about sneaking out late at night with cabin mates and tip-toeing across camp to the girls’ cabin area to put rocks in their shoes that were sitting out on the porch of their cabin. When his son chimes in to ask why, he smiles and says, “I don’t know, we were 10. That was the best we could come up with!”

“We were just goofy pranksters and troublemakers,” continues Jason, “debating the superior sportsoccer vs. football, singing Tears for Fears songs. The counselors would just roll their eyes whenever we’d get going.”

“[The counselors] were just so great and made the experience so fantastic,” says John. “They are these cool college guys. We had this counselor Pete, he was a track star. You look back at those guys and I really appreciate them. They made the camp so awesome.”

John and Jason would continue to return to camp together each year, progressing from campers to junior leaders to counselors.

Mark Hennessy was Ihduhapi’s executive director when they were on staff. He remembers Jason and John well.

It’s

“They were both great role models, and were wonderful cabin counselors. I remember their enthusiasm and energy that they both brought to all-camp games. Almost every day after supper we had some sort of game: counselor hunt, capture the flag, etcetera, and these two young men brought tremendous energy to those games, whether it was the first week or the eighth week. Both had a true love of Ihduhapi and made the camper’s experience the best it could possibly be.”

“You make better relationships at camp than your friends at home,” continues Mark. “It’s a different connection. Hanging out at meals, between electives,

Their friendship continued through college and into adulthood.

Jason and his wife have two children and John and his wife have three. Their families are close and despite living in different states, visit each other once or twice a year. They talk on the phone every week.

Two of John’s three kids have been campers at Ihduhapi and for John, becoming a camper parent was a special experience.

the Y camps. It is a story as old — and as wonderful — as the camps themselves.

“Jason has been my best friend for the past 35 years since we met at Camp Ihduhapi. We went to junior high and high school together at St. Thomas Academy. We were each other’s best men at our weddings. To this day we talk frequently and see each other when we can.”

holding hands and crying at late night campfires, singing songs. Teenage boys don’t like to admit that stuff, but it’s a different kind of friendship at camp.”

“If you are lucky enough to go to camp, it’s a rite of passage,” he says. “You can’t get a better experience as a kid.” When he went back to Ihduhapi with his children, he was struck by how much it felt the same. He was happy to see the new things since he was at camp, but also found comfort in the familiarity.

Jason and John’s story of friendship is the story of so many camp alumni, from all

“John has been like a brother to me. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him. We have our own language created over years of friendship.”

Jason sums it up best saying, “Camp gave me a best friend, and being at camp allowed me to learn about who I really was. It was safe space to grow, develop, push boundaries and experiment. I wish every kid had that experience.”

CAMP IDUHAPI

Camp Ihduhapi has provided enriching camp experiences since 1929. Situated on 165 acres of vibrant maple forest along the shores of Lake Independence, Ihduhapi is the perfect place for youth and adults to learn new skills, build confidence, and create lifelong memories.

a different connection. Hanging out at meals, between electives, holding hands and crying at late night campfires, singing songs. Teenage boys don’t like to admit that stuff, but it’s a different kind of friendship at camp.

HE CAME BY CANOE

by Canoe He’s Remembered

White and red cedar, black walnut, white oak, butternut, bronze, brass, canvas. These are the elements that make up a recent and extraordinary gift to Camp Menogyn: a traditional wood-canvas canoe that was designed, hand-built and donated to camp last summer in memory of Todd Wagner, a former camper, trail guide and longtime advocate.

When Todd died unexpectedly in May 2021, the idea of a memorial canoe came to Todd’s close Menogyn friend, Chuck LeGros.

Todd’s wife, Meredith McNab, and sons, Austin and Cullen Wagner, readily agreed with his plan.

Chuck enlisted help from a small group of Todd’s camp friends to gather ideas and gain support from others who wanted to honor

Much like a wilderness adventure, a handcrafted canoe is a collection of elements that fit together just so to create something extraordinary.

Todd’s memory. They quickly raised enough money to hire Josh Tolkan, an artist in residence at the North House Folk School in Grand Marais and a member of the Minnesota Woodworkers Guild in North Minneapolis, to design and build the canoe. Next, the group turned to Minneapolis artist and Menogyn alumna Angie Brain to add the finishing touch: a logo featuring two white pines.

Todd’s Canoe

Rain fell. Stars wheeled. Sun and wind and snow filled the air. White cedar, red cedar, black walnut, Butternut and oak

Grew skyward, straight and branching; Building, year by year, the tight grains

Of ribs and planking, gunwales, stems and thwarts. They’re drawn together here, Planed, shaped and fastened, Into the taut lines and curves Of this fine craft.

It will travel the waters

Of the great Canadian Shield, Moving, swift and smooth, to the steady pull Of paddles. It will track branching rivers, Stir reflections of granite, fir and birch, And strain in heavy winds.

It’ll ride aloft on shoulders over portages, And rest, upturned, beside campfires at night, While loons call from the next lake. It will carry talk And stories out across the water. Year by year, rain will fall. Stars will wheel. Sun and wind and snow will fill the air.

- Leigh Williams, July 15, 2022

As it happens, another canoe had brought Todd and Chuck together as campers nearly 50 years ago, in 1974, when Menogyn purchased a voyager canoe from Chicagoland Canoe Outfitters. To handle the pickup and delivery of the canoe from Sioux St. Marie, camp’s thendirector Skip Wilke chose a group of 10 campers and two guides for what would become known as the Lake Superior trip.

From Sioux St. Marie, the group paddled together in the 34-foot canoe, traveling along Superior’s North Shore to Cloud Bay, Ontario, just north of Grand Portage. When the young men found themselves windbound — for about six of the trip’s 30 days — they carved wood, skipped stones, told stories, sang songs and ate blueberries by the fistful.

It was an epic journey, and when it ended, the group had brought home La Petite. In the decades since, the iconic canoe has carried thousands of campers across West Bearskin Lake to and from Camp Menogyn.

After Todd’s Hommes du Nord trip the following year, he worked as a trail guide and in other staff roles for several more summers.

“He was exceptional at working with kids,” said Tony Lockhart, another longtime camp friend. “He was the example Skip Wilke used when he described the ideal camp counselor.

“Todd was thoughtful, interested, and he had a great laugh,” Tony continued. “He was amazing at connecting with people. He could, and did, connect with anybody.”

Menogyn was part of the fabric of Todd’s life. “He had all the connections that you could think of, from being a camper, a longtrip camper, on the Lake Superior trip, on staff and, eventually, a camper parent,” Tony said. Todd met his wife and many lifelong friends at camp, and his parents, brothers, nephews and sons were involved with Menogyn as well.

So it felt like the perfect tribute when the just-finished 17.5-foot, wood-canvas cedar canoe arrived at Menogyn a few hours before camp’s 100th anniversary kicked off on July 15, 2022.

CAMP MENOGYN Since 1922, Camp Menogyn has provided transformative small-group wilderness experiences including canoeing, backpacking, and rock-climbing trips. Only accessible by water, Camp Menogyn is uniquely situated on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness on West Bearskin Lake.

Menogyn was part of the fabric of Todd’s life. “He had all the connections that you could think of, from being a camper, a long-trip camper, on the Lake Superior trip, on staff and, eventually, a camper parent.”

At the landing, about 30 people participated in a dedication, which included remarks by Chuck and Meredith and a poem written and read by Leigh Williams, a close family friend and former trail guide.

For the launch, Meredith took the duffer’s spot in the new canoe, with Austin and Cullen in the bow and stern. Flanked by La Petite and other canoes filled with family members and friends, they paddled across West Bearskin to camp, where Executive Director Meghan Cosgrove accepted the canoe into Menogyn’s fleet.

The canoe, imagined, funded and built by a community of people who are connected by Menogyn and who had come together to remember their friend, was carrying campers through the BWCA a couple weeks later.

The weight of Todd’s loss is still heavy, say his friends. It has been just two years since he passed away, and every person who spoke of him was still deeply affected by his absence. But, despite the sadness, when friends described Todd, their eyes lit up, they laughed, and their voices carried happiness at his memory. As Tony Lockhart shared, “Todd was the kind of person who made everyone feel better for being with him.”

Chuck said that as adults, he and Todd had discovered a shared memory from their days on trail. They recalled the magic of paddling on calm, quiet nights, of stretching out in the middle of a canoe and putting their heads back to look up at the stars. They remembered feeling young and ready to take on the world as they watched the night sky in the middle of the wilderness.

“It just seemed fitting to build a canoe for Todd,” Chuck said. “The canoe was meant to perpetuate the sense of adventure that we all had with him. It represents his spirit and honors his memory.”

The canoe ... was carrying campers through the BWCA a couple weeks later.

At Todd’s family’s request, we’re including this QR code for those who wish to make a gift to Menogyn’s endowment fund in Todd’s memory.

Standing- Dan Sowles, Milo Moyano, Chuck Perkins, Steve Nulsen, Chuck LeGros, Todd Wagner, Jon Lindfors Front row- Tim Hanson, Mark Pehrson, Paul Grabau, Paul Dutcher, Chad Burlet

Chad Burlet, Chuck Legros, Steve Nulsen, Dan Sowles, Todd Wagner, Milo Moyano, Jon Lindfors

A LOVE STORY BETWEEN ONE FAMILY AND CAMP WARREN

For many people, spending summer after summer at camp during the formative years of childhood and adolescence sounds like a dream come true.

But for Simon Keepers, so far anyway, it’s a reality. The 24-yearold has literally spent every summer of his entire life at YMCA Camp Warren.

Every. Single. Summer!

But this story is about a whole family’s generational love affair with Y camps, especially Camp Warren. Simon’s parents Cheri and Chauncey took turns serving as executive director there, starting the summer Simon was a baby. He grew up at camp, continuing on as a camper and eventually joining the staff in 2017. This summer — 2023 — marks Simon’s sixth year working at Warren.

And if you’re keeping count at home, yup, that’s 24 summers at Camp Warren.

When Cheri was in 2nd grade, she went to the Y’s Men tree lot with her dad, Brad Harder, to sell Christmas trees to earn money to go to camp. Her dad had been a Y camper and on staff and was (understandably) eager for her to go to camp, too. Cheri started out at Camp Icaghowan for several summers and then moved to Camp Menogyn for several more. When her 1988 Femmes du Nord trip was cut short, she finished out that summer on staff at Icaghowan.

Here comes the meet-cute moment.

Chauncey started as a Y camper, too, heading out to Camp Icaghowan for the first time at 13 years old. After several summers, in 1987, he was invited on a long trip. Forced to choose between the trip and a conflicting summer tour with a theater group to the East coast, he lucked out. On the final day when he had to make his decision, the theater company cancelled the trip and Chauncey

had his decision made for him: Camp Icaghowan.

Who do you suppose Chauncey met that fateful summer of ’88?

“Both of us at Camp Icaghowan that summer, we feel like it was meant to be,” said Cheri. “If the other things hadn’t happened, we wouldn’t have met.”

Even when they were dating, they talked about how many kids they would eventually have and which camps they would send them to. Simon’s plans (along with brothers Owen and Finn) were thus set, long before he was even born.

MOM AND DAD KEEPERS: WARREN CAMP DIRECTORS

Chauncey was eventually hired as Warren’s executive director in 1998, with Cheri as the assistant director. Camp Warren had struggled in the preceding years, and that first summer, there were some weeks with as few as 40 campers registered. But with Chauncey as the ultimate cheerleader, Cheri as the organizer, and baby Simon asleep in a laundry basket at their feet, the Keepers family was committed to getting Camp Warren back to a full roster of happy campers.

Chauncey, Owen, Cheri, Simon, Finn Keepers

Prior to becoming director, Chauncey had held many staff roles at both Icaghowan and Menogyn, and he describes himself as “the ultimate camp counselor.” As director, he focused on building relationships with staff, campers and parents. He spent a lot of time “reassuring and rebuilding” and making sure that camp was a safe, fun place for kids to be. He knew the name of every single camper and really understood the value of relationships.

After 2 years as the director, but also head of maintenance, key relationship builder, board liaison, and “jack of all trades” at camp, Chauncey stepped back and Cheri took over as director. Cheri served as executive director from 2001-05 and during that time, she focused on continuing to rebuild the Camp Warren brand. She

became the face of camp, going into people’s homes to have recruiting parties. She worked to build trust and focused on attracting new campers. Chauncey worked in the Twin Cities and came to Camp Warren every weekend, during which he would spend time making repairs around camp, supporting summer staff, and hanging out with Simon.

“Cheri and Chauncey brought an infectious energy to Warren.” said Meghan Cosgrove, who would follow the Keepers as Warren’s next executive director. “As a staff team, we absolutely loved working for them because they were fair, they honored each individual’s talents and they completely revitalized camp programming to put the focus back on the camper experience. I, and many others, are eternally grateful for the role Cheri and Chauncey played in stabilizing Warren in the late ’90s and beyond.”

Together, the Keepers took Warren from a struggling camp to one that YMCA Camping Specialist Gary Forster visited to ask, “what’s the secret?!” Cheri and Chauncey are both quick to credit the summer staff teams that they worked with during those years. They were “a walking embodiment” of the camp brand and such a gift to work with. They also credit a very active board of directors and the excellent then-YMCA General Manager of Camping, Christa Getchell who were willing to be hands-on and offered a lot of support.

A family affair indeed.

During those hard-working years, Simon played the essential role of “camp kid.” When he was a toddler, Cheri remembers putting him in a carrier on her back and bringing him everywhere with her. Simon’s early memories are of counselors teaching him the “Barbie Girl” song, jumping off the dock, and lots of laughter. Cheri remembers staff and campers “sweeping him under their wing” and watching out for him.

FROM CAMP KID TO CAMPER

In 2006, Cheri, Chauncey, Simon, and brand new baby Owen were ready to move on from Camp Warren. Simon remembers that he wasn’t sad, because it wasn’t the end. He knew he would be back the following summer as a camper. For Cheri and Chauncey, the transition wasn’t sad either. They were proud the progress they had made and how strong and successful they were leaving Camp Warren.

Cheri passed the title of executive director to Cosgrove, who had worked on summer staff for several years and had been a camper before that. Cheri and Chauncey had put the work in to stabilize Warren and they and the board of directors and General Manager, were happy to have camp in Meghan’s qualified and passionate hands.

The following summer, Cheri and Chauncey transitioned into the role of camper parents when Simon became a first-time camper. Cheri recalls secretly calling camp program director Devin Hanson to ask for updates. She worried that Simon wouldn’t

Chauncey and Simon in 1998

know the rules and would wander wherever he wanted. But Simon was a model camper and loved being at Camp Warren.

Simon remembers that he got a lot of attention that summer because the older campers still knew him as the “camp kid.” He was happy being back at Warren.

Simon continued as a camper each summer. He shared his favorite memory from being on a 10-day long boarder trip when he was 13. His counselors on that trip challenged the group to break the record for miles paddled each day, which they did, going up to 20 miles in a day. Simon credits this trip for making him who he is today.

FROM CAMPER TO COUNSELOR

In 2017, Simon once again made a transition, this time from camper to Camp Warren staff member. He remembers figuring out that his counselors “had been flying by the seat of their pants” and didn’t have all the

answers like he had imagined they did. But that realization was empowering and helped him become an adult. He learned to trust himself to make decisions and left that summer feeling stronger and more confident because of it.

Summer 2023 featured three Keepers yet again. Younger brother Owen joined Simon on staff and youngest brother Finn came up as a camper during session 2B.

Cheri explained that she “delights in the evolution of leading camp, then sending the boys off when they were young, and now being known as ‘Simon’s parents’ at Camp Warren.”

Chauncey and Cheri both exude joy and have smiles that light up the room. When they talk about their years at Warren and the time they spent as campers themselves, they trip over each other with stories and laughter. They are passionate, proud, and their enthusiasm is contagious. Their family’s love for camp is apparent within minutes of a conversation.

“Y Camp is who we are” according to Chauncey. Camp has been part of their lives since they were children and has played a significant role in their family’s identity.

When Simon talks about Warren, he speaks passionately about the community, the people and the legacy of camp.

“Camp Warren helps kids be their own person and their best selves; that’s what it did for me.”

When the camp and the people are one and the same, it becomes easy to see why this love story has been going on for generations.

CAMP WARREN

Camp Warren is nestled amongst white pines on 600 acres near Eveleth, Minnesota. Warren provides the ultimate setting for participants to develop selfreliance, build life-long relationships, and receive mentorship from caring adults with a curriculum focused on skill progression.

Y Camp is who we are.

CAMP WORK ORDERS

Buildings and grounds crews have been busy making improvements. Check out what they’ve been up to!

Croix

Camp St. Croix, in partnership with Phillips Medisize built a second amphitheater in the Day Croix location. This project was completed in July 2023.

du Nord

Breaking ground this fall, the area, formerly known as the Auto-Tent Sites, newly named The Grove, will be updating the canvas platform tents to hard-walled, screened cottages.

Launched in May 2022, the Cabin Sponsorship Program is a capital initiative that allows donors to support capital projects around camp. Donor support will allow for necessary upkeep, updates, and improvements for cabins and other capital needs.

Icaghowan

The Health Services building has a new deck and now has air conditioning to help keep all of our medications and campers safe. The Trips building will have a new road around it, as well as new canoe racks to make loading and unloading easier. The new Challenger platform site has a brand new tent and there is a new walk-in freezer for the kitchen.

Ihduhapi

In April a group of AmeriCorps volunteers worked on signage around the trails and updated several fences around the horse area. The Camp Ihduhapi Board of Directors worked hard to update Sunset Knoll with new benches.

Menogyn

Summer 2023 marked the debut of the Pendray Health Services Building, which was completed and dedicated in the summer of 2022. This beautiful new space supports campers, staff and health officers.

Northern Lights

This past spring, cabins Lyra and Callisto were both renovated to accommodate year round use. Lyra is a one bedroom and bathroom with a queen size bed and a sleeper sofa – it has the perfect view of the lake. Callisto is a 4 bedroom 1 bathroom cabin – three bedrooms with queen size beds and one bedroom with two bunks and a twin. Great for a large group! It also has a ramp and accessible bathroom.

Warren

A windstorm in summer 2022 damaged the riding pavilion, which was rebuilt in 2023.

Widji

Widjiwagan is in the planning stages for projects that include: a sauna, full-time staff housing, and the Maintenance Barn. We have just started fundraising for these projects and hope to begin some of these projects within the next year.

LETTER FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT OF ADVENTURE

Digging through an old box of memories, there, stained, slightly wrinkled and on light blue Holly Hobbie letterhead are my letters home from camp.

They tell of warm days swimming on the beach, new friends, candle making, and screen printing in the arts and crafts building. The letters describe canoe trips, ceremonies at camp’s most sacred places, skit making, poison ivy, sore shoulders and long portages, inspiring counselors, and favorite menu items in the dining hall.

Now in my midlife, I see beyond the detailed history of the memories, stories, and woes of rainy days; I see a little girl sharing her growth of becoming a strong independent young person. I see hardship and overwhelming joy, I see frustration and triumph, I see the little girl that did not believe she could do hard things, but then was reminded through experience that indeed she could.

These letters are not just stories; they are journeys of the heart, mind, and spirit. Like all of us who have been lucky enough to have both hard weeks and some of the best weeks of our lives, our letters from camp share insight into the person we were and the person we became through adventure and camping.

I hope that reading this magazine you are inspired to remember the person you were, and the person you became because of your camp experience. I hope memories of campfires and good friends filter through the cobwebs of your mind and are brought back to the surface. It is our goal to remind you that the adventures we create are still so vital to the experience of growing up. Camp is strong, our staff are thriving, and campers are building their own stories.

WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR FEEDBACK!

This is “Letters from Camp’s” second edition and we are working hard to put out the best magazine possible. How did we do? What else do you want to see? Help us improve by giving us your suggestions.

LETTERS FROM ALUMNI

Camp Icaghowan, 1990s

I came to Icaghowan as an older camper in 1991 and then returned as a WLC and then a camp counselor for two years. I have often said that Icaghowan literally saved my life. I had very rough teen years and camp was the first place I made friends and was accepted for who I was. Now my daughter attends and amazingly feels the same strong emotional connection that I did to the experience. I still get teary and filled with hope and happiness every time I drive her and pull up into the A-field. My only regret is that I wasn’t able to come to camp for longer! Are you accepting 44-year-old counselors?!

Rolf Thompson and CJ Jacobson

Camp Menogyn, Camp Widjiwagan

On June 1, 2023, Rolf and CJ celebrated the 50th anniversary of when they met. They commemorated this milestone by gathering friends and family to canoe out to the exact location of their first meeting at the end of the Gunflint Trail in the Boundary Waters. Eleven alumni from Camp Menogyn and Camp Widjiwagan were there to celebrate with them. So many of their “lifelong, enduring, treasured relationships developed because of Y camping” so it felt right to have them there to celebrate a special anniversary.

Bottom row (L-R): Mark Bixby, Tom Diener, Tony Lockhart. Row 2 (third from left): Mark Hennessy, Rolf Thompson (Behind Rolf): CJ Jacobson. Row 3 (L-R): Nancy McFarlin Diener, Keelin Kane, Rolf Jacobson

WHAT’S NEW WITH YOU?

SHARE YOUR STORY!

The YMCA camp community and connections within it are special. We do our best to keep alumni data current and correct so that when milestone anniversaries approach, or exciting camp updates arise — you’re the first to know.

Camp Menogyn, 1980s, 2010s, 2020s

I loved my years working at Menogyn in the late 1980s. I moved to Alaska in 1990 and raised my kids here, and while there is amazing wilderness in Alaska, there isn’t a place quite like Menogyn. My daughter Emily went to Menogyn for the first time as a camper when she was 12, and proceeded to complete the whole progression through Femmes, then becoming a staff member herself. She just left for her eighth summer at Menogyn, this year guiding a canoeing Norwester.

If you’re willing to share a memory or tale of your time at camp, or tell us what you are up now, we’d like to know hear from you! Excerpts from your story might be shared in future magazines or on our website.

ymcanorth.org/adventure/alumni

Or, contact Director of Alumni Philanthropy Natalie King at natalie.king@ ymcanorth.org

Erikka Curran

Ann Harris Larabee

Ann Harris Larabee and Emily Larabee

Kevin “Kevo” McCary

Camp Warren, 1980s-90s

I was a six-year camper: 1976-1981; 12-year staff: 1984, ’86’92, ’94-’97; and on the Board for 12 years, ’98-2010. Warren has been a huge part of my life, almost half my life! I wanted to be a counselor, because of the great experience I had as a camper and to be able to give future campers that same great experience. You never know how much of an impact a counselor can make on a young person. Especially those campers who only come up once to camp and never return.

I currently work as an SEA with the Minneapolis Public Schools at Sanford Middle School. I have been there for 10 years and love working in the DCD/ASD program.

Melody Royse

Camp Northern Lights, 2020s

I’ve always loved camp! The nature and adventure gives my mind and body a reset, but it’s been more about belonging to a community for me. My family camp journey began at Camp du Nord in 2006 and later we enjoyed programs at Camp St. Croix and Camp Icaghowan. My kids have been going since birth and love it every year and my husband and I love age groups!

Sarah

Ellingson, Nicole Cosgrove, Lucy Cosgrove and Ali Sipkins

Camp Warren, 1990s

Sarah, Nicole, Lucy and Ali became lifelong friends after being cabinmates in Cub 3 in 1992. Their fathers, David Gross, Bob Cosgrove, Dodd Cosgrove, and Tom Sipkins also were campers together in the 1950s. In the summer of 2022, to celebrate 30 years of friendship, Sarah, Nicole, Lucy and Ali reunited at Camp Warren’s Labor Day Family Camp, bringing along the next generation including Sarah’s three children, husband and nieces; and Lucy’s son! Songs were sung, meals were shared, and much laughter and joy ensued in beloved Cub 3. These “pals that never fail” look forward to many more reunions on the shores of Half Moon Lake.

Jason Johnson

Camp Ihduhapi, 1990s

I want to wake up, in the morning, at Camp Ihduhapi (jump)

So many memories from being a camper, to JL, to counselor.

The mail! Leaflets, Puzzle Pieces, Nuts and Bolts, and so many more.

All camp games: Capture the Flag, Biffer Game, Counselor Hunt, Naniboijou Games! Summer Olympics at its finest!

JL river trip down the Namekagon and Saint Croix.

I can truly say that a majority of my happy memories as a child were from Ihduhapi!

One thing I learned out on the trail with a Camp Widji group was that when things got challenging, such as a long paddle in the wind and rain, or carrying heavy loads over a rough, twisting portage, there was no one coming to bail you out and save you from the struggle. You just had to keep going and that provided an important lesson in character building.

I have lived in Apple Valley for the past 10 years with my wife and 2 daughters. I am the VP of Business Development for a company called Tech River in Bloomington, Minn. When I am not taking my girls to Soccer or Cheer practice, I have a passion for the outdoors highlighted by trips to the North Shore with my daughters, and an annual trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area with friends.

Bob Worrall

Camp Widjiwagan, 1960s

MORE THAN people completed an on-site water safety program at a Y camp.

32

3,460

828

YOUNG PEOPLE

780 30

WEDDINGS

was distributed in financial aid, offsetting registration fees and making camp accessible to all.

OVER $555,000 CANOES, KAYAKS, PADDLEBOARDS, AND SAILBOATS

people slept at a camp between Memorial Day and Labor Day. were used to enjoy water fun, adventures in nature, and time with family and friends. were hosted at a Y camp.

720

were employed by Y camps, ranging in age from 16 to 21, who gained unrivaled professional experiences, leadership training, and workforce readiness prep.

11,300

323

278

176

BOXES OF CRAYONS BOXES OF COLORED PENCILS REAMS OF CONSTRUCTION PAPER BOXES OF MARKERS T-SHIRTS AND PILLOWCASES FOR TIE-DYEING