What's a first night at camp made of?

A little bit of jittery, nervous excitement. Old friends. New friends. Roasting marshmallows around a campfire on a starry, cool evening. Hearing Taps play for the first time of the summer (or the first time ever!). That’s what a first night at Highlands is made of.
Last night after a filling dinner of homemade spaghetti the boys learned a little bit about a “day in the life” at Highlands during the evening campfires. Taps did blow, and after a long trip in the car or on the bus, the guys were asleep. It was a cool night, but today warmed up nicely. The weather could not be more beautiful!
Boys rotated through stations learning about key points around camp: the kitchen and dining room, the rifle range, the waterfront and to a common area to learn about activities.
Tonight the guys will have chicken noodle soup and sub sandwiches with watermelon for dessert.
 
Bunk notes
If you need information about setting up Bunk Notes or Replies, you can download the informational form on the homepage. It’s a great system. Remember, if you want your boys to email you back, you must attach a Bunk Reply.
The summer is off to a great start. The guys are in the camp store (as I write this) getting their fill of water bottles, pens, stamps and toothpaste! It’s just business as usual here at Highlands. I’m so glad they are all here!
i ❤ CH // tracy b.

After a beautiful afternoon of (not-so-patient) expectation, all the boys are here! For the kids and families who were here at lunch, a siesta-inducing lunch of turkey dinner was served in the dining hall.
The staff and campers who were not on the bus joined in the track to cheer the busses’ arrival. Lots of smile and hugs and hi-fives went around as gear, trunks and back packs were quickly distributed to cabins.
The boys are off now to supper (spaghetti!) and will head back to their divisions for camp fires and a general overview about what happens in a day at Camp Highlands.
Moms and dads, we know you will miss your guys while they are here. We are so honored to have them with us. We look forward to teaching, inspiring and revealing their hidden talents here at Highlands.
i ❤ CH // tracy b.

Here are some things you’ll want to know about Sunday 6/24.
Bus riders:
•Please have your son at the O’Hare Oasis by 9:15 a.m. so that we can be on time for our 10 a.m. departure.
• Don’t forget to pack your son a lunch. (although if you do forget, we have a stash of PB&Js on hand)
• Our Rockford stop is between 11:00 and 11:30 am at the Clock Tower at Business 20/State Street.
• We stop in Madison, WI at the Pine Cone Shell, Exit 132, 51 Madison/Deforest between 12:30 and1:00 p.m.
Arriving by car:
• The best time to arrive is 1:00 – 3:00 p.m on June 24.
• If you are staying in the area and need to drive back home, you may bring your son earlier that day.
Directions from Minocqua: US 51 North to County M. Right on M until you reach N. Right on N 4.5 miles to The Corner Store. (Great ice cream cones!) Turn left at the store on Razorback Road, then right on Camp Highlands Road; the road dead-ends at Camp. It’s about 5 miles from The Corner Store to Camp.
Directions from Eagle River: Hwy 70 west to St. Germain. Go straight on 155 at the intersection with the giant statue of Chief St. Germain. Go through Sayner to County N. Left on N to The Corner Store. Turn right on Razorback Road, then right on Camp Highlands Road; the road dead-ends at Camp. It’s about 5 miles from The Corner Store to Camp.
Arrival by plane:
We will call you once your boy has landed and is in our care. We will then get him to the busses to be transported to camp. All boys will be in camp and ready to eat supper by 6 p.m.!
We can’t wait! We fully expect this to be….the best summer ever!
————————-
i ❤ CH // tracy b.
 

From Andy and Mike Bachmann….
Dear Highlands Parents:
We are happy that your son is going to be with us at Camp Highlands this summer. This letter contains information you will want to save. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call with any questions.
MAIL: Please write your son frequently. He will check the mail every day! The summer address is: CAMP HIGHLANDS, 8450 Camp Highlands Road, Sayner, WI 54560.
E-MAIL: We utilize the services of Bunk1 for e-mails. They coordinate the notes so we receive them in an organized manner. You can download the Bunk1 information on the homepage. We even have the instructions in Spanish!
There is a link on the homepage called “email your camper.” Once you’ve set up your Bunk1 account, this is the link you can click to access the Bunk1 portal.
Also, if you need to contact us you can always call, but we also answer email. Our e-mail addresses are: Mike: mike@camphighlands.com, Andy: andy@camphighlands.com, Tracy: tracy@camphighlands.com, Sharon: sharon@camphighlands.com.
PACKAGES: We encourage packages, but we ask that you NOT send food – even the healthy stuff. Packages are opened in the office, and edibles will have to be confiscated (and will not be saved until the end of camp). The four-legged critters can clean out a cabin in no time. Books, magazines, games, and puzzles are always popular. PRIORITY MAIL, UPS, DHL, and FED EX deliver right to camp. They also pick up at camp if you wish to ship baggage home.
TELEPHONE: The camp office telephone number is 715-542-3443. The best time to reach us is between 9:00 and 12:00 in the morning. The answering machine is always on, and we promise to get back to you if we are out when you call. We do not allow the campers to receive or make phone calls. It is a real interruption of life at camp. It also has a way of bringing on homesickness! Please don’t send cell phones, unless you want one for your son’s travel (remember to include the charger). We will keep the phone in the office until it is time for him to go home.
THE CAMP HIGHLANDS LODGE: If you plan to come to gather your son at the close of his session, or visit camp during the summer, you will want to know about our Highlands Lodge. It features seven guest cottages and a separate dining facility. The Lodge cabins all focus on the lake and maintain their rustic northwoods charm. This is a convenient and fun way to visit camp! To make your reservation, email Sharon or call her at 715-542-2950.
FRIENDS AND FAMILY CAMP: August 11 to 18, we offer a fun vacation where the parents get to play too! Each family has an individual cabin. The meals are great, and it is a lot of fun. Information can be found from the Friends & Family link on the web site home page. Contact Sharon to enroll.
CONCERNS: Please know that ANY TIME you have a concern about your son; we want you to call or email us. You may read something “between the lines” in a letter and worry about it for a week before calling. Nine times out of ten it is something we can check on and clear up immediately – giving you a better night’s sleep! We do not consider your calls to us a bother. They are one way you can assist us in helping your son have the best possible time at camp.
A TIME TO GROW: At Camp Highlands, character and values are important. Your son will learn new skills and make new friends. We will do our best to help him have a relaxed and fun time. We emphasize the value of each person. We provide different chores to foster responsibility. We encourage boys to try new challenges and finish what they start. Kindness and consideration are a big part of everyday life at camp. We will do what we can in our own unique setting to reinforce those qualities we know you believe to be important. We will have a wonderful time with your son! Thanks for sharing him with us!
Cordially,
Andy and Mike Bachmann

Hello Highlands Moms (and Dads too),
Just a few words to you from a Highlands mom who has been around for a while. As camp time nears, I know that your and your son’s thoughts will be turning to Camp Highlands.  We are so glad that he will be with us this summer.
I have been re-reading the comments from the parent response forms that we sent out at the end of last summer. Those comments help us know that we are on the right track. Your son will learn much while he is here– learning to take responsibility – learning to put his energy to the good. — and learning what it means to be a worthwhile man.

Mike and I have been in your shoes.  It was a little easier to send our sons Tim and Andy to camp. They were at Highlands and we had selected and knew all of the staff. But when we took our daughter Laura to her camp — that was another story! Her first year, as we reached the gates of her new camp she started sobbing. That did it for me. I was a wreck for the first week she was there. I’m a worrier, how about you?

I am writing to assure you that your son will be in good hands!  We have an absolutely wonderful staff! We can assure you of that, because we know them. Our staff is an amazing blend of teachers and college students. Our main criterion in staffing is selecting “nice people”. Your son will have a ball!
We care about your son, and will do all that we can to help him have a great time. Andy, Tracy, Mike and I think about the boys as our own while they are at camp. Please know that we stay on top of any “homesick” situation, and help boys work through any adjustment problems. There are surprisingly few.
A friend here in Western Springs was telling me how nervous she was because her daughter is going away to camp for the first time. I told her what I want to tell you: Don’t hesitate to call if you have a concern about your child. We are in and out of the office every day, so chances are good that you will reach a Bachmann when you call. We also check the answering machine throughout the day. One of us will follow up on any question or concern, and get back to you with an up-to-the minute report. The office number is 715-542-3443.
Thank you for the confidence you show in all of us on the Highlands staff. We are looking forward to a terrific summer with your son!
Sincerely,
Sharon Bachmann 
715-542-2950 (Our house at camp)
PS: A big thank you to moms that have given us names of new campers. Your help is so appreciated!!

Dear Moms and Dads,
I just wanted to introduce myself and let you know a few things about communication at Camp. My name is Tracy Bachmann. I’m Andy’s wife and Mike and Sharon’s daughter-in-law (not to mention Judah, Stella and Remy’s mom). I am the person that you will be hearing from when you read our daily blog during camp. As a mom, I understand how important it is to feel connected! I’m in the office every day answering the phone, shepherding emails and making Camp Facebook updates. Communication is my passion! A few things I’d like you to know:
• Feel free to call or email me any time. Do not hesitate to ask for an update on your camper – I’m happy to make inquiries and give you a report. I am in the office all morning long, and much of the afternoon. If we are not at the phone, leave a message and we will call you back shortly.
• We make frequent blog posts all week long reporting on the weather, fun stuff going on at Camp, what the boys are eating for lunch and MORE. It’s a great way to feel connected to your camper, as well as a great way to relive the memories once he’s home from Camp.
• Sign in to the gallery on the website.  We upload photos several times a week. We try our best to get as many faces as possible on there!
• If you’d like to email your son, please use our two-way email system through Bunk1. Just click on the “send an email” link on the home page of camphighlands.com. I can usually answer questions you have about this system, and their customer service is great.
• Like us on Facebook! We will be making daily posts there. Tell your friends and family! It’s a great way for them to stay connected with your camper, too!
We so appreciate your son’s attendance at Camp Highlands. We try our best to keep you informed about what’s going on at Camp. If you have ideas about things you’d like us to report on, just let me know! I love hearing from parents, and am always available for a chat. If you have any concerns at all just give me a ring.
Sincerely,
Tracy B.
 

It is my great pleasure to share with you the counseling staff of 2012!
Some folks are first term, some are second, but all will be staff this coming season. Once again we have an amazing return rate for our counseling staff, with only one fellow never having been to Highlands before. I am very excited for the summer to get here, and with guys like this leading the way, it is bound to be another magical season at Camp Highlands.
Our Counselors-in-Training are:
Tom Kuntz, Cooper Kupferberg, Alex Martinson, Alec Winter, Ed Linquist, Tom Frankenthal, Marshall Sheetz, Mario Velazquez, Pablo Oria, Austin Sennott, Alonso Cano, Santiago Castro, Tom Lubenow, Logan Means and Kevin Miner. 
Our Assistant Counselors are:
David Dean, Joshua Ericksen, Colin O’Brien, Ben Conrad, Chris Dahlman, Nate Henderson, Sam Escamilla, Andrew Barber and Drew Halverstadt.
And our stellar counseling staff are:
Ross Freeland, Ian Astle, Kent Overbey, Matt Schaible, RJ Bruce, Evan O’Brien, John Gallagher, Pat Gallagher, Alec Grassi, Don Kuntz, Tommy Popalisky, Teddy Popalisky, George Swartz, Dan Cleveland, Chris Nyweide, YoQuarius Tucker, Will Faber, Nick Katzmarek, Shaun Trenholm, Jim Ott, Loren Shinn, Shane Hoerbert, Jim DiDominico, Gordy Rahr and Noah Thacker.
And how lucky are we that we also have returning this summer:
Lois Craig, Steve Ronkowski, Kayla Stelzel, Jill Ragsdale, Kent and Peggy Taylor, Jill Wright, Jani Freeland, Dana Barton, Byron and Nanette Shinn and Craig Ericksen.
Joining us for the first time this summer, we have:
Jackie Nettles (babysitter), Becky DiDomenico (crafts!) and Kathleen O’Donnell (lodge).
What a great staff! As campers continue to enroll, don’t be surprised to find new names added to the list. In the meantime, I am so thrilled that these great people will be joining us for our upcoming season at Camp Highlands. 
See you soon!
Andy Bachmann
P.S. Watch for a new camper list this week, too!

First up in our series of introductions to some of our fabulous staff? RJ Bruce!

RJ is from Northbrook, IL, a suburb of Chicago. At camp he is a counselor in the Cub division and teaches Drama. He also organizes and directs “Stunt Night” at the end of each term. In the off season, RJ is an actor and singer in Chicago as well as a freelance music director and vocal coach. His greatest ambition in life is to become a CHOF (Camp Highlands Old Friend, the loving term we have for our older counselors).
We had a couple questions for RJ.
How long have you been coming to CH?
I started coming to camp when I was 10 and only missed one summer so…12 years.
If you could trade places with any person for a week, famous or not, living or dead, real or fictional – with whom would it be?
If I could trade places with anyone, it would have to be Nathan Lane. He is by far one of the greatest comedic actors alive and to be able to do what he does would be incredible. Plus, he has worked on Stage, Screen and TV. How awesome is that?
Passions, obsessions, pre-occupations?
Reading, singing, riding my bike, eating, Shakespeare, Sondheim, teaching and of course Camp Highlands! 
Favorite album, book or TV show?
NCIS, hands down! Best ensemble show on TV.
Something that surprised you about CH?
Something that surprised me about camp was how easy it is for all of us to pick up right where we left off at the beginning of each summer. It always feels like we never left.
Favorite meal at CH?
I could never pick just one so my tied top-two are Sunday Turkey Dinner and Lasagna!
Not everyone knows…
Not everyone knows I’ve never been outside the continental United States. I have however seen Canada, from Isle Royal!
My favorite CH memory is…
My favorite CH memory is getting on the sea plane at the end of my Isle Royal trip my last summer as a camper. Knowing that I had just finished a trip that I never thought I could do was a pretty amazing feeling. Also, the Monkey Business performance after the banquet my first year on Senior Row.
Best thing about spending a summer at CH?
The best thing about spending a summer at CH is learning to step out of your comfort zone and try new and difficult things, all while knowing that everyone is rooting for you and will be there to support you no matter what.
Thanks RJ! See you in just a few weeks for our 109th camping season!

Mike and Sharon just texted me a photo from Camp. They were up there this past weekend (luckies!) checking in on things. It’s cold, but from what I can tell, it looks beautiful! And I hear they had special guests, too. Jim and Tyler DiDomenico and family stopped by Highlands to give their friends a tour. I guess Camp is on everyone’s mind!
What do you need to do before camp starts?
• Your son needs a current physical (within the year). We need his shot record and physical, or for the physician to fill out the form in the packet.
• You need to photocopy your son’s insurance card, front and back.
• Decide on how your son will be traveling to camp. If you have any questions at all, do not hesitate to contact us!
• You’ll need to fill out the forms that you received in an email from Tracy, or that can be found here on the site. These must be completed by June 1 and mailed back to Camp Highlands, 1319 NW 30th St., Gainesville, FL 32605.
• Review how Bunk Notes and Bunk Replies work. It’s a great system for corresponding with your son over the summer. It is especially handy for international families. We even have the instructions in Spanish!
Camp Highlands Informational Gathering

Sunday, April 15, from 2 – 3 p.m. at R.J. Bruce’s home, 2330 Peachtree Lane, Northbrook, IL
We invite you to join us as we introduce new families to Camp Highlands during this informational get-together.
We will watch some videos from last year, Staffers (including Ross Freeland, Evan O’Brien, The Bachmanns, and some others) will answer any questions folks have about Camp, and we’ll catch up on all the latest CH news.
This is an easy way for you to introduce some of your friends to the world of Camp Highlands. We would love for you to invite them, or pass their name along so we can let them know about this chance to get the scoop on Highlands.
Help us spread the word about the magic of Camp Highlands. Even if you aren’t able to make it, it would be awesome if you’d post this event on your Facebook wall in case you have friends and family that might want to attend.
Please RSVP here or send us an email to confirm you’re coming.
Camper List (as of 3/28/12)
The website doesn’t lie. The days just keep ticking down until Camp starts. Check out who’s on this list. Is your name there? It should be!

Davis	Altorfer
Reed	Altorfer
Erik	Anderson
Jack	Armstrong
Mac	Astle
Judah	Bachmann
Lukas	Bachmann
Jacob	Bachmann
Kyle	Bachmann
Zach	Baldwin
Caleb	Banholzer
Kyle	Barker
Garrick	Bender
Marshall	Bessey
Hayden	Bingham
Andy	Brown
Conor	Bulkeley-Krane
Trevor	Bunn
Jack	Burney
Emmett	Burnside
Cole	Butzlaff
Bryce	Butzlaff
Parker	Carlson
Antonio	Carrera
Taylor	Chadwick
Charles	Chapman
Mike	Clarke
Zach	Coffman
Charlie	Convery
Patrick	Dahlman
Nathan	Dahlman
Jeffrey “J.D.”	Davis
Martin	de Guerre
Erik	Dehkes
Jack	Denison
Tyler	DiDomenico
Ashton	DiDonato
William “Tate”	Ellis
Ben	English
Nick	Esbeck
Campbell	Esbeck
Aidan	Fera
Seth	Fox
Brad	Gall
Otis	Grove
Ty	Hallene
Charlie	Hallene
Evan	Hammans
Gavin	Hanson
Logan	Harper
Nate	Harris
Walker	Harrison
David	Hodges
William	Hough
Lucas	Joyal
Kirien	Katzmarek
Sylvan	Katzmarek
William	Kendall
Zach	Klein
Kyle	Knox
Andrew	Krafft
Jack	Kralovec
Charley	Kuesel
Max	Lauster
Connor	Lavin
Jonathan	Lavin
Graham	Letkeman
Jack	Leuba
Max	Lewis
Jack	Lewis
Drew	Lezon
Nate	Lezon
Camin	Long
Tom	Lynch
Max	Maeder
Peter	Magner
John	Milner
Carter	Moore
Matthew	Moran
Nick	Morgan
Diondre	Morris
Mykel	Nayeri
Tucker	Nienhaus
Logan	Nijensohn
Reece	Nijensohn
Brock	O’Neill
Patricio	Palomino
Jack	Parker
Baylor	Parrish
Sam	Pfeifer
Adam	Pfeifer
Ben	Phalen
Campbell	Phalen
Graeme	Phillips
Ian	Pratt
Nicolas	Price
Evan	Price
Mark	Raasch
Ian	Ragsdale
Charlie	Rahr
Leo	Ramirez
Santiago	Ramirez
Jackson	Rench
Andres	Rodrigues
Augustin	Rodriguez Corcuera
Eduardo	Rodriguez Corcuera
Liam	Roeth
Connor	Sanda
Tom	Sarver
George	Schmidt
Louis	Shaw
Tavenner	Smith
AJ	Sorkin
KC	Stanner
Charlie	Stearns
Carter	Steinhagen
Jake	Stewart
Clayton	Stewart
Tom	Stott
Ace	Tanioka
Kent	Taylor
Trey	Taylor
Wyatt	Verlen
Jimbo	Vermillion
Griffin	Wasz
Mason	Werner
Carson	Williams
Roger	Williams
Ethan	Williams
Lucas	Winter
Evan	Winter
Tristan	Worthington
Casey	Zinser
Johnny	Zokovitch

Here at CH HQ in Gainesville, Florida, we are enjoying the most lovely spring possible. And a spring in Gainesville feels like a summer in Sayner, Wisconsin! It really puts me in the mood for Camp Highlands, that’s for sure.
We’ve been busy! We sent out the Dinglebat, the camp newsletter a week or so ago. Did you get yours? I always love to hear what everyone is up to. We also just hosted the first “Meet Camp Highlands” informational gathering at the Stanner’s house in Western Springs, IL. Are you interested in hosting a gathering to help spread the word about camp? Drop us a line and we can help make that happen. We had staff, campers and their parents, and  prospective campers and their parents. It was great fun to watch the movies together and talk about our favorite subject – CAMP! It was short and sweet, just an hour, but I can feel the momentum towards summer!
And now, for the current camper list…..Is your name on here?
Davis Altorfer
Reed Altorfer
Erik Anderson
Jack Armstrong
Mac Astle
Judah Bachmann
Lukas Bachmann
Jacob Bachmann
Kyle Bachmann
Zach Baldwin
Caleb Banholzer
Garrick Bender
Marshall Bessey
Hayden Bingham
Andy Brown
Conor Bulkeley-Krane
Jack Burney
Emmett Burnside
Cole Butzlaff
Bryce Butzlaff
Parker Carlson
Antonio Carrera
Antonio Carrera
Taylor Chadwick
Charles Chapman
Mike Clarke
Zach Coffman
Charlie Convery
Patrick Dahlman
Nathan Dahlman
Jeffrey “J.D.” Davis
Martin de Guerre
Erik Dehkes
Jack Denison
Tyler DiDomenico
Tyler DiDomenico
Ashton DiDonato
Ben English
Nick Esbeck
Campbell Esbeck
Seth Fox
Brad Gall
Otis Grove
Ty Hallene
Charlie Hallene
Evan Hammans
Gavin Hanson
Logan Harper
Nate Harris
Walker Harrison
David Hodges
William Hough
Kirien Katzmarek
Sylvan Katzmarek
William Kendall
Zach Klein
Kyle Knox
Andrew Krafft
Jack Kralovec
Max Lauster
Conor Lavin
Johnathan Lavin
Graham Letkeman
Jack Leuba
Max Lewis
Jack Lewis
Drew Lezon
Nate Lezon
Camin Long
Tom Lynch
John Milner
Carter Moore
Nick Morgan
Diondre Morris
Mykel Nayeri
Brock O’Neill
Patricio Palomino
Jack Parker
Sam Pfeifer
Adam Pfeifer
Ben Phalen
Campbell Phalen
Graeme Phillips
Ian Pratt
Nicolas Price
Mark Raasch
Ian Ragsdale
Charlie Rahr
Leo Ramirez
Santiago Ramirez
Jackson Rench
Andres Rodrigues
Augustin Rodriguez Corcuera
Eduardo Rodriguez Corcuera
Liam Roeth
Connor Sanda
Tom Sarver
George Schmidt
Louis Shaw
AJ Sorkin
AJ Sorkin
Charlie Stearns
Carter Steinhagen
Jake Stewart
Clayton Stewart
Tom Stott
Kent Taylor
Trey Taylor
Wyatt Verlen
Jimbo Vermillion
Griffin Wasz
Mason Werner
Carson Williams
Roger Williams
Ethan Williams
Lucas Winter
Evan Winter
Tristan Worthington
Casey Zinser
Johnny Zokovitch