Divide and conquer

Wednesday is Division Day at camp, a time when boys divvy up into their divisions and spend the afternoon together. The Colt division gets to cruise into town today to goof off at The Waters water park in Minocqua, grill out at Clear Lake and end the day watching the awesome Min-Aqua Bats ski show. It’s an action packed day for sure, but they aren’t the only ones having a great time. The Cubs are packing up and spending the night on local Pallette Lake, they’ll roast marshmallows, play in pristine water with a sand bottom and get good use out of their sleeping bags and flashlights! God bless those Cubbie counselors who wrangle all twenty or so eight, nine and 10 year olds! The Senior division will convoy down Plum lake by whatever means available – kayak, canoe, etc. to tie up at the Sayner Pier. They’ll cook out in Sayner and play softball on the Sayner ball field. Juniors will have camp all to themselves tonight, cooking out on our large stone grill in the adventure ropes area and play games. These Wednesdays are a nice break in the routine. They offer up a little more free time to the boys, a slightly longer rest hour and time to just enjoy being together with all the boys in their age group. The cooks like it too, as it’s their night off!

We are gearing up for the camp birthday this Saturday. We will turn 111 this year, and I have to say, I think we’ve never looked better! We celebrate our birthday each year with the world-famous Steeplechase, a two and a half hour Army/Navy relay race, with a course that runs through camp and even around Five Pines and to the Star Portage! Each boy participates in their own crucial event in the race and it’s a rip-roaring good time. Events range from pin bowling, to soccer dribbling, to jumping through a hoola hoop from Tower Three. The relay culminates during the nail-biting water boil and Baker tent set up and breakdown. The fun starts about 9 a.m. and goes on throughout the morning ending around 11:30 a.m.
At 3 p.m., the Seniors host camp down in the Row for the random-little-known-games Olympics – the Senior Carnival – complete with homemade dunk tank, pillow fight jousting and bug juice chugging! And what do you win at this Carnival? Bachmann Bucks of course.
The fun doesn’t stop there. After the Carnival, we have a picnic supper on Junior Hill followed by Games on the Hill, also a Highlands highlight. This is also an Army/Navy competition filled with wheel barrow races and the copyrighted Broom Race (you have to see it to understand it). Saturday is ACTION PACKED and is my favorite day of the whole summer.
The weather continues to be dry and cool, which is better than wet and cool. We’ll take it! Check out this glassy lake photo taken just an hour ago. I don’t know how those sailors got all the way out there with such low wind! It’s just camp magic, I suppose.
We hope you guys at home are having half as much fun as we are here at camp!
And on that note… 
I ❤ CH // tracy b.

Hey Highlands fans! First, an apology on no blog post until now. I hope you have all been thoroughly digesting the many great photos in the gallery (thank you Mike Bachmann) in the absence of a written update. Enough apologies and on to the news! Today is HOT. Hazy and sweaty. In fact the office assistant, Sally Glowiack just said, “Last week we needed a heater and this week we need a fan.” Indeed. While it was cool last week, the boys hardly seemed to notice. They happily skied, canoed, played soccer and all that other stuff that boys do at camp. Cabins 2, 4, 5, 7 (basically all the Seniors not on trips!) and cabins 23 and 25 all got to enjoy canoeing today. Free swim was very popular today at free time! Cabins 21, 22, 23 and 24 channeled their inner Katniss today at archery.

This is the height of tripping season here at camp – about 30 boys are out on trips right now. Cabins 14 and 12 just set out for their three day hike in the Porcupine Mountains this morning. I heard from one of the counselors that their camp site tonight is really fabulous. In fact, a million years ago before Andy and I had kids, he took me hiking up there and we lounged on large flat river rocks while the water flowed around us at the exact camp site where your kiddos will be spending the night! That’s quite a reward after their nine mile hike the boys were looking down the barrel at this morning! Cabins 15 and 17 from the Colt division just set off on their three day canoe trip on local waters. Folks, if I could sneak out of camp for three days, this is the trip I’d want to do. The boys paddle on a local chain of lakes and learn how to make double decker PB&J pita sandwiches (at least that’s what my kid learned to do on that trip)! They swing on a rope swing and have a generally fabulous time. We hope it continues to stay nice and dry for them! Yesterday Highlands boys enjoyed some friendly competition with a neighboring camp, Red Arrow. Our Colts won soccer 1-0 and our Seniors basketball team gave a solid showing, to end in an unfortunate loss. Last night your boys enjoyed their first of three Sunday Night Sings. Sing followed open activities all afternoon, where boys chose their favorite activity. Also, back by popular demand are Pinewood Derby Cars! Fifty boys will craft their cars over the coming weeks and then compete in some serious racing toward the end of camp. For lunch today? Chicken tenders. Lois reports that the boys ate 350+ and would have gladly eaten more. You’ve gotta love it.   Honestly, I wish I was a camper most days˜Ñ. And on that note… I ❤ CH // tracy b.

A flight from somewhere far away, an epic bus ride, a never-ending car trip – by whatever means, your boys will all be in camp this evening and we can’t wait to have them with us. Can you imagine how these boys feel? So excited – the promise of new friends, fields to run, boats to sail, balls to throw, songs to sing. There is an unmistakable buzz in the air on this day. We. Are. Excited.
The buses will pull into camp around 5:15 this afternoon, through those magical white gates that say “Camp Highlands,” and the boys will instantly be transformed. The sweet sound of the bugle calls and the entire staff and all boys that arrived by car will spill out onto the ball field to cheer for the guys arriving. It’s one of my favorite moments at camp, when boys that haven’t seen each other all year are reunited with bear hugs and high-fives. And the new kids? As a mom, I always worry about these guys! But they are intercepted quickly and their gear is enthusiastically hauled off, and the adventure begins.
There will be jitters at supper, but it’s spaghetti, something that almost everyone likes. Afterwards, the evening is filled with tours of camp, some baseline rules and a campfire, the first of many they’ll have at Highlands.
We know you moms, dads and caregivers will miss these guys. Our priority is your child. Our staff is ready to give them the guidance and support they need to try new things, to step out of their comfort zone and to experience a feeling of self-reliance and confidence that is difficult to duplicate anywhere else. Our motto this summer is, “Camp Changes Lives.” It is so true.
And on that note…
I ❤ CH // tracy b.
Nuts and Bolts
Remember that most questions you’ll have can be answered with the new and improved Highlands Handbook. The Bunk Notes code is FYXKNRWU. Everyone needs to set up a new account this year. And remember that if you’d like your son to write you back using a Bunk Reply, you must attach one when you send him one. The Highlands gallery password was provided in an email, but if you still need it, please email or call us (it’s also in the Handbook).
The best time to reach us is between 9:15 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. If we don’t answer the phone, leave a message and we will get back with you!

We had an awesome weekend! You likely saw the pictures from Pirate Day on Saturday. We had somuchfun! The boys were placed into four teams and spent the day in pirate-themed activities. I don’t know who had more fun, the campers or the staff (including Andy Bachmann, who fully embraced his role as Black Beard). Saturday evening we had a picnic supper on Junior Hill. It was a great end to the day.
Sunday’s Assembly allowed us a time to reflect on our summer so far. Boys shared in their cabin groups whether they had achieved the goals they set during the first week at camp. If they hadn’t, they were prompted to think about what they could do to achieve them this week. Assembly is a quiet time in camp. After a fast and fun week, it’s always good to have a few moments to think about the incredible achievements the boys have made.
Sunday afternoons are open activities, so boys can choose which activity to attend in order to work on Achievement Credits or just participate in whatever their favorite activities might be. And of course Sunday Night Sing is a blast. The power was knocked out by a brief thunderstorm. Conveniently our caretaker Kevin is the fire chief and he cruised up Junior Hill in a fire truck and hooked up a generator to run the electricity for the lantern slide projector! What a hoot!
The week ahead is going to be a good one. Today is the final Division Day. The Cubbies have the bus today and are headed to the Wildwood Wildlife Park and then to the Lumberjack Show. They have a big time, complete with ice cream at the corner store! The other divisions have camp-based activities and a cookout tonight.
Tomorrow will bring to Sayner, WI the 2014 First Term Stunt Show. We would call it a talent show, but that might be a stretch! In all honesty, it’s a blast – and rumor has it there are several outstanding skits and performances planned.
Thursday evening is the Kerchief Ceremony, a quiet and special time at camp when boys are recognized for their achievements at camp. They’ll don their red kerchiefs and each boy will place his stick into the “fire of friendship.” In this busy, changed world, it’s so neat that boys get to have this sort of rite-of-passage experience.
Friday is our final banquet, Highlands fans. If you’ll be joining us, we’d love to know. You most likely made a note on your forms, but if you suddenly decide to come, just send me an email. We’d love to have you! The schedule for the day is as follows:
3 p.m.: Water Carnival
6 p.m.: Picnic supper and banquet festivities
8:45 p.m.: Wrap up!
You are free to take your son home with you, or you can pick him up by 9 a.m. on Saturday when First Term comes to a close. We are really looking forward to seeing all you parents and caregivers, but we aren’t ready to stop the fun yet! Off we go to make the most of this last week!
And on that note…

 

Hey Highlands fans! Happy Fourth of July! We drag our celebration out over the week here at camp. As you know, we celebrated the Fourth last week during our annual track meet, but the fun doesn’t stop there. We’re cranking Motown in the office and getting geared up for a great day! Today, we’ll be eating a red, white and blue fruit salad with strawberries, blueberries and bananas along side Salisbury steak and mashed potatoes, peas and fresh carrots. To finish off that all-American meal, we’ll have blue cake with cream cheese frosting. YUM.
The weather is gorgeous. Cool in the shade, warm in the sun. Nice and crisp. The perfect day for land sports like baseball (cabins 11, 14, 21, 24, 15 and 18) and soccer (cabins 21, 16, 17 and 25). There’s also a sweet breeze on the lake. It’s a nice day for a sail (cabins 25, 18, 23).
First term is a whirlwind of trips. As you know, each boy goes on an age-appropriate trip. Cubs have a weekly overnight on Wednesday, Colts enjoy the sweetest canoe trips on a local chain of lakes, Juniors hike in the Porcupine Mountains. Cabins eight and 12 are out on the trail as I write this. The Seniors go on an assortment of big trips. Right now we’ve got Seniors canoeing in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota and boys hiking 100+/- miles on Isle Royale.
Tonight the boys that aren’t on a trip will load up on a bus to head into the booming metropolis of Sayner, WI (pop. 207). I have traveled around the world, and have seen fireworks in Sienna, Italy and Okinawa, Japan – and I’m here to tell you, the fireworks in Sayner, WI are astounding. Our very own caretaker Kevin Rassmussen (also the Sayner fire chief!) heads up the festivities and saves Camp Highlands a primo viewing spot and positions our buses for a quick getaway. It’s a late night for these guys, but so fun!
Can you believe that this time next week, you’ll either be here at Camp or about to pick your son up at the airport or bus!? Time flies when you are having fun.
Remember if you haven’t RSVP’d to our family picnic on FRIDAY, we encourage you to do so. We would love to see you!
And on that note…
I ❤ CH // tracy b.

Sun? Check. White puffy clouds? Check. A gentle breeze on the lake? Check. All travel plans go off without a hitch? Check. What a way to start the summer. I am happy to report that the buses have arrived and the 2014 season is underway.
What happens when two motor coaches filled with excited boys unload on Highlands property? It’s a miracle, actually. Bugles blow to welcome the buses in and campers pile off the buses to be greeted by the boys who arrived by car and our staff. Trunks, duffel bags, tennis racquets and lacrosse sticks are distributed and toted off to their cabins. Beds are quickly made, and at 5:50 the bugle calls for supper.
Lois has had the water on to boil since lunchtime, at just the right moment she’ll drop 20 pounds of pasta (!!) in and spaghetti dinner will be served, hot and delicious. After supper, the boys will play games, get a tour of camp and learn some baseline rules while they sit around the first of many campfires for the summer.
We are so excited to have your sons with us. After all the forms you’ve filled out and socks you’ve labeled (you DID label their socks, right?), I might guess that you are feeling all sorts of things right now. Will he like his bunkmates? Will he eat the food? Will he drink too much bug juice? After 111 summers, there’s a little miracle that happens at Highlands. Things just sort themselves out after a few days. Both for you and for your boys! We have put together a fantastic staff who are trained to nurture, teach and guide your sons. We have a dedicated kitchen staff that’s making delicious food from scratch. And you have Andy, Tracy, Mike and Sharon Bachmann whose primary concern in life is making this experience the absolute best possible for your child.
Thank you for sending them to us. It’s our honor to have them for this amazing 111th summer!
And on that note,
I ❤ CH // tracy b.

It’s that time of year. There are endless graduations, recitals, art shows, teacher appreciation breakfasts and end-of-year parties. I don’t know about you, but I’ve probably had this conversation 10 times over the last couple of weeks as I mill about after said piano recital/art show/teacher-appreciation breakfast, drinking warm punch and eating iced grocery store cookies. It goes like this:
Adorable mom: So what are your summer plans?
Me: We do this *camp* thing. You know, oldest private boys camp in the country, northern Wisconsin, 111 summers, fourth generation, husband’s family, etc. [this is the abbreviated version] AM: Wooowww. That’s so cool! How many boys do you guys have?
Me: 110 or so per session. We have two sessions, a three week and a four week and many boys go for all seven.
AM: [look of terror crosses her face] Woah…four weeks? I could never send Howie away for four weeks. [Ok, almost no one is named Howie, I totally made that name up.] Well, I could see how your son could do it, since you guys are there all summer with him. What do your girls do while you’re there?
Me: Well, the baby is with a babysitter during the day, but our nine year old daughter goes to girl’s camp for four weeks.
AM: (GASP + look of terror) Four weeks! Don’t you miss her? Doesn’t she get homesick?
Me: I miss her like crazy! But after the first week, I adjust. She was homesick for the first week last year and we got the sweetest, most hysterical letters from her. But after that first week, we hardly heard a word from her. I figure it’s great practice for college. Plus, it’s been such a confidence builder for her. I can’t tell you how proud of herself she was when she came home. School isn’t her favorite, but camp, man, she’d live there year-round if she could. She is so excited she gets to take skiing this year!
AM: (considers this) Hmmm. Skiing? That’s really, really cool. You know, my dad went to summer camp in New York when he was a boy. What’s your website address again?
Moms and dads, you guys are doing a BRAVE thing. You are sending your child off to camp this summer. To a place that may or may not be known to you. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: it’s fierce. Remind yourself and your son that this a bold adventure and that, yes!, he might be homesick, and yes!, you’ll miss him. But he’s going to have so.much.fun. He’s going to learn.so.much. And you’ll all come out on the other side, counting down the days until next summer.
And on that note…
I ❤ CH // tracy b.
 

Hi moms and dads! It’s about that time that you start making travel arrangements to camp.

Most things are staying the same.
If you are in the Chicagoland area and your son rides the bus, nothing has changed. If you are flying into O’Hare from the East coast or somewhere in the Midwest, nothing has changed. If you are flying from: the West Coast, Florida, or Mexico or from outside of the US – things are changing!
We prefer that if you are at all able, your son should ride the regular bus that departs at 10:00 AM on Sunday morning. (Sunday June 22 for first term or July 13 second term). This way he arrives at camp before it gets dark and can eat supper and participate in all the first night activities. That means if your son flies to Chicago, please have his flight arrive no later than 9:00 AM.
However, it’s become increasingly difficult for people to obtain flights to O’Hare that arrive before our normal 9:00 AM cut off time. We can no longer host boys overnight in Chicago on Saturday night – BUT – we’ve hopefully come up with a solution that is even better than that!
All camp travel will now be on Sunday June 22 for first term or July 13 for second term.
To and From Mexico: Flights from Mexico must arrive by 11:30 AM on Sunday morning. We will have a staff member meet them at the gate as usual and then take them to the chaperoned charter bus that will depart at about 1:45 PM, once everyone has cleared customs. There is a United flight 474 that departs MEX at 6:30 AM and arrives at O’Hare at 11:33 AM. It is ideal to have them on this flight. We can no longer pick campers up on Saturday night and have them spend the night in Chicago.
West Coast of US, Florida, or from outside of the US: All flights MUST arrive by 11:30 AM. Boys will ride on the 1:45 bus with our international campers.
Please advise us of your travel plans by filling out the travel module on your child’s forms online no later than June 1, 2014.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

Make new friends, but keep the old… It’s a favorite song at Sunday night sing – which you can learn more about at this year’s Chicagoland meet and greet! Here are the details:
Saturday, March 8, 201410 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
The Rench home
150 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn
Parking on Fairview just south of their lovely home
Please RSVP to Tracy.
Whether this is your 39th season, you’re enrolled this summer for the first time, or you are just looking for more information about CH, we’d love to see you there!
We will:
• Watch videos from last summer
• Staff will be on hand to answer all of your questions
• Catch up on all the latest CH news
• Enjoy some punch and cookies, see old friends or make some new friends before camp this summer
This is a fun and easy way for you to introduce some of your friends to the world of Camp Highlands, so bring a guest with you. You can link to the Facebook event page and share it with your friends. 
We hope to see you there!

 
As you know, Camp Highlands is not based in any religion, (even though we have a strong thread of values woven into just about everything we do at camp). That’s why it might surprise you that I say to my 11-year-old camper when he’s acting especially, well, eleven: “Judah, WWJD?!” And I’m not talking about Jesus. While I appreciate that fellow, he doesn’t seem to carry as much weight with Judah as his counselor from this summer, Jordan Taylor. Am I comparing Jordan and Jesus? No. It’s just a short way to say to Judah, “how would Jordan behave in this situation? How would Jordan handle this?”
I know I’ve cited this NYT article Why Camp Counselors can Out-parent Parents before, but it bears repeating. Our favorite camp expert Michael Thompson hits the nail on the head when he says,

“Children love to learn, but they get tired of being taught by adults. Children want to learn from older children, and, at a camp that means older campers, C.I.T.’s (counselors in training) and camp counselors. They want to live with them, emulate them, absorb them. In our age-segregated society, camp is the only place in America where an 11-year-old can get the sustained attention of a 19-year-old. In return for the attention of these “older children,” campers will make sacrifices. They will follow all kinds of rules and adhere to all kinds of rituals that they would likely fight at home.”

Hopefully you’ve seen changes in your boys since they’ve been home from camp. Have they been more confident and willing upon entering a new school? I had one parent email me and say her son had been incredibly helpful during their recent move. She said she thanks camp for that, and reports he’s “turning into a Highlands man.” Music to our ears!
If you haven’t enrolled for next summer, the October 1st deadline for the free store account is quickly approaching. Remember we have a 100% refund policy, should your plans change. Just log in to your account and follow the link to the Camper Application (it’s the green square with the tree in it). We hope everyone has had a good start to the year. We are already counting down to our 111th camping season! We hope to see you there!