The fifth graders from Indian Community School in Franklin really got into the Spirit of Matawa last week.  What an outstanding bunch of students, teachers and parents!  They really put their all into everything they did here at camp.  They did some climbing, archery, snow shoeing, sledding, cross country skiing, pond study, animal tracks, crafts and more!  Not only did they do tons of hiking on the Ice Age Trail on Friday before lunch, they also woke up early for a Sunrise Hike with one of their teachers.  Katie and I were really impressed with the fact that they conquered our Zero Food Waste Challenge by having absolutely no food waste at all six of their meals at camp.  It was truly an amazing three days.  And by the way, thanks for the mini-drums!

At the end of each summer, we put together a Memory Book for each staff member to take home.  One of the statements everyone is asked to finish is “You know you work at camp when…”  In looking toward next summer, I took a few minutes to relax and look back at the great memories of 2009.  Some responses really stuck out and were repeated over and over by our outstanding staff!  I’d like to share some with you!

According to Matawa staff, you know you work at summer camp when…

-          Singing horribly in front of 200 people doesn’t scare you!

-          You have the musical taste of a typical ten year old!

-          When you get back home, all you want to do while eating is chant for your friends to Kiss the Buffalo!

-          You have crazy tan lines!

-          There is no where else you would rather be than at work!

-          You have to go into the pool fully clothed and get a “manicure” from a twelve year old!

-          You know a camp song that is appropriate for any and every situation!

-          Waking up at 7:45am is considered sleeping in!

-          You dress up to go to Walmart!  And by “dress up” we mean putting on a clean pair of jeans!

-          “Awesome!” has become a permanent part of your daily vocabulary!

-          Bug spray becomes your favorite perfume!

-          You have the best job in the world!

-          You go out to dinner on the weekend and constantly check to make sure your elbows are NOT on the table!

-          Foil Dinners are considered fine dining!

-          It feels weird when you are NOT carrying a day pack!

-          Every white shirt you own has been tie-dyed!

-          You make friends in two months that you know will last a lifetime!

With all the fun we had last summer, I can’t wait for next summer to start!!  Let the crazy horrible singing and excessive tie-dying begin!

This past week Camp Matawa was happy to host a fantastic group of 6-8 graders from Green Bay Avenue School in Milwaukee.  They spent their time enjoying the brand new snow.  We got about a foot of snow the day they arrived.  Most of their time was filled with fishing, sledding, playing games in the lower dining hall, climbing and enjoying the fireplace in Jack Blank Lodge.  Their teachers, Mr. Netterfield and Miss Pluta, even joined in on the fun.  They even met our Zero Food Waste Challenge by have absolutely no food waste at breakfast Thursday morning.  Hooray for french toast sticks and sausage!  We always love having Green Bay Avenue School at camp.  They are an amazing bunch of students and teachers that always bring smiles to our faces.

Wendy Mieske

Katie Dorschner, who has spent the past 13 summers at YMCA Camp Matawa as either a camper or staff member, is now spending the year as our AmeriCorps Representative. Since 2004, Katie has served camp as a Counselor, CIT/LIT Director and Trekker Village Director. Currently, she is leading our efforts to reconnect with our alumni. Using Facebook and seasonal newsletters, we will be informing alumni of the happenings at camp as well as the events in other alum’s lives! As our camp is growing it will be a great way for people to stay in contact with their camp and also those who have experienced the Matawa Magic with them. If you are a Matawa alum, please visit our website and fill out the appropriate information to start receiving more information! http://www.matawa.org/Alumni.php

Last week, the year round Matawa team (Jen, Wendy and me!) headed down to Oregonia, Ohio for the YMCA’s Mid-America Camping Conference (MACC) at Camp Kern. We spent 7 hours in the car talking about next summer at Matawa! Monday to Thursday, we gathered with friends and colleagues from all over the Midwest to share ideas about marketing, programming, staff training, camper safety, and much more! We got to hear from brilliant keynote presenters, including Neil Nicoll, CEO of the YMCA of the USA! The best way I can describe MACC is a week of camp for the camp directors! We cram a ton of fun and learning into one busy week, and get a lot of great memories and lifelong friendships along the way! The winter months can seem long when Summer Camp is so far away, but this amazing week really recharged our batteries and got us excited about planning for the next four months! Also, I might be a little biased, but I think “Camp People” are just the great! Through a silent and live auction made up completely of items contributed by camp directors, vendors and presenters, the MACC participants raised over $10,000 to help support another YMCA Camp and Red Cross efforts in Haiti. Talk about generosity! Wendy and I will be a part of the planning committee for the 2011 MACC and will help to make next year just as educational and fun as always!

Annie Hernandez

Hello friends of Matawa!! Welcome to our blog! We are so excited about our new website and this new exciting way to share camp happenings with you all year round! Check back regularly to read the latest blog entries! Camp is covered in snow this winter! We haven’t seen the grass in over a month, and the Ga Ga Ball Arena seems to be collecting as much snow as possible. I had the pleasure of plowing and salting camp for the first time ever! We finished off 2009 with a largest and best Winter Camp of all time!! The campers and staff enjoyed lots of camp activities, like the climbing wall, indoor archery, and arts and crafts. We also spent the day at Sunburst tubing, skiing or snowboarding. As most of the participants haven’t been skiing or snowboarding for all, everyone got to take a morning lesson and learn how to hit the slopes in style! We brought in the “New Year” on the 29th at the annual New Year’s Eve’s Eve’s Eve Ball with lots of dancing, noise makers and two piñatas full of candy. The four days went by way too fast and no one wanted to go home at the end! After having so much fun with the amazing staff and campers, we can’t wait for summer camp to come!

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2010! Annie Hernandez, Summer Camp Director