The Anokijig Insider

Partnerships - a big part of Anokijig Success Stories

2012-02-17T11:06:00.002-06:00

A many of you know, Anokijig is Alive-n-Kickin’ due to the efforts of literally hundreds of individuals and organizations. Our circle of friends continues to grow and they are all instrumental to our continued success. The generous partnership of many individuals, companies, foundations, and civic groups enables us to fulfill the mission entrusted to us.

Recently we were pleasantly surprised and very thankful to be acknowledged by one of our partners, the Alliant Energy Foundation, as one of their success stories!
The Alliant Energy Foundation contributes to projects and initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life in the communities they serve. Grants are awarded to programs that address community needs in five primary areas, including the environment. Camp Anokijig received a grant in support of our Outdoor Education Program, which offers the opportunity for students to gain a better awareness and foster stewardship for our natural environment while learning lifelong skills and attitudes through hands-on experiences. See the full story here: http://www.alliantenergy.com/CommunityInvolvement/CharitableFoundation/GivingBackProfiles/030196

The Anokijig Insider: Anokijig Announces a New Benefit Comedy Show !

2011-11-08T11:05:00.000-06:00

The Anokijig Insider: Anokijig Announces a New Benefit Comedy Show !

2011-11-08T11:04:00.000-06:00

The Anokijig Insider: Anokijig Announces a New Benefit Comedy Show !

Anokijig Announces a New Benefit Comedy Show !

2011-11-08T10:28:00.005-06:00

Get your tickets NOW
for
Comic, Singer, Songwriter

PAT
McCURDY

Saturday November 26th, 2011
Plymouth High School Auditorium

Proceeds to benefit the
Anokijig Campership fund.
(funds from last years' event helped send 266 campers to camp in 2011)

Pat is a multi-talented musician, singer, songwriter & comedian renowned for unique performances of his original songs, including

“We Love The Green and Gold”!

Complete your Holiday festivities with family and friends by reveling in this hysterical show!
&
Help Benefit A Great Cause!
This will be Pat's only Sheboygan County appearance this holiday season.

Don't miss your chance to see a great show.

Tickets available NOW!

Stay tuned to Anokijig.com, Anokijig on Facebook, and The Anokijig Insider Blog for all of your Anokijig News.

Click "Anokijig Pat McCurdy Show" for all of the show details.

Click "Anokijig Seating at Plymouth High School Auditorium" for Seating Chart.

Enjoy a Pat's Video of "We Love the Green and Gold" by clicking HERE.

How Can I Help?

2011-08-22T12:05:00.000-05:00

Summer camping season may be over at Anokijig, but that doesn't mean Camp still doesn't need your help. The question is often asked of us- "How can I help?" and there are many ways. Donations are always accepted and can always be designated for a specific purpose, like funding camperships or helping out the ranch program.

Volunteers are always needed year-round for groups and weekends at Anokijig, as well as special events that take place outside Anokijig, like the Rotary Founders' Club Casino Nite. Did you know Anokijig now has their own page for volunteers on Facebook? be sure to check it out and if you can lend a hand on a weekend or during a special event, we'd appreciate the help.

Another way to help is by saying "thank you" to those who have helped us. Thanking someone for their generosity and support of Anokijig can be as simple as stopping by their Facebook page, liking it and leaving a note on their wall that lets them know how much you appreciate what they've done for Anokijig. The left side of Anokijig's main Facebook page features businesses and organizations that have helped Anokijig in some very significant ways. Liking them on Facebook & thanking them on their wall let's them know that their generosity impacts real people in a positive way.

This fall, we will be starting up our "Thank you Thursday" campaign again on our Facebook page and asking our supporters to thank those who have helped Anokijig. It may sound simple and it only costs a minute of your time, but it is meaningful and it does make a difference. While we're at it, we want to thank you for your support of Anokijig! See, that felt good, didn't it?

The Latest Addition to the Anokijig Fleet

2011-08-02T09:33:00.000-05:00

Regular readers of the Anokijig Insider will remember the feature we did on Ken & Melody Cavan's donation of a Kubota UTV a few years ago. We're happy to report these generous supporters have made another donation to the Anokijig fleet- a brand-new Honda Foreman Rubicon. This is the fourth ATV/UTV Ken & Melody have donated to Anokijig over the years and we can't thank them enough for their generosity.

We tried to get a photo of all four vehicles in the same place, but these vehicles are in such high demand at Anokijig, that we felt fortunate to find two in the same place, at the same time. Anyone who has ever walked up the hill behind Western Lodge has probably noticed a few of these vehicles parked next to the kitchen windows. These aren't the most glamorous of donations and they certainly aren't kept in the most obvious of areas at Camp, but they are integral to the operations of Anokijig and we don't know what we would do without them.

Many of our donors have preferences in what they give or how they support Anokijig. Our campership program, which provides camping opportunities for underprivileged kids is extremely popular, as is support of our program areas. These types of gifts are often high-profile or at least easy for donors to make a connection to how they benefit kids. An ATV is not such a donation, because our campers never use them and they aren't directly used in our program areas. However, their uses around camp, from hauling luggage trailers on check-in days, to providing access to hard-to-reach areas of Anokijig simply make Camp function.

Anokijig wouldn't be what it is today without our donors and while we appreciate all our donors, we feel especially fortunate to have supporters like Ken & Melody Cavan, who understand the needs of Anokijig on a behind-the-scenes level and are willing to support the infrastructure that makes the Anokijig engine run so well!

What are the driving directions to Camp Anokijig?

2011-07-31T10:01:00.000-05:00

You've remembered to pack everything for your child's first week at summer camp and you even made it out of the house on time. Now, you suddenly find yourself 30 minutes from your house, heading in the general direction of Camp Anokijig, without actually knowing how to get there. What do you do? If you're like many folks, you summons the Internet, via your smart phone and begin searching for directions to Anokijig. We thought we'd post them here, just in case you were having trouble with your navigation system.

If you're coming from the South, take I-43 North and exit to the left at the split for Highway 57, which directs you toward Plymouth. At this point, you will be about 30 minutes from Anokijig. Stay on Highway 57 North all the way through Random Lake, Waldo & Plymouth. You will pass 23 as you head North of Plymouth and a few miles up the road is Highway J. Turn left on Highway J and head West. The next major road is Highway E. Turn right on Highway E and head North. Camp Anokijig will be just a few miles up the road on the left hand (West) side and you will see our Indian head sign as you come up the hill.

If you are coming from the North, exit off I-43 at Highway 23 in Sheboygan and head West for several miles. You will cross over Highway 57 and shortly after that, you will come up on Highway E. Turn right on Highway E and head North for a few minutes and Camp Anokijig will be on your left (West) side of the road.

If you are coming from the West (or Madison area), take Highway 151 North to Highway 23 and head East on 23. Shortly after you cross over Highway 67, you will come to Highway E. Turn left on Highway E and head North for a few minutes and Camp Anokijig will be on your left (West) side of the road.

If you are coming from the East (or Sheboygan area), take Highway 23 West, crossing over Highway 57, until you reach Highway E. Turn right on Highway E and head North for a few minutes and Camp Anokijig will be on your left (West) side of the road.

We hope these directions help you find Camp Anokijig, but if you still need assistance, please don't hesitate to call us at 920-893-0782

Equestrian Teen Tour Summer Camp?

2011-07-20T21:08:00.000-05:00

We thought our eyes were playing tricks on us when we read the story about the Equestrian Teen Tour Summer Camp. Accommodations at Joseph Stalin's former estate, near Moscow, roudtrip airfare from New York, morning riding lessons, museum and cultural tours of Moscow, St. Petersburg, including ballet and opera performances. How can we possibly compete with that?

The answer is we simply cannot. Even though we have about 50 horses and nearly 400 acres of pristine rolling hills and forest land, our ranch program simply cannot hold a candle to the Equestrian Teen Tour Summer Camp. However, families who aren't able to swing the $8,500 price tag for this one week "camp" experience may be able to afford to send their son or daughter to Camp Anokijig's ranch program, where we charge $7,905 per week less, although ground transportation (the camp bus) to and from Anokijig is not included in that price.

We must be doing something right, because Anokijig is nearly sold out for the remainder of the summer. We do have some availability remaining, but space is limited. Call the camp office today to save your spot at 920-893-0782

Remaining Space is Limited at Anokijig for Summer Camp 2011

2011-07-12T11:42:00.006-05:00

Every year we try to encourage folks to sign up early, as historically, Anokijig routinely sells out several of it's summer camp sessions. We're happy to report 2011 is no exception. Week Eight of summer camp at Anokijig sold out completely by June 20th and there are just a few openings remaining in some of the other weeks and programs. Here is the latest update:

Week Six has nine spots remaining
Week Seven has four spots remaining
Week Eight is sold out
Week Nine has 99 spots remaining
Week Six Stampers are sold out
Week Seven Stampers are sold out
Week Eight Stampers are sold out
Week Nine Stampers are nearly sold out
Week Six Sylvania Canoe & Fishing trip has three spots remaining
Week Seven Lake Superior Kayak trip has six spots remaining
Week Eight Rock, Roll & Splash has one spot remaining
Week Six Fishing Expedition I is nearly sold out
Week Seven Adventure Challenge is nearly sold out
Week Six Minicamp has nine spots remaining
Week Seven Minicamp has two spots remaining
Week Eight Minicamp is sold out
Week Nine Minicamp is nearly sold out
Week Six Circle A Riders has nine spots remaining
Week Seven Circle A Riders has four spots remaining
Week Eight Circle A Riders 13 spots available only to campers already registered for that week
Week Nine Circle A Riders has 14 spots remaining
Week Six Ranch Camp has six spots remaining
Week Seven Ranch Camp has four spots remaining
Week Eight Ranch Camp has six spots remaining only to campers already registered for that week
Week Nine Ranch Camp has 18 spots remaining
Week Six Noah's Ark day trip has eight spots remaining
Week Seven Noah's Ark day trip has four spots remaining
Week Eight Noah's Ark day trip has 14 spots remaining only to campers already registered for that week
Week Nine Noah's Ark day trip has 15 spots remaining
Week Six Fondy Sports day trip has nine spots remaining
Week Seven Fondy Sports day trip has four spots remaining
Week Eight Fondy Sports day trip has 17 spots remaining only to campers already registered for that week
Week Nine Fondy Sports day trip has 18 spots remaining
Week Seven Ropes Course day trip has four spots remaining
Week Nine Ropes Course day trip has 17 spots remaining
Week Six Paintball day trip has four spots remaining
Week Seven Paintball day trip has four spots remaining
Week Eight Paintball day trip has six spots remaining only to campers already registered for that week
Week Nine Paintball day trip has 13 spots remaining
Week Six Caving day trip has nine spots remaining
Week Eight Caving day trip has eleven spots remaining only to campers already registered for that week
Week Six EAA Air Venture day trip has nine spots remaining
Week Nine EAA Air Venture day trip has 20 spots remaining

As you can see, it pays to register early for Anokijig, especially considering those who registered prior to May 1st received a discount. This list may not be current, as our phones ring all day long. If you'd like to know which programs are currently available or would like to register your child for Anokijig, it's not too late. Call us at 920-893-0782 today!

Anokijig's Newest Skill: Drumming

2011-07-11T12:07:00.004-05:00

Each year we try to add new and interesting skills at Anokijig. This year, drumming was added to the lineup, although that title is a bit misleading. Our head drumming (no pun intended) instructor, Sandy Stewart, has brought with her a host of percussion items, including a wide variety drums, as well as castanets, maracas, cowbells, claves, & güiros, to name a few.

The end result is an enchanting musical experience, that adds a very cool ambiance to all of Anokijig, as the sounds of the drums echo through the hills and valleys of Anokijig.

An Anokijig Print by Joe Garcia

2011-06-23T13:52:00.004-05:00

Last month, the first Anokijig 100 go-kart event was held at Road America. That location seemed a fitting venue to debut a beautiful, limited edition watercolor painting of Camp Anokijig's boat house, created by acclaimed artist, Joe Garcia. Camp Anokijig was connected to Joe through former camper, counselor and long-time supporter, Phil Binks, who is a mutual friend. In fact, Phil composed the following description of this work, entitled, Rest Period.

Rest Period

By Phil Binks

Anokijig Alumni

November 2007

The summer days at Camp Anokijig are long and busy; reveille comes at 7:00 AM and taps at 9:00PM. After lunch, campers take a break from the day’s activities, as they have since the camp opened in 1926. Campers lounge on their bunks, some write letters home, others read and some take naps in the shade provided by their tent.

At the same time, down on Little Lake Elkhart just offshore from the “old rock Boathouse”, a snipe rests on a floating log, enjoying a little peace and quiet. In 1939, rocks gathered on the camp property were used to build the boathouse. This building has been a landmark ever since. When you return to camp from the west side of the lake, as you round Optimist Island, you can see only the old boathouse against the foliage.

When rest period is over, a big bell will ring, telling the campers that rest period has ended and the free period has begun. Campers will come running down to the waterfront to swim, paddle, row and fish. The hills will echo with the sound of youngsters having FUN. The little snipe will have to fly all the way around Indian Village Point to that secluded bay, to find a place to rest.

The Snipe has special meaning to old campers. Many of us got left holding a burlap sack in the dark, ankle deep water, calling “here snipe, here snipe”, until we realized this was a trick and the snipe hunt was phony. So little snipe, rest easy until you hear the bell. Then you’d better fly away fast!

Signed & numbered prints of this painting are available in limited quantities at Camp Anokijig. If you are interested in purchasing this print, please call the camp office at 1-800-741-6931. Click here to learn more about Joe Garcia. Special thanks to Angel Lithographing for underwriting the cost of producing these prints.

Karting for a Cause

2011-05-15T17:30:00.000-05:00

On Saturday, May 14, 2011, Camp Anokijig held the first Anokijig 100 Go-Kart Enduro fundraising event at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. While Anokijig has held many different fundraising events in the past, this one was a little bit different. The biggest difference was that this event was the first major fundraiser organized without the assistance of Anokijig's staff. This is significant, because Camp Anokijig hosted an Indian Guide group at Anokijig the same weekend this event took place. It is very difficult to be in two places at once and there are enough demands on our full-time staff, just making sure Anokijig runs as it should. While Anokijig needs to fundraise, we cannot afford to do so at the expense of the quality of our regular programs. This event allowed our staff to do their regular jobs of providing an outstanding camping experience for our guests from the Indian Guides.

As with many of Anokijig's activities, this event could not have happened without the dedicated support of our many wonderful volunteers. These people are responsible for more than 40,000 hours worth of work at Anokijig each year and while the Anokijig staff focused their efforts on Anokijig's operations, it was our volunteers who stepped forward to organize and run this event and we thank them for all of their hard work.

Just as this event would not have been possible without our volunteers, it also would not have been possible without our many generous sponsors and donors. Donors include Anonymous, Steve Cottingham, Al Petkus, & Tom Vickers. Sponsors include Bode Financial Group Ltd, KS Energy Services, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc., Twin Disc and a special thank you to the Elkhart Inn for providing us with our wonderful dinner for the evening. The support of all these wonderful donors and sponsors, as well as that of our participants made it possible for this event to raise more than $10,000, which we think is pretty good for a first-time effort.

The existence of this event may come as a surprise to many of our supporters and that was by design. Since this was a new fundraising event, we didn't want it's success to come at the expense of our other existing events. We also know even our strongest supporters can only give so much of their time, treasure and talent. While there were a few familiar Anokijig faces in this crowd, many of the participants were relative newcomers to all things Anokijig. This event was a tremendous opportunity for us to introduce Anokijig to a new audience and help further spread the word about all the great things we are doing for children and families.

Finally, is there a specific focus for this fundraising effort? Yes. While many of our fundraising efforts help fund camperships for deserving children, this event had a different purpose. When the Friends of Camp Anokijig acquired Anokijig in 2005, they did so with loans from a bank and a very generous foundation. While it seemed like a monumental task at the time, getting the loans and buying Anokijig was the easy part. The real challenge comes in paying the loans off and we're making good headway. As we enter into our sixth summer camping season as an independent, non-profit camp, we have paid off approximately $1.5 million of the $5.5 million purchase price.

That is quite an accomplishment and we've depended on the generosity of some wonderful people to make the kind of progress we have. When we first started fundraising to eliminate our debt, experts warned us "debt reduction" is not a popular fundraising cause and they were right. In spite of that challenge, we have received some tremendous support from very generous people. Up until now, we have not come up with a way to properly and permanently recognize the people, groups and organizations, who have kept Anokijig going strong, including donors, volunteers and staff. We'd like to do something about that and we're hoping the proceeds from this event (and future go-kart events) will help us in that regard. Is "permanent supporter recognition" as an unpopular fundraising cause, like "debt reduction?" We hope that is not the case and so far it doesn't seem to be.

This rendering has been created to help stimulate ideas, conversation and support for how we might go about permanently recognizing our wonderful supporters. In this concept, the steps leading up to Western Lodge from the main parking lots have been re-built. The uneven steps have been replaced with even steps and arrowheads featuring the names of donors have been placed in random patterns amongst aggregate stone work. In addition, a similarly-designed wheelchair-accessible ramp has also been added, to make it easier for those with special needs to access Western Lodge. These two pathways to Western Lodge surround a five-foot tall stone Anokijig Arrowhead monument, featuring a raised CA interlocked logo on the front and the names of Anokijig's supporters engraved on the back.

Repairing and replacing the stairways leading up to Western Lodge is on our long wish list of things to do at Anokijig and this concept would allow us to improve Anokijig's physical condition, while also providing us with the permanent means to recognize supporters, which we currently lack. Special care has been taken to ensure this concept is in keeping with Anokijig's rustic setting. Interlocking paving bricks are a proven concept and perhaps more cost-effective, but they really wouldn't look right at Anokijig.

As we mentioned before, this rendering is simply a beginning and the money raised at this karting event is only a start. Our hope is that someone might look at this idea and build on it, modify it or enhance it in some way that will allow us to move forward toward our goal. If this particular concept or the idea of a way for us to permanently recognize the supporters who have made Anokijig what it is today interests you, contact Mary Krahn and ask her how you can get involved.

Your Child Could Make The Catch of a Lifetime This Summer!

2011-04-18T10:21:00.006-05:00

One of the great benefits of Camp Anokijig being located in Sheboygan County, is our close proximity to Lake Michigan. Lake Michigan is a tremendous natural resource and one that presents a wonderful opportunity for us to expose our campers to fishing for salmon on the Great Lakes.

As you can see from this video, the typical fish caught on one of these outings easily exceeds the size of the biggest fish many folks will catch on their best trip to an inland lake. These campers were all a part of our Expedition Fishing program, one of several different specialty camping opportunities we offer every summer at Camp Anokijig. If you'd like more information on this program, our Irish Dance Camp, Yoga Camp, or Competitive Swim Camp program, please call us today at 1-800-741-6931 today!

Catching Fish at Summer Camp...and lots of them!

2011-04-10T06:41:00.000-05:00

One of Camp Anokijig's most-popular activities is fishing and Little Elkhart Lake is perfect setting for doing just that. Kids can start out small, catching pan fish and work their way up to reeling in large mouth bass the size of their thigh (or so our fish stories usually go). Anokijig campers actually do quite well at not just fishing, but catching and our wonderful staff is there to help them every step of the way.

Some of our campers are really avid fishermen and prefer an even more involved fishing experience. For those campers, we offer our Fishing Expedition programs. These campers will do night fishing for bass, northern and pan fish, as well as learn how to fly fish. Their fly-fishing skills will be put to the test when we take them to one of our area trout ponds and weather-permitting, we'll cap the week off with a chartered fishing trip on Lake Michigan, to catch the really big ones and those fish really are as big as their thighs!

It is easy to talk about all the fish your child can catch during a week at Anokijig, but is the fishing really that good? Watch this video and decide for yourself-

One Less Camp and Fewer Opportunities for Children & Families

2011-03-29T17:03:00.004-05:00

We were very saddened to hear of the closing of Camp Algonquin, which was run by the YMCA of McHenry County. Sad because we know how perilously close Anokijig came to meeting a similar fate, when the Racine YMCA decided to sell Anokijig in 2005. Sad because we know Camp Algonquin served an important role in it's community for thousands of children and families for more than 100 years. Sad because we know when camps close, new camps do not open somewhere else to replace them, rather, we are simply left with one less camp.

Algonquin's closing will likely signal the end of outdoor experiences for many of it's former campers, while Anokijig may see a new group of displaced Algonquin campers this summer, who are seeking out camping alternatives. That is certainly not the circumstances under which we would like to welcome new campers. We know the special feelings a summer camp can foster in the hearts and minds of those who attend it and we know Algonquin will be missed by all those who were fortunate enough to have camping experiences there.

Don't miss your chance at Anokijig Summer Camp 2011

2011-03-24T15:34:00.002-05:00

With winter breathing its last breath, it’s time for spring at Anokijig. This very weekend a host of volunteers will arrive to start bringing Anokijig Summer Camp out of storage!

The days for swimming, sailing, fishing, horserides, drama, dance, campfires, archery, beach parties, and all the summer fun are just around the corner.

The Anokijig staff is busy making plans and preparations for this to be the best summer ever. All of our great returning programs are getting ready as well as new specialty skills like Yoga, Theatre in the Woods, and Irish Dance, plus a great new day trip to the EAA Air museum. This is going to be one of the most exciting summers ever!

Now that the days are longer, temperatures warmer, and summer sports activity schedules are out; our office has registrations pouring in. Since we never want to see a camper miss out on a chance to return to Anokijig, we thought we’d drop you a line just to be sure that if you haven’t already signed up for your 2011 session; now is the time.

If you are looking to come a particular week, with certain friends, for your favorite “special theme day”, or on one of our great trips, please sign up now. It would be a shame if you missed your favorites because they filled before you were able to register. Don’t miss your chance to get in on the fun.

We’ve made it incredibly easy to get yourself a spot. If you still need to reserve your date; choose your method:

Just hop on the website at http://www.anokijig.com/forms.html and sign up on our online registration page.
Download a printable form for US Mail, scan and email, or fax from http://www.anokijig.com/forms.html.
Or call our office direct at 1-800-741-6931 (920-893-0782) and we’ll gladly have a real live person ready to help you.

It’s time for another summer of Outrageous Fun, New Friends, Old Friends, and Incredible Experiences.

Unfortunately if you wait too long you may find your chosen week, trip, or program full; so please don’t delay!

We also know that in today’s economy decisions may be a little tougher to make. Remember that at Anokijig we do have some programs that might help.

All campers can participate in candy sales (50% of every bar sold goes directly to the campers’ account).
Our unique internet fundraising sales (magazines, gifts, candies, with 40% of every item sold going directly to the campers’ account).
For campers 14 years old or older the Stamper program is priced significantly lower in exchange for the campers’ service in the dining/dish room area for one meal per day.
Partial or Full camperships based on financial need are available.

For information on any of these programs please feel to contact our office at 1-800-741-6931 (920-893-0782) or anokijig@excel.net.

For information on all of our programs and happenings see www.anokijig.com.

If you are one of the many that have already secured your session; WELCOME BACK! We can’t wait to see you! Also remember if you recruit a new friend to come to camp you get a discount, recruit 5 new friends and your week is FREE. Or maybe that lets you come for another week of camp and more Outrageous Fun!

Anokijig 2011 is going to be great. Let us be your summer stimulus package. Sign-up now!

See you this summer!

Take Care,
Darin Holden
Program Director
Camp Anokijig
www.anokijig.com
"Anokijig Changes Lives"

Anokijig's Pellet Gun Program is ready for 2011!

2011-03-15T10:55:00.002-05:00

The Illinois 4H program began a shooting sports program last year and the response has been tremendous. In fact, they've had to turn some kids away, due to a lack of qualified instructors. We're always disappointed to hear such news, because we know the value of kids trying new activities and learning important safety procedures and skills.

Anokijig's pellet gun range is one of our newer skill areas, but it has already become one of our most-popular and we do have plenty of space available. If your child is in Mercer, Henderson, Warren or any other county that does not have enough qualified instructors, please consider Camp Anokijig as an alternative. Your kids will love it!

Is Tonight Your Lucky Night?

2011-03-05T08:23:00.005-06:00

The Racine Founders Rotary Club is hosting their Vegas Night fundraiser in Racine tonight! Proceeds from this fantastic event will go to benefit Camp Anokijig and we are extremely grateful to have such wonderful partners in the community as the Racine Founders Rotary Club. This event simply could not happen, were it not for the assistance of our fantastic volunteers, who take time out of their weekend to pitch in and help work the event and we thank you very much for your assistance!

You don't need to be Danny Ocean to be a big winner at this event, anyone who participates wins, because they are helping make Camp Anokijig a better place for future generations. Please join us at Racine's Festival Hall tonight from 7PM to 10PM and good luck!

Nature- Just What the Doctor Ordered

2011-02-28T17:19:00.003-06:00

Today's USA Today has a very interesting story about a national consortium of federal parks and the National Environmental Education Foundation and a new program they are trying, where people are giving "nature prescriptions." The prescriptions encourage patients to eat more fruits & vegetables, step away from the TV or computer and go outside and breathe fresh air, awaken their senses and lose some weight in the process. That sounds a whole lot like a typical day at Camp Anokijig.

We often forget it when we spend so much time at Anokijig, but just the layout of our facility almost necessitates that our campers will walk several miles each day, just going from their section to Western Lodge and around to various program areas. Anokijig's kitchen staff always offers healthy items and vegetarian options and our natural surroundings promote activity amongst our campers.

The story continues to talk about the significant obesity problem our country faces and nature hikes up hills that will "get your heart racing." Nestled in the rolling hills of Wisconsin's Kettle Moraine, we offer plenty of those hills for kids to scamper up and explore, all the while living a healthier lifestyle.

We're big fans of programs like these and not just because they very much mirror what we offer at Anokijig. Programs like these help promote our natural resources to the next generation. Kids can sit in a classroom and learn about rain forests and the importance of protecting our environment, but no amount of classroom learning can ever replicate a hands-on experience in a natural environment. When kids have a better understanding of their natural environment, they have a better appreciation for it. That results in a society that truly values these irreplaceable natural assets.

It is a win/win scenario and we hope momentum for this cause continues to grow. We'll keep doing our part! If you'd like to read the entire USA Today story, click on this link.

Help Wanted!

2011-02-17T11:08:00.004-06:00

When Camp Anokijig was put up for sale and it's future put in jeopardy, our supporters rallied to keep Anokijig open. They came to us offering time, treasure and talent and we did our best to utilize all of those resources to save Anokijig.

We are now several years removed from those days of uncertainty, but Anokijig still needs your help. The Racine Founders Rotary Club has been holding an annual Vegas Night fundraiser, which in recent years, has benefited Anokijig in very significant ways. The Founders Rotary Club believes in the programs Anokijig offers and they see the benefits we provide to children and families and we greatly appreciate their support.

However, the Founders Rotary Club dedicates a tremendous amount of resources to making this event a success and they do ask for assistance from the organizations who directly benefit from it. So we want to put the word out to all of our tremendous adult (18+) volunteers that we need your help to make this event a success. The event takes place in Racine at Festival Hall on March 5th and we would need volunteers between 6PM and 10PM.

The evening includes “funny money” casino games, a silent auction, a grand prize drawing, and a Texas Hold’em Tournament. We’ll need people to run games, deal cards, help with food, and many other positions. Don’t worry if you don’t know how to run a casino game, part of the program is to teach you.

If you are available for all or part of that time, come join Jim, Darin, Don, the Scotts, Lauren, Mary, and the rest of the Anokijig crew, as we have a great fun time raising money for Anokijig.

If you have always wanted to volunteer for camp but haven’t been able to make it up for an event, a weekend, or week, this is your chance to make a difference! If you are over 18 and would like to volunteer, please contact Anokijig at 1-800-741-6931, or email Darin at darinh@excel.net, and tell us that you’re “ALL IN.”

We hope to see you there. Keep thinking warm thoughts and remember, we're just 115 away from the start of summer camp!

2011-02-03T10:54:00.003-06:00

This is the final installment of a three-part story on Camp Anokijig's Western Lodge and was originally published in the August 1949 issue of Western Publishing's Westerner newsletter:

Raymond O. Jondahl of Western Commercial Sales at Racine and Vice President of the Racine YMCA, acted as master of ceremonies at the dedication. Mr. Theodore Johnson, President of the YMCA, accepted the gift on behalf of the Association and pointed out that Western had made more than a mere investment of money in the Lodge.

"You invested in the lives of thousands of young men and women," he told Westerners in his speech, "and your investment will pay dividends in a better America in years to come." Other speakers on the program included Rev. Francis P. Ihrmann of the First Presbyterian Church, Rev. M.A. Simonsen of the First Evangelical United Brethren Church, YMCA Secretary Harold Frame and Camp Director Ray Vance.

The highlight of the ceremony was the unveiling by Mr. Wadewitz of the Western Lodge sign, which decorates the front porch of the building and gives it lasting identity. The log from which the sign was fashioned was cut from Wisconsin forests about 400 miles north of Racine by old Indian forestry workers, who know their forest lore.

There are not many pines of this age and size remaining and the log selected is estimated to be about 227 years old, a mere sapling at the time when George Washington was the age of present-day campers at Anokijig. The log was seasoned for almost two years in preparation for its present use. Into its surface have been burned the simple words, Western Lodge.

It is suspended by heavy chains and has been treated for protection against the elements, so that it will long serve to identify the camp headquarters of Anokijig as the gift of Western people who have confidence in our youth and faith in their future.

Anokijig's Western Lodge Part Two

2011-02-01T14:45:00.006-06:00

This is the second of a three-part story on Camp Anokijig's Western Lodge and was originally published in the August 1949 issue of Western Publishing's Westerner newsletter:

E.H. Wadewitz, President of Western Printing & Lithographing Company, who made the official presentation speech on behalf of his fellow Westerners, told the gathering of Western's interest in serving the community and its policy of expressing confidence in the future.

"Our best hope for the future of Racine and all America," he said, "is the sound Christian development of our youth so that they will be strong in spirit, mind and body to meet their challenge as the citizens of tomorrow. As an industrial concern, we are vitally interested in the building of men and better men for the future. We are proud that Western Lodge bears our name and we hope it will serve long and well in the interests of American Youth."

Mr. Wadewitz, himself, has been a member of the Racine YMCA for over fifty years and is now its oldest living member in point of service. he stated that many other Westerners had been helped to a good start in life through the fine character-building programs of the YMCA and that, now, their sons and grandsons were following in their footsteps. The boys and girls of many Westerners at Racine today enjoy the facilities of Camp Anokijig, together with hundreds of other youngsters from many Midwestern communities.

Those pictured from left to right are Rev. Francis P. Ihrmann, Rev. M.A. Simonsen, Theodore Johnson, E.H. Wadewitz, Raymond O. Jondahl, Harold Frame & Ray Vance. Tomorrow's final installment includes a unique back story about an Anokijig landmark.

Anokijig's Western Lodge Part One

2011-01-31T10:33:00.005-06:00

This is the first of a three-part story on Camp Anokijig's Western Lodge and was originally published in the August 1949 issue of Western Publishing's Westerner newsletter:

On Sunday, August 14, 1949, hundreds of people attended the official dedication of Western Lodge at Camp Anokijig, the 130-acre paradise of water and woodland operated by the Racine YMCA as a summer haven for boys and girls. Rising high on a hill overlooking Little Elkhart Lake near Plymouth, Wisconsin, this handsome log structure, reputed to be the largest of it's kind in the state of Wisconsin, is the gift to the Racine YMCA of Western Printing & Lithographing Company.

With a crew at one time of 23 lumberjacks from Northern Wisconsin and other contractors working on its construction, it was completed in 1948 and will serve as the main headquarters of the camp. The main room, with a large stone fireplace and overhead log trusses, without a single supporting beam for the ceiling, comprises the dining hall, which will seat 300 people for serving. The entire structure is 100 feet by 72 feet, high enough to be a two-story building, but designed as a one-story, high ceiling building. Its four block-house type corners give it a historic appearance in keeping with the architecture of early Wisconsin and the space is devoted to library and rainy-day recreation.

In the adjoining kitchen and pantries on the main floor are the most modern cooking and serving facilities, running water, sinks and even automatic dish-washing equipment. On the same floor are the camp offices, conference room and so-called kitchen-dining room, which has a fireplace of its own and all necessary facilities for a wintertime visit to camp. In the basement, which underlies one-fourth of the building are workshops, storage space for camp equipment, food storage space with walk-in type of refrigeration, laundry, shower bath, furnace and boiler room.

Prominent YMCA officials have proclaimed Western Lodge as the finest camp building of its kind and it is estimated that it will serve the interests of campers for a period of at least 100 years. That means it will help make camping enjoyable for several hundred thousand boys and girls of future generations.

Tomorrow- the people behind the donation and creation of Western Lodge

Camp Anokijig Gives Back to Racine

2011-01-24T07:20:00.004-06:00

Camp Anokijig's relationship with the Racine community goes back to our very origin, as it was Uncle Adolph Gillund and Ray Vance from the Racine YMCA, who found the location and founded the camp we now call Anokijig. Over the years since, hundreds of thousands have traveled down the winding road that leads to Anokijig and many of our visitors started their journey in Racine.

In turn, Anokijig has supported the Racine community for many years, providing a wholesome environment for young people and families to learn about their natural environment (and themselves), as well as providing millions of dollars for programs in the Racine community. We continue to pursue our motto of serving and in the last two years, we distributed nearly $52,000 worth of camperships to the Racine community through both individuals and schools.

The actual value of camperships we offered to Racine is much higher, although not every school takes advantage of our campership offer. However, schools like S.C. Johnson elementary, Wind Point, Racine Christian, William Giese, Red Apple, Stephen Bull, Jerstad, Schulte, St. John Lutheran, Knapp, Mitchell, Prairie, St. Edward, 21st Century Prep, and North Park have all sent children to Anokijig with camperships. We are happy to welcome them and look forward to more of the same going forward.

Sign up for Summer Camp & Save Money!

2011-01-18T11:11:00.005-06:00

The first day of summer camp is less than five months away and while that may seem like a long way off, it will be here before we know it. We understand many families like to plan their schedules early in the year, so we make every effort to open up our summer registration as soon as possible.

Even with months of time to prepare, we always seem to end up with kids on waiting lists, who miss out on our most-popular weeks, because they didn't sign up in time. We don't want your child to be left out of all the fun and excitement that comes with being an Anokijig camper, so we're doing our part to encourage parents to make sure their child doesn't get left out this summer.

Parents who sign their children up for summer camp at Anokijig before May 1, 2011 will receive a discounted rate of $540 per week. After May 1st, a week at Anokijig will cost our regular fee of $565. We know there is still plenty of time, but please don't wait too long because space is limited. Click on this link to sign your child up today!

Thank You For A Wonderful 2010

2010-12-30T23:40:00.002-06:00

Next month will mark the sixth year of independent operation for Camp Anokijig and we can never thank our wonderful supporters and volunteers enough for their faith and confidence in helping secure Anokijig's future.

The last five years have been very interesting at Anokijig. We've made many new friends and welcomed thousands of campers from literally, all over the world. While the economic times we are living in have been a challenge, Anokijig has found a way to weather the storm (as well as the occasional storms that Mother Nature sends down Anokijig Lane). In fact, 2008 was a record year for us in terms of summer attendance. While 2009 and 2010 did not match the attendance in '08, those years were also very strong for us and our outlook for 2011 is very positive.

It appears as if even though many folks have tightened their belts, they still have made an Anokijig experience a priority for their children and families and we are grateful for their dedication. Anokijig continues to be very successful in all aspects operationally and we are steadily making progress on eliminating the $5.5 million in loans secured to save Anokijig from developers. We were very pleased to make our final payment to the Racine YMCA this month and we are always looking for creative financing options that will help us to continue to reduce our debt, which currently stands at about $4 million.

We know many of you made pledges to support Anokijig in the initial days of our independent operation and we can never fully express our gratitude for your support. Without that initial support, we simply would not have been able to save Anokijig from development. If you have fulfilled your pledge commitment, we thank you for your support. If you are considering year-end donations to charities, we hope you keep us in mind. You can make a new commitment or renew an old one by clicking on this link. We wish everyone peace and prosperity in 2011 and hope to see you at Anokijig!

2010 Anokijig Trivia Video & Arrowhead Newsletter

2010-12-23T08:11:00.016-06:00

As the beauty of Anokijg Winter arrives we always like to look back at the past year and remember all of the things about Anokijig that we're thankful for.

To help you to do the same take a few moments to check out the 2010 Anokijg Arrowhead - our annual newsletter highlighting the past year and kicking off the next!

In addition we all know that each year Anokijig produces millions of memories, click HERE to check out this year's trivia video and see what you know about Anokijig; and of course enjoy some great Anokijig images. Enjoy the views and make your own plans to visit Anokijig soon!

Irish Dance Coming to Anokijig!

2010-12-22T12:49:00.004-06:00

We've all watched the amazing technique of Irish dancers flying through jigs and reels and now Anokijig is bringing Irish Dancing to Camp for the summer of 2011! Speed, precision, and style are all hallmarks of this exciting, traditional style of folk dance. Here is your chance to give it a try!

Irish dance campers will spend their mornings with an experienced Irish dancer, learning basic techniques and skills. The finale will be a demonstration dance at the Friday night campfire. When not dancing, campers can still enjoy all of the great activities of Anokijig's resident camp.

Irish dance camp is open to campers of all ages, but space is limited, so we encourage everyone to sign up early. Irish dance camp will be held during Week Two at Anokijig, which begins on June 19th and ends on June 25th. We hope to see you there!

Announcing the Anokijig Digital Photo Contest!

2010-12-14T07:55:00.004-06:00

Thanks to the continued support of the Racine Founders Rotary Club, our digital photo program was in full-swing, allowing budding photographers to create literally thousands of amazing images. To honor these efforts, we are announcing our first all-camp photo contest. If you have a great Anokijig photo, send it to darinh@excel.net before February 15, 2011. The person with the best overall photo will win one free week of residence camp during Sessions 1, 2, 3 or 4 of 2011. Good luck!

Yoga Camp is Coming to Anokijig!

2010-12-09T16:24:00.003-06:00

Yoga Camp is coming to Anokijig in the summer of 2011! Yoga is a great way to create balance in the body through strength and flexibility, by integrating breath, movement and body awareness. This is all accompanied by great music and lots of heart and humor. Participants will challenge themselves and build confidence and self-esteem through a fun, energetic experience.

Yoga will be taught by an experienced, registered Yoga Teacher. Yoga Camp will provide an opportunity for kids to explore the common thread of breath, body & spirit, in a happy, healthy environment. When not practicing Yoga, campers can still enjoy all of the great recreational activities of Resident Camp. Yoga Camp will take place during Week 5 at Anokijig, which is July 10th to the 16th and it is open to all ages.

Registration is now open for Summer Camp 2011!

2010-12-07T23:48:00.004-06:00

Registration for Camp Anokijig's 2011 Summer Camp sessions is now open. We say it every year, but it seems as if we can never say it often enough- Once registration opens, it is never too early to sign up! Many of our sessions sell out and dozens of kids end up on a waiting list, missing out on the time of their lives.

A week at Anokijig just happens to make a fantastic Christmas present too! You can sign up at this link and please be sure to let your friends and family know that registration is now open. We look forward to seeing you at Anokijig in 2011!

Come See a Funny Way To Raise Money Tonight!

2010-11-27T09:45:00.003-06:00

Hello from Anokijig.

Hopefully, your Thanksgiving went well. We just wanted to let you know that if you haven’t gotten your tickets for Camp Anokijig’s Annual John McGivern Comedy Benefit there are still great seats available. Tickets for the show and raffle will both be available tonight at the show. Doors set to open at 6:30pm show starts at 7:30pm. It’s a great way to end up this holiday weekend. If you already have tickets we look forward to seeing you there. If you don’t have tickets yet, please consider joining us. Details below:

Tickets are now on sale for:

"A Funny Way to Raise Money" - An Evening with John McGivern.

Proceeds will Benefit Camp Anokijig’s Scholarship Program to help send less fortunate kids to a week of summer camp in 2011. .

Fresh from receiving two Emmy Nominations, John is putting together a great show once again. Come and join us for the stories, humor, and escapades of John McGivern (this year you may even hear a song or two). John has won critical acclaim all over the country for his work in comedy, theater, and cinema. His Midwest humor has made him a hometown celebrity here in Wisconsin. He may even have an Emmy in hand by the time of the show.

This is John’s only show in this area for the season. Don’t miss your only chance to laugh until you cry at John’s hilarious stories.

Date: November 27, 2010

Time: 7:30pm

Where: Plymouth High School Auditorium

Premium Seats - $22

Lower Auditorium - $18

Upper Balcony - $12

PLUS: Thanks to a generous donation we are offering a raffle to win:

A Sheboygan Getaway Package!

One lucky raffle ticket will allow the holder to enjoy a night in a one-bedroom suite at the new Sheboygan GrandStay Suites Hotel

including Gourmet Express Breakfast, and a $100 gift card to experience the irresistible cuisine of the Margaux Bistro and Wine Bar!

A $250.00 Value!

Raffle Tickets for the Getaway Package:

1 Ticket for $2.00

3 Tickets for $5.00

For sale at the door.

Click Here for show poster.
Click Here for seating chart.

Join us for a great event to help send kids to camp in 2011.

Take Care,

Darin Holden

Program Director

Camp Anokijig

www.anokijig.com

"Anokijig Changes Lives"

Tube-A-Thon 2011!!!

2010-11-26T09:51:00.003-06:00

Hey Camp Fans!

We would like to formally invite you to Tube-a-thon 2011! Our yearly weekend of winter fun and fundraising for a great cause. Snow tubing, snow football, a night at the water park, and much more while helping kids come to Camp. Read on for more details and look for the links to help get the tools you need to participate and raise the money you need to join us!

Why Should You Raise Money for Tube-a-thon?

Tube-a-thon is a great event! It’s great to see your Camp friends after not seeing them since last fall or even last summer. Tube-a-thon is a weekend filled with tubing, laughing, Blue Harbor Water Park, hanging out, snow football, and prizes. But who is it really intended for? Who benefits?

· Tube-a-thon raises money to help send less privileged kids to a week of camp.

· Our goal is to get as many kids as possible to Camp.

· Lack of the financial means to pay for Camp should not stop a kid from having all the great experiences you have had at Camp.

· All money raised goes directly to the Campership Fund

· The Campership Fund is used to help families send their children to Camp even if they can’t afford the whole fee or any of it.

· Last year, Camp Anokijig gave out 219 camperships. That’s 219 kids who otherwise would not have had to the opportunity to have that Camp experience.

· Don’t forget that even if you can’t physically make it to the event you can still raise pledges and support the effort.

· YOU are helping make a difference!

How Do I Raise The Money?

Not long ago, it was common to go door-to-door in your neighborhood and ask for donations. Times have changed and people are often more wary of people asking for money. You have to use some tools to your advantage.

· Ask people you know, like friends, teachers, neighbors, relatives, your parents friends, etc... Since you know them, they are much more likely to be receptive to your request.

· Arm yourself with information. To be a good salesperson, which is what you really are at this point, you must know your product.

o Be able to answer these questions

o What is Tube-a-thon?

o Why are you raising money for it? (see above)

o Who gets the money? (see above)

o How much are you trying to raise?

· Set a goal for yourself. Often everyone goes for the minimum. Instead of raising just enough to come for the weekend, why not try to raise enough for one kid to come to Camp? $540

· Challenge Yourself!

Tools to Help You Reach Your Goal

Follow the links to these additional documents to get you on your way.

· Tube-a-thon Flyer and Registration Form (Online form)

o Our basic information sheet about the event

· 2011 Pledge Sheet

o To tally up the money you raise

· Sample Letter #1

o This is a general fundraising letter to get you started. Just cut, paste, and personalize it, and be on your way.

· Easy Steps to Raise $300 in a Week

o Here’s a plan to keep you focused

· Who Do You Know Worksheet

o Help organize who you are going to ask to help

Last Thoughts

Be diligent. The only way you will attain your goal is by working at it.

· Be bold. If you believe in what you are doing it comes through in what you say.

· Be creative. Bake sales, putting a collection jar at your parents work, challenging another participant to a fundraising challenge, etc. Your imagination is the only thing limiting you.

· Challenge yourself. Make a goal and go for it. Ask for help. The Camp staff are here as resources. We will be glad to help you in your efforts or to bounce ideas off of. We want to see you succeed! Feel free to message, e-mail or call us. We hope to see you in January!!

Attention Bloggers! We Want You!

2010-11-20T00:49:00.003-06:00

We'd like to get some fresh voices for the Anokijig Insider and you can help. No one knows Anokijig better than those who have been there and we'd like you to share your Anokijig stories and memories with us.

We're looking for a wide range of stories, including such topics as-

What program area did you work in?
What was your favorite skill?
Who was your favorite counselor or staff member?
How has Anokijig changed your life?
Where is your favorite place at Anokijig?
What was your best summer memory?
What was your best family camping or other weekend memory?

Submit your stories (and pictures) to anokijigtube@gmail.com and we'll get them posted on the Anokijig Insider. Be sure to include your name, so we can give you credit!

Congratulations to the Racine YMCA!

2010-10-07T10:15:00.004-05:00

Camp Anokijig congratulates the Racine YMCA on the announcement of the new facility that will be constructed in Mount Pleasant. Anokijig supporters will remember five years ago, when Camp Anokijig was sold to the Friends of Camp Anokijig, for $5.5 million dollars, with the intent at that time for the proceeds to retire the YMCA's $2 million of debt on their downtown facility, while providing funding for a new facility in Racine.

We understand the economy has been difficult these past few years and things don't always go as planned, but we're happy to see the Racine YMCA making progress on achieving their goals. We're also happy to report that we're on schedule to reduce the outstanding debt from our purchase of Anokijig to $4 million by January 1, 2011.

We hope the new YMCA facility brings renewed energy to that organization and their programs. The Racine YMCA has a rich history of helping the Racine community and providing much-needed programs and services. We hope one of the programs that sees a comeback in Racine is the Y-Guide program, which is known to many of our alumni as "Indian Guides." These groups have historically been our largest weekend groups at Anokijig and we'd love to welcome back participants from the Racine community.

Are You Ready for Some Laughter in the Woods?

2010-09-15T06:54:00.002-05:00

Are you ready for some Laughter in the Woods? No, not that "Woods!" Camp Anokijig's annual Laughter in the Woods dinner/fundraiser takes place this weekend at beautiful Western Lodge. This event is always entertaining event is a great way to help send deserving kids to Anokijig and we hope you can join us. Good seats are still available, so give the Camp office a call and make your reservations today- 920-893-0782

Congratulations Zach Nash!

2010-09-01T12:03:00.006-05:00

While we are very proud of all our Anokijig alumni, it's not an every day occurrence that the rest of the world takes notice of our alumni and feels compelled to share a story about the positive values we emphasize at Anokijig. Today happens to be one of those days. One of our alumni, Zack Nash, recently won his age group for the Milwaukee County Parks Tour Invitational, only to find out after the fact, that he accidentally carried one club too many in his bag during the tournament.

The rules are very clear on what must be done in these instances and even though he's only 14 years old and could have elected to simply not mention this oversight to anyone, Zach did the right thing, reported this violation and gave up his victory. While he may not have won that tournament, he scored a big win in life by doing the right thing and we're very proud of him. We know this story may not be salacious or controversial enough for Deadspin.com, but it is perfect for the Anokijig Insider. You can read the full story here- http://www.jsonline.com/sports/golf/101941838.html

Fantastic News!

2010-08-23T08:09:00.004-05:00

We have some fantastic news to announce this morning, but first we need to give you a little background. Last weekend, the American Le Mans Series came to Road America for it's annual race. That is of significance to us, because one of our alumni, Dan Binks, is the Crew Chief for the Pratt&Miller Corvette teams that run in that series. Dan and his father, Phil, have both been tremendously generous to Anokijig over the years, not only in their own giving, but in opening the doors for us to meet other folks, who have helped Anokijig in many significant ways.

While there are many people who have played a part in creating Anokijig and transitioning it into an independent camp, the contributions of the Binks family cannot go unrecognized. In fact, it could easily be said that Anokijig would not be here today, were it not for the Binks family. Given their strong connection to Anokijig and our deep appreciation for their efforts, we always look forward to a visit from any of the Binks clan, as they roll through our neighborhood and last weekend was no exception.

Dan brought his family with him (as he often does) and we gave them the grand tour at Anokijig. We also spent some time with Dan at Road America, which is always an amazing experience. It is clear to us that Dan shares our passion for Anokijig and the programs and services we offer for children and families and he is always advocating on our behalf. A few months ago, he mentioned that one of his friends in the racing community might be interested in helping us and asked what our significant needs might be in the near future.

While the debt incurred to save Anokijig is shrinking, it still looms over us as a strong reminder of how close we came to losing this very special place. Dan understands as well as we do, that eliminating that debt once and for all is always our top priority. However, we also know "debt reduction" isn't the most-attractive option for potential donors, so we came up with a suggestion that was very much a concern of ours and definitely needed attention- Anokijig's green Suburban.

This 1997 Suburban has been a tremendous vehicle for us and has been with us for nearly ten years now. Even though it had over 100,000 miles on it when it was donated, it still served us very well and we've subsequently managed to put nearly 300,000 on the odometer! Like any vehicle with that kind of mileage, the Suburban is starting to show it's age. The 3/4-ton chassis has been a blessing for towing heavy loads, like the Allegheny (pictured) and our horse trailers and the four-wheel drive has carried us through many winters.

This truck has also been used to take Anokijig campers on countless adventure trips as far away as Canada, so reliability is even more of a concern in that regard. Our board and staff have been talking for quite some time about finding a replacement for it, but like any other significant expense, they try to prioritize and see if more economical alternatives exist.

It occurred to us that finding a replacement for this Suburban might be a great way for someone to help us in a significant and meaningful way. We began talking to our friends in the automotive world and gathered wholesale and retail prices on used, 3/4-ton Suburbans with four-wheel drive, since those were our two key concerns. Colors and other options were not a concern, but we needed something that could tow heavy loads and handle Wisconsin winters. We found a used Suburban locally at Van Horn Chevrolet and Teresa Van Horn was willing to offer us a significant discount on that vehicle, so it seemed like the perfect fit for our needs.

One of the PR folks at Pratt&Miller put together a mock-up of a similar Suburban with Anokijig logos on it, as well as the logos of the company Dan Binks' friend owns, similar to what we've done recently with other donated vehicles. Dan presented the idea of the Suburban to his friend, Greg Pickett, the owner of Muscle Milk, and Mr. Pickett agreed to help us, with one condition- if he was going to do this, the truck had to be brand-new!

Dan was absolutely floored by Mr. Pickett's generosity, as we all were. We surely cannot thank him enough and greatly appreciate his gift. We try not to overburden Anokijig supporters with tasks and requests, but we felt in this situation, it might be appropriate to mention something to all of you. One of the most-coveted awards in the American Le Mans Series is the "Most Popular Driver" award, which is voted on by the fans. Mr. Pickett happens to be one of the drivers eligible and if you feel so compelled, you can vote for him at this link- http://www.americanlemans.com/primary1.php?cat=poll
Thank you Dan Binks!
Thank you Greg Pickett!

Thank You Anokijig Campers!

2010-08-16T16:51:00.002-05:00

Thank you Anokijig campers for another wonderful summer of camping on the shores of Little Elkhart Lake! We had a fantastic summer and we hope you did too. We also hope you'll come back and see us soon and remember, you don't need to wait until next summer. We have great family camping opportunities coming up this month. Until we see you again, please enjoy this video recap of our 2010 summer camping season-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbt5tVUjGdk

2010-08-05T07:18:00.002-05:00

Greetings from Anokijig!

We’re deep into summer camp 2010 and everyone is having a great time with the first days of session 8. The weather is warm the lake is perfect, and yesterday was Western Day. We’ve already competed 7 wonderful weeks with thousands of campers getting the chance to experience the wonder that is Anokijig. With one more session yet to begin this upcoming Sunday, we wanted to let you know that if you know of a camper or are a camper that would still like to have a great experience at camp; session 9 has just a few openings left. This is your last chance to get in on the fun for 2010.

We’ve made it incredibly easy to get a spot for next week; choose your method:

· Easy online registration at https://www.anokijig.com/registration.aspx

· Download a printable form for fax at http://www.anokijig.com/2010%20Registration%20Form.pdf

· Or call our office direct at 1-800-741-6931 (920-893-0782) and we’ll gladly have a real live person ready to help you.

· All of the camp forms that you’ll need are available for download at http://www.anokijig.com/forms.htm

· All late fees are waived and as always we’ll do everything we can to make sure your registration process is as easy as possible.

For details on all of our programs offerings and happenings see www.anokijig.com

So pass the word, during Session 9 Anokijig has in store:

· Pirate day

· 50 horses to ride

· Tons of Sailboats and Windsurfs to sail

· Ukulele band

· Woodworking

· Crafts

· Trail crafts

· Fishing

· Nature

· Drama

· Dance

· Land games

· Field riots

· Archery

· Pellet gun

· Aquatics

· Campfires

· Talent show

· Day trips to Noahs Ark waterpark, paintball, rock climbing, and Fondy Sports Park.

· Beach Party

· The last camp dance of 2010!

· and much much more.

If you are one of the many that have already secured your place in session 9, we can’t wait to see you! Also remember if you recruit a new friend to come to camp you get a discount, recruit 5 new friends and your week is FREE.

If you’re not signed up, don’t miss your chance for another week of Outrageous fun, New friends, Old friends, and Incredible experiences at Camp Anokijig!

See you soon!

Take Care,

Darin Holden
Program Director

"Anokijig Changes Lives"

Where Is The List of Items to Pack or Bring to Camp Anokijig?

2010-07-25T20:22:00.005-05:00

The Anokijig Insider blog has been around for over two years now, although it seems like just yesterday that we started it. It's been a great tool for us to connect with many of our supporters and campers, but it's also been a valuable resource in identifying ways that we can improve our presence on the Internet.

We recently noticed that someone from St. Charles, Illinois did a Google search, to find the list of items that should accompany a camper on a trip to Anokijig. Their search sent them here, but we didn't have the information posted here, just a combination of keywords that pushed us to the top of the list. We do supply all this information to all campers with their registration information, but we know how things can get misplaced in a house full of kids.

That's why we also post the information on our main website. We know it's there, because we're the ones who put it there. However, we tried to search the website as we thought a person would, who is not that familiar with Anokijig or our site and we found that it might be a little tricky to locate this specific information on our main site.

We are adding that to a long list of changes that will be made to http://www.anokijig.com/ in the near future, but we won't be able to begin overhauling the website until the summer camping season has ended. Until that happens, we'll provide a direct link here, which should pop up on Google and other search engines in a relatively short amount of time.

So, if you are searching for the packing list for Camp Anokijig, just click on that link and it will provide that information for you, plus a whole lot more. We can't wait to see you!

Learning to Swim- One of Life's Most Important Skills!

2010-07-20T13:30:00.005-05:00

There was a time in this country, that many major universities required that students demonstrate proficiency in swimming, prior to graduation. The thought behind this requirement was that universities were preparing young people with the skills needed to survive in the world.

These universities knew that virtually all of their graduates would find themselves in a situation at some point in their life, where they needed to know how to swim and they wanted them to be ready. Sadly, this requirement has been dropped at many schools and many people are now left to learn how to swim on their own. Some families love being in and around the water and children in those families generally learn at a very young age. However, there are many families that do not spend much time around the water and as a result, those children often lack basic swimming or water survival skills.

Swim tests are one of the first activities for all Anokijig campers. We surrouned a beautiful lake and many of our activities take place in it or near it, so we need to know what kind of swimmers our campers are. Some campers come to Anokijig having never learned how to swim, while other campers do know how to swim, but have a fear of any body of water that doesn't have chlorine in it. Our swim program helps all Anokijig campers develop a comfort level in lake water, with many of our campers learning how to swim.

We think this is still an important skill for all of our campers to learn and we're happy to be able to provide this service to children and families. We recently created a YouTube video that also talks about our swimming program, which you can watch here- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98BB4UEVx1U

A Problem Every Wisconsin Summer Camp Would Like To Have

2010-07-09T22:44:00.004-05:00

As week four of Anokijig's summer camping season draws to a close, we're faced with a familiar dilemma for weeks five through eight- we're sold out! No matter how many times we encourage parents to register early on the Anokijig Insider or our Facebook page, we always seem to run into this same situation.

Kids come to Anokijig in the early weeks and have a blast. They end up wanting to return for another week later in the summer and those campers, combined with late registrations fill up the latter portion of our camping season, leaving hundreds of campers on waiting lists.

We do still have room in Week nine, which runs from August 8th to the 14th, but outside of that week, we're packed solid. If you weren't able to send your child to Anokijig this summer or weren't able to send them back for another week, there's still an opportunity to join us on one of our three remaining family camping weekends. These weekends are tremendous values have become an annual tradition for many of our families. For more information on our family camping weekends, please visit this link- http://www.anokijig.com/10family.htm

Summer Camp Space at Anokijig Still Available, but Limited

2010-07-02T17:45:00.000-05:00

Week Three at Anokijig has been a lot of fun and we still have six more weeks to go! However, if you want to send your child to Anokijig and haven't signed up yet, you're running out of time.

We now have waiting lists for Weeks Five through Eight. If we find we are able to accommodate children on waiting lists during one of those weeks, we'll certainly do our best to fit them in. Week Nine still has plenty of space available, but don't delay or it may fill up on you as well and summer will be over! For more information, call Camp today at 1-800-741-6931

Space Is Still Available, But Filling Up Fast!

2010-06-28T12:07:00.003-05:00

The July 4th holiday has left plenty of room at Anokijig next week, but that's certainly not the case in the weeks following. Weeks Five and Six at Anokijig are already sold out and Weeks Seven and Eight only has a few spots remaining.

Our Stamper program is also at or close to capacity for the rest of the summer, so if you are interested in participating, call Camp today! Our Fishing Expedition programs are always popular and this year is no exception. Fishing Expeditions II in Week 5 is very close to capacity, but there is still plenty of space in that program during Week 8.

Our Mini Camp program is at capacity for Week 8, but there is still space available in other weeks. Ranch Camp only has a few spots remaining in Weeks 5 & 6, so if your child would like to learn more about horses, don't wait too long to sign up.

Our day trips to Noah's Ark in the Wisconsin Dells have been so popular, we've made them available in Weeks 5-9, but Week 5 is already full. This is a very popular day trip, so if your son or daughter would like to sign up, now is the time. Our Paint Ball day trip is offered every week this summer, but it is filling up fast in Weeks 5-8. There is still space available in each of those weeks, but don't wait too long to sign up!

For up to the minute details on available programs and activities, you can call the Camp office at 1-800-741-6931.

A Luxury For Some, a Necessity for Anokijig

2010-06-15T08:28:00.001-05:00

Like many non-profits, Anokijig has a long list of things we need to help provide a wonderful experience for our campers (not the least of which is a generous donor, who would like to help pay off our bank loans). When we first saw these golf carts a few years ago, we thought the big tires were just for showing off and didn't think they actually served a purpose. As we've acquired a few golf carts over the years at Camp, we've come to realize they do have a functional purpose, at least at Anokijig. This particular cart is an ST Express, manufactured by EZ-GO, but other manufacturers make similar versions.

Anyone who has ever visited Anokijig can tell you our terrain can be very hilly and some of our roads can be quite rocky. The golf carts we have now do an admirable job of handling that terrain, but many times they are just not up to the task. Our golf carts have tires that were designed not to tear up well-manicured grass, not scramble over a rocky hillside on the way to a tent section. Bottoming out on rocks and flat tires at Anokijig are not uncommon.

Our golf carts are also limited in their seating capacity at four, while this cart has three rows of seating. This is especially important when families are at Anokijig. We frequently shuttle families to and from sections on check-in day and we're often limited in what we can carry. Sometimes there's only enough room for mom, dad and some luggage. There is also a big need on family weekends, when larger families need help moving around camp or from remote parking during our special events.

We don't expect someone will read this blog today and we'll have a new golf cart at our doorstep tomorrow, but we at least want to put the information out there, so folks know there is a need. Someone may know a person who has one of these carts, but rarely uses it and might be interested in making a tax-deductible donation. We suspect this cart might be similar to the RTV that was donated by Ken and Melody Cavan a few years ago. We never had an RTV before, so we didn't recognize the specific need for it. Now that we have one, we don't know how we ever survived without it.

If you know someone who has one of these carts or a dealer or manufacturer, please tell them about Anokijig and help us better serve the children and families who visit us!

Leadership Training- Free of Charge!

2010-06-05T07:55:00.004-05:00

Did you know Camp Anokijig offers a comprehensive leadership training program free of charge? It's true and it's one of our most valuable, but least-talked about program areas. Many camps charge a fee for this training, but we have always believed this life skill is too important to restrict only to those who can afford it.

Many of the staff members who go through our program move on to careers in fields involving education and mentoring youth and Anokijig's leadership program and the experiences they have here are often the catalyst for that career path. We once lived in a world (and country), where military service was required of our young people. While we are thankful for the sacrifices made by previous generations, we still acknowledge that the leadership skills and training those generations learned through military service to our country are still needed today. That's not to say we put our participants through boot camp, but they do learn many valuable lessons and skills that many of today's young people simply are not exposed to at all.

Our senior staff is already at Camp and we're just wrapping up our lifeguard training. We can't thank our wonderful donors and supporters enough for making these programs available to all who are interested. If you'd like to learn more about our leadership training and staff opportunties, please visit this link- http://www.anokijig.com/staff_benefits.htm

Summer Registration Is In Full-Swing

2010-05-25T09:12:00.004-05:00

There is less than a month to go before the start of Camp Anokijig's 2010 summer camping season and we are already seeing registrations ahead of last year's pace in some of our weeks. There is still room available in all of our weeks, however, some programs are already reaching capacity.

Our Stamper program had already filled up for Week 3. Weeks 4-7 and 9 are also filling up quickly, so if your child is interested in our Stamper program, don't delay in signing up!

The following programs are also nearing capacity, so be sure to register soon, to ensure your first choice-

Week 4 Whitewater Adventure Trip
Week 4 Competitive Swim Camp
Week 5 Fishing Expedition II
Week 5 Noah's Ark Trip
Week 6 Paintball

Join Us For Taste of the Outdoors!

2010-05-21T16:49:00.004-05:00

The leaves are all on the trees, the rain has stopped falling and final preparations are being made for Camp Anokijig's Taste of the Outdoors weekend. Our doors will swing wide open at 9:30 AM on May 22nd & 23rd for an all-you-can eat lumberjack breakfast.

We'll also be offering lumberjack games, including a tomahawk throw, cross-cut saw contest and frying pan toss. We'll also have many of our familiar program areas open, including archery, the waterfront area, including all kinds of boats, canoes and kayaks. We'll also be offering majestic boat rides around Little Elkhart Lake and races in our massive Voyageur canoes. Our nature center will also be open, along with face-painting, and thanks to the hard work of our Camp Director, Jim Scherer, we'll also be offering cane pole fishing for any aspiring anglers.

Admission is just $9 for kids 12 and over, 4-11 are $5 and anyone under four gets in free! Best of all, the proceeds from this event will go to benefit the Anokijig Scholarship Fund, which helps send deserving kids to Anokijig. We hope you'll join us for this wonderful weekend. We've looked at the forecast and it's going to be a great weekend to be at Anokijig!

So Your Daughter Wants a Horse?

2010-05-19T11:46:00.006-05:00

Is your daughter so interested in horses, that she would like you to buy one for her? You're not alone. We always want to provide wonderful learning opportunities for our children, but from an ownership perspective, how much does it cost to own a horse?

We can start with the purchase price. Although some horses can cost tens of thousands of dollars, for a first-time rider/owner, a good horse can probably be found for well under $1,000. Let's conservatively say you can find one for $600.

The next expense will come in stabling fees. If you happen to live on a 10-acre parcel of land, you might be able to save a significant amount of money on boarding, by keeping the horse on your property (if your community zoning laws allow it). If not, monthly boarding fees can run anywhere from $200-500 per month. Let's again suppose you can find a very affordable place to keep your horse, which is also a short drive from your home and it only costs $200/month. With the cost of the horse, that puts us at $3,000.

As it turns out, the board was so cheap, because it didn't include feed. An average horse can eat about 20 lbs. of hay per day (1/2 bale). That can also vary, based on how much a horse grazes, but if we calculate 183 bales of hay at about $2.50/bale, that adds a approximately $450 more in just the first year, bringing our grand total up to $3,450. Most horses should also get some grain, so we can conservatively add another $150 a year, bringing our total so far to $3,600.

Some boarding fees include bedding, which can run about $200/year, so we'll again be conservative and assume that's included in the $200/month boarding fee. We'll also assume that bargain of a boarding fee includes mucking of the stalls (stall cleaning), so we wont tack any additional expense onto that.

Your horse will need to get shots twice a year, so do plan on paying a veterinarian about $300 per year, bringing our total up to $3,900 per year. You'll also need to pay a farrier to keep your horses' hooves properly-trimmed. That can sometimes get expensive, if an animal needs shoes (just like kids, huh?), but we'll assume it's healthy in that regard and you'll only spend another $100 a year, bringing your total up to $4,000. You're almost ready to go. All you need now is another $500 for tack, which includes a helmet, saddle, blanket, bridle and other riding equipment. If your daughter has little or no experience on a horse, you'll probably want to make sure she gets good instruction, so add another $1,000 per year onto our total and when it's all added up our the first year of horse ownership will run you at least $5,500.

This assumes you don't want mortality insurance on your horse and your daughter doesn't have expensive tastes in horses, stables, clothes or riding lessons. The good news is, that initial $5,500 investment drops by at least $1,000 in year two, because you won't need to buy a new horse and tack every year (at least in theory). In subsequent years, spending $4,000 per year on a horse can be done, provided the horse stays healthy and you don't end up buying a horse trailer, so your daughter can go riding in other places. Some horses can live for 20 years or more, so assuming your daughter will never let you sell "Blacky" or whatever your horses' name is, this purchase could approach nearly $100,000 over the life of the horse.

Why do we lay all this information out for you? Because Camp Anokijig offers a reasonable alternative to buying a horse- use one of ours! We have more than 50 horses at Anokijig, many of them formerly owned by parents just like you. We also have dozens of miles of riding trails, all the tack, hay, safety equipment and proper riding instruction that any youngster needs. All this can be had for just $580 per week and that includes food, lodging and all the other fun activities at Anokijig! If you would like more information on our Ranch program, follow this link.

$5,500 vs. $580 The math makes the choice look simple, but we know kids always do their best to complicate things. Even if your daughter insists on her own horse, why not encourage her to spend some time learning her way around them at Anokijig, before buying one of her own? She might fall in love with one of our horses and decide she doesn't want one of her own or she could just decide horses weren't her cup of tea. Either outcome could end up saving you thousands of dollars and countless headaches.

Getting Tee'd Off For Kids

2010-05-13T13:53:00.004-05:00

Do you like to golf? Do you want to help Anokijig? Have we got a deal for you!! Camp Anokijig has been chosen by the Sheboygan Jaycees as a beneficiary of their annual golf tournament!

We need to enter at least one foursome in the tournament, but wouldn’t it be great to have tons of Anokijig supporters enjoying a day on the links together? Besides a fun, four-person scramble format, you will have a chance to win bunches of fantastic hole and raffle prizes, even a BRAND NEW CAR!

Entry fee includes greens fees, golf cart, lunch, 2010 Golf Days souvenir and a golfer goodie bag. For more information, visit the Jaycees site- http://www.sheboyganjaycees.com/index.php?section=15

Can anyone say FORE!!?!!? Or make that four– rustle up four of your friends to join us on June 11th at the Town and Country Golf Course- W1945 County J in Sheboygan.

Please note, entries must be postmarked by May 22^nd. Since June 11th is a Friday and some of you live a distance away, lodging will be available at Camp Thursday and Friday night. Please contact Darin at darinh@excel.net to make arrangements.

If you are not a golfer, but would still like to help Anokijig, we are in need of volunteers to help on the course on the day of the event. Please contact Mary Krahn at marykrahn@excel.net to sign up. We look forward to seeing you on the links!

Vote For Susan Bemis to Help Send Kids to Anokijig!

2010-05-11T17:19:00.002-05:00

A Vote for Susan Bemis is a vote for the kids of Camp Anokijig. Come join us, it will make you feel good!

If you like Dancing with the Stars and think we need to do more for less fortunate kids, you will love the Movers and Shaker Gala to benefit local charities, which includes sending kids to Camp Anokijig.

Susan Bemis of Bemis Manufacturing will dance the night away at the Movers and Shakers Gala at Lakeland College on May 22nd. All the participants are donating their time and talent to raise funds for non-profit organizations and Susan has generously chosen Camp Anokijig to be her selected benefactor.

Susan is one of a group of area “celebrities” showing off their best dance moves as a part of the Movers and Shakers Gala at Lakeland College. On Saturday, May 22, the Todd Wehr Center at Lakeland will be transformed into an elegant ballroom, complete with beautiful decorations and huge video screens to provide the who’s who with a lush stage to showcase their best moves.

The celebrities have been paired with a professional dancer and are in the midst of training, before they compete to win the support of three professional judges, one guest judge, plus votes from friends and fans.

Your vote counts! You don’t have to attend the event to help support Camp Anokijig. Votes are $20 each and for every vote that Susan receives, dollars will be presented to the Camp Anokijig Scholarship Fund for less fortunate children. Anyone can purchase votes prior to the event at http://www.moversandshakersgala.org/ The deadline for voting is 9:00 p.m. on May 22nd so please vote early and often!

Thanks for being a part of all that Anokijig does for kids.

Jim Scherer
Executive Director, Camp Anokijig

P.S. Why not forward this message to all your friends and ask them to support our efforts to send less fortunate kids to Camp Anokijig? It will make them feel good too!

Camp Anokijig- Blissfully Old-Fashioned

2010-04-29T09:38:00.000-05:00

This is a picture of one of Anokijig's tent sections from the 1950s. Stroll into a tent section at Anokijig today and things won't look all that different. During rest hour, campers who aren't napping will quietly swap stories, read books or play games, just like some of their parents and grandparents did when they were campers. Much at Anokijig has changed over the years, but many things have stayed the same.

We like to talk about the fact that anything you can do at Anokijig, you probably can't do at home and anything you can do at home, you probably can't do at Anokijig. As we hear news reports of Boy Scouts earning awards for video game proficiency and schools teaching texting abbreviations as part of their spelling curriculum, we're glad Anokijig hasn't changed too much. Anokijig is a video game-free and text-free zone. For many of our campers, the last week they spend at Anokijig may be the last week they ever spend "disconnected" from the modern technology that surrrounds and permeates every facet of our lives.

Our campers communicate with each other through words and actions, not e-mails, texts and tweets. Their parents mail them letters, that they will read over and over again and some of the kids will even send a letter or postcard home. For many of our campers, Anokijig is an oasis of simplicity in a very complex world and that's just the way we like it.

How To Pick The Right Summer Camp For Your Kid

2010-04-23T07:37:00.000-05:00

Barbara Rowley recently wrote an article for Parenting Magazine on how to pick the right summer camp for your child. As a former camper and staff member herself, Rowley knows the ins and outs of sleepaway summer camps fairly well and her insight can be very valuable to families considering a sleepaway camp for their child.

Some of her key points for selecting the best camp for your child include the following-

A History
While Rowley knows there are some great new camps out there, she knows some experts and families believe that camps that have been operating for decades, especially with the same staff, has significant meaning. Camp Anokijig has been in operating since 1926 and our core group of staff members- Jim Scherer, Darin Holden, Don Hill & Scott Stewart all grew up as campers at Anokijig and have more than 100 combined years of adult working experience at Anokijig. Rowley states that in today's world, a camp simply couldn't stay in business for generations if it were unsafe or suffered from poor leadership and management.

A Philosophy
Rowley thinks it's important to know the philosophy of a camp before sending your child there and she's absolutely correct! If you are looking for a camp that focuses on sports, there are hundreds to choose from, but Anokijig isn't one of them. The week many children spend at Anokijig will be the most active week of their year, but it won't be spent on our soccer field or baseball diamond, because we don't have either. We do play earthball and no one plays scatterball like we do, but they aren't the focal point of our activities. We like to tell folks anything your child can do at Anokijig, they probably can't do at home and anything they can do at home, they probably can't do at Anokijig.

An Emphasis on Creating a Community
Rowley believes good camps think about how they place kids together to create the most inclusive experience for all. Anokijig has more than a dozen different tent sections and cabins, which allows us plenty of flexibility for assigning bunk space for campers. Three years may not seem like a long time to adults, but we know it is an eternity for kids. The social experience of camping is important and we know the differences between nine year old campers and 12 year old campers, because we see them every year. While there are plenty of opportunities for all campers to interact, we do our very best to make sure kids are comfortable with the bunkmates in their sections and part of that is grouping kids appropriately by age. Our size still allows us the flexibility to accomodate many requests for bunkmates.

A Well-Trained Staff
Rowley feels it is important for camps to be adequately-staffed and we couldn't agree more. She suggests low ratios of 10 to 1 for kids ages 8 to 14. Even during Anokijig's busiest weeks, our capacity is about 315 campers. If we were at Rowley's low ratio, we'd only have about 32 staff members to monitor all those children. Our actual ratio is far better than Rowley's, as our cooks feed more than 400 people during our busy weeks. Rowley also feels it's important for staff to be background-checked and have plenty of references as well. As an ACA-accredited camp, we follow all of those procedures for staffing and have known many of our current staff members, since they were campers at Anokijig. We also run two weeks of staff training before the first summer camper even arrives at Anokijig.

An Element of Choice
One of the great things about a summer camp experience, is that a child is free from their daily, pre-set schedules. When they arrive at Anokijig, we evaluate their swimming ability and then ask them to select two skills, from a wide variety of program areas. Examples could include archery, arts & crafts, woodworking, fishing, trail crafts, and sailing. Anokijig campers will devote time each day to their two choices, but we also leave plenty of unstructured free time, allowing campers the opportunity to try out other program areas as well. Rowley believes this structure (or lack thereof) will help your child to feel more independent, especially if they are making the choices for which activities they participate in.

A Communications Plan
Rowley believes a consistent policy on camper phone use is important, as well as making sure there are procedures in place for contacting parents about upcoming events or if their child becomes sick or injured. Safety comes first at Anokijig and a good portion of our camper orientation focuses on safety and emergency procedures. Although cell phones are not allowed at Anokijig (and most don't work anyway), we always have staff on duty at all hours of the day and always have the ability to contact parents whenever needed. We do encourage our parents and campers to write letters to each other throughout the week, but we know that frequent phone conversations can actually make it harder for both parents and children to be away from each other.

A High Standard of Accreditation
Rowley encourages parents to ask camps if they are accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), which conducts on-site visits and reviews programs, facilities, and hiring and safety policies. Rowley claims only the most professionally run camps qualify and we're proud to tell parents we scored a perfect 100 on our most recent ACA inspection.

Choosing the right camp can be a challenge for parents, but the experiences their children will have can last a lifetime and are well worth the effort. If you'd like to read Rowley's entire article, you can find it here- http://is.gd/bER5o

A Brief History of Camp Anokijig

2010-04-18T23:19:00.002-05:00

We've noticed a spike in traffic lately to the Anokijig Insider. We're not sure why that has happened, but we're glad you're here. It did occur to us that you might not know anything about who we are or what we do, as many of our blogs are written with the idea that most of our audience is already familiar with Camp Anokijig. With that in mind, we'd like to use this blog to give a brief history of Anokijig.

In the mid-1920s, the Racine YMCA decided they wanted a summer camp for the boys in Racine and they gave two men the task of finding a suitable location, within a reasonable drive of Racine, Wisconsin. The ideal location would be a large parcel of land, located on a body of water that had not been over-run with development. Wisconsin was a popular weekend destination for the Chicagoland area in the 1920s, so this was no easy task.

The two men searched the 1920s version of Google (the real estate listings in local papers) and set out to find the perfect spot for a camp. As they continued to fan out from Racine, they stopped for lunch one day about 70 miles north of Racine, in a town called Plymouth. They were having trouble locating a lake and shared their story with the locals at the restaurant. Upon hearing their story, it was recommended that they take a look at Little Elkhart Lake, a body of water so hidden, many locals didn't even know how to find it, they just knew it was somewhere north of town.

The two men parked their vehicle and hiked through more than a half mile of Kettle Moraine forestland, before emerging on a shoreline and taking their first glimpse of Little Elkhart Lake. A local farmer was building a small cabin on the shoreline, but no other buildings were visible from their position and the water sparkled crystal-clear, with trees surrounding the shoreline and the only sounds coming from the birds in the area and the wind blowing through the trees.

The two men struck a deal with the farmer to lease both the cabin and 40 acres along the shoreline for $50 per year and Camp Anokijig was born. The idea of camping took hold in Racine and the first 40 acres was soon purchased and Anokijig's home was made permanent. In the subsequent years, more land was added and Anokijig's total acreage now approaches 400, including 3/4 of the water frontage on Little Elkhart Lake.

Camp Anokijig hasn't just grown in size. Our summer camp program now operates in nine one-week sessions and we welcome more than 2,000 summer campers (boys & girls) every year from more than 20 different states and seven foreign countries.

Why is Camp Anokijig still appealing after more than 80 years? Because kids are still kids and as much as the rest of the world has changed, much of Anokijig still remains the same. We've added quite a few cabins over the years, but many of our campers still sleep in platform tents. Our ranch program now has more than 50 horses, but it's still all located on our property and ranch campers still earn scarves in our Ranch Program.

We don't have any ipods, computers or cable TV for campers to use, but they can still shoot arrows, paddle a canoe or learn how to catch a fish. In short, anything a kid can do at home, they probably can't do at Anokijig and anything they do while they're at Anokijig, they probably can't do at home. Amazingly enough, even in the digital era we live in now, there's something very appealing about that to kids.

Getting back to the Anokijig story, Anokijig was struggling in the late-1970s and early-1980s. The Racine YMCA was even considering selling the camp at that time, but a former camper and staff member, Jim Scherer, stepped forward and offered to try and turn things around. No previous Camp Director had ever lived at Anokijig year-round, but Scherer felt that being here all the time was the only way to make the camp successful. Scherer was soon joined by other former campers and part-time staffers, Darin Holden, Scott Stewart, and Don Hill. Together they turned Anokijig around in a relatively-short amount of time and soon had it operating in the black.

The Racine YMCA continued to own Camp Anokijig until 2005. At that point, Anokijig had been operationally-profitable for more than 20 years, but the Racine YMCA found themselves in between a rock and a hard place and decided Anokijig had to be sold. Once again, Scherer and his staff rallied camp supporters and a grass roots effort was formed to save Anokijig from development.

A non-profit corporation was formed, financing was secured and the Friends of Camp Anokijig placed a successful bid to purchase Anokijig from the Racine YMCA. 2010 marks the fifth season of operation as an independent, non-profit youth and family camp, but the camping experience is very much the same as it has been for the last eight decades. Anokijig offers a wonderful environment, with a staff dedicated to maximizing the camping experience for all of our visitors.

There are plenty of great stories about Anokijig on this blog, but we'd encourage you to visit Anokijig in person, as there really is no substitute for the real thing. Thanks for stopping by and catching a bit of the Anokijig spirit!

Jim McIlvaine
Vice President, Camp Anokijig

Camp Still Needs Saving

2010-04-16T07:44:00.001-05:00

"Hey Jim, why is that www.savecamp.com decal still on your truck, I thought camp was saved already?" That's a question I get quite often and the simple answer is that Anokijig isn't saved just yet. While Anokijig's future looks a lot better than it did five years ago, we still have a long way to go.

One of the problems we face is that it's difficult to keep banging on the drum and sustain an ongoing sense of urgency to retire the debt incurred back in 2005 to "save" Camp Anokijig. Many of the pledges made by our fantastic supporters have now been satisfied, while other well-meaning folks just haven't been able to come through on their commitments for a variety of reasons, including the downturn in the economy.

As time continues to pass, the bullet Anokijig dodged begins to look larger and larger. When camp was originally put up for sale, the economy had not yet hit the skids. Contractors, developers and architects were all still eyeing up every piece of lakefront property they could find, whether it was currently for sale or not. Camps like Singing Hills seemed to be falling like dominoes and I've often wondered what fate would have befallen Anokijig, had the Friends of Anokijig not secured the loans necessary to outbid those developers? The best I can come up with is that the hilly terrain would've made it unsuitable for a traditional development and it probably would've ended up as a golf course.

With the way the economy headed south shortly after our sale was finalized, a developer probably would've had just enough money to tear down all our key buildings and build three holes of a golf course and a model home or condo, before going belly-up. That would've left the property available for a camp again, but no infrastructure to support it. The logs of Western Lodge and our other beautiful cabins would've been sold off. Large tracts of our woodland areas would've been clearcut for fairways. The boathouse would've been dismantled to make room for a putting green overlooking the lake. All the fencing for the horses would've been yanked out and the land re-surveyed for a project that would've never been completed.

Even if Anokijig were put up for sale one or two years later than it was, the financial climate during that span changed so much, it's possible we wouldn't have been able to secure the loans necessary to purchase Camp.

It's scary to even think about those possibilities and while they may seem like they are a million miles away from us today, we're not out of the woods yet. While I'm happy to report that Camp Anokijig's future looks strong and robust, there is no telling what the future will bring. Will the economy rebound or will it take another downturn? Will the financial crisis that hit the home housing market soon hit the commericial real estate market and affect Anokijig's loans? The future can be difficult to predict, but I know as good as we all feel about Anokijig's future, we'll all feel a lot better once our debt is finally retired for good. Only then will Anokijig's destiny truly be in our own hands and not tied to the success or failure of financial institutions or parent organizations.

Our staff is certainly doing their best to eliminate our debt by finding additional revenue streams (new campers) and new donors. In fact, we've hired a fantastic woman named Mary Krahn, who has done a wonderful job of reaching out to folks in the area and helping them learn all about the fantastic benefits Anokijig provides for thousands of children and families each year. Even though Anokijig's history goes all the way back to Ray Vance in 1926, most of that history didn't involve Anokijig asking anyone for help. Doing so now is a relatively-new concept for a camp that has been operationally-profitable for more than two decades in a row, but we are making progress.

In the past few years, Anokijig has for the first time received grants and donations from many fantastic organizations and companies, who had no previous history of giving (many of them are listed on the right-hand side of this blog). Their generosity has helped fill the financial gap created by expiring or unfufilled pledges. We've also witnessed an increase in our group rentals and several of our summer camp weeks still sell out and have waiting lists.

The future looks very bright for Anokijig, but not without your continued support. If you are able to renew a pledge or make a tax-deductible donation, please do so- https://www.anokijig.com/pledge.htm Even if you cannot share treasure with us, we still value you your time and talent. If you can volunteer at Anokijig or one of our off-site events, let us know- http://www.anokijig.com/volunteer.htm

Lastly, if you haven't been to Anokijig in a while, please come back and visit us. We'd love to catch up with you, show you how much Anokijig has changed and how much has stayed just the way you remembered it, whether you're 30 years old or a camper from the 1930s.

Little Elkhart- What a Great Little Lake!

2010-04-13T07:26:00.005-05:00

We've all heard by now about Anokijig's Little Elkhart Lake being rated one of Wisconsin's best lakes- http://anokijig.blogspot.com/2009/10/anokijigs-little-elkhart-lake-named-one.html

What we don't often talk about is how Little Elkhart Lake is one of the world's best lakes for camping. Unlike the previous rating, this one isn't done by an impartial judge, but we have visited other camps and we know a good body of water when we see one.

Little Elkhart is about 60 acres in size and while that may not seem very big, it's nearly the size of an ocean in the minds of some of our campers. Little Elkhart also has a great shape to it, with lots of little nooks and crannies for fishing and several distinct bays. It's also one of those rare inland lakes that has an island (Optimist Island) and we own it! This unique shape also limits personal watercraft traffic and promotes camper safety, because there's only a small area of the lake that is further than 150 feet from shoreline. It's big enough for campers to go out in a boat and feel like they've gone on an adventure, but not so big, that we can't keep a good eye on them at all times.

While Little Elkhart has areas where the water can get as deep as 30 feet or so, most of the lake water is only about four to eight feet deep. That means it warms up quickly in the summer time, while other larger lakes take longer to get comfortable for swimming. Our beach is also the best spot for enjoying the lake, because the sun sets on the far side of the lake, keeping our campers comfortably warm well into the late afternoon hours.

The surrounding lakes around Little Elkhart also make our lake ideal for a summer camp. Elkhart Lake and Crystal Lake are both just a few minutes away and both lakes are much larger. That's great news for us, because that means most of the pleasure boaters will choose those lakes before they come to ours and that keeps our lake traffic to a minimum. Some camps are on lakes so big, they have to restrict the movement of their campers on the water, due to safety concerns. That's not an issue for us on Little Elkhart.

Even if a pleasure boater decides to come to Little Elkhart, when we let 50 campers loose in canoes, kayaks, rowboats, sailboats, sailboards and paddleboats, we pretty much decide what activites take place on the lake. Locals know this and as a result, when boats do come to Little Elkhart, they are usually just fishermen, looking for a quiet place to drop a line and catch a few largemouth bass.

Just having a lake is an important feature for a summer camp and we're fortunate to have such a great one, especially given the fact that some camps can only offer a swimming pool. One of the most important life skills a child can acquire on a visit to Anokijig is a level of comfort and confidence in water. It still surprises us to meet kids every summer who have never swam in non-chlorinated water! To those children, a freshwater lake can be a very intimidating environment.

Even though our lake is exceptionally-clean and crystal-clear, some children have a fear of the unknown and they are concerned about what lurks beneath the surface. That fear can turn a competent pool swimmer into a panic-stricken young child, but it often disappears when they see dozens of other children having the time of their lives in Little Elkhart.

Every camper that comes to Anokijig is given a swim test and those that cannot swim are given free lessons. By the end of the week, most of these campers can swim and the few who cannot are at least much more comfortable in the water, which is also important. We can't emphasize enough the importance of children getting comfortable in the water, because this could someday save their lives! We teach a lot of great life lessons and skills at Anokijig, but one that can actually save a life is hard to trump!

Did You Know Camp Anokijig has a YouTube Channel?

2010-04-11T20:01:00.000-05:00

Did you know Camp Anokijig has it's own YouTube channel? Anokijig's YouTube channel has several of the great videos you may have seen on various sites, all in one place. We'll also be adding videos throughout the year. If you have a favorite Anokijig video on YouTube, let us know, so we can include it in our favorites. To visit our YouTube channel, just follow this link

Camp Anokijig Announces New Skill for Summer Camp 2010- Levitation

2010-04-01T18:07:00.000-05:00

Following a semi-successful trial run during Week 5 of the 2009 camping season, Program Director Darin Holden has decided to include Levitation as one of the new skills to be offered during the 2010 summer camping season.

"We offered Levitation in Week 5 last summer and had a great response," says Holden. "We had an issue with one...maybe two campers, who had a little trouble controlling their levitation and ended up over in Appleton. It's a good thing the winds weren't blowing out of the West that day, or they might have ended up in Lake Michigan. Other than those isolated instances, we think it was a success and expect it to be very popular in 2010."

Space is expected to be limited, given the popularity of this new program, so campers are encouraged to register today- https://www.anokijig.com/Registration.aspx

Volunteer Opportunities At Anokijig

2010-03-31T09:47:00.000-05:00

Volunteers are the lifeblood of Anokijig. We simply could not function, where it not for these outstanding, dedicated people. Each year, Anokijig volunteers spend more than 40,000 hours at Camp, doing everything and anything we ask of them.

As Anokijig ramps up for the summer season, we have quite a few opportunities for folks to come up and pitch in with set-up, as well as weekend groups and special events. If you'd like to lend a hand, please fill out this form and we'll take it from there- Anokijig's Online Volunteer Sign Up form

0-100 In Less Than 24 Hours!

2010-03-29T07:10:00.000-05:00

Camp Anokijig's Facebook fan page hasn't even been up 24 hours and already we have more than 100 fans! That's a pretty incredible number and we appreciate everyone's support. If you haven't become a fan of Anokijig on Facebook yet, you can do so, by visiting this link- http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Camp-Anokijig/112799212069046

Anokijig is now on Facebook!

2010-03-28T10:49:00.000-05:00

Anokijig now has it's very own fan page on Facebook! You can become a fan of Anokijig on Facebook by following this link- http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Camp-Anokijig/112799212069046?ref=ts

We will continue adding content to the Anokijig Insider as we always have, but will also be adding pictures and updates on Facebook as well, as we know a lot of our campers and staff frequent that site. For those of you who are fans of Twitter, you can find us there as well- http://twitter.com/anokijig

A Record Week for Anokijig

2010-03-26T16:54:00.005-05:00

Summer camp hasn't even begun yet at Anokijig and already we've had a record week! Darin Holden and the rest of our staff have been busy this past Spring, attending outdoor and camping shows all over the Midwest, telling folks about the incredible value and outrageous fun that can be found in an Anokijig experience.

All the hard work is paying off, as we just set records for registrations in a single week and a single day! All of our summer sessions still have availability, but we do have weeks that sell out every year, so be sure to register early- https://www.anokijig.com/Registration.aspx

Share Your Anokijig Memories With Us!

2010-03-24T13:05:00.003-05:00

Do you have special memories or pictures of your Anokijig experience? Why not share them with the rest of us, we'd love to see them! E-mail your Anokijig memories to jimmcilvaine@aol.com and we'll post them on the Anokijig Insider.

On The Road Again

2010-03-09T09:57:00.005-06:00

It's that time of year again- SHOW TIME! As parents and families try to map out their summer plans, one of their activities often includes time at a sleepaway summer camp. We like to think Anokijig isn't just one of the best summer camps in Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest, but the entire country! So, we send Darin out on the road to tell our story.

Starting Wednesday, Darin will be at the Camp Anokijig booth at the Milwaukee Sports Show at the Wisconsin Expo Center at State Fair Park. We encourage you to stop on by and pay him a visit, find out what's new at Anokijig for 2010 and plan a trip to Anokijig for yourself or a loved one. We hope to see you at the show!

Success!

2010-02-15T00:07:00.003-06:00

Camp Anokijig would like to extend a big RIC TIC to all our wonderful staff and volunteers, who were able to help out with the Racine Founders' Rotary Club Las Vegas Night Fundraiser. You can read the Racine Journal Times article on the event at this link-

http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/article_a16a6f44-1932-11df-a86b-001cc4c03286.html

Vegas Night To Benefit Anokijig This Weekend!

2010-02-08T17:25:00.003-06:00

It's that time of year again! The Racine Founders Rotary Club is holding their annual Vegas Night event on Saturday, February 13th from 7-10PM at Festival Hall in downtown Racine.

Some of the proceeds from this event will help Camp Anokijig, so if you can attend, we encourage you to do so. Table games include black jack, craps roulette and the money wheel. There will also be a Texas Hold 'Em tournament.

Admission is just five dollars and includes a chance to win several hundred dollars or a trip to Las Vegas! There may also be a special appearance by The King himself!-

Anokijig will be providing volunteers for this event, so if you'd like to help, it's not too late to call Mary Krahn at 920-893-0782. We hope to see you there!

Help Anokijig Through Buying & Selling on Ebay

2010-01-25T14:18:00.003-06:00

We've mentioned eBay's Missionfish program on the Anokijig Insider before, but we thought it was worth reminding everyone that this is a great program, which helps raise money for Anokijig.

If you are selling an item, you can donate a portion or all of the proceeds directly to Camp Anokijig. If you donate enough of the proceeds, eBay will waive some or all of the fees associated with the listing. If you are interested in buying items that will help benefit Anokijig, click on this link to see the items currently listed for sale- http://donations.ebay.com/charity/charity.jsp?NP_ID=9037

Casino Nite Adult Volunteers Needed!

2010-01-19T11:24:00.005-06:00

The Racine Founders Rotary Club's annual Casino Nite is coming up on February 13, 2010 at Racine's Festival Hall and we need your help from 6-10PM! We need blackjack dealers, raffle ticket sellers and help with check-in. The Founders Rotary Club have become tremendous partners with Anokijig over the past several years and this event helps raise a lot of support for Anokijig.

If you are at least 18 years of age and willing to help out at this event, please contact Mary Krahn at Camp Anokijig, by calling 920-893-0782 or e-mailing her- marykrahn@excel.net. We hope to see you there!

If you are not quite 18 and would like to volunteer at Anokijig, we still have plenty of other work that needs to be done, so please let us know your availability as well!

Join the E.L.B.C. Tube-a-thon Group

2010-01-05T17:44:00.006-06:00

Greetings for the New Year. 2010 and the splendor of winter at Anokijig has arrived. With the winter also arrives our first fundraiser of the year: Tube-a-thon.

If you don’t recall, Tube-a-thon is the kick-off of our annual campership fund drive. A weekend of fun and fellowship; it is an event that bands Junior Staff, Senior Staff and Alumni in an effort to raise as many pledges as possible to help as many kids as possible to experience that powerful thing we call, the Anokijig Spirit.

As we look forward to making this year’s event another successful gathering we currently have 50-60 people planning to attend; this should make for a generous amount of donations. However, as I look at our list of former staff and alumni we have hundreds more that could come and many more kids that could be benefited. We can do better.

Now, I know that in all of our busy lives it can be very difficult to arrange to be available for a particular weekend in January to attend an event and it is often a chore to go out and raise the minimum pledges. I also know that instead of soliciting donations, attendees often fund the pledge themselves, and in this economy that can be more difficult than in the past. Due to any of these factors, instead of taking part, many Anokijig faithful pass on this opportunity. Well, I have a way for those people (maybe you!) to get involved. The E.L.B.C. group.
What is this E.L.B.C. group? It is the “Every Little Bit Counts” group.

You may very likely remember the great struggle that Anokijig went through to become independent. A central part of that success was the great mass of people that made their voices known in any way they could (editorials, rally’s, fundraisers, bumper stickers, etc) to ensure that their message got out to the people who mattered. Many of the up and coming Junior Staff didn’t experience this phenomenon and I would like to illustrate it again with the E.L.B.C.

Join me in being part of this new tube-a-thon fundraising group. What I am asking is for you to open your wallet and take a look. If you can spare $5.00, $10.00, $20.00, $50.00, $75.00, $100.00, or more pledge it. Think of skipping a few daily coffees, maybe one less dinner out, whatever you can spare, and pledge it. The amount is not as important as the action. All of this would help to send a few more kids to camp. Together we can demonstrate the power of many, and we can help more.

I’ve made it really easy. I’ve added a page to our website at www.anokijig.com/tube pledge.htm where you can make your pledge, pay through PayPal, credit card, or send a check later. As always we would love to see you a camp as a participant but if it’s not in the cards for you this year please take this chance to make any difference that you can. Together we can make a true difference in a bunch of kids’ lives.

Remember, many companies have matching gift programs. Please check with your employers!

Thanks for your help. I look forward to seeing you at camp again soon!

Take Care,

Darin Holden
Program Director
Camp Anokijig
“Anokijig Changes Lives”

Tube-A-Thon 2010 Is Just Days Away!

2010-01-05T11:17:00.003-06:00

We hope to see you at Anokijig's 2010 this weekend. Here's a primer for you from one of our recent guests-

Anokijig's 2010 Tube-A-Thon is Coming!

2009-12-29T09:12:00.003-06:00

In honor of our camp motto, “WE SERVE”, we are inviting you to spend a fun-filled weekend at Anokijig, to kick off our annual fundraiser for the ANOKIJIG CAMPERSHIP FUND on January 8-10, 2010. The goal is to raise $20,000 to help send less fortunate children to camp, while having outrageous fun. To accomplish this, we need you to gather pledges of money from family, friends, neighbors, or anyone willing. All donations from this program go directly toward sending less fortunate children to a week of summer camp in 2010. Last year, this program helped send over 200 children to a week of summer camp.

This is one of our largest goals ever so we are counting on all of our Anokijig friends and supporters to take this chance to spread the word to as many people as possible about the Campership Fund drive and all the good that Camp does for kids. This is a chance to make a difference in a child’s life and have loads of fun doing it.

Funds raised for Tube-A-Thon may be turned in the weekend of the event or after, but only pledges that are in by 11:00 AM, January 10, 2010 will be counted toward the great prize competition. In the past, we've had some difficulty collecting the donations that were promised. Please make every effort to collect all donations and send them to Camp Anokijig by Jan 30, 2010. Remember Prizes will only be available to those whom have turned in their pledges and this money is for a very good cause. If it doesn't arrive at Camp, fewer kids can be helped.

2009 participants who have not returned their 2009 pledges may not participate.

In the past, several people have chosen to use this event solely as a reunion, without making any effort to help less fortunate campers. Although we always enjoy seeing and visiting with all of our Anokijig friends, this event is for the benefit of kids. It is not fair to those who are making the effort to raise pledges for deserving children, to allow those to attend, who have made little or no effort at all. Therefore, only participants with a minimum of $150 in pledges are allowed to participate in 2010. Please help to make this a positive event by only attending if you are collecting the minimum amount of pledges.

If you are able to join us, please fill out this form and submit it PRIOR TO January 4, 2010- http://www.anokijig.com/2010%20tube-a-thon.htm If you are unable to attend, you may still help by raising pledges or sending a donation. We hope you are able to join us and look forward to seeing you in 2010!

Christmas Gift Ideas?

2009-12-16T07:09:00.004-06:00

Are you still searching for that perfect Christmas present? How about an Anokijig present for that special someone? We're at that time of the year, where we need to make room for all of our 2010 inventory in the trading post. That means we have a lot of items on sale right now, that would make great stocking stuffers and you can save up to 50% on some items! Visit our online trading post for some great gift ideas- http://www.anokijig.com/tradingpost

Parents, Grandparents, Aunts & Uncles should consider giving the gift of a week at Anokijig to some lucky camper. 2010 summer registration is open and a week at Anokijig is sure to brighten any child's Christmas morning- https://www.anokijig.com/registration.aspx

We hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas!

2009-12-02T00:33:00.002-06:00

Happy Holidays from Anokijig!

It’s the beginning of December and Anokijig is all battened down for the arrival of our first snow of the season. What better time to think SUMMER 2010!

You can see all of the news, new schedules, and programs at www.anokijig.com

Online Registration for 2010 is now open at https://www.anokijig.com/registration.aspx

A new camper fundraising option is available for all campers or Anokijig Supporters. Beat the economic downturn with Online Magazine and Gift sales with the profits going to camper accounts or the campership fund. The Store is open and active NOW.

See the fundraising details for: Campers at: http://www.anokijig.com/online%20fundraise.htm

Camper Family and Friends at: http://www.anokijig.com/online%20fundraising%20directions.htm

Camp Supporters in general at: http://www.anokijig.com/online%20fundraising%20supporter%20directions.htm

SHOP WITH A PURPOSE this holiday season at the online fundraising store.

Candy Sales will begin January, 11th 2010 and run through June 3, 2010. Call the camp office at 1-800-741-6931 for all the details or see http://www.anokijig.com/scholar.htm#candy .

Check out the Holiday specials and sales at the Anokijig Trading post starting Friday November 27th, 2009 at: http://www.anokijig.com/tradingpost/. No need to fight the crowds, get all of your holiday shopping done at the Tradingpost! (Remember, Anokijig gift certificates make a great gift!)

For those of you in South Eastern Wisconsin or Northern Illinois save February 13, 2010 for another great Anokijig Benefit; the Racine Founders Rotary Casino Night. Come join in as a player or volunteer as a dealer or helper. See http://www.anokijig.com/Racine%20Casino%20Night%20Benefit.htm for details.

The alumni newsletter will be heading out in the mail and email soon, with all the camp news and 2010 registration information for you to hold in your hand. Email us at anokijig@excel.net if you would like to get just a link by email instead of the printed copy.

The Annual Staff and Alumni Tube-a-thon date is set for January 8-10, 2010. If you are 14 or older and would like to help send some kids to camp for 2010 check out the details of this annual Fun-draising weekend at Anokijig. It’s an incredibly fun weekend of events plus tons of prizes. Start raising funds now to send a kid to camp. See the details at: http://www.anokijig.com/2010%20tube-a-thon.htm

Recruiting for 2010 Anokijig Senior and Junior Staff has now begun. If you know of a great person who would be an excellent staff member have them visit http://www.anokijig.com/staff.htm for all of the details and applications.

For frequent updates to interesting Anokijig events and activities check out the Anokijig Insider Blog at www.anokijig.com.

Have a great holiday season. We look forward to seeing you all at Anokijig sometime in 2010!

Take Care,

Darin Holden
Program Director
Camp Anokijig
www.anokijig.com
Anokijig Changes Lives!

2010 Registration is Open!

2009-11-20T19:46:00.003-06:00

Did you know registration for Camp Anokijig's 2010 summer sessions are now open? Families have been requesting earlier registration dates for several years now and we've tried to accomodate them, by opening registration sooner in each of the past few years and this is our earliest registration opening ever!

Early registration allows parents (and grandparents) to make a week at Anokijig a special Christmas gift for their child (or grandchild) and families can begin to figure out their summer calendar and plan for other trips, knowing when their kids will be at Anokijig. Early registration will also be helpful for many of our campers who visit us from abroad, allowing them extra time to plan their trips and find the best airfare.

Several of our weeks sell out every summer, so while you may not feel the need to register this early, please keep in mind that because we are opening registration earlier for 2010, they may fill up sooner than they have in past years. If you'd like to register online today, just follow this link- http://anokijig.com/forms.htm

We look forward to seeing you in 2010!

A Funny Way to Raise Money

2009-11-06T13:58:00.004-06:00

Hello from Anokijig,

We would like everyone to know about this great fund raising event coming up this month here in Plymouth.

For Tickets Call 920-893-0782.

Call soon, tickets are already going fast. Join us for a great evening of comedy for adults and help benefit a great cause. We hope to see you all there!

Take Care,

Darin Holden

Program Director

Camp Anokijig

www.anokijig.com

"Anokijig Changes Lives"

Thank You Zeta Chi of Lakeland College!

2009-10-31T07:25:00.003-05:00

Normally, when someone sees a fraternity mentioned in reference to beer, it's for all the wrong reasons. That's not the case this time. Anokijig has had an outstanding relationship with Lakeland College throughout the years and we hope they feel the same way. They frequently send busloads of students to do volunteer projects at Camp and many of our former staffers have chosen Lakeland to continue their education.

One of our Anokijig Alumni, Markus Savaglio, happens to be both a Lakeland College student and a member of the Zeta Chi fraternity. For the second year in a row, his fraternity is running a Micro Brew beer-tasting event to raise money for Anokijig. The event will be held at the David & Valarie Black room in the Laun Center at Lakeland College on Saturday, November 7th, from 7PM to 10PM.

The event is open to anyone 21 years or older and tickets can be purchased at the door for $10. If you have questions about this event, you can contact Markus directly at savagliom@lakeland.edu of by calling 920-207-4910. Good luck Zeta Chi and we hope everyone who participates in this event does so responsibly!

Camp Anokijig- Life Skills Factory

2009-10-24T16:39:00.005-05:00

The environment at Anokijig offers these teens and young adults a unique experience that may be as close to parenting as many of them will get, until they decide to have their own children. Many young people may work as babysitters or in youth programs in their home towns, but very few get the opportunity to spend extended periods of time with younger children.

It's one thing to spend one evening with a child who misses their parents or even an entire workday. It's something entirely different when our staff are put in a position where they spend a week or even longer around a large group of younger children. When they are at Anokijig, our staff essentially lives with these children.

There is no timeclock here and for the time these campers are at Anokijig, our staff serves as the closest thing to parents that these children will have, on-call day and night. That gives them a unique perspective few of their peers are able to experience. They teach, lead, encourage, console, discipline, mediate, guide and mentor these kids. In turn, our campers teach our staff important life lessons in patience, dedication, persistence, honor, altruism, integrity, and a host of other parenting skills.

What does this mean in the long-run? Feedback from our former staff indicates they left Anokijig with a much greater appreciation for what it means to be a parent and be responsible for another human life. That's never a bad thing.

If you have a high school-aged son or daughter, that you think might be interested in volunteering at Anokijig and learning these valuable life skills, call Camp today at 920-893-0782.

Anokijig's Little Elkhart Lake Named One of Wisconsin's Top Lakes

2009-10-18T08:32:00.004-05:00

Milwaukee Magazine recently ran an extensive article on Wisconsin's 15,081 lakes. It was a very comprehensive article, which focused on the health of Wisconsin's lakes and efforts made over the years to combat invasive species and other threats to these waters. It also discussed the rapid rise in popularity of Wisconsin's lakes in the early-20th Century.

The article really reminds us of how lucky we were to have people like Ray Vance and Uncle Adolph Gillund, who founded Anokijig and were responsible for locating our current site on Little Elkhart. The two men started the first summer of camping at Anokijig in 1926 and the Milwaukee Magazine article states that by 1932, so many people from Milwaukee, Chicago and the Twin Cities were vacationing in Wisconsin, that Vilas and Oneida counties had 221 resorts, 3,995 summer homes and 73 camps or clubs.

If people at that time were willing to drive that far for a getaway, the shoreline on Little Elkhart would've certainly gotten caught up in the rush, had those two men not secured it for Anokiig's use years earlier. The article also talks about the gradual near-extinction of the middle-class lakefront property owner in Southeastern Wisconsin.

Jeffrey Thornton is the principal environmental planner for the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission and he was quoted extensively thoughout the story. One of his most eye-opening quotes talked about the lakefront real estate boom of the 1990s, where cottages fell three at a time to make room for massive year-round homes for the wealthiest Midwesterners. "With the lakes' water quality improved, property values soared. Vacant lots in Waukesha County with 100 feet of frontage on 90-acre lakes started selling for $1 million.

Little Elkhart is not quite that large or convenient to Chicago, but Anokijig's water frontage on Little Elkhart measures in the thousands of feet. One can imagine what plans developers had in mind when Anokijig was put up for sale in 2005.

The story also talks about the threat posed to lakes by residents who think they are cleaning up their shorelines, by removing fallen trees and anything else that "looks messy." The article claims these efforts directly impact blue gills and largemouth bass, who grow three times slower in lakes without woody habitats. Anokijig's shoreline is chock-full of this habitat, which might help explain why we have such a vibrant fishing program.

The article also lists Wisconsin's top lakes in several different categories. Given Anokijig's presence on Little Elkhart, it should come as no surprise that a panel of Wisconsin DNR lake experts rated our lake as one of Wisconsin's healthiest. Nearby Elkhart Lake and Crystal Lake were also named the best swimming lakes in Sheboygan County. We know Little Elkhart was left off this list, because we have no public beach access. However, Anokijig has the biggest and best beach on Little Elkhart and we know it to be every bit as good for swimming as the public beach areas on our neighboring lakes.

In short, we can't overstate how fortunate we are to have such a tremendous natural resource in Little Elkhart Lake. If you'd like to read this article in it's entirety, you can follow this link- http://www.milwaukeemagazine.com/currentIssue/full_feature_story.asp?newmessageid=24752

If you find a story that would be of interest to us, please drop us a line at anokijig@excel.net.

A Wonderful Wedding Gift

2009-10-11T10:03:00.004-05:00

Some of our long-time readers may remember a post we made almost a year ago, discussing the current state of some of Anokijig's boats and the need for some upgrades- The Anokijig Insider: A Need Indeed

We're happy to report that our call to action has been answered. Mike McGrath of Minocqua, Wisconsin heard of our need for a newer pontoon boat and he happened to have a boat he was considering selling. The boat is a beautiful, 24-foot Manitou Limited pontoon boat and it is just what Anokijig desperately needed.

Two of Mike's good friends were married this past summer and he knew of their affinity for Camp Anokijig. As a very generous wedding present, Mike offered to donate his pontoon boat to Anokijig, in honor of their union.

Even though the boat is 14 years old, the Manitou Pontoon Boat company makes a high-quality boat, as this one looks nearly-new and is in great shape! It features comfortable seating for up to 12 passengers and a 90-horsepower Honda four-stroke outboard motor. That's great news for camp, as this motor is far more efficient (and quieter) than the motor on our other pontoon boat.

What will become of our other pontoon boat? Our waterfront director, Don Hill, has spent countless hours over the last several winters, reparing and welding that other pontoon boat back together. It no longer has any fixed seating, but he thinks it could still make an excellent boat for our fishing program. In order to make this happen, we would need to upgrade the outboard motor that is currently on the boat. It is simply too costly to operate and seems to burn as much oil as gasoline.

Ideally, we would like to replace it with a smaller outboard in the range of 20-25 horsepower, since it would only be used for moving campers to all the prime fishing spots on Little Elkhart. If you know of someone who might be able to help us find such a motor, please have them call Camp Anokijig at 920-893-0782.

Thank you again Mike McGrath for your wonderful gift to Camp Anokijig! Check out this video of her maiden voyage-

Alumni Day is Coming!

2009-09-29T06:52:00.003-05:00

Anokijig's summer sessions are behind us for 2009, but Camp is still in full-swing with school groups during the week and Indian Guides and other groups coming in on the weekends. Our final family camping weekend of the year is coming up on the weekend of October 10th, when we welcome campers for Anokijig's Fall Colors Weekend.

Fall Colors is one of the most-beautiful weekends to be at Anokijig. The colors on the trees are a dozen different shades of red, yellow and brown, while the crisp, autumn air is cut by the warm, crackling of a campfire.

Fall Colors weekend also coincides with Anokijig's annual Alumni Day, which takes place on Sunday, October 11th. If you are a former camper or counselor, we welcome you to stop in and visit with your old friends from 11AM until 2:30PM. Admission is always free, but we would appreciate it if you signed up in advance, so our cooks will know how many to expect for lunch.

If you're planning on attending Alumni Day, you can RSVP online at this link- http://anokijig.com/alumni%20day.htm of you can always call Anokijig at 920-893-0782 and let them know you'll be coming. We hope to see you there!

Fallapalooza at Anokijig!

2009-09-18T09:31:00.003-05:00

It's going to be a busy weekend at Anokijig. In addition to our Laughter in the Woods event on Saturday night, we are also hosting our annual Fallapalooza open house on Sunday, September 20th. Fallapalooza is a great chance for folks to come out and see what Anokijig is all about.

Some of our scheduled activities include fishing, arts & crafts, an archery contest, voyageur canoe rides, an arrowhead dig, carnival games and an all-you-can-eat bunch a brunch. Kids horse rides will also be available for $5.

Anokijig's doors will swing open at 9:30AM and the event will run until 3PM. As usual, this event is a very affordable way for a family to spend a Sunday. Admission is just $9 for ages 13 and older, $6 for children ages 4-12 and as always, kids under three are free! If you can't make it to Laughter in the Woods, we hope you'll join us for Fallapalooza!

Laughter in The Woods is Coming Soon!

2009-09-15T23:23:00.001-05:00

Greetings from Anokijig:

Just a friendly reminder that there are still seats available for this year’s comedy extravaganza: “Laughter In The Woods”-Comedy Dinner Theater and Auction; but we expect them to be going fast!

The McMann & Tate Comedy Group has put together a great original show to keep you laughing, the steaks and crab cakes are ready for cooking and the beer & wine cellar is being stocked. It is bound to be a theatrical and epicurean experience to remember.

Doors open at 6:00 pm next Saturday September 19th with the show beginning at 6:30pm

A featured part of the evening will be our annual silent and (for the first time) Live auction. The lodge will be filled an array with items to bid on like:

· A one-weeks stay at a northern Wisconsin lake Cottage

· 2 brand new kayaks

· Trolling Motor

· Fish Finder

· Home theater

· Spa Package

· plus much much more!!

Reservations are required so call soon. Limited overnight accommodations are available, just call for the details.

Call 1-800-741-6931

Cost is only a $35 Fee & $40 Deductible Donation and all the proceeds go to benefit the ANOKIJIG SHEBOYGAN COUNTY KIDS SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Reserve a table for 8 and bring your friends or business associates.

COME JOIN US FOR GREAT FOOD AND OUTRAGEOUS FUN ALL TO HELP SEND KIDS TO CAMP. YOU WILL LOVE IT!

THIS WILL BE A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

Questions? See our website at www.anokijig.com or call our office at 1-800-741-6931. We hope to see you there!

Thank You Marquette University!

2009-09-12T16:09:00.005-05:00

We often talk about the massive amount of volunteer support Anokijig receives each year (more than 50,000 hours per year). We don't do this to brag, although we are very proud of the generosity of our supporters. We do this to thank our supporters and remind people that we need their help to make this place successful.

When people ask us how a "private camp" like Anokijig can afford to charge half of what most private camps charge, the answer is simple- volunteers. Our legion of volunteers helps keep Anokijig affordable for summer campers, family campers and groups.

Today we welcomed a group of 32 volunteers from Marquette University, led by Dr. Toby Peters. Almost all of these volunteers were students and many of them will soon participate in another volunteer outreach program Marquette sponsors, which provides medical care to people in Honduras.

These volunteers jumped right into action at Anokijig, cutting burdock out of the pasture around Victory Hill, setting up a canopy for our upcoming Fallapalooza event and splitting wood down at the Supply Shed. The work was physically demanding, but these great volunteers were up to the task. The consensus from our staff is that they are welcome back to help out anytime.

Thank you Marquette University for all your hard work at Camp Anokijig! If you have a group that would like to come volunteer at Anokijig for a half or full day, please give our camp office a call at 920-893-0782

Thank You Snap-on!

2009-09-08T22:22:00.001-05:00

The wide variety of tools, equipment and supplies Anokijig needs and uses on a daily basis is truly an amazing and varied list. Everything from ping pong balls, bratwurst and life jackets to saddle soap, laptop computers and log splitters. Virtually everything under the sun seems to find a use or purpose at Anokijig.

One of our most-dedicated (and appreciated) donors over the past few years has been Snap-on Incorporated of Kenosha. Snap-on manufactures and sells a wide array of tools and equipment, most of which we can find a use for at Anokijig. However, when we have a dozen different projects going on at the same time, with at least as many staff members involved in those projects, keeping track of tools can be a challenge.

Fortunately for us, Snap-on Industrial, which is a division of Snap-on Incorporated, sent us two beautiful Williams-branded tool boxes this past summer. Many of the donated Snap-on tools we have previously received have already found a home in these boxes. Thank you Snap-on Incorporated!

Labor Day Family Camping

2009-09-06T16:02:00.003-05:00

Its Sunday afternoon and we're in the midst of another fantastic Labor Day Family Camping Weekend. Beach tunes are playing over the PA system and many of the 230+ family campers have found their way down to the waterfront area for the same beach party fun that our campers enjoy every week during summer camp. Little Elkhart is still as warm as a bathtub and volleyball games and face-painting are camper favorites.

These family weekends are a great (and affordable) opportunity for families to connect, reunite and unplug from their everyday lives. Best of all, we still have one family camping weekend to go this year and there's still time to sign up, although space is limited.

Camp Anokijig's Fall Colors camping weekend is October 9th to the 11th. Campers begin arriving Friday night and are treated to three delicious meals on Saturday and two more on Sunday. There are also plenty of special activities that are unique to Fall Colors weekend, like our annual pumpkin-carving contest. If you'd like more information on Fall Colors Family camping, call Camp Anokijig today at 920-893-0782.

We hope to see you at Anokijig soon!

Come See Laughter in the Woods!

2009-09-01T10:44:00.002-05:00

It's getting to be that time of year again, when Camp Anokijig hosts their annual Laughter in the Woods dinner theater and auction. This year, we are welcoming Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren as our special guests, although we don't expect either one to attend. This year's event will take place on Saturday, September 19th, with the doors at Western Lodge swinging open promptly at 6 PM.

The McMann & Tate comedy group will once again be entertaining our guests with their hilarious antics and madcap skits and all guests will enjoy a delicious steak and seafood dinner. Tickets are $75 each and all proceeds will go to Camp Anokijig's Campership fund for Sheboygan County youth.

For more information or to book your reservations today, please call Camp Anokijig at 920-893-0782.

Bring the Whole Family To Camp Anokijig!

2009-08-26T17:22:00.004-05:00

Camp Anokijig's 2009 Summer Camping Season has ended, but Anokijig's 2009 Camping Season is far from over! If your child is still raving about their experience at Anokijig this summer and begging for more, there are still plenty of chances to come back in 2009.

Camp Anokijig is offering several family camping weekends this year and there's still space available in all of them. Family Camping weekends allows families to do all the fun stuff that the Anokijig summer campers did all summer long, from horseback riding to archery and all the cool boats at the waterfront. There are also some special family activities on these weekends that are not available during summer camp, like pumpkin carving contests and hayrides.

Our August Getaway Weekend runs from the evening of the 28th through the 30th and we have a couple of rooms available in the Health Lodge, one of the Thunderbird bunkhouses and several tents left. Our Labor Day weekend is nearly full, with only one room (two people) available in the Health Lodge and Fall Colors is also close to being full with only platform tents remaining.

These weekends are all great opportunities for families to enjoy Anokijig together, without the hassles of packing up a tent and cooking meals over an open fire. Your accomodations will be waiting for you and all your meals are included. Best of all, the price is more affordable than you might realize.

An average family of four can enjoy our Fall Colors weekend for about $325, which includes two nights stay, five all-you-can-eat meals in Western Lodge and unlimited access to all of our program areas (horseback rides and some arts & crafts projects do have additional fees). As always, children under four years of age are always free on all of our family weekends.

If you would like more information on our Family Weekends, please visit this link- http://anokijig.com/09family.htm

Don't delay though, because space is limited and it's filling up fast!

Thank You Johnson Controls!

2009-08-21T17:32:00.009-05:00

Did you know Camp Anokijig benefits from over 50,000 volunteer hours each year? That staggering number happens for several reasons. We have an outstanding core group of adult volunteers, who seem to spend nearly every free moment they have at Anokijig. We also have a fantastic group of junior staff, many of whom volunteer countless weekends at Anokijig in the Spring and Fall months.

Another group of people that help us tremendously are companies and service organizations, who organize work days at Anokijig. Today, ten employees and executives from Johnson Controls and their Optima Batteries Division spent the day doing various work projects at Anokijig.

The weather didn't look good in the morning, but this group showed up early, worked hard and stayed late. Our staff is used to the rigors of working at Anokijig and they don't impress easily, but they were surprised at the effort put forth by the folks from JCI.

This was Johnson Control's first work day at Anokijig and sometimes we schedule easier tasks for first-time groups, but that wasn't the case today. In the morning, half the group cleaned saddles down at the corral, while the other group split logs down by the supply shed.

After lunch, the group enjoyed a tour around Little Elkhart on the Allegheney, before returning to work. The first order of business was upgrading all of the batteries in our fleet of vehicles to Optimas.

As that task finished up, one group headed out to tear out old fence line, while the other made much-needed repairs to our horse shelters. We also had folks doing filing for us in the office, which will make Carol very happy when she returns from her vacation next week.

Volunteer work like this is the lifeblood of Anokijig and its what keeps us accessible and affordable for so many children and families. Thank you Johnson Controls and Optima Batteries for all your hard work and generosity!

Are You LinkedIn to Anokijig?

2009-08-20T16:38:00.003-05:00

It's amazing to think of how we gathered information just 20 years ago. The public library, encyclopedias and word of mouth were common sources of information that many Americans used to rely on. The emergence of the Internet has changed all of that.

As the Internet continues to grow and evolve, new uses emerge. One site growing in popularity is LinkedIn.com. This site allows users to post their resume online and connect with other people, whom they have worked with in some capacity. If MySpace is the club and Facebook is the backyard, LinkedIn is the boardroom.

Networking groups have emerged on LinkedIn and unlike social networking sites, these groups generally focus on professional or educational-based networks. Camp Anokijig Staff and Alumni both have the opportunity to join LinkedIn groups, by searching LinkedIn's groups for "Anokijig."

If you are an Anokijig Staff alumni (either paid or volunteer) or a former camper in good standing, we welcome you to join our groups. If you have a job opening at your company and you're looking for the kind of people that Anokijig produces, these groups would be a good place to start- http://www.linkedin.com/groupsDirectory?results=&sik=1250804837421&pplSearchOrigin=GLHD&keywords=anokijig

Thank You Anokijig Campers!

2009-08-17T08:48:00.003-05:00

The sun has now set on another fantastic summer camp season at Anokijig. In typical Anokijig fashion, thousands of children had the time of their lives, with lasting memories that will stretch well beyond the upcoming winter months.

As in years past, Anokijig welcomed campers this year from all corners of the world, including Singapore, Russia, Spain and Germany. We also hosted campers from 24 different states, but more than 90% of our campers still come from Wisconsin and Northern Illinois.

One trend that did change dramatically from 2008, was the number of campers who received campership assistance. Since 1926, Camp Anokijig has never denied a child the opportunity to go camping on the shores of Little Elkhart, due to a lack of financial resources. In 2009, 240 campers received more than $100,000 worth of assistance.

While it is amazing to think of the incredible fun and personal growth these children experienced during their time at Anokijig, it's even more impressive to think of the generosity of our donors and supporters, that made this all possible. Without your help and support, many of these children simply would not have been able to come to Anokijig.

We say it often, but maybe not often enough- For many campers who visit Anokijig, the experience is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Their first campfire, their first night away from home, their first fish caught, their first night away from their parents, their first horseback ride and the list goes on. It may be hard for some people to believe, but we meet campers every year, who have never swam in water without chlorine, before visiting Anokijig!

A big "RIC TIC" also needs to go out to our hard-working staff, dedicated volunteers and all the other donors and supporters who make Anokijig one of the best places on earth. We appreciate your unwavering commitment to camping excellence!

Camp is Selling a Camaro!

2009-08-08T07:47:00.002-05:00

Some of you may remember a previous post regarding the generosity of an individual, who donated a Camaro to Camp Anokijig. Well, we've finally listed it on ebay. You can check out the listing here- http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120457038434

If you know anyone, who might be interested in buying this car, please alert them to this listing. Thanks!

2009-08-06T21:40:00.002-05:00

In addition to nine weeks of traditional youth summer camp, Camp Anokijig also offers a wide variety of specialty programs. This video is from our Adventure Challenge program, a free specialty program open to all campers entering eighth grade or older. The Adventure Challenge is Anokijig's version of the popular reality show contests and our campers love the experience.

Unfortunately, we only have one week of summer camp remaining and our Adventure Challenge is not available in Week 9. However, we do have several other exciting options for campers coming to Anokijig next week (7th grade and older).

There are two spots remaining in our Rock Climbing adventure, where campers will learn the latest climbing techniques at one of Wisconsin's finest facilities. There are also two spots remaining in our Paintball Challenge.

If you would like more information on these or other programs at Camp Anokijig, please call our camp office at 1-800-741-6931 or visit our website- http://anokijig.com/SUMMER%20CAMP%20page.HTM

Summer is Almost Over!

2009-08-04T12:09:00.002-05:00

Greetings from Anokijig
We’re deep into summer camp 2009 and everyone is having a great time with the first days of session 8. The weather is wonderful the lake is perfect, and Western Day is coming up tomorrow. We’ve already competed 7 wonderful weeks with thousands of campers getting the chance to experience the wonder that is Anokijig. With one more session yet to begin this upcoming Sunday we wanted to send this note to let you know that if you know of a camper or are a camper that would still like to have a great experience at camp; session 9 has just a few openings left. This is your last chance to get in on the fun for 2009.
We’ve made it incredibly easy to get yourself a spot for next week; choose your method:
· Easy online registration at https://www.anokijig.com/2009%20web%20registration%20form.htm
· Download a printable form for fax at http://www.anokijig.com/2009registration%20form%20updated.pdf
· Or call our office direct at 1-800-741-6931 (920-893-0782) and we’ll gladly have a real live person ready to help you.
· All of the camp forms that you’ll need are available for download at http://www.anokijig.com/forms.htm.
· All late fees are waived and as always we’ll do everything we can to make sure your registration process is as easy as possible.
For details on all of our programs offerings and happenings see www.anokijig.com.
So pass the word, during Session 9 Anokijig has in store:
· A great canoe fishing trip to the Sylvania Wilderness
· Reality day (all sorts of great “survivor type” events)
· 50 horses to ride
· Tons of Sailboats and Windsurfs to sail
· Ukulele band
· Woodworking
· Crafts
· Trail crafts
· Fishing
· Nature
· Drama
· Dance
· Land games
· Field riots
· Archery
· Pellet gun
· Aquatics
· Campfires
· Talent show
· Day trips to Noahs Ark waterpark, paintball, rock climbing, and golf,
· Beach Party
· The last camp dance of 2009!
· and much much more.
If you are one of the many that have already secured your place in session 9; We can’t wait to see you! Also remember if you recruit a new friend to come to camp you get a discount, recruit 5 new friends and your week is FREE.
If you’re not signed up, don’t miss your chance for another week of Outrageous fun, New friends, Old friends, and Incredible experiences at Camp Anokijig!
See you soon!
Take Care,
Darin Holden
Program Director
Camp Anokijig
www.anokijig.com
"Anokijig Changes Lives"

Anokijig International

2009-07-29T23:45:00.003-05:00

When we think about all the great opportunities Camp Anokijig provides, we normally don't think of it as an environment for children to be immersed in the English language. After all, the vast majority of our campers are from Wisconsin and Illinois.

Even though most of our campers are local, we do host campers from dozens of different states. In fact, last year, Camp Anokijig hosted campers from 23 different states. We know all of these campers keep coming back to Anokijig because of their previous positive experiences here. But we also know some of their parents are also saving money, by flying their children to Wisconsin and sending them to Anokijig, instead of paying for a $1,000+/week camp near their home.

In addition to all of those campers, we routinely host campers from several foreign countries. Last year, children from Croatia, France, Germany, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Spain spent time at Camp Anokijig. Many of these children come to Camp Anokijig to work on their English and Anokijig just happens to be the perfect environment for a child to immerse themselves in the English language.

In 2007, we also hosted campers from seven foreign countries, including 29 campers from South Korea, who all came to the States specifically to work on their grasp of the English language. Time spent at Camp Anokijig is a powerful and enriching experience for these campers, but it also has a similar impact on the kids who live within a few hours of Anokijig.

2009-07-27T09:25:00.004-05:00

When we posted a video from our Fishing Expedition Program a few weeks back, we thought some folks might suspect the fish caught in that video was the exception and not the rule. We decided to post a second video (above), to put to rest any question as to whether campers in our Fishing Expedition Programs do reel in the big ones.

We could continue posting such videos, which each subsequent trip (and we might), but nothing quite speaks for the success of this program as testimonials from our own campers. Shortly after we posted this second video, a camper posted a comment, claiming he caught a 23-lb. salmon on the trip last week.

If your child enjoys fishing, they would absolutely love our fishing programs. Unfortunately, our 2009 Fishing Expedition Programs are finished for the season. However, we do still have space in our Sylvania Backcountry Canoe Fishing Trip during Week 9.

Campers on this trip will go after smallmouth bass and northern pike in the Sylvania Wilderness Area, as well as fishing in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. We will provide the canoes, gear and all the equipment needed, Mother Nature will provide the fish. If your child is entering 7th grade this fall and would like to experience some amazing fishing, you can register here- http://anokijig.com/2009%20web%20registration%20form.aspx

If your child is already signed up to come to Camp Anokijig during week 9 and would like to go on the Sylvania Backcountry Canoe Fishing Trip, just call the camp office at 1-800-741-6931 to reserve a spot.

Thank You Kolar Arms!

2009-07-24T16:07:00.003-05:00

Many of you will remember our previous blog post, which talked about Camp Anokijig's new pellet gun range, which was partially-funded by the NRA Foundation. Having the new pellet gun range has truly been a blessing, as it is in a much safer (and environmentally-safer) and convenient location for our campers.

With the pellet gun range now very closely situated to Arts & Crafts, Archery, Digital Photography, and Woodworking, many more campers are taking advantage of this tremendous program. Some camps charge their campers fees for using their rifle ranges, but we prefer to keep camper costs to a minimum. You can imagine the results, when you tell an 11-year old that they are allowed to shoot pellet guns for a seemingly unlimited amount of time.

Since Camp Anokijig started our Pellet Gun program, we have made numerous attempts to purchase our .177 flat-nose pellets in bulk, to save money. Unfortunately, these previous attempts were not successful and with the increasing popularity of this program, we were struggling simply to find enough pellets at local retailers.

That's where employees from Kolar Arms came into the picture. When they heard of our plight, Kolar Arms was not only able to find a bulk quantity of pellets for us (about 100,000), they purchased and donated the pellets directly to Camp Anokijig. Thank you Kolar Arms!

Summer is Slipping Away!

2009-07-22T08:17:00.002-05:00

It's hard to believe, but the Summer of 2009 is rapidly disappearing. Camp Anokijig is currently in the midst of our sixth week out of nine and space for the rest of the summer is becoming scarce.

Week 7 has about a dozen spots left, so if your son or daughter is at Anokijig now and calls home to ask to stay through next week, start thinking now about whether you'd like them to stay next week, as those remaining spots might disappear quickly.

Week 8 is completely sold out, so if your son or daughter does not sign up for Week 7, their only remaining option is Week 9.

If your child is already coming to Anokijig and is considering one of our specialty programs, like Rock Climbing or Caving, there is still space available in those programs. However, our Ranch Program is approaching capacity in some remaining weeks, so if they would like to spend more time around our horses than a horse ride or two, call the Camp Office today, to sign them up for Ranch Camp at 1-800-741-6931.

Camp Anokijig Score a Perfect 100 on ACA Inspection!

2009-07-19T22:03:00.004-05:00

The American Camp Association (ACA) is a community of camp professionals who, for nearly 100 years, have joined together to share their collective knowledge and experience to ensure the quality of camp programs. Part of this quality assurance is an accreditation program, which requires that accredited camps meet more than 300 standards for health, safety and program quality. This is a very rigorous and thorough process that each accredited camp must go through every three years.

While accredited camps must score at least an "80" on their inspections, we're happy to report that Camp Anokijig score a perfect "100" on our 2009 inspection. This is important news for parents, because the ACA inspection covers some very important policies, including those regarding staff screening and criminal background checks for all staff who will have responsibility for or access to campers.

The ACA also checks for written documentation that every lifeguard has demonstrated skill in rescue and emergency procedures specific to the aquatic area and activities guarded. These are all mandatory standards that have been missed by dozens of camps every year. In fact, the most commonly-missed standard in the past two years is the one requiring all resident campers and seasonal staff members to have a doctor-signed health exam within the last 24 months. 146 camps missed this standard in 2008 and 109 missed it in 2007.

This is a particularly important standard, given the current concerns surrounding the H1N1 virus and one that Camp Anokijig takes very seriously. While some summer camps have elected to cancel sessions in 2009 as a precautionary measure, we would like to remind parents that those camps primarly cater to children who already have compromised immune systems. Camp Anokijig's continued efforts to adhere to strict ACA health and safety standards helps us ensure the safest and most enjoyable experience for all of our campers.

New Refrigerators! How Cool Is That?!?

2009-07-18T17:22:00.006-05:00

The Hussmann Refrigerator at Western Lodge is original equipment to this building and has been here since the lodge was dedicated in back in 1949. While we've had to replace some parts on it over the years, it's served us very well.

Unfortunately, our Hussmann has gotten so old, that some replacement parts (like gaskets) were getting very hard to find. We're also guessing refrigerators built after the creation of NASA are probably more efficient than our World War II-era model.

This is where Harry Schildkraut came into the picture. Mr. Schildkraut and his company, s2o Consultants, have been instrumental in upgrading many of the appliances in Western Lodge's kitchen. When he learned of our refrigerator situation, he began talking to his connections in the food service industry, to see if anyone might be able to help us upgrade our refrigerator.

Before too long, Mitch Cohen of Victory Refrigeration heard of our situation and offered two brand-new units-

Not only are these units larger, but they feature more shelf space and are undoubtedly less expensive to operate than the unit they replace. Every little bit makes a difference, especially when our annual electric bill is typically somewhere north of $17,000! Thank you Mitch Cohen, Victory Refrigeration, Harry Schildkraut and s2o Consultants!