Karting for a Cause

 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.

Little Elkhart- What a Great Little Lake!

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!

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

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”

Anokijig International

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.

All Weeks Still Open, But Not For Long!

As Week 2 comes to a close, enrollment at Anokijig continues to rise. All remaining weeks still have openings, however, three of those weeks are nearing capacity.

As of Friday, Week Four's Whitewater Rafting Day Trip and Adventure Trip are both close to closing. Week Four's Mini Camp is also near capacity and Competitive Swim Camp is at capacity.

There are also only a few spots remaining for Ranch Camp in Week Five and Resident Camp in that week only has about 16 spots left.

For Week Six, the Paintball Day Trip is near capacity, Circle A Riders are at capacity, Mini Camp is full and Resident Camp only has about 20 spots remaining.

Week Seven still has some space left in all areas (except Stampers), but Week Eight has just five spots remaining for Resident Camp. If you'd like to get your child into Anokijig for the week beginning on August 2nd, you should register today. The Ranch Program is nearly full for that week and the Mini Camp is already at capacity.

As we mentioned previously, our Stamper program is completely sold out for the entire summer. It's shaping up to be another wonderful summer at Anokijig. We hope your children can be a part of it!

Anokijig is Starting To Fill Up!

The opening week of Anokijig's summer camping sessions is now just a few weeks away and Camp is buzzing with activity as summer staff begin to arrive and training sessions ramp up.

This is also the time of year, where many families make a mad dash to reserve spots at Anokijig, while there are still spots to be had. The good news is that there is still room left in Anokijig's resident camp, but it might not last much longer. The last six weeks of Anokijig's summer camp (July 5th-August 15th) have historically been very popular with summer campers and this year is no exception.

Weeks five and eight still have room, but that may not last much longer. There is only one spot left for Ranch Camp in Week 8 and Mini-Camp in week 8 is close to capacity as well. Mini-Camp is also filling up in weeks 4 & 6, but if you call Camp soon at 920-893-0782, you can still reserve a space. Circle A Riders Camp is also close to filling up in Week 6.

Our Competitive Swim camp in Week 4 is completely full and our Stamper program is completely sold out for the entire summer, with the exception of a few spaces in Week 1. If you wait too long, you may not get your first choice for weeks or programs, but there are still other camping options available.

Last weekend's Taste of the Outdoors event was a huge success and many families heard about Anokijig's new family camping weekend at the end of August. Our Memorial Day, Labor Day and Fall Colors weekends have many repeat campers, who book early, but our August Get-Away weekend is in it's first year, so there are plenty of spaces available. For more information on family camping, you can visit Anokijig's web site here- http://www.anokijig.com/09family.htm

Another Tube-A-Thon Success!

Many thanks go out to Anokijig's army of volunteers, who made our 2009 Tube-A-Thon another wonderful success. More than $9,000 was raised over the weekend for Anokijig's campership program, which helps send children to camp, who might not otherwise be able to do so.

We are so thankful for all the generous folks, who know the powerful impact an experience at Anokijig can have on a young child. If you weren't able to join us this year, but would like to help send a child to Anokijig this summer, you can do so by following this link-https://www.anokijig.com/pledge.htm

As a special treat, please enjoy this amazing video of one of Anokijig's legendary tube trains