Category: Alumni News

There are so many moments in the course of our 6-week summer that span the minutes, hours, days, and weeks from Opening Day to Closing Day. Eating Dan’s mac & cheese, playing parachute games, and looking for “aliens” are just a few things that kicked off the first weekend at Camp Woodland. Getting dressed up and having “Thanksgiving” dinner in the togetherness of the front of the lodge, giving applause for the many achievements earned in activities, demonstrating skills learned in the final shows, and making a candlelight wish in hopes of its return to the Woodland beach is how we wrapped up the summer of 2024.

Since we have been immersed in school and home life for the past few months, all of those moments become treasured memories that we pull out at random times to bring us back to those carefree days that make up a summer at Camp Woodland. If we happen to be able to gather with camp friends in the winter months, we recall those moments as if they happened just yesterday.

Our first official reunion for the season was held in the Chicago area this past weekend where campers and staff were together for part of the afternoon to catch up on the past few months, share memories and stories of summers past, and build excitement for “Enjoy the Ride in ’25” with new campers coming for the first time! It was just like being back at camp during Fair Day…snacks were served and games were played (with prizes). If smiling faces say anything, I think some campers in attendance are excited to be first in line for cookout or skip the line for another meal next summer!

One of the things I have learned over the years is that campers (and staff) return to camp because of the people. Sure, activities and traditions are part of the draw to come back to County D Road. However, these wouldn’t be the same without the individuals who are there to create the memories we rely on this time of year when summer is still over a half a year away.

Towards the end of the summer, we asked campers to reflect on their favorite memories from summer 2024, and here is what made the list for each cabin group!

Sunrise: “celos”, friends, campfire, Loli’s birthday party, cabin night on row boats, aqua tramp, ugly Counselor Contest, and Woodland Fair

Silver Birch: teaching Regi how to sail, learning how to sail in high winds, cabin slumber party, kneeboarding, my step brother, frizzy hair, the “block”, jokes, the Shrek clown for Woodland Fair, a frog in Georgia’s backpack, and winning most events

Starshine: my friends, my counselors, Juno, canoe trip, watching the animals grow in Farm Zoo, Willy Wonka, doing a forward roll out of my bed, do do do do do do, hanging out with friends during Gold Rush, and the warm fuzzy campfire story

Sunnyside: canoeing with MoJo, Olympics, learning how to ski, passing out of level 4 swimming, getting a 57/60 in archery, riding Seven, sailing, playing “touch the fence” in tennis, when a raccoon snuck onto the pontoon boat, flipping off the banana boat, canoe trip, swimming, 4th of July, sailing, TP/CW Fairs, “Marty”, “Thed”, marshmallow torch, playing tag in the water, Cathy’s, aqua tramp, tubing, cabin nights, and s’mores

Driftwood: winning Olympics, being with my cabin mates, sailing, having my Dad visit, being Casi’s bunk mate, meeting Emilia, seeing the tree on our canoe trip, tubing with Masyn, our mice friends, my friends, camp, passing out of swimming, trying riflery and really liking it, and arriving at camp and just being here in the Northwoods

Treetops: being hoppers, going to Cathy’s, teaching Spanish to cabin mates, decorating the cabin table, being in the cabin, passing to 30/40 yds in archery, watching how much I’ve grown in 4 years, meeting new friends, getting my first qualifier in riflery, drama plays, canoe trip, cabin nights, and being able to trot when riding

Hilltop: spending time with my friends, riding, having fun cabin nights, canoe trip, sailing, Song Contest, TP/CW Fairs, Gold Rush, first day of camp, and swimming the horses

Tamarack: cabin night Rec Swim, canoe trip (and peeing in the woods in the middle of the night), 1st hour riding group canters, sailing conversations, one for you/one for you, The Lorax/The Batman, canoe trip, banana boat with Andy, Olympics, using our hammock, parties at the spigot, cabin nights, going to Cathy’s, dance parties, my activities, laughing a lot, playing “speed” with Zoe, getting a 45 in riflery, and inside jokes

CIT’s: clown collage dinner, coed show practices, Uncle Fester, sail race, setting spinnakers, canoe trip, tie-dying, Ugly Counselor Contest, spending time with friends, going out on the pontoon boat, going to the ropes course, all of them!

As you can see, there are so many individual moments over the course of a summer that eventually become memories and stories to tell and retell. This is what makes up the MAGIC of camp. This is how we are better friends with the people at home or school. This is how we show patience and empathy to those we might not normally hang out with. This is how we are persistent when doing something challenging. This is how we appreciate nature’s beauty around us. This is how the spirit of camp is with us all year!

Camp Comes to YOU

The gathering in Chicago was the kickstart to camp reunions anywhere, anytime! It is EASY to host your own reunion for camp friends where you are (in-person or virtually). Let us know HERE that you are interested, and we will help get it organized!

ENROLL for SUMMER 2025

Now is a GREAT time to enroll your camper/s for 2025 and reserve your spot/s. Sign up HERE for making moments next summer: https://cwtp.campbrainregistration.com

If you’ve been to camp over the past four decades, there is one person you are surely to know (and remember!). Chet Riehle has been at Camps Woodland and Towering Pines since the early 1980’s. His time spans five generations of the Jordan family owning and operating two summer camps in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. This blog is long overdue, so I decided this was the year I was going to learn more about the story of how Chet came to camp and his long history with Woodland and Towering Pines. While at camp this summer, I hopped on the golf cart with him as he was headed to the firewood pile by the archery range and started asking a few questions!

As are many of the long-time Woodland/TP staff, Chet spent much of his non-camp career in education. The year before coming to camp, he was a high school history teacher in Crete, IL, and used the Chicago Tribune as a source for current events to create a quiz game for his students every Friday. As he was preparing his weekly quiz in the spring of 1982, he happened to notice an ad in the Tribune that the Explorer’s North program was looking for a certified captain to take campers out on Lake Superior for extended sailing trips. Chet figured that if they needed someone to run their off-site sailing program, they may need other people to help with various roles at Camp Towering Pines. Along with this ad was a phone number and the name, Marion Jordan.

Chet picked up the phone and made a call to “Pa” Jordan (JoAnne, Susan, and Jeff’s grandfather and co-founder of Towering Pines with his son, John Jordan). Once Pa found out Chet was a teacher, he was told that they would find a position for him at camp. Thus, Chet finished the current school year, hooked up a trailer to his vehicle carrying his Triumph motorcycle, and made his way north to do maintenance at TP for the first of many summers at Towering Pines and Woodland. He showed up on County D wearing cowboy boots and sporting a goatee.

Maintenance was not a stretch for Chet as his summer gig while teaching was operating a landscaping business for about 10 years. Chet was able to dig a dry well without a backhoe, repair roofs, and a long list of other useful skills that come in handy when taking care of the camps’ site and facilities. A fun fact I learned is that Chet actually did landscaping for Dennis DeYoung, singer song-writer and founding member of the rock band Styx. Chet brought his oldest daughter a signed record as a gift while working on that project. 

Chet eventually moved to East campus (Woodland) in 1985 to live and had quarters on the backside of the office (Chef Dan’s current summer home) for a period of time, Sunrise cabin during the years when he brought his young family to camp (Sunrise was not used as a camper cabin in those days as it is now), and then to the room that is on the side the Aquarius cabin where he currently resides. Chet takes the “security” part of his role seriously, and is always at the ready to keep the Woodland community free of unwanted visitors (both 2 and 4-legged). Although the majority of his time at camp Chet lived at Woodland, he makes frequent trips between the two camps and helps out when needed on both East and West campus.

An interesting update to Woodland that happened during Chet’s second decade at camp was building the stairs and deck off to the left side of the original path heading down to the waterfront. It was “interesting” because it isn’t always easy building on the side of a hill! The start of that project occurred after the giant slide covered with blue vinyl that took sliders to Sand Lake had to be removed. For several years in a row, the lake’s level was lower than normal and the end of the slide stopped before hitting the water’s edge. If you look down the hillside from above you can still catch a glimpse of where the slide used to be.

Another memorable event that occurred in Chet’s third decade at camp is a whopper of a storm that blew through mid-season in the early 2000’s. Woodland operated without electricity for multiple days as there were downed trees all over camp and the surrounding area. Chet was actually off the day of the storm and was able to navigate closed roads to get back to camp with a truck and trailer in tow to help haul away the massive piles of debris. Camp somehow managed to make it through that tough time! Thankfully, a generator was hooked up to keep the refrigerator and kitchen operating, drinking water was brought in, and the kitchen crew could still cook using the gas burners and ovens. It made for some fun stories that year as toilets were flushed with lake water and other sacrifices were made to keep things as “normal” as possible, considering.

Chet was actually quite the athlete in his day. JoAnne and I remember seeing him dart from tree to tree after dinner as he was heading out for a run. Chet thought we couldn’t see him, but as you can probably guess, we absolutely did! What I didn’t realize until this interview; however, is that he ran several marathons (including 2 Chicago marathons) and other races around the country. Chet recalls a race that meandered through the Houston Zoo as one of the highlights of his running days. Chet was also known for engaging Chef Dan in a “non-competitive” game of hoops (“H-O-R-S-E” or “2 on 2” if other kitchen staff would dare join the fun) on the basketball court on the evenings he didn’t go for a run.

Chet’s time at camp as of this blog, covers a span of 42 years. The only two summers he missed were 1989 as his son, Alex, was born, and 2020 due to Covid and camp not operating. If you ask Chet why he chooses to spend his summers at Woodland, he will tell you that it truly is a community where everyone knows your name. He is always amazed at how alumni remember him when they come to visit. Even though Chet may not have much direct interaction with the campers and staff, I can tell you for certain, that they would notice right away were he to be absent from Woodland.

For Chet’s 2024 banquet “toast,” JoAnne and I crafted and sang the theme from “Ghost Busters” to thank him for all that he does. When there’s something strange running through your cabin, who you gonna call? Critter Buster! If you’re all alone on the lake and your boat won’t start, who you gonna call? Gas Buster! He ain’t afraid of no mice. He ain’t afraid of no raccoon. When your toilet won’t flush or the drain is clogged, who you gonna call? Poop Buster! When you wake up cold and head to the lodge, who you gonna call? Fire Buster! He ain’t afraid of no girls. He ain’t afraid of no challenge. 

Chet knows the Woodland (and Towering Pines) property like he knows the back of his hand. He can tell you where to find cut-off points, the best spot to get birch wood of a certain size for making birthday necklaces and banquet wish boats, and where the latest growth of fungi that can be found on the trees surrounding the space we occupy and use. Chet is up early setting a toasty fire in the lodge to take the “chill” off when we come in for breakfast and takes charge of getting the grill lit at precisely the right time for Wednesday cookout and a campfire built at the beach for our mid-week evening activity.

Chet makes sure the vans, boats, and other camp vehicles are gassed up and ready to go, takes the laundry to town every Tuesday and picks it up on Wednesday, and waters the flowers that are planted in the box where the Woodland sign lives. On top of his daily/weekly to-do list, he takes care of any maintenance issues that arise with cabins or activity areas. Chet has been known to come to the aid of the counselor in charge of Farm Zoo a time or two! At the opening and closing of camp, he knows exactly where all equipment goes to be used or stored (and the phone numbers for the people who “lend” us bunnies, chickens, and ducks). He can guide a very large coach bus in/out of camp like a pro when bringing our long distance friends to camp for the summer or back home at the end (just to name a few!).

Chet shares his love of history with campers and staff and knows so much about how the Woodland of current day came to be over the years. For example, you can ask him how many bathtubs (4) were found and where (Sunrise, Sundew, Health Center, and back room of Aquarius) in the buildings when camp was first purchased by the Jordan’s in 1970, the icons on the top of the weather vane on the lodge roof (fish and sailboat), what the “pop room” on the front of the office housed before electricity was available (power generator), and what the original purpose of the ACC room found on the side of the office (laundry room). He could also tell you that the stairs to the beach before the deck was built were painted green. If I was to be on Jeopardy or other trivia show, I would want Chet on my team for sure!

One of Chet’s qualities we all have come to know and love over the years is his sense of humor. There is never a dull moment at the staff table when he is around! You will find his spoon or fork in his drinking glass if he is wanting to be included in the count for dessert (unless it is sherbet), potato chips piled high on his plate for Sunday picnic, and a llama water bottle in his possession most of the time. He also “saves” some dessert (cake or bars) to have with his morning coffee (in the largest container I have seen at camp). Chet is also known for stopping by the office or if he sees me or Lee out and about and asks if we are able to “multi-task,” meaning he wants to tell us something but doesn’t want us to stop the “important” work we are doing at the moment.

The almost daily off-season message exchanges have already started as we wrap up the current summer and start planning for the next one. Chet will send pictures of new games or activities we can incorporate into camp programming, photos that remind him of camp – especially involving “marshrooms” (his name for mushrooms since “mushmellows” is more appropriate for what we roast to make s’mores), and some good (possibly off-color at times) jokes or memes. The best part about the back and forth banter that happens over the fall, winter, and spring, is that I know Chet truly loves camp and has a special place in his heart for Camp Woodland all year. I look forward to getting the message at some random point asking me when I will be at camp because I always know that means he will be at camp, too. See you on County D in 2025, Chet. We can’t do summer without you!

“We are the fortunate ones, and although we may not know it yet, we are. Fortunate enough to have sand between our toes, mildew growing in our swimsuits, a farmer’s tan, deer fly bites and extra pounds…lucky us!

We may not realize it yet, we may not see the magic of a summer in a forest by the lake amongst our friends, and it is ok if we don’t.

Maybe we can’t yet measure the depth in which Woodland will tattoo our hearts, the longing we will feel whenever we are sad, the gratitude we will experience when we stop to turn around, and see how far in our lives we’ve walked.

It is then we will embrace the memory of the Woodland road and finally, truly, wonderfully understand we are the fortunate ones.” Camila Villegas, Camp Woodland alum

I can’t believe this is the last full day before our guests arrive. It is a jolting fact that takes me by surprise even though I know it is coming. Today is Banquet Day. It elicits the familiar pangs of sadness and joy that this day always brings. Behind the mixed emotions are justified reasons that we truly are the fortunate ones:

• We are fortunate to have made friends. We are one big happy family now. The fireplace inside the lodge, our activities, the cozy cabins, Vespers Hill, the campfire circle, are just a few places that bring us all together. The familiar faces and spaces greet us and bring joy. We care about each other deeply. We love each other. Where else can you say that you love everyone (even those who you don’t like that much)? That annoying person has become endearing in her own way. It is unique and special that such a community exists…we wish we could have more time together!
• We are fortunate to have familiar routines. The ringing of the bell, cabin clean-up, assembly, meals, activities, rest hour, campfire, Camper Council, donut day, Sunday events, goodnight singers…where else do we get serenaded after reading a bedtime story before we drift off with sweet dreams of another exciting day? Routines bring comfort and are what we can count on, especially in the beginning, so that we know what to expect. We also like changing it up as we become more comfortable. We are fortunate to have Gymkhana, Olympics, canoe trips, ropes course and other surprises along the way.
• We are fortunate to be immersed in silliness. Dressing in costumes both for events and impromptu reasons, putting spoons in our hair, wearing two different colored Crocs, coming to breakfast on Sunday’s in our pajamas, wearing underwear on the outside of our clothes, skipping to the next activity, putting on fake tattoos, painting our nails, taking a spigot “shower”, getting “married” on Fair Day, side ponytails, doing cartwheels across the lawn, eating a donut from a string, “blobbing” our friends, and more. We appreciate the little things that bring unexpected smiles.
• We are fortunate to learn from our activities. Many of us now have a passion for an activity we didn’t even know we liked. Archery, riflery, canoeing, sailing, paddle boarding, tennis, drama, dance, gymnastics, riding, swimming, water-skiing, arts & crafts, farm zoo, fishing… the list goes on. Many of these activities are difficult to do elsewhere, and even if we can do them, they will not be the same. We appreciate our missteps and little steps forward to developing a new skill. We have learned so much from each other. 
• We are fortunate to have nourishment for active camp days. We have such good food with minimal effort required on our part (deciding on the menu, finding ingredients, cooking, and clean-up). We enjoy hot/cold cereal, blueberry muffins, coffee cake, oatmeal topped with Rice Krispies, salad bar, meatloaf, fajitas, taco bar, chili mac, lasagne, garlic bread, carrot sticks with ranch dressing, baked/mashed potatoes, chips with ketchup, hotdogs/burgers, watermelon, brownies, “fancy” cookies, banana creme pie (that got a standing ovation!), cake with icing piled high, and so much more. Three meals a day to build community with our cabin group. And this doesn’t even include canteen, evening snack, pizza parties, and other yummy treats.
• We are fortunate to be unplugged and living in nature. Deer bounding across the field, loons calling to each other in the early morning and again in the evening, eagles soaring overhead, day lilies bursting orange in front of the lodge, ferns adorning the hillside and roadside, a trail ride through the Climax forest, the streaks of color we see at sunrise and sunset, the smell of the fire greeting us as we walk to the lodge each morning for breakfast, the moon leaving a shimmering trail on the water, the taste of mint along the lake’s edge, the feeling of “sinking” into the bog, “bouncing” on the moss, catching a fish, and tall pine trees that can almost touch the blue sky. Our five senses are keenly aware that nature abounds in this special place.

As summer 2024 comes to a close, we can’t help but say that we truly ARE the fortunate ones.

Mmmmmmm, I wanna linger here. Mmmmmmm, a little longer here. Mmmmmmm, a little longer here with you. Mmmmmmm, and as the years go by, I’ll think of you and sigh. This is goodnight and not good-bye!

Any Woodland alum will tell you that they have heard the infamous lake gnome story as told by Peggy Forester in 1973. If you close your eyes, you can probably envision Anne Jordan holding a piece of gold/yellow Woodland stationery with a brown logo and print in her hands, reading the words formed by a typewriter (not a computer) at Wednesday night campfire.

Down at the beach on campfire night, the sky displays streaks of pink, purple and orange as the sun sets to the west followed by the moon rising over the horizon and blazing its almost walkable trail across the lake. As if on cue, loons call to one another from one end to the other. The loudspeaker from Menominee rattles off in the semi-distance. Canoes are turned over for the day, sailboats are happily moored, and the ski boat has been tucked in for the evening. A light breeze gives the halyards an opportunity to play their melody on the tall masts.

Cabins have taken their turn by sharing a song or a skit. A few brave souls offer up a challenge or a joke. Younger campers are snuggled up next to their counselor as eyes grow tired. Mrs. Jordan (now JoAnne) begins the iconic tale…

**Long ago, before hula hoops, or even super balls; yes folks, even before gym shoes were invented, Sand Lake was clear and free of leeches (not to mention Camp Woodland), there was a coffee factory.

Sing (Maxwell House Coffee tune): Down yonder green valley, where streamlets meander, when twilight was fading…

It produced the finest coffee for miles around. Its reputation was renowned. People would travel for days for one taste of this marvelous drink. Mysteriously enough, back in those days, this factory suddenly disappeared. It is thought that the lake gnomes, jealous of this prosperous town, came in one night and moved the factory piece by piece to the bottom of the lake. The only trace remaining is the stairway above Hilltop. This arduous procedure took only one dark night. No, there was not even a clue as to who it was who stole the factory.

The town’s prosperity ended. An eon or so passed. And one day, many years later, Sand Lake changed colors. It caused a great uproar among the people. Imagine where this brownish color was coming from?! The darkness increased until the lake was the darkest black. The chief counselor at that time remembered back to the days when his town was prosperous because of the coffee factory. He went to the chief of the lake gnomes because he wanted to be fair. One must always be FAIR he said to himself.

He asked the chief lake gnome what had happened. But the gnome falsely denied any knowledge of it. So to this very day, no one know for sure just how the lake turned brown. But, we’re pretty sure…

Why about 5 years ago, Jack was a-salting a leech and the truth came out. Leeches are really lake gnomes traveling incognito…lake gnomes in bondage. They were punished long ago by their leader for letting the secret of the coffee factory leak out. Their only escape is to be salted.

So each time you get a leech, remember, it’s a lake gnome trying to get free. Pouring salt on him sets him free. Free a lake gnome today!**

Questions/thoughts to ponder:

–Since Jack was “a-salting” a leech in this tale, I wonder if the lake gnome tale was actually crafted BEFORE the Jordan’s bought Woodland (and it became a camp for girls)? History has it that Woodland was a coed summer camp prior to 1970.

–Who else besides me was not a fan of the wiggly little leeches? As a former waterfront director, I can remember running with the carton of salt to any campers/staff who would “scream” when one would find its way onto a foot or leg (or some other body part). Fun fact: Woodland currently has very few leeches because of the compounding effect of the annual dump of a truckload of sand at the beach that has infiltrated the shoreline and beginner swimming areas over the last 30 yrs (more sand = less rocks and places for leeches to “hideout”).

–If you could rewrite the lake gnome story, what would your version be to explain how Sand Lake got its brownish color? Maybe it really wasn’t the leeches and coffee factory after all…

*For a chance to rewrite a tiny piece of Camp Woodland’s history, send your explanation/version of how Sand Lake got its brownish color to kimdaycock@gmail.com.

As a recent college graduate who is currently applying to grad school, I have found myself reflecting on my four summers as a Woodland counselor through a totally new lens. Any returning counselor will tell you that there is something so unique and special about working at camp. Whether it’s having the opportunity to spend time in such a beautiful natural environment, challenging yourself to meet new people and try new things, or becoming the type of leader you looked up to as a camper, being a counselor is a priceless experience. 

However, being a camp counselor is often hard to write about in resumes and applications despite it being such valuable work experience. It is challenging to explain camp to those who have never experienced it first hand as on the surface it appears to be a “fun” job but not a “serious” or “real” one. In a time when so much emphasis is placed on internships, shadowing experiences, and summer classes, it is important to remember the many lessons and skills that are gained by being a counselor. To list a few:

Leadership: Counselors are responsible for the health and safety of a cabin group of 6-10 campers, teaching activities in one or more areas, and possibly directing an activity while managing several other staff members. You ensure that groups can work together cohesively to provide a positive camp experience for everyone. 

Teamwork: Working with a co-counselor in the cabin, and the rest of the staff at camp, you became an expert team player. Being able to take into account points that differ from your own and learning how to trust your camp sisters is a skill that will be very beneficial to just about any career (and life in general!).

Communication: Effective communication is essential for conveying instructions to campers and for providing updates and feedback to fellow counselors to be sure everyone is on the same page is critical. Communication is what keeps camp running safely and efficiently! Not to mention, sharing a written report during the summer on each camper in your cabin group to show adjustment to group living and personal growth using specific examples is key to realizing the value of camp for caregivers.

Problem Solving: Camp can be unpredictable at times, so problem solving is essential for responding to unexpected situations and changes. The weather is one of the biggest drivers of change at camp as it can go from sunny to rainy in a matter of minutes. Thinking on your feet and being able to switch gears to gather your group and carry on without missing a beat is practiced on a daily basis! Additionally, counselors often encounter conflicts among others, so the ability to find solutions in a positive and constructive manner is another incredibly important skill gained from camp.

Decision Making: With leadership comes decision making. Whether it is organizing plans for daily activities, cabin nights, campfire skits, or just adapting to Woodland “dew” (AKA a rainy day), counselors become very comfortable making decisions individually and as a group.

Creativity: Song Contest, Camper Council, Inspiration Hour, campfire leaders, two-week plans, cabin posters, and more! Counselors have so many opportunities to show their creativity at camp. If changing the words to a song and coming up with dance moves for the highly anticipated Song Contest, facilitating a theme-night of games for the entire camp with your cabin group, and planning engaging lessons for a 60 minute activity period that meets 6 days a week (and with varying ages and skill levels!) doesn’t involve creativity, I don’t know what does! 

Empathy and Patience: Leadership involves understanding and connecting with others’ needs, emotions, and challenges. It is being patient with both campers and fellow staff and offering support in the kindest of ways. These are skills which are cultivated constantly as a Woodland counselor and will spill over into relationships with others at school, home or work.

To former counselors, future counselors, and parents of prospective counselors, working at Woodland is such a rewarding job. Counselors have a profound impact on others and at the same time, have the opportunity for so much personal growth. I know my experience as a counselor will benefit me both professionally and personally for many years to come!

If you know of someone who loves working with people and is looking for a rewarding summer job opportunity for 2024, send them HERE!

by Colette Vavrus