Imagine.
The camp peninsula, with nearly 10 cabins full of boys each session. The Mess Hall so full of life at meals that there are tables set up on the stage. From a big game on Pine Stadium to the sailboats in the bay, from the swim docks to the archery range, practically every sport and activity is happening simultaneously. Campers on their way to lunch cheer as another Voyageur crew returns from a week in the Boundary Waters. Trips come and go constantly.
That was camp about 30+ years ago.
Camp to me was an incredible place to do some growing up as a kid. I found my voice, took that voice onto a stage (something I NEVER thought I would do as a shy teenager), and when I finally stepped off after what was probably the worst version of Bob Dylan’s “Hurricane” anyone’s ever heard, I still got a rowdy, bench-banging cheer from my fellow campers.
That’s why when I now find myself in a position to advocate for camp on a daily basis, it’s easy. It’s easy to sell something you believe in. But what’s hard is figuring out how best to do so…
I believe.
Growing camp is possible, and we’ve taken a lot of steps this past year to improve things:
However, as I’ve learned, you don’t get there with just a stronger online presence. Camp is a personal experience and it takes an immense amount of trust to send your child away for a few weeks at a time.
That’s why nothing can substitute your personal testimony.
By and large, camp always has and will continue to rely on word of mouth to grow. In fact, my parents would have never sent me to camp if it weren’t for a friend’s family speaking so highly of the experience. Back in the day of Charlie and Mim Erdmann, a lot more time was invested in personally appealing to people. Staff, parents and alums were instrumental to the growth of camp.
However, with mounting pressures to build resumes, attend sports camps and other summer programs to keep up with extracurricular activities, the idea of a "summer break" for preteens and teens seems like a thing of the past. Yet we know the benefits are incomparable. I could go on and on here, but I know I'm preaching to the choir.
We need your help.
I want camp to still be around by the time my own kids come of age, but more than that, I want it to thrive. And I know that I'm just one of many who feel this way. So what can you do to help?
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First and foremost, if you have time for nothing else, talk about camp. Mention the experience to friends and family who may have preteens and teens. Again, your personal testimony has more impact than any brochure, website, video, etc., that we could put together. By a long shot! -
Refer family and friends to us directly. We're always happy to start a conversation with someone who may be interested in camp. Sending your child away for two-weeks or longer takes an immense amount of trust and understanding, and we get that! They can email us directly at cvspirit@campvoyageur.com, call us at 1-800-950-7291, message us on Facebook, or chat with us live on the website. -
Advocate for camp in your area. By far the most effective way of doing this is by hanging one of our posters (BoysPoster2016) in a public location, ideally on a school bulletin board or at the office. Beyond this, we're looking to host an event in your area! Arrange a meet & greet with our directors, and we'll come to you. To schedule an event, please contact Deb at cvspirit@campvoyageur.com. -
Make a suggestion! I'd really appreciate any feedback, suggestions, and critiques. Really (and don't hold back). Please email me directly with ideas at peter.grunawalt@gmail.com.
Thank you.
I am constantly humbled by the generosity of our alums, families and friends. In fact, the more I learn about camp, the more I realize how much has gone into making it the place it is today. I'm quite certain that anyone who has spent a summer up here considers this place a second home. Let's keep it that way.
Sincerely,
Peter Grunawalt
