Here are just some of the skills that our campers learn at Camp Horseshoe:

1. Communication and Collaboration- Our campers have so many opportunities to work on communication each and every day at Camp Horseshoe. Our campers live together in bunks, share cleaning responsibilities within their living quarters and must work together every day to live as a community. They also collaborate with each other in their daily activities and in our lively evening programs.
2.  Leadership and Responsibility- There are leadership opportunities across every age group at Camp Horseshoe. Our traditions, like Shoe Madness and Blue/Green, give campers the chance to lead teams and take on additional responsibilities. Many of our campers become staff members at Camp Horseshoe, another opportunity to flex your leadership muscles at camp.
3. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving- Camp Horseshoe campers are always problem solving at camp! Whether strategizing for a sports game, working on a plan for a big outdoor adventure trip or maneuvering a sailboat with a friend, critical thinking is used at every step of the way. Problems that arise are quickly solved with the help of your caring counselors!

These are just a few of the skills our campers learn, but there are many others too, such as social skills, flexibility and accountability! We are already looking forward to helping our new and returning Camp Horseshoe campers improve their skills this summer at camp.

The summer of 2013, “Gi Bi Dahn”, is officially closed.  We literally “crushed it” in terms of having another fantastic summer.  This is due to the caring, kind staff and their efforts as well as the terrific group of campers, their “spirit” and all the support of our fine camp families.  Thank you once again for making the summer so special on our tenth anniversary of the re-opening of Camp Horseshoe, Quenotah! Fran and I have been privileged to be able to spend our summers with your boys for all these years.

Roddy has been sending pictures of camp in full fall colors, our fields re-seeded and our new outdoor hand washing station, and of all the other projects that have been completed.  Everything has been put away for camp to have its “winter sleep” and awaiting the return of all of us for the summer of 2014!!!  We will all have to wait for the Bi Da Ban ceremony to find out the theme of the summer of 2014!

This also has me thinking of a few of the great memories we created last summer:

• Friends from 18 states and campers and staff from 6 different countries
• Na Ta Ne- Golden Horseshoe
• 44 returning staff members
• Big Brothers-Pizza Party, bean cake
• Cabin 14 Boundary Waters/sailing trips
• Mackinaw, Madeline, Guide Sports tour, Sea Kayaking trips, Namekagon, Flambeau, Bagley, Nebish and Day lakes, Teepee
• 4th of July Ranger softball victory and Woodchuck game and fireworks
• Casino nights, socials, Pro’s v. Joes, jamboree, Message to Garcia
• Willy Wonka counselor hunt, Hodag Lanes,  T-Hunts
• Shoe Madness, Missouri Tigers!
• Blue-Green- fireworks at flag
• Wrestling Night
• Under the lights-Pioneer/Woodsman World Series, Ranger football
• League Champions
• Council Horseshoes
• Banquet night

We once again will have a fantastic return of campers as well as a great number of returning staff.  We will let you know in the next few newsletters of all the returning staff.  We know some of the veteran staff at times moves on, that is a part of camp life.  We wish Kevin all the best in his new opportunities. We are excited to have Alex Berman helping with year round responsibilities. We are also talking to a few old-timers about returning in a full-time capacity and will report as soon as we know for sure.

As we approach New Years, I can’t help but remember all of the great memories from the summer of 2013.  Who can forget the Green-Blue football “A” game under the lights?  Who can forget the Mizzou Tigers dominating Tug-of-War on their way to winning the Shoe Madness plaque?  Who can forget the Rangers upsetting the counselors for the big 4th of July victory? I know Nate Scheck won’t forget that!  Who can forget the JERRY chants (Ya!), the socials (Ya!), casino nights (Ya!), water wars (Ya!), the camping trips (Ya!), and all of the beautiful days spent on Doc H field, Big H Court, or out on Lake Snowden (Ya!).

But most importantly, who can forget all of the friendships that they’ve created at camp?  It’s special knowing that you have friends from all over the country.  I know that I enjoy being able to have a place to stay when I want to go visit friends in Wisconsin, Michigan, California, even London, Spain, New Zealand, and Australia!  As 2013 comes to a close, I can’t wait for all of the new friends and memories that 2014 are sure to bring.  214 days and counting!!!

Coby F. became a bar mitzvah on Oct. 12th.

Charlie G. is playing basketball for the Deerfield Junior Warriors and the Rising Stars. He is going to Israel on an 8th grade trip in February.

Max G. is playing basketball for the Rising Stars. He also is playing in the Hi-Five Flag Football league and his team is currently undefeated with only one more week until the playoffs begin. He’s hoping his team will continue on and play in the Super Bowl!

Daniel A. celebrated his bar mitzvah on November 7, 2013 in Montreal Canada where most of his family lives. He will be heading to Israel for a 2 week trip with his family over the holidays and will celebrate another bar mitzvah there as well!

Matthew F. moved from Atlanta to Highland Park and is attending Kipling. He has become an avid lacrosse player, and loves to see all of his Horseshoe friends around town and can’t wait for summer.

Brit R. is a busy 3rd grader at Anshe Emet in Chicago. He plays on 2 travel sports teams: a U9 soccer team for the Chicago Fire Jrs City club and he is on a Squirts hockey team for The Jets at Johnny’s Ice House. He also takes guitar and his favorite subjects in school are math and recess. He is very excited to start his first summer away at Horseshoe!  He can’t wait to make some new camp friends!

Ben E. tackle football team, North Shore Youth Football Griffins, won their division with a 7-2 record. Ben was the starting quarterback and cornerback.

Spencer C. will become a Bar Mitzvah January 25th, he has just finished a great season of Football with the Young Warriors of Deerfield, will be trying out for volleyball at his Junior High, and practices boxing…

Josh B. became a Bar Mitzvah on September 7th. He is also playing on his 8th grade team basketball team at Edgewood in HP.

Max G. had his Bar Mitzvah on August 24th 2013. He did great. Max has found that bar mitzvahs are a great place for him to reunite with many of his camp friends.

Grant S. had his Bar Mitzvah in August and he is playing for the Falcons Hockey Bantam Silver team.

Jonah S. & Ryan B. Squirt A travel hockey team the USA Patriots were the champions at The Cold Fusion Ice Hockey Tournament in Grand Rapids MI featuring teams from the greater Detroit and Chicago area. Jonah was voted Championship team MVP by the officiating staff. Their team is also playing in Joe Louis Arena just prior to the Red Wings vs. Capitols game.

This fall, Richie S. and Zak O. club soccer team, Chicago Fire Juniors North, won their division.  The team played in the second highest U-14 division in northern Illinois (of 12 divisions). Richie is the team’s goalie and Zak is a starter on defense.

When you get to know a fellow

“When you get to know a fellow,
Know his every mood and whim,
You begin to find the texture
of the splendid side of him.
You begin to understand him,
and you cease to scoff and sneer,
for with understanding, always
prejudices disappear.
You begin to find his virtues and his
faults you cease to tell,
For you seldom hate a fellow,
when you know him very well.”

Let me live in a house by the side of the road

Let me live in a house by the side of the road,
and be a friend to man.

Re-printed from December 1975 newsletter

Dear MEMBERS OF THE HORSESHOE FAMILY:

In 1932 Camp Horseshoe was founded by “Doc’ Hirschberg. His love was working with boys, helping them to understand and live with nature, and thus helping them to become fine citizens of this world.  The philosophy of Camp Horseshoe has never changed, so indirectly and for some of you, directly, Doc has had a great influence on your lives.

It is with great sorrow that we must tell you that our beloved friend passed away on December 14th. Yet another leaf has fallen from our Horseshoe Tree of Life, but our memories are many and cherished. These words of his, I believe, summarize his feelings for all;

“These are the things I prize
And hold of dearest worth:
Light of sapphire skies,
Peace of the silent hills,
Shelter of forests, comfort of the grass,
Music of birds, murmur of little rills,
Shadows of cloud that swiftly pass,
And, after showers,
The smell of flowers
And of the good brown earth,
And best of all, along the way, friendship and mirth.”

Doc H, will always be with as thru his words at Council Horseshoe

If you haven’t yet, be sure to check out our 2011 ‘Shoe’ Scrapbook… It’s a great way to keep those Camp Horseshoe memories alive and share them with your friends & family!

Hail to the Forest!

I’m sure each and every camper wished they were waking up to Reveille and
Bills wonderful tunes right about now, but for most there is a season
after camp and that is the dreaded “school” season.

However, Camp Horseshoe intends to bring summer camp into your homes
throughout the year with our wonderful new companion, SOCIAL MEDIA.

Between our blog, Twitter, and Facebook accounts we hope to help bring the
Spirit of Horseshoe into each and every one of your homes.

FIRST AND FOREMOST, become a fan of our Camp Horseshoe Facebook page to
see the highly anticipated Summer of 2011 Photo Scrapbook located behind
the “About the SHOE” tab.

This brings back so many incredible memories from this past summer for all
of us.

We encourage you to share your memories on our Facebook wall as well.

Hail to the Forest!!!