Alumni and Friends Newsletter |
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In this newsletter: In our Alumni Era; Visit Camp: Important Dates to Save, Spring Work Weekend, The CCC Strikes Back (A Sequel), Nearly $175,000 for Canyon Camp!?, Woodcutter's Ball Save the Date, Sounds of Camp Each Spring and Fall an annual update is sent to friends and alumni of Canyon Camp. See below for the Spring 2024 Edition. All past editions are available here. Please take a moment to pause in reflection celebrating the lives of Father Schwartz and Norma Arnold, as well as any other Camp friends or alumni who have passed since we last gathered. We plan to celebrate their lives and impact on the countless youth they served at Canyon Camp at our next reunion together. |
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The young alumni carry-on the torch with creative graphic design paying homage to a few familiar faces through Taylor Swift's "Eras" movement while also creating new memories just this last week with our illustrious camp director, Seth Kannarr. It is good to see the Spirit continue to burn brightly! |
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Visit Camp: Imporant Dates to Save |
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Have you visited Camp recently? Check your calendar today and save the date for any of the following Wednesday Night Family Nights. With five weeks to choose from, you can visit one or visit many!
A special evening is planned for June 19 to honor Fred Hoyt when T19 is in Camp, consider coming to Camp this special night if you can make it. |
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2024 Family and Visitor Nights: June 19 and 26 July 3, 10, and 17 The evening begins with flag lowering at 6PM followed by our traditional BBQ Sandwich dinner. Open Camp runs 7-8P followed by Native American Dancing as we have done for many decades. Friends of Canyon Camp Gathering: Save the Date for August 4. Donors and Friends of Canyon Camp will be gathering at Woodbine Bend on August 4th. More information to come.
We look forward to seeing you this summer back on the banks of Coon Creek! |
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Spring Work Weekend Set: Thank You Monroe Kiwanians! |
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For more than four decades, the Monroe Kiwanis Club has sponsored spring and fall work days at Canyon Camp. Thousands of hours and dozens of thousands of dollars have been invested into Canyon Camp through their support. This year, the Spring Kiwanis Work Weekend will be held May 4-5 with food, fellowship and service. Be sure to let Lee Binkley know you're planning to attend or sign-up today. |
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All are welcome with free food included sponsored by the Monroe Kiwanians and even if you're unable to provide physical labor- the camaraderie is just as important as the work accomplished. Nearly 100 volunteers have been attending these events in recent years with much being accomplished. Be sure to save the date and sign-up for this important, fun weekend back at our beloved Canyon Camp. |
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The CCC Strikes Back: A Sequel! |
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Last year, the first ever CCC (Canyon Camp Constructors) converged on Canyon Camp the week after the Kiwanis Work weekend. We're excited to share this group will return again to share their talents in furthering important, specific projects over the course of a few days in May. An array of projects ranging from steel roof installations to updating fire pits in campsites to applying a fresh coat of paint to interior and exterior buildings, and more were accomplished last year, and this year even more will be done. |
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To be held alongside the May 4/5 Kiwanis Work Weekend, this group will come together just for focused, skilled work. Individuals such as Lee Binkley, Kevin Lamm, Jeff and Marcia Newkirk, Scott Simenson, Matt Urban, John and Jeannie Wurtzel, Carol Zarnstorff, Dan Dick, Emma and Thomas Halla, Tim Holden, and David Zumdahl have already expressed an interest in helping. The CCC is primarily coordinated by John Wurtzel with assistance from Lee Binkley and others. If you're interested in learning more and may be able to volunteer key talents, please contact John at: jjwurtzel@hotmail.com. Thank you to the many amazing friends, supporters, and volunteers that make Canyon Camp the special place that it is. We look forward to seeing the second iteration of the CCC take hold this May! |
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Nearly $175,000 For Canyon Camp. Seriously. |
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Just last week, the Friends of Canyon Camp shared some VERY exciting news! From FOCC President, Dan Dick:
Thank you to the many donors and Friends of Canyon Camp who have given enough funds for the Leadership Council to appropriate nearly $175,000 for program and capital improvements at Canyon Camp! This significant achievement is a testament to the unwavering dedication and support of our incredible community. |
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I want to take a moment to highlight two extraordinary contributions that played a pivotal role in our success: Firstly, I extend heartfelt thanks to Fred Hoyt, whose visionary $75,000 challenge for the Visitors' Bathroom project inspired us all. Fred's commitment and generosity set a shining example for us to follow, and his belief in the Spirit of Canyon Camp propelled us forward.
Additionally, I am thrilled to announce that an anonymous donor generously gifted an additional $20,000 just this week. Their unexpected and deeply impactful contribution reinforces the power of collective action and underscores the importance of our mission.
Together, these major gifts, alongside the many tremendous gifts from friends like you, have bolstered our efforts and brought us closer to realizing our vision for Canyon Camp. Your contributions serve as a reminder of the incredible generosity and goodwill within our community for youth served in the beautiful Apple River Valley in the glacierless region. As we celebrate this milestone, let us continue to channel the spirit of collaboration and dedication that has brought us this far. With your ongoing support, I am confident that we will continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of all who cherish Canyon Camp.
In 2023, many projects were completed by countless volunteers (click here for 2023 Impact Report). The work continues as we set out to implement this funding alongside other transformational projects ongoing at Canyon Camp. Funding from a variety of sources is moving forward transformational projects such as a new shower house, maintenance building, staff cabin, and new bathrooms in Church, Tall Timber, and Staff Area. The funding awarded this week will now move forward the Visitors' Bathroom alongside 22 other projects over the next 12-18 months. We will keep you updated on these projects as they progress over the months ahead. It truly is an exciting time to support Canyon Camp. We will gather this summer on August 4th at Woodbine Bend located just a few miles from Canyon Camp. Save the date, and we will have more information for you in the months to come. In closing, I shared with the Leadership Council earlier today a topic that Fred Hoyt and I recently discussed. It is extremely relevant to the current moment in history we are experiencing. Don Barry in 1973 shared his perspectives of "The Spirit of Canyon Camp" with one of the five (You can learn more on each of the five points and more camp history here) points focused on, "The camp has never had the financial resources it has needed." He goes on to speak of the spirit the camp staff possesses, and that what we don't have in terms of physical resources, we make up for in spirit. This is as true today as ever before- that the spirit lives on, and the tradition of a high energy, fun program must continue. Today though, we are providing the resources to ensure the infrastructure and program needs are being met. YOU are helping ensure this for the youth of today and the longevity of Canyon Camp. Thank you, for your remarkable generosity and unwavering belief in our mission. Your contributions have truly made a difference, and we are immensely grateful.
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Save the Date: Kiwanis Woodcutter's Ball 2024 |
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October 5! That's the date that should be saved in your calendar for a day of service, good eats, and fellowship as we prepare Camp for it's fall and winter slumber. We look forward to seeing you October 5 and will share more information in our fall newsletter! Don't let Dan Kurth down, save the date TODAY! See you at Camp on October 5. |
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Do you find yourself longing for some Camp spirit but don't know ho to get a taste of it at home? Look no further! Thanks to the efforts of Will Frauchiger and members of the promotions team, you can now listen to some camp song originals! Click the link below to hear some mainstream versions of your favorite songs. Thanks, Will and friends! A special Shoutout to Kevin Lamm for adding nearly a dozen new songs! | | |
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Visit www.canyoncampbsa.org/alumni for additional updates. If you have questions or recommendations, send us an e-mail at any time: program.canyon@gmail.com |
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