Alumni and Friends Newsletter |
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Each Spring and Fall an annual update is sent to friends and alumni of Canyon Camp. See below for the Fall 2021 Updates! |
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85th Anniversary Reunion Memories Shared and Memories Made |
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Pictured above, the "Wisest" members of the 2021 Reunion representing staff members of the 1950/60s |
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What a weekend! Nearly 150 staff, alumni, and friends gathered at Camp for the 85th Anniversary held the weekend of July 24. Memories from yesteryear were shared as folks came together for a weekend that will be remembered for years to come. |
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On Friday night, Alumni gathered at Canyon Camp's original location (1932) known today as Apple River Canyon State Park. Good food was shared with even better conversation and yard games played. |
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Alumni eased into the weekend with kids playing in the Apple River and staff alumni catching up with one another as if no time had passed. As the final week of camp concluded Saturday, alumni and friends came through the front gates of Camp to enjoy time reminiscing and creating new memories. Open program, presentations with Sedrick Robinson, Daryl Watson, Jeff Thompson, Ron Spielman, Seth Kannarr, Roy Prange, Stefan Novinski, and Tom Howe were had, songs were sang (shoutout to Dave Fetty, Kevin Lamm, Iggy, Sam Satterlee, Eric Ericson, Lee Binkley, and Pat O'Neill for musical talents!), and most importantly, the Spirit of Canyon Camp was lifted to new heights. |
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The weekend was officially closed out by Tom Howe who shared an inspiring presentation on the power of story telling. Tom challenged each of us to consider "How has Canyon Camp mattered to me?" This is something that each of us may actively or passively consider daily- we challenge you today to give this some though by using Tom's story development tool. Click here to download yours and consider sending your copy on to program.canyon@gmail.com. His presentation will be shared on YouTube in the coming weeks. Thank you to all who participated, gave back to Camp, and played a role in this event. We look forward to bringing old friends (and new!) together again in 2026 if not a Wednesday night sooner. |
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EIGHTEEN New Staff Members in 2021 |
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After a missed opportunity to officially staff in 2020, these eighteen individuals served their first summer at Canyon Camp. Welcome to the Staff Alumni- we look forward to your many years of service and are excited to have you join our ranks as an official part of the alumni of Canyon Camp. |
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Logan Brandt, Dickeyville, WI Allison Broetz, Woodstock, IL Spencer Coots, Oregon, IL Olivia Ebens, Byron, IL Logan Gallagher, Prairie du Sac, WI Jim Gerhards, Cuba City, WI Dylan Gerig-Carlson, Rockford, IL Alex Johll, Granville, IL Zeke Loveland, London Mills, IL Troy Papke, Rochelle, IL Grant Rasmussen, Rockton, IL Aiden Rodrigues, Afton, WI Dylon Timmer, Freeport, IL Kiera Watson, Freeport, IL Logan Watson, Loves Park, IL Adam Weightman, Rockford, IL Nicholas Welty, Monroe, WI Keith Yenney, Loves Park, IL |
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Fall Woodcutter's Ball- October 9 |
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The first Woodcutter's Ball since 2019 is scheduled for October 9, and we are excited to bring volunteers to Camp as we prepare for the off-season. Click the link below to learn more and sign-up for this awesome event- meals are included! We look forward to seeing you at Camp soon! | | |
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Six New "Old Timers" Join the Ranks |
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$7,000 Awarded for Spirit Scholarships |
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Since its inception in 1992, the Spirit Scholarship Fund has awarded more than $60,000. This year, ten individuals received a record amount of support. This was made possible through the visionary leadership of giving over the years to a nearly fully funded endowment in addition to a few gifts at the reunion intended for immediate scholarship use. |
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The funds are used each year to recognize those who most unselfishly have shared their experience, time and skills to make the summer a positive experience for the Scouts, Scouters and Staff members with whom they've worked. This year's staff members faced unprecedented circumstances surrounding covid implications and the near loss of Camp. Learn more about this year's recipients here. Join us in congratulating these individuals: Hunter Deal- University of Illinois Seth Kannarr- University of Missouri Danton Studer- University of Wisconsin Jack Jordan- Illinois State University Michael Watson- University of Illinois Nathaniel Merema- Western Illinois University Adam Swisher- Creighton University Louie Nielsen- University of Vermont Andrew Nestler- Western Illinois University Ethan Gray- University of Wisconsin |
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Stewards of Canyon Camp Recap and Preview |
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The 2020-21 inaugural year for the Stewards of Canyon Camp was transformational. A combined nearly $40,000 was raised for projects ranging from PFDs in lakefront to climbing storage equipment to funding generators and more. These dollars have been put to immediate use, and we look forward to the culmination of the final projects as lumber prices have begun to fall. THANK YOU to all who got involved this first year. We are beginning to shift our focus toward 2021-22 contributions. The list of program and capital needs is shorter than it was a year ago, but there are still plenty of important, program enhancing needs this group can support. You can learn more and make your gift online for the Stewards today, or you will be seeing more this fall. All tax filers will receive $600 above the line deductions for married couples giving to nonprofits this year- make a difference at Camp with a restricted gift to the Stewards initiative.
This program was a feather in our cap as we saved Canyon Camp, and we look forward to its long-time, annual benefits for the Scouts we serve. | | |
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Our staff, friends, and alumni showed extreme resilience this last summer, and we appreciate the never ending support. Registrations are already flowing in for the summer camp 2022 experience. As noted many times throughout the reunion, we are at pivotal moment in our Camp's history. |
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Leadership transitions are occurring as the next generation begins to take the baton- they will do great things and do their best to honor the legacy of those before them, the pandemic has forever shifted our local Scouting efforts, and the national organization continues to reckon with difficulties faced. Around us, Camp Frieland Leslie and Camp Napowan have closed- others may come as well. We have shown the strength of our unified alumni and friend base- who give passionately their time, treasure, and talent- and we are unrivaled. Undoubtedly, 2022 will continue to be our year to prove what makes Canyon Camp special. As of today, we already have 300 participants registered for next summer. We will continue to keep our focus on That Little Scout that Follows Me, and we look forward to your involvement as we Blaze that Trail. See you at Woodcutter's Ball on October 9! |
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