Nicoletter
The Nicoletter was the paper version of the Camp Nicolet “newsletter” sent to campers, parents, and alumni at varying frequencies during the year. Now we invite you to read the Nicoletter online and stay up-to-date on events, news, and photos from camp! Imagine what Mrs. Schrader would think if she knew people read the Nicoletter on their phones and tablets!? No mimeograph required!
New Elective: Podcasting
Campers now have the opportunity to participate in a new podcasting elective this summer at Camp Nicolet! On Tuesday and Thursday nights, groups of 5 or 6 campers at a time can visit the new podcasting studio and record “mini radio shows” which parents and friends can download and listen to on their computers or mobile devices. Camper “broadcasts” will originate in the new studio on which construction began last week as part of our annual spring list of camp improvement projects to complete. The podcasts will feature campers as the hosts, and Jeremy as the broadcast engineer. Campers who sign up time after time and become experienced podcasters will certainly be able to take turns at the audio mixing controls. How exciting!
Parents, grandparents, friends, and alumni will be able to stay up-to-date on all the summer happenings at camp through these bi-weekly “broadcasts.” You’ll be able to access the podcasts in two ways – via the Camp Nicolet YouTube channel, or by clicking the green “Radio Northwoods” icon located next to the YouTube link on every page of the CN website. The Radio Northwoods page will bring up a list of our most current podcasts, with the most recent “broadcasts” at the top of the list. We’ll also be experimenting with Live Streaming of our podcasts as well, so stay tuned for more information.
Are you a “ham” on the microphone or have an interest in radio or broadcasting? We’re excited to give you the opportunity to learn more about this through the Camp Nicolet podcasting elective this summer in conjunction with Radio Northwoods!
Camp Videos: The Inside Scoop
Every year Camp Nicolet produces a “camp movie” highlighting the events of the summer. It’s been a tradition that the movie is shown at the “Reunion” (as it used to be called many years ago when held in downtown Chicago) or at the more contemporary Midwest Open House which was held on February 9th, 2013 in Winnetka. Years ago, original owner Wendall Schrader toted a 16mm film (motion picture) camera with him all summer to capture the highlights. Based on review of some of the old movies, that camera even accompanied him to northern Minnesota when he led the “Canadian” (now known as Voyageurs) trip back in the 50s, 60s, and 70s! Georgi took over production of the camp movies during the 70s, 80s, and 90s, and for the first two of those decades used a newer film format known as “Super 8.” With the increased accessibility of electronics in the late 80s, she switched to VHS to capture those camp memories. In 2000, computers became advanced enough to handle video editing, processing, and rendering. Georgi and Jeremy collaborated on the first ever digital camp movie, “Y2K at Nicolet” which was released in all digital format in Spring of 2001. Jeremy continues on with the editing and production of the annual camp movies, now more commonly known as “the DVD,” and just put the finishing touches on the latest Camp Nicolet release: CN12 “Home.”
This DVD, highlighting great events from 2012 like the Fourth of July, Marathon Day, and the Nicolet Olympics (and don’t worry, much more!) will be arriving in your mailboxes mid-March. 2012 marks another advancement in camp movie technology: this is the first DVD being released in true 16:9 widescreen and 720p HD quality! When your copy arrives in mid-March, we hope you’ll enjoy a look back on last summer at camp – and hopefully you’ll get excited for summer 2013, too!!
Dallas Camp Fair
A gigantic Thank You to Bebe, Yogi, and mother Jessica for representing Camp Nicolet at the Dallas Summer Camp Fair recently. They spent a fun-filled day speaking with interested families about what a summer in the North Woods of Wisconsin is all about! We really appreciate they volunteered to be spokes-ladies for Camp Nicolet, sharing their many memories of summers at camp with interested people. As part of their display, they rounded up their camper memorabilia – such as a 5-year blanket, Nicolet Olympics awards, past summer DVDs – and even had a laptop playing camp movies as part of their “booth.” We look forward to seeing the enthusiastic smiles of Bebe and Yogi back at Nicolet in 2013! Thanks for your hard work at the Dallas Camp Fair, ladies!
Chicago Camp Fair
Often people unfamiliar with camp ask, “What do Camp Directors do all winter?” Many things, actually, but one of those winter responsibilities is recruiting for camp. Camper and staff recruiting are major parts of our winter routine here at Camp Nicolet! On Sunday, February 10th, Amy, Georgi, Katie, and Jeremy represented camp at the annual Chicago Camp Fair held in Lincolnshire, IL. A great morning and afternoon was spent conversing with prospective families who are interested in sending their daughters to Camp Nicolet. Some prospective campers are former day-campers looking for a sleep-away experience, others have never gone to any camp before!
Camp Fairs are a great venue where parents can meet the camp owners or directors (or other personnel representing the organization) and can ask questions “in person” about the facility, the programs, the food, the staff, and the many other elements that comprise a summer camp experience. Other methods of recruiting include mini-open houses, off-season camper & alumni events, and personal home visits to meet one on one with interested families. However, all those methods aside, Camp Nicolet’s “best” method of “advertising” has always simply been word-of-mouth. Have you (or your daughter) had a great summer experience at camp? Tell a friend! This type of referral keeps new families interested, and ultimately perpetuates the Camp Nicolet tradition for generations to come!
2013 Midwest Open House
Smiles abound at the Midwest Open House as campers, alumni, and staff reconnect over an evening of fun, snacks, singing, socializing and viewing the 2012 Camp Nicolet summer DVD, “Home.” The Open House, an annual event, was held on Saturday evening, February 9th, at the Winnteka Community House in Winnetka, IL, just north of Chicago. Over 100 people attended, including a number of new families and prospective campers.
Campers in attendance traveled from as far away as Germany, Ohio, Detroit, and St. Louis! We sure appreciate people are willing to travel so far to spend time with their summer pals! After a quick introduction from Georgi and Jeremy, and introduction of staff members who have already committed to working at camp during 2013, door prizes, singing, and parent Q&A commenced.
The evening concluded with the showing of the 2012 summer DVD, and the singing of “Sprit of Nicolet” and “Green Trees/Taps.” Campers and staff stayed shortly after to socialize, as the wonderful evening went by all too quickly. Below, “First Lady” Rachel is presented her award from Executive Director Georgi, recognizing her as the first young lady to enroll for summer 2013 at camp!
As summer 2013 approaches, Georgi, Jeremy, and Amy all are very thankful for the opportunity to share a winter evening with our camp friends, and to celebrate the special place that is Camp Nicolet. For more Open House photos and recent goings-on at Camp Nicolet, be sure to visit www.facebook.com/campnicolet.
