Camp Menominee

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Camp Menominee, also known as Menominee or CM, has been a boys' summer camp in Eagle River, Wisconsin since 1928. The camp is typically considered a sports camp, however, a number of options are available for campers who are not particularly interested in sporting activities. The camp's primary philosophy is to free campers from the social pressures while putting an emphasis on positive sportsmanship and other life skills and traits. CM is represented by the colors green and white, and is currently owned by Steve and Bari Kanefsky. The camp is certified by the American Camping Association's Wisconsin division, among other organizations.

1 History
2 Notable CM Campers, Counselors, Directors, and Friends
3 Current Program and Facility Highlights
- 3.1 Program
- 3.2 Facility
4 Pictures
5 External links

[edit] History

[edit] Early History: The Wassermans Found CM

In 1928, Nate and Edna Wasserman originally founded what would become Camp Menominee in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. Previously, the Wassermans had directed a camp with Al Schwartz, who would later found Camp Ojibwa. After a small start in Rhinelander during the Great Depression, the Wassermans sought out new campgrounds for a larger Camp Menominee and a new girls camp, later Camp Marimeta. The site that Menominee currently inhabits in Eagle River, WI was once the property of White Sox owner Charles Comisky, and the green and white pillars that currently lie on the camp's perimeter originally came from the original Comisky Park. Some of the original buildings on the property were kept by Nate and Edna, including a barn which later became the Rec Hall (now named in honor of the Wassermans as "Wasserman Hall"), a chicken coup which became cabins 16 and 17, and a house-like structure which would become the camp's lodge. Additional buildings were erected as cabins, based on a similar design used by then sister camp, Marimeta. Menominee's early staff and program were unique in a variety of aspects, many of which continue on to today. The Wassermans insisted on providing as professional of a camp staff as possible, with both a full-time doctor and nurse, in addition to dozens of counselors. Furthermore, the camp introduced a unique program centered around sports, specifically those in which the boys could not participate during the off season. A large part of the Wasserman's original philosophy continues to dictate life at CM today. Eventually, Al and Elaine Wasserman would take over ownership of both CM and Marimeta from Nate and Edna.

[edit] Glen and Dawn Klein

The Kleins purchased Menominee from Al and Elaine in 1983, though both stayed on for some years to assist in the transition. Glen and Dawn were both long-time participants in Camp Menominee's already rich tradition, and the transition to the first "out of family" owners in CM's history was made smoothly. The Kleins further reinforced CM, adding such staples as Fantasy Camp and continuing and expanding Post Camp. Also, the concept of Associate Directors (AD's) was added, though Bob Bender and Dennis "Koz" Kozloski stayed on as programming and water front directors, respectively. Phrases like "UH Beat Kawaga," "are ya comin?", "Philly Woof," "in intermediate Twi-Light League..." and "come on down for a cold one or a sweet one," were also added, many of which continue to ring the "Friendly Confines" today. The Kleins also introduced the tradition of the Nate Wasserman Award, and renamed the Rec Hall Wasserman Hall in honor of Nate, Edna, Alan, and Elaine. During the Klein's reign, the camp's program was adjusted somewhat from the 8-week tradition to a new 6-week program, with a two week basketball or other specialty camp.

[edit] Camp Continues to Grow

As enrollment continued to increase, new facilities were constantly being added to improve camp. Programming additions were also made, as Camper Council and the Senior Cabin's Sunday night "Ask the Director" became camp staples. Many other facility and other changes continued to be made as camp grew, most notably the Senior Diamond being renamed "the Bob Bender Senior Diamond," the tennis courts being named in honor of Jim "Buzz" Wyeth, and campers being placed in what is now cabin 19 above Wass Hall (the Penthouse or Batcave, depending on who you talk to).

[edit] Steve (and later Bari) Kanefsky

Former camper, counselor, and Associate Director Steve Kanefsy purchased CM from the Kleins during the 1997 season. Many notable CMers continued to stay on board under Kanefsky, including long-time cooks Doris Walkowksi and Terry Zmek, waterfront director Koz, tennis director Lee Libby, Marc Beerman ("in intermediate Twi-Light League..."), caretaker Gene Fleck (who retired in 2005) and eventual Assistant Director David "Woody" Wood. Kanefsky also changed the program some, returning the option of 8 weeks to campers, while creating a new 4 week option. Other new program options, most notably MCAA leagues and Big Ten Activities, were also added. Steve has also been a huge supporter of the physical Camp Menominee, with a number of improvements to the current camp grounds and facilities being made, including new tennis and basketball courts, a 50 foot climbing wall, three Ski Nauitques, a water trampoline and "blob", a new Senior Cabin, Klein Grove, improvements to Koz's House (the bath house), and a new home on one of the camp's venerable sand slides. Steve married Bari Freed in 2005 shortly after Post Camp in a ceremony in the backyard of their house. Bari's brother's Max and Jake Freed, then campers, introduced their sister to Steve in 2003. Bari now directs CM with Steve, and has offered a new perspective on camp in terms of camp food and the well-being of individual campers.

[edit] Notable CM Campers, Counselors, Directors, and Friends

Nate and Edna Wasserman: founders and directors
Alan and Elaine Wasserman: camp directors
Glen and Dawn Klein: camp directors
Steve Kanefsky: camper, counselor, AD, and current camp director
Bob Bender: counselor and program director
Dennis "Koz" Kozloski: counselor and current waterfront director
Gene and Rose Flek: camp caretakers
Jim "Buzz" Wyeth: assistant director
David "Woody" Wood: current assistant director
Doris Walkowksi: long-time and beloved camp cook
Aaron May: Camp Cook, currently owns restaurant in Arizona
Terry Zmek: formerly Doris' assistant, current camp cook
Lee Libby: long-time camp tennis director
Marc Beerman: long-time camper, AD, and assistant director
Zac Wagman: long-time camper, counselor, and AD, current summer home adjoins camp
Sandy Cohen: former camper, current owner/director Camp Marimeta for Girls
Steve Ehrlich: camper and counselor, namesake of current Senior Twilight League Trophy

...and many others all deserve special mention. Also of note are long-time CMers and recent (if not current) counselors/associate directors: Teddy Roth, Barry Schwartz, David Schwartz, David Ehrlich, Peter Ehrlich, David Davidson, Zach Dann, Max Freed, Joe Klein (son of Glen and Dawn), Mike Sweet, AJ Sweet, Scott Marcus, Jon Sider, Sean Hennick, Jeff Toombs, Brian "Double Bizzle" Bulgatz, Jason Feldgreber, Koby Stern, Steven Zucker, Joe Kerwin and many others.

[edit] Current Program and Facility Highlights

[edit] Program

Big Ten Activities: coined by current director Kanefsky, the Big Ten is Menominee's "traditional" activity program, and currently involves six rotational periods that the campers personally choose
MCAA League Action: up until 2006, MCAA leagues took place only during first session, but now an expanded version with additional sporting events has been added for the entirety of camp. Veteran MBA, MISL, MFL, MHL, and MLB leagues were joined by new additions in virtually all program areas, including tennis, water sports, ping-pong, shuffle-board, the new CM Go-Karts, and many others.
British vs. American: traditional first session competition, involves events such as All Camp Squirt Gun Fight, British Bull-Dog, Creatively Acquire the Energy Source, and Message to Garcia
Trip Week: features trips a variety of age groups, including Copper Falls, canoe trips, the Wisconsin Dells, Minneapolis, and white water rafting
Twi-Light League: originally only second session, the 2006 program changes saw "TLL" taking place for eight weeks. The winning senior captains after the championship game take home the first session trophy and second session Steve Ehrlich trophies for the off season. Current holders are former Senior Cabin members Aaron Schenker (first session) and Danny Gubin (second)
Ojibwa, Timberlane, Chi, and other inter-camp competitions: feature a variety of sporting events divided into agegroups
Kawaga Competition: the grand-daddy of CM's inter-camp competitions, features a first and second session competition in a variety of sports, most notably softball and the all-important Senior 16A game (Kawaga currently holds the most recent 3-2 win over CM in the 2006 game)
Green and White: CM's largest intra-camp comeptition, features three Senior Cabin overall captains and numerous events, including Vroom, Menominee Monopoly, the Sing, Midnight Manhunt, D-Day (added in 2006 after a Camper-Counselor Swap Day trial), and of course, the final Relay
Camper-Counselor Swap Day: a more recent addition, elected Senior Cabin members serve as director and assistant director, and other campers serve as counselors
The Way: headed by the CITs and Steve, not to be spoken about outside of the dog-leg
Fourth of July: typically accompanied by a banquet of steak and brats, followed by the traditional social with former sister camp Marimeta, including a counselor softball game and fireworks show
Last Day Brunch/Final Banquet: last day festivities abound with a late breakfast following a morning of TLL playoffs, finished off by a Final Banquet of steak, chicken kiev, and baked Alaska
The Mooning*: When the counselors unanimously moon the campers as they drive off on the busses on the final day of camp. It is usually accompanied by alot of giggles.

[edit] Facility

Situated on dozens of acres in Wisconsin's beautiful Northwoods, Camp Menominee is one of the largest area summer camps in terms of physical size. Bordered by County Road D, the two sand slides, and Sand Lake, CM also features numerous fields, courts, and buildings, all of which are a crucial part in camp life. Some notables are:

The Waterfront: featuring Koz's Bath House, the ski dock, trampoline and blob, waterslide, sailboats, Ski Nautiques, and other watercraft, as well as a small beach and sand volleyball court
Cabin Compound: the majority of camper cabins lie here, other notables include the paddle-ball courts, tether ball poles, grass volleyball, Klein Grove, and Wasserman Hall/cabin 19
The Lodge: home to the camp's administration, several ping-pong and foosball tables, the Lodge also serves as Steve's office and administration center
The Messhall: self-proclaimed the nicest in the Northwoods, features the one-way system
The Gully: site of Capture the Flag, Midnight Manhunt, and other camp traditions
Jim "Buzz" Wyeth Tennis Courts: four new courts
The "Far" Basketball Courts: two new courts featuring glass backboards
The Hockey Rink/Sport Court: new wood boards added in 2003
The Climbing Wall: 50 feet high and a zip line over...
Al Lewis Field: hard-ball field
Soccer Pitch: also home to CM football
Golf Course: including several holes and a dog-leg
Bob Bender Senior Diamond: the BBSD, home to Senior softball
The Senior Cabin: built in 2004, the new senior cabin features three showers and satellite television, home of the 2006 Senior Cabin (including the site of "Gladiators," "Channels 512 and 513," "Chairs in the showers," and Javier)
The Canteen: cool guy pop guy and a favorite Senior Cabin hangout
Cabin 11~The "hotbox": It is referred to as the hot box because of the fact that it does not receive a breeze off of the lake, due to its location.

...and numerous others.

[edit] Pictures

An ariel view of CM taken from a small plane. Date and author are unknown, but the picture does show current camp configuration, suggesting the photo was taken rather recently.