Camp Manito-wish YMCA
Camp Manito-wish YMCA, is a wilderness tripping camp located in Boulder Junction, Wisconsin in the heart of the Northwoods, surrounded by hundreds of lakes, rivers, streams, and state forest land.
History
Camp Manito-wish YMCA was established in 1919 by the Wisconsin State YMCA Board as a small wilderness tripping camp for boys. The area was chosen for its wilderness setting and prime location in the center of Northern Wisconsin waterways, ideal for exploring by canoe. Walter “Daddy” Wones, and two other men travelled to the Northwoods in search of an ideal spot to have a summer camp. Looking at a map of the area, Wones counted over 290 lakes within a ten-mile (16 km) radius around camp. Wones decided that this was the place, a setting for a wilderness experience for young men.
The original twenty-five acres of land purchased by the Wisconsin YMCA had previously been known as the Rabbits Foot Resort, owned by Bill Paquette. A dining hall, six cabins and a few other facilities were all that stood here at the time of the purchase. Lakeview cabin is the only building from Rabbits Foot Resort that is still standing today.
Located on Boulder Lake, in the middle of the Manitowish chain of lakes, it was only obvious to name the camp after the waters of the area. The word Manitowish is Ojibwa and is believed to translate to “playful spirit.” Camp hyphenated the word using the Ojibwa beginning, with the English word “wish” as an ending, to convey a desire “for all to achieve what is best for themselves.”
Daddy Wones was appointed Camp Director and in July of that year the first session of camp began. Early camper life was disciplined, including mandatory pre-breakfast morning swims, bible studies and calisthenics.
Today, over 95 years later Manito-wish has grown from a small wilderness tripping camp to one of the most established and respected youth camps in the world. The camp's programs have expanded from a few weeks during the summer, to year round programs offered to people of all ages.
Timeline
1919 - First year of operation.
1924 - Nash Lodge opened for the first time. Money to build Nash Lodge was donated by the Nash Motor Company. The entryway of Nash Lodge is the Connor Council Ring; named after William D. Connor.
1930s - Many buildings were added as camp operations expanded.
1930 - The first Canadian canoeing trip known as the Canuck was created. The trip paddled along the Minnesota and Canadian border. They rented Canoes from an outfitter in Ely, MN- Sigurd F. Olson. In later years they packed out at YMCA Camp Widjiwagan in Minnesota.
1934 - Chapel was built in a natural clearing among the pines where it is currently located. It was dedicated to Daddy Wones in 1951.
1936 - Wones retired and Elmer Ott, a former staff member, took over as Camp Director.
1941 - Girls Camp’s first year was a big success. The turnout and popularity of the program exceeded the Boards expectations and brought many new traditions to camp such as celebrating birthdays, the canoe sing and the elephant walk.
1946 - The first Women’s Canuck set out for Quetico Providential Park.
1946 - General Dwight D. Eisenhower thrilled Manito-wish campers and staff by visiting the camp while on a Northern Wisconsin retreat.
1950s - Further expansion and building replacements took place. Ott and the camp committee brought about the purchasing of campsites on many surrounding lakes to assure future site for canoe trips. To Ott’s dismay, wooden canoes were replaced by aluminum canoes.
1960s - First International European trip to Germany. Other international trips have also gone to the Far East and to Scandinavia.
1968 - The Huffy Dens were renovated into the first winterized facilities at camp, which opened opportunities for winter camping programs and outdoor skill weekends.
1970 - Manito-wish ceased to be a camp owned and controlled by the North Central Area YMCA, and was chartered as an autonomous local YMCA with its own board of directors.
1972 - After 35 years, Elmer Ott retired and Bob Telleen took over as Camp Director.
1973 - First year of Family Camp.
1974 - Under Telleen’s direction, the Outpost Program was begun and the Leadership Lodge was built to house the new program.
1980 - After 61 years of canvas army tents, campers first experienced the wonder of nylon tents.
1986 - The first Adult trip went canoeing in the Quetico.
1988 - The first Sea Kayaking Trip set out to the Apostle Islands.
1990 - John Stanley appointed Executive Director, after Telleen retires.
1994 - Stanley started the Manito-wish Leadership Program.
1994 - The Lang Challenge Course opened.
1996 - The Voyageur Program began its first year as a new trail based program for Far North aged campers.
1998 - The Manito-wish Leadership Center and The Smith Leadership Village were dedicated.
1999 - Rolf Thompson became the 5th Executive Director in 81 years. Under his guidance, Camp’s winter office moved from Waukesha, WI to Boulder Junction.
2000 - Anne Derber was appointed 6th Executive Director.
2001 - The Boyce Administration Center first used as Camp’s year-round office.
2008 - Nash Lodge completely renovated and updated and re-opened for Memorial Day Work Weekend.[1]
The Manito-wish Square
Founder Daddy Wones adapted the Manito-wish Square symbol from the symbol of Camp Manitou, in New Auburn, WI, which is meant to represent mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional growth. Each side of the square represents one of the four qualities. The square stands on a point, signifying that each side is in balance with the next and not dependent on one side alone. Traditionally, the square is white and stands for purity; the “M” itself is blue, standing for true blue friendships; the border is gold, which stands for the high quality of experiences and friendships that are made. The square is the symbol of Manito-wish and stands for the philosophy of living a “four square life.”
Summer Camp Program
The Summer Camp Program is a single gender program – boys in the first half of the summer, girls the second half of the summer – for campers entering 5th grade to 10th grade. Campers attend Program areas that include swimming, mountain biking, horseback riding, archery, rifles, sailing, music, canoeing, kayaking, crafts, and tennis. Staying at camp for 2 or 4 weeks, every camper also participates in a wilderness trip.
Wilderness tripping is at the center of Manito-wish. Trips begin as short as two days in length for the youngest campers, and get longer in length – up to 10 days – for older campers. All campers begin on canoe trips and learn the basic trail skills from paddling, portaging, cooking, as well as leave no trace skills. As campers progress through the program, longer more challenging trips are offered including backpacking in the Porcupine Mountains, and sea kayaking in the Apostle Islands.
Camperships
Camperships or scholarships are available to cover camp expenses. Funds are made possible by a network of generous alumni who believe in having the Manito-wish Experience available for everyone.
Outpost Program
One of the most distinctive aspects of Manito-wish is its Outpost program, which focuses on longer and more rugged wilderness experiences. This is an invitation only program for campers that have progressed through the Summer Camp Program. With an interview, other teens are welcome to apply. The Outpost program also has a progression, from the Voyageur level to Intermediate, Advanced and Expeditionary. All levels feature an option between a canoeing, kayaking or backpacking expedition. In the Voyageur program, campers live in tents while in camp and prepare for their nine day trips. The Intermediate level trips are 14 days in length, the Advanced are 24-33, and the Expeditionary are extremely rugged, lasting up to 55 days.
Voyageur level trips
Boundary Waters Canoeing - 8 days
Superior Hiking Trail Backpacking - 8 days
Apostle Islands Sea Kayaking - 8 days
Intermediate level trips
Pioneer (Quetico) Canoeing - 14 days
Isle Royale Backpacking - 14 days
Georgian Bay Sea Kayaking - 14 days
Advanced level trips
Saskatchewan (Canuck) Canoeing - 28 days
Western Backpacking - 24 days
Mariner Kayaking - 26 days
Expeditionary trips
Expo Canuck (Canoeing) - 45 days
Expo (Alaskan) Backpacking - 45 days
Expo (Pacific) Sea Kayaking - 45 days
References
External links
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Coordinates: 46°07′13″N 89°39′57″W / 46.120213°N 89.665711°W