What Counselors Think of Counseling
by Meghan Gingrich

The counselors here at Camp Tecumseh have been here all summer long. They have strengthened their relationships with God, found out what works with campers and even learned new things about themselves.

By going to chapel in the mornings and doing devotions at night, the counselors grow closer to God every day.

“You’re constantly reminded of God here because everyone around you believes in Him,” Molly Gigax, a 19-year-old counselor, said.

Being around campers 24/7 all summer has taught the counselors what works with campers, and what you need to do.

“You must be patient with the campers and enjoy them,” Brett Allen, a 21-year-old counselor, said.

Many counselors actually learned new things about themselves and what they like to do. “I learned that I like to plan everything out and have it organized for me,” explained Michelle Lippoli, a 19-year-old counselor.

Overall, the camp counselors do grow closer to God, and learn many new things over the summer. Many plan to come back next year and have the Camp Tecumseh experience all over again!

“I would love to come back to Camp Tecumseh because I get to be myself,” Gigax said.

“Fly” Epidemic Breaks Out In The Dining Call
by Michelle Mooney and Elizabeth Beckman

It’s lunchtime in the dining hall, and everyone is waiting for the epidemic to start. For some campers and counselors it is the best meal of the day where they can be loud and poke fun.

Flies are when cabins pick on another cabin or certain person if they have done something silly or a controversy having to do with camp or interests such as sports teams.

“It’s tradition to ‘pick’ on people in innocent ways,” Emily Lucas, a counselor, said.

In the dining hall, a cabin or a group of people stand on their chairs and say “There ain’t no flies on us, there ain’t no flies on us, there may be flies on so-and-so, but there ain’t no flies on us.” Sometimes other cabins gang up on one individual cabin, counselor, or staff member.

Only at lunch are flies allowed. At breakfast the campers are too tired to put flies on people. Also at dinner it is a more respectful time and also a winding down period for the campers and counselors.

” I don’t think we should do flies at dinner because it makes lunch special,” resident camper, Laurel Fricker, said.

“I don’t like it when people yell at me when I announce dessert,” Leslie Holbrook, the meal host in Scheumann Lodge, said.

This is because after dessert is announced, the cabins are not allowed to put flies on anyone else until the next day at lunch.

When your child returns home ask them about their experience with flies!

From time to time this year we are trying something new.  If you are a past camper, you might remember when we had a “Camp Newspaper.”  In this classic clinic campers would report on what was going on at camp and then print out a newspaper for all the campers at the end of the week.  We’re going to put a modern twist on it and have campers write for the the Tecumseh News web site!  Hope you enjoy it and learn a little more about camp! – dcl

Certain Clinics Gain More Campers’ Attention
by Kristina Witczak and Maggie Wilson

Clinics make Camp Tecumseh unique. Friendship bracelets, Skywalkers, and Disc golf are just a few of the many clinics you can choose from. Other popular clinics include beads, Ultimate Frisbee, Cricket, and Canoeing/kayaking.

Campers are given the option to choose what clinics they would like to take each week. For some campers, they learn new skills, and for others, they brush up on old talents.

“I like that some clinics, such as Skywalkers, push you to overcome challenges,” Michelle Leppol, a resident counselor, said.

Some campers may like to challenge themselves, while others may like to relax during clinics like beads or friendship bracelets.

“I like to do anything creative with my hands,” Brittney, the beads clinic instructor, said.

Other campers enjoy getting wet and choose water clinics.

“I like skin diving because its fun and you get to spend time in the pool,” Jason Sarver, a camper in Chippewa cabin, said.

Campers look forward to the next summer when they can learn new skills and polish the ones they have learned in previous years. Overall, campers say clinics are one of Camp Tecumseh’s selling points. At this rate, it looks like the sports and friendship bracelet-type activities are the most popular for campers.

From time to time this year we are trying something new.  If you are a past camper, you might remember when we had a “Camp Newspaper.”  In this classic clinic campers would report on what was going on at camp and then print out a newspaper for all the campers at the end of the week.  We’re going to put a modern twist on it and have campers write for the the Tecumseh News web site!  Hope you enjoy it and learn a little more about camp! – dcl

Words of Wisdom
by Lindsey Babovac, Mike Banach, Claire Eply, Jared Graybiel

Welcome to Camp Tecumseh! This camp has a reputation for excellence, tradition, a love for God, and having a good time. However, there are some “do’s and don’ts” that first time campers should be made aware of. This is a collection of information from experienced campers and counselors for the first time camper.

Do: listen to the counselor
Don’t: stray from the group

Do: bring your own peanut butter
Don’t: wear crocs on a float trip

Do: pick good clinics
Don’t: forget to wear sunscreen

Do: make good friends
Don’t: Check-in late

Do: get a top bunk
Don’t: not wear bug spray

Do: pick up trash
Don’t: feed the raccoons

Do: respect your counselors
Don’t: not listen to your counselors

Advice:

“Don’t dive in the shallow end.”
“Sing and be loud”
“Be on time!”
“Come with a friend”

We hope this advice will make your week more enjoyable. If followed, these do’s and don’ts will ensure a smooth week for all campers and counselors.

The Last Day…
by Emily Howard and Claire Powers

As the week comes to an end, campers are saddened by the realization that their camp experience is coming to a close. When other campers are able to come back next year, the 15-year-old torchbearers time here as a resident camper is over. “Its terrible!” says Arlie from Teton, a torchbearer, “It’s a good day but it’s depressing.”

Week six 2009 was one to remember this year. After opening campfire, the week started off with a bang. Lake and pool time is usually a camp favorite. Bonding with a cabin, eating Hobo dinners, trust hikes, and World Service Carnival are just a few memories campers will hold dear in their hearts. “It will be sad not seeing people but friendships will last,” says Erin from Seminole.

Even though another group is leaving, their relationship with camp is not over. They now have the opportunity to participate in the CILT program (Campers in Leadership Training) and maybe even one day return as a Day camp or Resident counselor. There is also the chance of being a Tripper. Campers are leaving camp today but the things they have learned, the friendships they made, and the fun they had will never leave their hearts and minds.

Thank you for reading our articles this week. I have had a great time at camp as well as in this web news clinic. To all other campers, have a great rest of camp!
- Emily Howard

Being in the week six Web News Clinic was a great experience and I am very glad I was able to take part in it. I now know what it takes to write a captivating story and an informative interview! Emily and I hope we were able to give you an inside look into the true Camp Tecumseh experience. See you next year!
- Claire Powers

Another Side of Camp Tecumseh
by Emily Howard and Claire Powers

Faith, faith, faith just a little bit of faith is all that is needed to experience the spiritual life here at Camp Tecumseh. Camp Tecumseh has held strong to its Christian foundation for almost 85 years. Campers have the opportunity to participate in chapel services in the morning and devotions before they go to bed. These two elements of camp bring the campers and counselors closer together as a church and closer to God.

“Chapel is a great time to focus on God, even with so many people around,” said Murphy, a counselor in Erie. Chapel is an upbeat service where campers sing and learn important lessons from the Bible. In a typical chapel, campers and counselors sing both fun and moving worship songs. Following the music, counselors perform skits that are easily relatable to campers of all ages. Karen from Cayuga says, “It [chapel] is kid-friendly. With the skits and the songs, its easier to understand.”

Devotions are also a special time in the camper’s day. The cabin counselor leads the devotions. In the cabin, campers gather in a circle around a single flame. This flame represents God’s presence in the cabin during this time. This tradition is a key component to campers bonding together for the week. “Its an open place where you can say anything,” says Karen. During devotions, counselors give daily lessons about how to better ones faith and put it into action.

Holding true to these values is a huge reason why camp is so meaningful to campers and why they want to return year after year. Although Camp Tecumseh welcomes all faith backgrounds, its Christian ideals are the glue. This glue is essential to campers’s spiritual growth and “sticks” with him or her for the rest of their lives.

Hamburgers, Vegetables, and Friendship Make the Perfect Hobo Dinner
by Emily Howard and Claire Powers

How do Camp Tecumseh “Hobos” cook their food? Wrapped in tinfoil and cooked on an open fire, of course! There are many traditions here at Camp T but one stands out among the rest, the Hobo Dinners. Hobo Dinners have been a beloved camp tradition for many years that campers and counselors look forward to all year long.

So what is in a Hobo dinner? It doesn’t take many ingredients and it is up to each chef to put his or her own spin on the tried and true tradition. Typically, a Hobo Dinner consists of cut carrots, potatoes, onions, hamburger meat, and salt and pepper all mixed together and wrapped in a sheet of tin foil. Your meal is then placed over an open fire and cooked to perfection.

Vince from Sioux cabin says, “I like how you are able to make it yourself. I love the vegetables.” Another camper, Sam from Wea also enjoys the meal. “Its pretty fun to make and eat. I put everything in mine.”

As campers and counselors sit around the fire waiting for their meals to cook, this provides an opportunity for everyone to bond and share stories. “I love how all the campers get to know each other. This is a great time to really get to know your kids and just enjoy being together,” commented Jared, a counselor from Iroquois.

To finish this gourmet meal, S’mores is a must! Campers gather around the fire once more to roast marshmallows to golden brown excellence before smooshing it together between chocolate and graham crackers. It is easy to see why Hobo Dinners remain a popular traditional meal here at Camp Tecumseh!

Classic Camp Games Live On!
by Emily Howard and Claire Powers

Aside from the blob, the zip line, and the climbing wall, three popular games rule free time at Camp Tecumseh. These games are GaGa, tetherball, and carpet ball. We set out today to find out the most popular game at Camp T. Maggie from Omaha says GaGa is her favorite. “I want to build a GaGa pit in my backyard!” David from Arapaho also agrees saying, “So many people play at once!”

Despite popular belief that GaGa rules all, we were surprised to find that carpetball was a close second. Morgan from Paiute preferred carpet ball saying, “It’s a lot of fun and everyone gets really into it.”

We polled 76 people and our results are as follows: 36 people prefer the grueling game of GaGa, 31 say carpetball is where its at, and 9 say they love a classic game of tetherball.

Although GaGa is the newest game at Camp Tecumseh, the classic games still hold a place in the hearts of the campers. No matter what activity a camper chooses to take part in, they are always guaranteed to have a good time.

From time to time this year we are trying something new.  If you are a past camper, you might remember when we had a “Camp Newspaper.”  In this classic clinic campers would report on what was going on at camp and then print out a newspaper for all the campers at the end of the week.  We’re going to put a modern twist on it and have campers write for the the Tecumseh News web site!  Hope you enjoy it and learn a little more about camp! – dcl

Mixed Emotions on the First Day of Camp
by Emily Howard and Claire Powers

Nervous! Excited! Scared! These are just a few emotions that new campers, returning campers, and counselors experience every week…. and week 6 was no exception. Mikala Washington, a first time camper in Cayuga cabin says, “I was kind of scared because I did not know what to expect.”

Counselors work hard every week to ease the nerves of both new and returning campers alike. Christina Bulgarella from Mohican cabin tells us, “Its scary because I have no idea what to expect but also really exciting to get to know a new set of campers.”

Hayden, a veteran camper of five years, loves to reunite with old campers and to leap back into fun camp traditions that he has missed all year. “I look forward to the craziness of opening campfire! It is a lot of fun!”

Although campers and counselors share the general nervousness that accompanies the first day, they can all agree on one thing… they are each excited for another fun filled week at Camp Tecumseh YMCA!!

Roger Murphy and the Purple Band of Glory
by Christopher Kennedy

As the week draws to a close, many campers are saddened as they prepare themselves to leave camp. However, before they go, a unique Tecumseh activity takes place on Friday morning. Counselors whisper to awakening campers to put their swim suits on while the clock reads 6:00. Then, the select group of cabin mates who wanted to get up so early walk to the lake, sleep still in their eyes. Everyone suited up in life jackets line up on the beach and the sleepy feeling is quickly erased as everyone runs into the brisk lake.

And thus the Roger Murphy Challenge begins. Some people call in-cabin friends crazy for desiring to be awake at six in the morning, much less to be swimming across the lake at six twenty.

The real Roger Murphy was a counselor and a camper at Camp Tecumseh. He is considered even today as the epitome of Camp T’s “I’m Third” motto. He loved to work hard and legend says that he would get up every morning and swim the length of the lake. So, at around the turn of this century, Camp Tecumseh commemorated Roger Murphy with a challenge named in his honor, in order that campers would have the same opportunity as he did to push himself to do great things beyond what is expected of them. Each camper is given thirty minutes to swim from the kayak dock to a pier at the end of the lake and back. The campers are in the final stretch, they can see the beach, so with a final driving effort, campers arrive in. The prestigious prize for completing Roger Murphy’s feat is the illustrious, legendary purple swim band, which is the envy of many campers who behold them. With a sense of pride the band is fastened to its wearers’ wrist, the same sense of pride as they describe their achievement to friends and family back home.