Last weekend a crew of longtime campers, staffers, and friends from Winona came up to camp to build a new deck off the backside of the Dining Hall. The deck was to be built in memoriam of fellow Winona friend and Camp Olson camper Jake Edstrom. Who could have guessed that we’d be building the deck in a full-on blizzard!? Chilled, but unfazed, the work went on while the wind whipped and nearly a foot of snow fell on Saturday. There is not another group of guys that I could imagine would work through it all with a smile on their faces. Of course there was not just a little bit of awe and disbelief at the sheer volume of snow that was coming down. No doubt, Jake was up there smiling down on us all if not laughing hysterically. Thankfully the sky opened up beautiful and blue on Sunday allowing us to lay the deckboards in short-sleeves.

This summer’s campers and staff will be the first to enjoy the view of Little Boy Lake from the Jake Edstrom Memorial deck. There is the hope that some will take a moment to reflect on their good fortune to be at such a place where the joys of nature and fellowship are so pervasive and strong, where we are forever young and the spirit of those who came before us permeates the water, the trees, the grounds, and bunks of this magical place.

Thanks to Jake W, Nate, Troy, Nick, Tom, Mike C, Jay, and Russ for making it a reality.

3-31-2008

We live in the Minnesota, so we talk about the weather. Not for lack of other things to talk about, but because there is not much else affects us more constantly or collectively. In the depths of winter, we pay close attention to the mercury. Is it cold out? Or is it so cold it hurts to breathe; where a simple thing like forgetting your gloves will make you truly sorry? By all accounts this was a particularly harsh winter for Minnesotans. The north got the cold while the south got the snow. I blame myself, for scoffing at my first two northwoods winters. Mama nature showed me, broke me, made me humble this time. I can’t tell you how many friends I’ve heard ask “Why do we live here again?” part in jest, but with a sincere thought of retreating to warmer climes.

Light whining is how most of us deal with it. Simple therapy. Deep down, we know why we live here. It is because we experience the changing of seasons. I think that every new season is my favorite, a continual relief from the one before. Warm weather is so much sweeter after a few months without it. And so as spring rolls in, we shake off that last March snowfall and creeping outside again find that a forty-five degree breeze feels nicer than it sounds. I stood outside for a half-hour at dusk last night and listened to the honking of returning geese. Summer is suddenly around the corner!

In that spirit, it is exciting to once again see our camper registrations coming in fast. Later sessions are already approaching capacity and we are anticipating a full and busy camp this summer! The more the merrier certainly applies at Camp Olson. I am truly excited about this summer’s staff and look forward to working with them to provide countless memories to so many youth this summer. Camp is the perfect place to make up for all that time you spent cooped up this winter. Camp is the remedy for the winter blues. If my theory is bona fide, then we are in for one of the best summer’s yet at Camp Olson. It’s the greatest benefit of that long cold winter. Hope to see you here…

11-18-2007

After a succesful summer in 2007, the grounds of camp are going into semi-hibernation as the mercury drops below freezing for the next 3-6 months. Despite the cold, Jay has been hard at work continuing with improvements to our grounds and facilities. Thankfully, he has had the support of Troy and Jake along with our ever present and much appreciated cast of volunteers to accomplish the many tasks. All windows have now been replaced in the dining hall which will allow for more light and better ventilation during the dog days. Steel fascia has also been completed around the Nature Center, floors and decks have been refinished, and the Mahon's are enjoying the warmth of their new woodstove in their living room.

With all of the leaves down, camp is a different place. One can see farther through the woods and sounds travel so much farther. The sunsets are still pretty even when they happen around 5pm! Snow can't be far off. Stay warm and remember that camp is your home away from home!

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