Letter: Camp Birchrock volunteers shine by Laurie Groskopf
Editor:
You’ve heard the phrase, “it takes a village to raise a child?” A village-worth of volunteers have spent over 2,000 hours this spring helping to fix up and clean up Camp Birchrock for the upcoming camp season. The same volunteers, and many community members, have given thousands of dollars to buy building materials and supplies, and support campership funding so low income youth are able to attend camp this year.
Camp Birchrock thanks the Rhinelander Lions Club for providing funds to purchase building materials. Camp is also eternally thankful for the support provided by the Northwoods United Way.
Steve Sauer, and his vast crew of friends, provided funding and labor on building projects such as replacing most screens on camp cabins, rebuilding portions of the foundation on several buildings, rebuilding a ramp, remodeling the lodge bathroom, painting cabin interiors, and dozens of other building projects. Helpers on those projects included Erica Chariton, Leah Riley, Mike Riley, Amber Larson, Dion Migas, Laura Hagen Bailey, Mike MacIntyre, Andy Jackson and his daughter, Alex Young, Joe Kingley, Brian Laska and Bill Gehring.
Heather Morrison’s entire family helped with painting and construction projects, and provided much of the cleaning at camp, including Jake, Heather, Lexi and Tyler Morrison, Mary and Butch Gregory, Tara Kress, Holly Woods and Madison Gregory.
President of the Camp Fire Council, Pete Lindgren provided many hours of work, organizational assistance, and bought many items for camp. Other Camp Fire board and committee members that helped include Nancy Carrillo, Marge Mason, Eric Vaughan, Jennie Jaskie, and Wayne Fairfield. Bill Jaeger donated funds for building materials, for two resident camperships, and other materials plus many hours spent working on Camp Birchrock’s water system. Jerry and Jeanne Niemuth were over at camp working just about every day for the past two months. Todd Niemuth assisted with putting in the dock. Derek DeMeyer spent over 8 hours mowing and tilling up the volleyball court. Ed Peters assisted with debris removal.
Two anonymous donations were received for campership assistance. Bill Jaeger, Shear Style/Sweet Spot, Hodag Bass Masters, Mike Hagen, Mary Kay Russell, Bruce Rasmussen, the Rhinelander Kiwanis, Dale Lang and St. Augustine Church have all made donations to help low income families send youth to camp.
This tremendous outpouring of support for Camp Birchrock is evidence that the community believes in the value of a locally owned non-profit camp with old-fashioned outdoor fun and education.
Day Camp sessions started June 11, with Resident Camp starting July 18.
Laurie Groskopf, Rhinelander
Executive Director, Camp Fire USA Oneida Council, Inc. and Camp Birchrock
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