Author: Jordan Shiner
Date: 09-22-03 18:38
Hello to the Horseshoe Nation,
I would like to update everyone on the happenings and progress of camp.
There is much to do and it seems at the end of the day, not enough time to do it all. I'm sure many of you feel the same way. Teaching History full time at a local High School and starting camp makes for a very busy schedule, then throw in my three kids and their activities and I find it difficult to even keep up with all my correspondence.
Our website is still under construction and should be ready in a few weeks. We hope to have an alumni section where we can post pictures by decade and by person. We will need as much help as we can get as far as collecting old pictures and memorabilia. I'll let people know when we start posting pictures. The forum has also been great. It's exciting looking in on peoples conversations regarding camp. All of us had such tremendous experiences and it's fun "eves dropping" into small glimpses of those memories. Will be looking forward to the news that comes from the Southern Cal. reunion. We still ahve plans to get together in the Chicago area in the next few months. I'll try and plan a definitive date in the next few weeks.
We have begun the "business" of camp for next season.
We are undertaking a building project as well as recruiting campers and staff for the summer of 04. We have an existing 140 acre camp site that we plan on updating/improving in many areas. It has been a camp since 1917 and has some beautiful buildings that will be the mainstays at camp. It also needs improvements in areas like tennis courts, basketball courts, bathrooms, cabins. There is the original mess hall that has two side rooms (like our old mess hall) and contains 5 original fireplaces. It is pretty fantastic. Now it only needs old Green/Brown plaques and GH plaques. I spent two days last week in Cleveland designing the camp with a architectual landscaping firm. We will be keeping the traditional feeling of camp. Small cabins of between 6-8 boys, no bathrooms in cabins except pioneers, brand new JJ and an HOH. They will be very nice though. We plan on having a wood deck attached between every two cabins so the boys have a common area to "hang Out". We also will ahve all brand new tennis and basketball courts, ski boats, docks, tripping eqipement, a climbing wall with proposed zip line into the lake. Our "rec hall" will have a stage and a place to watch a movie but also be used as an indoor gym on rainy days for treasure hunts or sports games. There also is a great council Horsehsoe area for campfires. I'll try and post pictures as the construction moves ahead.
Programing is going to be very similar to the camp we were used to. Well rounded with all sports and a strong tripping program. Plans are already underway for a wilderness point. I don't think the site on the Nam is available though.
On another note, it was great to see Bill Engel last week. Bill flew in from Nashville for business and we were able to get together for dinner and discuss the future of Horsehsoe. It would be cool to welcome a third generation camper in Bill's son Simon to camp one day and maybe even Bill.
I have just begun visiting new campers. I feel a little like Merc but I have no movie but do have a brochure and the design for camp. I am begining traveling and will be in St. Louis on Oct. 10th weekend. If you know of any families that have an interest in Horseshoe, I'd love to come and visit. Please pass the word.
Hail to the forest,
Jordan
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