The December Siren is now Online

 As the holiday approaches we know that so many of our campers, staff, alumni and their families are gathered with their families and friends. Whether you're spending the end of the year at home, somewhere tropical, or skiing out west, we hope that you'll take a few minutes to check out our latest newsletter. We've got lots of news, including our first batch of counselors who have signed on for the summer or 2013. This is just the first of many newsletters previewing the great staff members that are going to make this upcoming summer so great!

To get to the newsletter, click the Siren, or this link. We'll have another newsletter out soon to detail even more staff and campers that will be at North Star in 2013.

Jonah's Lessons Learned at NSC

Check out this great college application by Jonah Baim on the lessons he has learned from his time at North Star:

I have spent the past eight summers at North Star, an overnight camp for boys. At camp, activities are structured to foster intrinsic motivation and reward campers for personal achievement. For example, North Star does not have archery competitions. Instead, the camp challenges campers to reach various point levels. Because campers don’t feel pressure to outperform each other, they are able to focus on their own development and experience the pure joy of mastering a new skill. 

Two years ago, I became a counselor at North Star where I work to foster and preserve this sacred tenant. As a counselor, my responsibility is to redirect a camper’s energy to self-competition. I have learned that by focusing children on themselves, they gain individuality. Camp is so special because all campers are accepted. The trees surrounding the campgrounds truly form an impenetrable barrier to the outside world. As a result, each camper has his own barrier of trees protecting him from outside pressures. Camp creates its own community, and everyone tries to take home a piece of it with them at the end of the summer. 

Camp is an integral part of my life; it has given me the confidence to explore various subjects in school. While tracking my exploration and self-progress, I realized that I excel and enjoy math and science. In high school, physics and calculus became interesting to me, and these subjects are a strong foundation for a career as an engineer. I have experimented with computer programs and want to learn more and create my own programs. I love videogames and want to learn how to create their graphical systems. Due to my fascination with technology, my interests gravitate towards computer engineering. Because of camp, I now have deep roots that support the branches of my personal ambitions.

What school could say no to this?! 

The October Siren is Online

The October Siren is now online with all of the details of the Fall at camp and the kickoff of reunion season! Read all about it here: http://bit.ly/oct12siren

Plonsker's Reflections

Scott Plonsker, one of our counselors, recently wrote the following essay on a college application in response to a prompt about a community to which he belonged:

I’ll never forget my final Key Log ceremony. The campfire was raging in front of me, the small stick of wood was resting in my palm, and the reflection of the sunset was glistening across the lake, illuminating the entire Council Ring with its orange glow. As I’d been dreading, a lump formed in my throat. I was sure going to miss this place.
For eight years as a camper and counselor, I’ve chosen to spend my summer at North Star Camp for Boys. At first, my decision was primarily based on how tall the climbing wall looked to a nine year old and the fact that my dad is an alumnus, but I had no idea of the effect that North Star would have on me. Maybe it was the friends I made over the years, or the counselors’ guidance, or even the disagreements that spring from ten pre-pubescent boys living in one cabin, but after each summer ended I was the first to sign up for the next one.
We have a special tradition at North Star, where every Friday night, each person gets an opportunity to thank someone else for doing something nice. The last Friday night of my last week as a camper was eye-opening. I stood in front of the entire camp, voice cracking as I held in my emotions, but I wasn’t embarrassed or nervous; I felt welcomed, even as I was saying goodbye. It was then that I realized what this camp had given me: another family.

Awesome! 

Fall Colors

The summer at North Star is about as beautiful as it gets, but fall at camp is right up there. Check out some of the Pictures from my recent trip up to the Northwoods.

The September Siren is Online

The September Siren is Online! http://bit.ly/sept2012siren

Around the Campfire this Saturday! http://bit.ly/NSCATC12

It has now been a month since we closed down camp and it is time for two very important things. The first is to share all of the news with you that has taken place since the buses left camp, and there has been a lot happening. We had a great Post Camp, the Summer of 2013 is filling up fast, our staff has dispersed around the world and has lots of news to share, and we have been doing some major renovations to the camp facilities. You can read all about it in the September Siren!

The second thing that it is time for is to get together again! Coming up on Saturday, September 22nd, we will be having our second annual Around the Campfire reunion at Banner Day Camp in Lake Forest, IL. It is shaping up to be a great day for all. We will be gathering at Banner at 2pm and all campers, staff, parents, siblings, and alumni are encouraged to attend. From 2pm - 6pm we will be having a fun filled day where we do our best to recreate camp. It will be a great opportunity to see your camp friends and get in one last gasp of camp before summer fades away. The afternoon will conclude with a barbecue dinner as well.

Then in the evening, we will be reconvening at DC Sarnies in Deerfield. The Alumni After Dark event will be a great chance for any alumni to get together, reconnect and reminisce. We look forward to seeing you all on Saturday!

For more information on Around the Campfire, you can go to the Camp for All Kids website or directly to the Around the Campfire Fundraising Page

Chicago Reunion - Save the Date!

Sunday, November 4th at 3:30pm

Where: An Exciting New Location - TBA

Mark your calendars for Sunday, November 4th at 3:30pm. That is the date of the North Star Chicago Reunion. A brand-new, exciting location is in the works for the reunion, so stay tuned for the announcement. We are looking forward to seeing you then!