2016 Woodcraft Vedette (Issue 2) by Culver Academies

Vedette The

WOODCRAFT

Issue 2 July 22, 2016

What Makes Camp Special?

By Victoria Carrillo Summertime in Culver, Indiana is like no other. Everyone wonders what is so special about Culver and for me and my friends, and it’s friendship. Here at Culver, you see people change from good to better and you meet people from different states and countries around the world. Friendship is one of the most important values that Culver offers to campers every year. When people come to Culver, they’re new, they don’t worry about what is going on at home, they come here to meet new people and to start over to be who they want to be. The reason people come back every single year is to see people they haven’t seen in a long time to tell them what has been going on and making new adventures with them. For a lot of people there is a lot of values that Culver offers them because it’s different for each one. For you, what makes camp special?

How is Culver Different? By Natalie Tidd

Have you ever wondered why Culver is different from other camps, and military schools? I interviewed Major Tricky about why he thinks Culver is different. Culver accomplishes continuing to be different because they keep the same classes and schedules. When I first came to camp years ago I could already tell it was different from other camps, and as a little kid I used to be scared of Major Tricky. Major Tricky said the most different thing from other camps is we have a lot of fun while most others are very strict, and people come from all over the world. We combined scouting and military and made it how Culver is today because we used scouting techniques to organize the camp which is very good. He thinks winter school here is more military and strict then summer camp because they are older. Major Tricky says in his perspective that the most different thing in a good way is that the kids keep coming back. Culver is better than other camps or schools because they offer classes that most kids don’t do at home like Indian Dance, Circle Ikwe, Drum and Bugle, and water activities like paddle sports or paddle boarding. Culver is also awesome because you get to meet people, make friends, and stay in a cabin with 11 or 12 others from all around the world. That is why Culver is awesome in its own way and very different from other camps or schools.

The Vedette // Culver Summer Schools & Camps

Improving Woodcraft In Culver, Indiana in the year of 1975, the girls units, Butterflies and Cardinals, were added to Woodcraft. Culver has changed a lot from 1975 to 2016, by adding two new wings, one in Butterflies and one in Cardinals, C3 and B3. Culver also added new uniforms for boys and girls and built two new cabins for each of the new wings. Daniel Beard was the first Woodcraft Director, the Boy Scouts helped establish Woodcraft, they included activities that are used in boy scouts to this present day. Regina Rodriguez

Bring the Sting! Maj. Brandt and he said that he wasn’t aware of the outbreak, but in order to prevent the wasps from getting into the cabins, we should make sure all doors are closed, all screens are repaired, and (most of all) keep sweets isolated. He also said to remember to move slowly and cautiously, don’t scream, swat at the wasps, and move away. In conclusion, be aware of this issue, and contact a counselor if you see a nest being built. I will leave you with a quote directly from Maj. Brandt.

Hanna Chau As most of us know there’s an outbreak that is beecoming too severe. From the beginning of camp there were one or two nests, but now there are a bunch of wasp’s nests all throughout Cardi- “Everything needs to die, and wasps nals and Butterflies. This problem is are one of them.” affecting a lot of campers with pho- -Maj. Brandt bias (like me), allergies, and is putting campers in danger. Not only are there wasp’s nests on cabins, but now wasps are getting into cabins. I interviewed

The Vedette // Culver Summer Schools & Camps

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

June 5

Junior Woodcraft Camp Begins

Mass / Chapel Muslim Services C-swim U-Pictures W Opening Ceremony

W Classes Begin U Class Walk Through U Opening Ceremony

Mass / Chapel Constructive Meditation Muslim Services

3 Mass / Chapel Constructive Meditation Muslim Services Permits

U Classes Begin U Retreat

U Retreat

W / U Retreat

Camper Registration 8-5 Multipurpose Carillon Recital

Jewish Services

July 1

No U Permits Mass / Chapel Muslim Services Constructive Meditation W Final Band Concert W Drill Down U Gold Star Ceremony

HOMECOMING PARENTS WEEKEND Town Lake Fest Jewish Services

19 U Troop Hike

W Pow-wow U Retreat U Girls Great Race U Pegasus Challenge

Carillon Recital Permits Garrison Parade W Council Fire

15 W / U Retreat

U Retreat

Garrison Parade

Jewish Services

W / U Retreat

No U or W Permits Carillon Recital Garrison Parade W Council Fire

Jewish Services

Ann M. Smitson Moonlight Serenade 8:30 pm

HOMECOMING WEEKEND Mass / Chapel Muslim Services Constructive Meditation Town Lake Fest U Troop Hike

Carillon Recital W Council Fire

Mass / Chapel Constructive Meditation Muslim Services

SATURDAY

U Retreat

Independence Day Ceremony

Junior Woodcraft Camp Final Day

FRIDAY

U Troop Hike

U First Class Dinner U Retreat U Communications Relay

Notes: Religious Services Times: 9:00 AM Sundays Catholic Mass 10:30 AM Sundays Protestant Chapel 10:30 AM Sundays Muslim Services 9:00 AM WC, Sundays Constructive Meditation 10:00AM UC, Sundays Constructive Meditation 6:00 PM Fridays Jewish Services Carillon Recitals are at 4:00pm on Saturdays. Please refer to the Culver Summer Portal for the Homecoming and Commencement Schedules at summer.culver.org

U Horse Show W/U Final Day of Classes Camp Play-Shrek the Musical

22 U Girls Hike

U Girls Hike

U Retreat

21 W / U Retreat

Jim Henderson Day Final Garrison Parade W/U Final Awards W Kline Relay U Final Band Concert U Final Ball U First-Class Bonfire

Jewish Services U Girls Hike W Talent Show

HOMECOMING PARENTS WEEKEND Town Lake Fest Carillon Recital Homecoming Garrison Parade W Council Fire

No U Permits Carillon Recital U Honor Organization Garrison Parade W Council Fire

29 W/U Graduation

Garrison Parades are at the Henderson Parade Field at 7:00pm. W Retreat Parades are Thursdays at 8:00pm. W Awards are at the Woodcraft Amphitheater on Sundays at 7:00pm W Council Fires are at 9:30pm at the Council Ring. U Retreat Parades are Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:15pm at the Oval *W= Woodcraft Camp *U= Upper Schools

Culver observes Eastern Daylight Time: (574) 842-8300 / (800) 221-2020 | FAX: (574) 842-8462 | summer@culver.org | www.culver.org/summer

Two Weeks Too Long?

Ada Spiwak Culver is an awesome experience, especially for those of ers. “I don’t think it would make it easier on the kids” she us who aren’t away from home for this long anywhere else. said thoughtfully. “They (some new campers) spend the One of the most common arguments you’ll hear against first two weeks being homesick, leaving four weeks to the camp is its length. It’s a long time for children as young have fun. It’s more practical too, because we can get much as nine years old to be away from their parents, and even more done in six weeks than four, like gold ‘C’ trips and teenagers get homesick on occasion. Would shortening activities.” That interview got me thinking, and I started culver to a length of four-five weeks impact our experi- to agree. Next, I headed to Colonel Wettig, who kindly let ence at culver? I took it upon myself to find out, and to do me ask a few questions. He has the same perspective as the so I interviewed Colonel Spahn, Colonel Wettig, Captain Woodcraft director reminding me that Culver used to be Williams, and several campers. eight weeks, and was shortened because of the school year. “There has been debate on this subject, but only because it I can quote campers saying they love Culver, but may have intervenes with classes, not at all because it would make a debated coming here because of how much of our sum- difference with campers.” mer it takes up. Specifically for international campers, the Culver schedule could pose a problem. I decided to find My view on this subject changed after the interviews, and out, and armed with a clipboard, pen and paper, that’s I wholeheartedly agree that Culver is the perfect length, what I did. just long enough to make it feel like home. Let me put it in the words of Cpt. Williams- if Culver Academies shortColonel Spahn gave a great answer when I asked how ened its length to four or even five weeks, this week would making Culver shorter would affect the lives of us camp- mark the end of camp.

The Vedette // Culver Summer Schools & Camps

Why is Culver a Military Camp?

Homesickness

Lucia Del Muro

Ana Mendez

Culver in summer is a military camp? Why do campers march in parade, and why do we have to do it? Because here at Culver Academies we are taught military stuff. We are encouraged to do all military activities and learn them well to later take the skills to our normal lives. We must listen to counselors and Gold “C”s from our wings or divisions. This will be practice for our life duties, such as making your bed, having a good attitude with strangers, cleaning around, using skills learned in classes and many more. We all are in Culver for one reason, I don’t know what your reason is but

I know mine. It’s to make friends like you. To learn something in this camp, to be a leader and to learn how to follow the honor card and what it stands for. Major Robertson said, “Let’s go have fun and make friends all over the world.” Woodcraft is a military camp and that’s only the beginning, because after this experience Culver boarding school will be next.

Military Achievement Banner Will Tennyson

The Military Achievement Banner always seems to go to D3, D4, or D6. In 2016 B3 won it once. Culver must think Cubs deserve the Military Achievement Banner. I interviewed Ltc. Wettig and he said that Butterflies do win or lose it by a close score. He also said B1 came 4 points behind D4 for all last year. He said that’s 4 girls not bringing sweatshirts to the movies or council fire, itching in-ranks, or talking at council fire. If they could not itch, remember sweatshirts, or not talk at council fire in order to do better. This all matters because Butterflies work hard but still do not have the Military Achievement Banner.

The Vedette // Culver Summer Schools & Camps

Hi my name is Ana and today I’m going to talk about why homesickness affects the Culver experience. During my planning for these article I realized that homesickness is totally normal and it sometimes means good stuff like that you love your family and everyday routines so you just miss your normal life and that is why it is call homesickness you miss your normal life. Homesickness affects Culver experience because you focus on your mom and dad and how much you miss them that you don’t experience all the new stuff you can do. If you don’t believe me lets see other points of views. Major Maes D7: I do think homesickness affects culver because you stick with your routines so with culver you do new things and you don’t get going so easily with your new routines. [If you could take away something to make homesickness better what would it be?] Take away bunk notes because when you are adjusting to Culver you hear about all those awesome things they’re doing it makes you feel alone and sad so that is why I would take away bunk notes. I think homesickness is normal and as a camper I think that your parents would love you to have a lovely experience. So next time you think about crying all day and think that your life is miserable think about all the kids that don’t come to Culver and want to come and make it awesome!!

Best Classes

A day in the Life of a Woodcrafter

Joseph Meccia

Paola Echenique

I did a lovely survey on the best classes at Culver Summer Schools and Camps and the results were shocking. I know what you are thinking, you think Water Ski is the best class. I asked Woodcraft veterans, who were at this camp before some people at the camp right now were born! I know Shocking. The results were Native American Arts and Crafts 3rd, Water Ski 2nd, and Drumroll please- Indian Dance 1st place!

Rodrigo de la Garza Méndez

My topic is about asking people what their favorite classes are. In first place it was Water Ski with 35 votes, and I believe that it was in first place because it’s just awesome to ski on water and who wants to earn the patch, because the class is great. In second place it was air riffle with 23 votes. I think it was in second place because who wouldn’t want to shoot at a target? And on top of that, if you shoot well you can earn a special medal which you can put on your sash or jacket. The medals just look great when they are on. In third place its arts and crafts with a total of 12 votes, and I think it was because you can make masks, glass figures, drawings and the best part is that you can give them away to whoever you please. These were the three best classes in Woodcraft, according to my small survey.

If you were wondering what a Woodcrafter’s day is like just keep on reading. A Woodcrafter’s day start at 7:40 am. Campers wake up, get dressed, brush their teeth and get ready for PI (personal inspection) before lining up for breakfast (BRC). Campers march to the dining hall for breakfast and when they are finished eating they have to get ready to go to their 2nd CP which starts at 9:25 am and ends at 10:10 am. When 2nd CP is over campers have to go to their next class. Third class period start at 10:20 am and ends at 11:05 am. When they have finished they need to be ready and go to their 4th CP which starts at 11:15 am and ends at 12:00 am. When campers have finished their 4th CP they head back to their unit for rest period in which campers can write a letter home, read a book, play with friends or just lay in their bed and rest.

When 6th CP is over, campers line up in front of the dining hall for snacks. Once they have their snack they go back to their unit. The rest of the day activities depend on the day. There can be wing games, cabin games, swim meet, track meet, unit time and other fun stuff. When the activities are done, campers line up for supper, and march to the dining hall. Once they are done eating they have to go back to their unit and shower. After showering campers have milk and cookies which is the last part of the day. They get to relax and talk with their friends and cabin mates.

After that, campers go and brush their teeth and do what’s necessary to get ready for bed. At 9:30 pm campers end their day and rest for the next day to come. Talking to campers and giving my own opinion, I believe that the Woodcraft day makes the Culver When rest period is over campers experience unforgettable. have to line up with their unit to go to lunch and march to the dining hall to eat. Once campers are done eating they have to go to their 5th CP which starts at 1:45 pm and ends at 2:30 pm. When 5th CP is over they have to head to their last class period which starts at 2:40 pm and ends at 3:25 pm. The Vedette // Culver Summer Schools & Camps

Woodcraft Library Alexa Norman Did you know that there is a Woodcraft Library with no books? I went on a search to find out why this is. Here is what I found. When I first walked into investigate it was surprisingly very small with tables and cases in the middle with no books. There were only folders, clipboards, and papers in the cases. The library has been there since the 60’s or so. It’s weird to think about a library with no books. There used to be books though. The books are now in the museum. They moved them because they need good internet for the mathematics class to use the computers. They also use the library for choir in the mornings, meetings, and storage. It is behind Woodcraft Headquarters and next to the Dining Hall. It is open from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. Come check it out!

Woodcraft Friends Delfy Balderrama-Carrillo

Friendship plays a big role in Woodcraft. If you come to Woodcraft friendship is something that just occurs without you even noticing it. Whether it’s crying until your eyes become puffy or laughing until your stomach hurts the friends that you make here are always there for you. This is my first year at Culver and I have already met many people who I know will always be important to me. Culver gives you many opportunities to make friends and I know that I am not the only one who agrees with this statement. Interviewing a few campers, most agree that you can meet many people at classes, in your cabin, being open to the necessities of other campers, and having a conversation with someone new every day.

perience by giving you the opportunity to meet people from different parts of the world,” said Erika Garcia. Who knew that I was going to meet someone from a place 8,000 miles away from where I live. You get to make long lasting relationships with people that you wouldn’t imagine you were going to be friends with.

I talked to Maria Gamboa, and she told me “I come to Culver every year because it’s a way to reunite with the people you have met in the years past. Personally I can’t wait to come back next year to see the people who are now some of the most important people now in my life. Even though you only get to see your friends for 6 weeks it is as if you have known them your whole life. The strong bonds you make here are unbreakable and un“Culver gives you an unforgettable ex- forgettable.

The Vedette // Culver Summer Schools & Camps

No Movie for You Ella Harvard Camp Should Beavers and Cardinals get a separate PG-13 movie night? This past week, I have been going around campus to ask campers, staff, and counselors for their opinions. During my interview with Cpt. Williams, I asked her what she thought about the idea of more age-appropriate movies for Beavers and Cardinals and she said it was a great idea. She also suggested that I go to the Activities Director. So I went to the Activities Director to ask her about it. She also supported the idea, but had concerns with when we would have the movie. I suggested having dinner a little earlier on Fridays and having the Butterflies and Cubs have their movie earlier. But even then the Cardinals and Beavers would be getting back way later than when we normally get back. The Activities Director told me to go see Major Coven who puts on the movies. She also thought it was a good idea, but was also concerned about when we would have the movie and also the ratings. Some parents don’t let their kids watch movies that we wanted to show, for instance some of the movies Upper Camp watches. Also, not all kids in Beavers and Cardinals are 13, so they technically aren’t allowed to show those movies to the kids that aren’t 13. I also talked to Colonel Spahn and she said the same thing. But she also said we could watch heavier PG movies if we had a separate movie night. She said it was a good idea, and if we were able to show movies that parents would let their kids see and get a good time to show them, it could potentially happen someday. But for now, animated Disney movies are the only thing we’re allowed to see at movie night.

Captain Johnson - A Counselor Bio Jack Blank

Have you ever glanced upon the Division 7 staff member Captain Johnson? If not, look no further, for this article is solely about his visage…and other things too! Captain Johnson has his own cabin, number 139. Captain Johnson enjoys watching sporting events. He attended Indiana University. His face is about the size of two markers stacked on top of each other. His facial area is as wide as the Bee Movie DVD case. His nose is about as large as a conveniently located piece of paper I found on the ground. Captain Johnson’s short hair is a reddish color, and he has a slight beard at the time this article is being written. “D7 is made of 98% mustard.” Captain Johnson proclaimed one afternoon. Continuing this, he said that Division Seven is made of “75% ‘pure’ mustard”. “Hi,” a quote from the D7 camper Aaron Lowry, who is in Captain Johnson’s cabin. Aaron enjoys making things out of sticks and being in cabin 139 with the aforementioned staff member. Captain Johnson also agrees with Ella Haverkampf that Beavers and Cardinals should have PG-13 movies.

Culver Without the Military? Carlyn Jones

Marching is great. Or is it? Sorry, we all have to do it. Whether you like it or not. I love it, you on the other hand may or may not. There is a good reason for it. I know this because I even asked people what they thought about it. Guess who? Whoa! Looks like they’re back at it helping me with my article. Major Trickey and Maes are quite helpful Majors. Major Maes thinks marching is a great way to get from point A to point B in an orderly fashion. And Major Trickey thinks it is a great way to get 60 plus people to and from places in an orderly fashion. Culver is not a military camp; it is just military based. At least according to Major Maes. But Major Trickey says that it was founded as a scout camp, and evolved into a mil-

itary camp. Something that Culver has that other camps don’t is the order. Look, we got kids who are excited that they CLEANED, really well and out-cleaned other cabins. Here is something we may all be wondering, what is the point of Parade and Retreat? Major Maes says it’s to see how well we learned and improved our marching during the week. Major Trickey looks at it like it’s a history lesson. If we didn’t have marching it would be disorganized. Imagine telling a bunch of kids to go to the dining hall, think of how chaotic that would be. According to Major Maes. Culver wouldn’t be Culver without marching, and our military twists on it, it would just be another YMCA camp. Thank you Major Trickey and Maes!

The Vedette // Culver Summer Schools & Camps

Water Ski Jonathan Rotherham

Water Ski- most say it’s the best class they have ever taken, other’s say differently. I, Jonathan Rotherham, a reporter for the Vedette, the Woodcraft newspaper for Beaver’s, Cardinal’s, Butterflies, and Cub’s am going to give you an inside tour on Water Ski.

Schools and Camps. This means that the boats, ski’s, etc. do not not belong to the Water Ski instructors in any way shape or form. However, if you damage any of the equipment you will be responsible to supply the money to fix the problem. During the winter when the lake freezes over the boats are taken to the boat house Made as a class in 1913 just one year af- until the spring when the lake unfreezes. ter the camp was founded, Water Ski quickly grew as one of the most popular Today Water Ski is doing thriving betclasses, in fact in 1924 there was a waitlist ter than ever. Being taught by the main in which you had to pay funds to get on. instructor (she has many staff with her This rule was lifted in 2001, that’s just 15 too) Major Hume is also the Major for years ago! Though there is still a waitlist C1. To get your patch you must be able to you have to apply for the class early to get go in and out of the wake (the waves the a good spot on the list. boat shoots out) and wave to the instructors (one hand at a time) I was fortunate Have you asked the question where do enough to to take the class last year; I got the funds for the boats, ski’s, etc. come my patch in 2015. from? I can tell you! All of the equipment is fully funded by Culver Summer

Patches- a Woodcraft Essential Maria Most campers have started their year with 2 or more patches. Patches are easy to gain but they are easy to lose. How can we get patches? It depends on which patch you want to get. For example, team sports you have to do 1 or more team sports. It is the same as individual sports if you are not respectful in class or your not paying attention and you’re playing in class you lose the patch. What’s the most wanted patch of all? According to Major Laura in HQ, the most wanted patch is Water Ski. The most important patch that comes with life skills and survival skills is the Scouting patch and besides that it is a really fun class.

The Vedette // Culver Summer Schools & Camps

Bannerless No More? Trevor Neuman

“For about ten years Division 7 has not won a banner. We can change this!” My major, Major Maes was telling Division 7 and me this before we won the Military Banner. When we won I had so many questions about D7 like, “Who was the major?”, “Will this happen again?”, and “What did D7 and I do differently.” I talked to some people to figure this out. First I needed to figure out what the Military Banner is. The Military Banner is the biggest banner you can get. The judges look at everything Military based. Marching, movement in formation, respect, how you act in the dining hall and at activities like, council fire, and movies, and it is compared to the cardinals and the beavers. And the other one compares the Cubs and the Butterflies. When was the last time D7 won a banner? Major Mark Maes states that 2006 was the last time D7 won and that from what he heard it was a strong year for D7. I also talked to other people about why they think Division 7 has not won for such a long time. Major Maes says, “I think this is because of tradition. Many kids want to go to the same unit as their parents. Unfortunately this has not happened in a long time for Division 7.” Another question I asked people was, “Do you think a so called “drought” will happen again?” Cpt. Williams says, “I think it will not happen again and every division now has a fair chance. Major Tricky says, “I hope not, I think after a longtime of a ‘drought’ and you win a banner, it makes you work harder to win again.” In conclusion I’m sure Division 7 will do well and maybe even win even more banners.

Counselor VS. Camper Maggie Bialek

As a camper have you ever wondered what being a counselor was like? To find this question out, I interviewed 2 counselors who were once campers in woodcraft. I first interviewed Cpt. Williams.

ers, and you can go out and get food if the cafeteria food is bad. But the cons are you have to stay up until 1:00 a.m. when on duty, have to give PI’s, yell sometimes, and it can get very stressful.”

“Did you like being a camper or counselor better?” I asked her. She replied with, “A counselor because I am more mature and I know what being a camper was like. Being a counselor you get to experience being a camper also.”

“Would you say that being a counselor is more fun than being a camper?”

“What are the pros and cons of being a counselor?” I asked her next. “The pros are you have an important role as a caretaker and being here at Culver I get to shut out the outside world. But the con is that it is a 24/7 job and I do not always get much sleep,” Cpt.Williams replied.

“My last question for Lt. Stackhouse is what are the similarities and differences between a camper and counselor?”

“What is life like as a counselor?”

“Not exactly. I feel that at the age of being a camper it is perfect. But when you get older being a counselor fits that age. Both are fun for that age.”

“The similarities are you have to wear uniforms, eat cafeteria food, and have class. The differences are you don’t have specific cleaning/folding rules, you don’t have to march, and you get paid.”

“It is like an adult playground because you get to experience Culver all over Now, after hearing from both Lt. again and it makes me reflect back to Stackhouse and Cpt. Williams, I have when I was that age.” learned a lot about the life of a counselor. I bet it is very hard to choose if “My last question for you is, what being a camper or counselor is more was the biggest change from being a fun. Thank you so much for letting camper and becoming a counselor?” me interview you! “Definitely putting kid’s safety before yourself and taking on a parental role.” I then interviewed Lt.Stackhouse to find out what she thought about this topic. “Do you like being a counselor or being a camper better?” “They both have their perks. As a camper you do not have any responsibilities except for yourself. But as a counselor you can break rules that campers have to follow,” Lt. Stackhouse replied. I also asked her the pros and cons of being a counselor. “The pros are that you can stay up late, have warm showThe Vedette // Culver Summer Schools & Camps