Minikani’s Family Nature Club resumed after the holiday season and kicked off 2012 by celebrating the birds of winter in Wisconsin. The weather was seasonably cold but lacked the usual amount of snow we typically see in the beginning of January. Without any snow fall to explore animal tracks or try our skills at winter recreation (such as snowshoeing), we decided to stay indoors.
Families explored how birds survive in Wisconsin not only in the winter, but year round. We discussed what makes a bird a bird, such as their feathers, feet, bill, and ability to fly. Families learned that each bird has a specialized bill or beak to help them consume the foods that give them energy. We explored various bill shapes, lengths, and strengths by using tools that model some birds’ beak/bill abilities. For example, we used a pliers to crack open sunflower seeds and other seeds much like a cardinal will do at a backyard bird feeder.
To end our evening together participants had a chance to create their very own bird mask. Each bird was true individual choosing colors that may help them find a mate or camouflage themselves in their habitat. Imaginations ran wild with the species of bird masks created, but a good time was had by all. Some might even say, it was a real “hoot!”

2011 Holiday Cookie House- A Holiday Tradition
It is officially December, which means YMCA Camp Minikani’s annual Holiday Cookie House event will be fast approaching. Making a gingerbread cookie house and decorating cookies has become a tradition for many families at Camp Minikani! This event gives friends and family a chance to make a beautiful and fun arts and crafts project that everyone can enjoy. Participants can also look forward to story time with Santa, coasting down our sledding hill, a warm crackling fire, and good company. All proceeds from this event go towards the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign and our promise to let every child experience the life-changing power of camp. We hope to see you there creating new memories and sharing in the spirit of the season.
Holiday Cookie House Event
When: Saturday, December 17th, 9:30 am-2:30 pm
Where: Minikani Dining Hall
How Much:
$20 Gingerbread House
$8 one dozen cookies
$26 gingerbread house/ dozen cookie bundle

(Lunch available for purchase)
Call (262) 251-9080 for reservations and more details!

In the middle of October, the 5th graders from Lakeview Elementary School came out to spend a few days here at Camp Minikani. During their two day stay at camp, the students from Lakeview took part in five exciting and fun classes! In archery, the students got to test their abilities with a bow and arrow. While some had never held a bow before, and other were experienced marksmen, everybody had a good time getting better. During their Star Lab class, the students were immersed into a darkened planetarium and learned all about the stars above our heads and some stories that go along with them. In forest ecology, the students got to explore the forested lands of Minikani, learning about the various plants and animals that share the land, and how they coexist together. For their aquatic ecology class, they were able to go out to Mud Lake and use dip nets to catch water bugs and also wear waders to go exploring into the muddy areas. The last class that they were able to partake in was horse riding, which took the students over to our equestrian center, where they got the chance to ride our horses with our equestrian staff.
Not only did they have those great classes to take back as memories, but they also were one of a select few schools that defeated Camp Minikani’s Food Waste Challenge this school year! During Lakeview’s time here, they were given a maximum weight of food that they could waste for each meal. Our Food Waste Challenge here pushes students to make wise choices when it comes to choosing what they want to eat, and how much. After their final meal, they had successfully met the challenge, and as a group, got to vote for their favorite staff member to push into Amy Belle Lake. The lucky staff member this time, was none other than Nick Weyer, who didn’t really mind being pushed in all that much, because it was a beautiful, nearly 70 degree day in October. After getting some assistance from Mr. Bigley, Nick shivered briefly but then happily dried out in the warm sun before the students had to go back to Lakeview. We here at Camp Minikani are very proud of Lakeview’s accomplishment and hope they keep up the good work back at their school and at home!

In early November Camp Minikani hosted St. Charles Borremeo Middle School for a 2 day, 1 night stay. The group arrived bursting with enthusiasm and anticipation for their camp experience to start. Throughout the day, students participated in camp activities including high ropes challenges, trek, orienteering, and nature journaling. At the beginning of St. Charles trip to camp, our camp staff introduced them to our Food Waste Challenge. The group accepted the challenge and immediately began scheming as to which Minikani staff member they’d vote to be pushed into Amy Belle Lake upon their success. Their principal, Mrs. Knippel, who joined them on their trip to camp had doubts about their ability to keep their food waste minimal over the course of 3 camp meals.
The students were able to come together and work as a team to accomplish their goal of less than 4 pounds of food waste for the duration of their camp stay. By making smart choices as students served themselves during meals, they were able to enjoy the rewards of the Food Waste Challenge. Students voted (by the loudest cheers) for which staff member should be pushed into the November waters of Amy Belle Lake. The students chose Cassie Bauer, and Mrs. Knippel had the honors of pushing her over the edge of the dock. Though the water was REALLY cold, it was worth it!
The Minikani environmental education staff is proud of St. Charles Borremeo’s efforts in the Food Waste Challenge. Keep up the good work!

Last week Merton Middle School came to Camp Minikani for their annual school camp out. The group of 6th graders experienced aquatic ecology and explored the landforms on Camp by participating in Sculpting the Earth. The students also had a chance to learn about fire building, shelter creation, and wilderness survival. Our staff really enjoyed watching the students work together during team building and low rope challenges. We also liked seeing students challenge themselves by taking on the high ropes course and the rock wall.
While Merton Middle School was at Camp Minikani they participated in our Food Waste Challenge. The 6th grade class was challenged to keep their total food waste under 4 pounds per meal. The students were committed to the challenge and meal after meal their waste came in under 4 pounds. As a result of their food waste efforts, the students voted to push our newest Environmental Education staff member, Meghan O’Brien, into Amy Belle Lake. Not only was it a much anticipated reward for the students, but a great way to welcome Meghan to Camp Minikani. We look forward to seeing Merton Middle School at Camp Minikani again next year!

The last month and a half at Camp Minikani has been great! My name is Meghan O’Brien and I am brand new to camp. So far, the staff and groups have been so nice at helping me fit right in. Camp is a beautiful area especially in the fall with all the different colored leaves. I used to dislike this time of year, and while the cold still isn’t my favorite, I can appreciate it more because of the beautiful area I am in every day at work! I want to report on a few highlights of my work so far here at camp to give an idea about all the awesome things I get to see here at camp!

My first week or two of work I was learning more about how to belay at our high ropes course and had a few moments to chat with the high-schoolers that we had on camp that day. One of the girls was really nervous to tackle the high ropes course because she was terrified of heights. I told her to just try and no matter how far she went we would be proud of her. She could not stop talking about how nervous she was, she was visibly shaking! But when she got up that ladder there was no stopping her! She was up and across with no complaints and we didn’t even need to encourage her to go further, she tackled her fears on her own. I was so proud of her! When she came back over by me she was shaking and admitted that she felt queasy because of nerves but I had a huge smile on my face and congratulated her countless times for doing something she was so afraid to do.

A few weeks ago we had the school group Dixon here on camp. They were a great group of kids but I want to focus on how close they got to completing the food waste challenge. They had 3 meals on camp and the first two meals they made it under 5 pounds of food waste with about 2.5 and 3 pounds. All the kids were so excited to be so close to their goal and multiple kids told me that I would be the one going in the lake upon completing their goal. The week that they were here was the really warm week so I didn’t mind it too much and while I really didn’t want to be thrown in the lake with all clothes on, I secretly wanted them to win. For their last meal they got an unlucky 6 pounds of food waste! The whole rest of the day I had kids asking if they could still push me in the lake. When I said no they would say, “We will get you next time!” And while I said with a wink, “You can try!!” I was really thinking, “Come back soon so you can succeed! You were soooooo close!” Good job Dixon on being so close to your goal! -Meghan

The last days of September brought cool temperatures, rain, wind, and a bunch of excited 6th graders from Kewaskum Middle School to Camp Minikani. During their stay, they participated in a variety of classes, but none got them as dirty and wet as when they slogged through the mud and used dip nets to catch aquatic macro invertebrates during their aquatic ecology class. As part of this class, the students got to wear chest waders and go wherever they wanted in one of our wetland areas. Within this wetland area, there are numerous mudpits where the students can sink waist deep into mud and have to help each other out of the mud, using nothing but their own determination and muscles. Many of the students emerge from this class with mud on their arms and faces, and sometimes on their clothes…but also with large smiles across their faces and stories to tell.
The other part of their aquatic ecology class was spent learning about these aquatic macro invertebrates, which are small, spineless animals that live in the water. Many of the kids who used these nets to catch insects discovered a variety of life below the surface of Mud Lake that they never knew existed before. A wide variety of macro invertebrates were found, including damselfly nymphs, snails, leeches, water striders, water boatmen and mayfly nymphs, among many others. This time however, one student found a very unique and large insect. As the students looked into the net, they screamed in excitement, some exclaiming they found a terrifying bug, while others looked in and said they found a walking stick. It was however, not a walking stick, but a similar looking insect that lives in the water; a water scorpion. While it was not an extremely rare find, it caused such a commotion and exciting time for these students that they spent a long time watching this bug crawl around not only in their nets, but also in their bin that the bug was stored in during the class. Later in the day around the dining hall, a few of the students were still talking about their cool find from Mud Lake, and how neat it was to see something so stick-like living in the water. It truly was a great find, and hopefully the memories will last through the school year at Kewaskum Middle School.

October has been an amazing autumn month filled with colorful leaves and friendly weather. October also kick started our 2011/2012 year of Family Nature Club at Camp Minikani. Family Nature Club is an opportunity for families from the Metro Milwaukee community to come together, explore the outdoors, enjoy the seasons, and expand on their sense of wonder.

This month we took advantage of a perfect fall evening by enjoying a wagon ride around the grounds of Camp Minikani. After our wagon ride we hiked along Amy Belle Lake as the sunset and searched for uniquely colored fall leaves. Our goal was to make a “leaf rainbow,” finding as many different colors, shapes, and sizes as we could. Many of our participants gathered entire bouquets of leaves to showcase!

As our evening together was coming to a close, we visited one of the Minikani Gardens where some mini pumpkins were growing. Each family was able to pick a mini pumpkin from the garden and take it home with them to continue to celebrate the fall season.

We hope to see each family back on Tuesday, November 1st for our next adventure together. Family Nature Club is held the first Tuesday of each month from 6:00-7:00pm. We meet rain, shine, or snow- Just come dressed for the weather!

This past week at Camp Minikani has not only been a nearly perfect week for October weather, but it has also been a very busy one!
Camp Minikani was happy to have the 6th graders from Central Middle School in Hartford to camp these past couple of weeks. We all had a great time together at camp. Some of the classes that the 6th grade participated in were GPS, canoeing, fishing, photography, ecology, wildlife, plants. Who knew ecology could be that fun? Not me! Many fish were caught throughout the two days as well. A special “good work” and “thanks” to the students from session 2 for accepting the food waste challenge and completing it with glowing success. Eli is still recovering from that swim in the lake. The students were able to keep the food waste to under 4 Lbs. for their entire trip for all 85 students! Nice work; way to be a positive representation of your class and your school. Remember as a collective you have the power to do good. See you this summer!

It’s hard to believe that this is our last week on the Waterfront! We’re finishing really strong though. We have a guest returning to the Amy Belle scene this week – Dave Sametz, who was a counselor at camp for many years, as well as an LT Director and the Waterfront Director. Dave’s children are at camp this week and we’re so excited to have him helping out on the Waterfront. Not only is he a source of stories in one of camp’s most traditional and cherished skills, he also brought along some windsurfers and is helping us establish a Windsurfing program. We already got a few campers up and windsurfing today during skills, and cabins are signed up in the afternoon to learn as well. This is something that will hopefully continue for years to come once Dave helps us lay the foundation this week. Besides that, we’re working on takedown. It pains us to remove anything from the water, but all of us in the Annex are able to look back on this summer with a ton of great memories. We hope your campers can as well!

Ciao,
Mucky