The ice went off area lakes the first week in April--weeks earlier than normal. Since then we've had variable temps with record highs and lows. Fortunately, last week we had enough gentle rain to keep the fire danger down, but now it is back up to "very high". The Forest Service issued a fire ban from April 12 to May 14th, much earlier than in recent memory.
     This week at CV has had many seasonal firsts: our inaugural sauna, first dip in Farm Lake, first fishing boats in the bay and off Cabin Four point, first tiger swallowtail, first bumblebees, first strawberry plant flowers, first turtle basking in the bay, first frog crossing at the narrows, first batch of midges AND mosquitoes.
     Chris Steiner (Charlie and Jack's dad) with daughter Sophie were the first 2010 visitors. They volunteered to do major repairs and prep cabins for our season. Chris, a commercial construction contractor from the Twin Cities, along with Deb's husband Jeff Kemmer worked on the CV kitchen floor. It's now almost level and ready to produce plenty of that famous camp cookin'. Last weekend at "walleye opener" we saw Trip Director Larry Zelenz, who wet a line with Sophie and reeled in a few near the Garden Lake narrows and other nearby fishing haunts. Even the real Minnesota Governor caught four walleye on opening day. We've also seen CV alumni Tom Bose and Dave Casey who have cabins down the camp road.
     Work camp volunteers (including Greg Pike, Jim Herman, Morgan Doyle's mom Diana, Emma Plattes, Bob Corpus, Suzanne Erdmann and more) have been helping the last few days. We're chipping away at various maintenance projects because next week counselors arrive for two weeks of training. Check on-line to see who is coming to camp this summer.
     June 13 kicks off our 59th season with plenty of in-camp fun and challenging canoe, kayak and hiking trips in the surrounding wilderness. We can hardly wait for the first campers to arrive! Camp Director John Erdmann has reserved premium permits to offer our campers the best the north woods has to offer. Campers, remember to bring your yellow BWCAW area map so you can mark all your canoe trips at camp this year. Also tell your buddies to join you at camp and we'll save them a bunk, too.
     Registration packets and final billing info have been mailed to all camp families. If you have questions preparing for camp contact Deb. Remember that remaining payments, transportation information (how your camper is getting to camp), the health form and any other important papers are due June 1st. A quick reminder for campers going to Canada: all persons traveling to Canada need to have proper documentation (US passport) and a letter signed by parents stating they allow their child to travel with Camp Voyageur out of the country. Campers 18 years and older also need a Remote Area Border Crossing Permit which is available on-line, though it takes several weeks to process.

     This year we want campers to come to camp with their own trail sack already packed. The trail sack items can be packed in a dry bag, stuff sack or even a pillowcase. This sack holds all personal gear needed for wilderness travel. Some items are duplicates of the regular camp packing list, but will help streamline the process of campers getting out on the trail.

Your Personal Trail Sack

2 pair wool socks
Quick drying pants (Polyester blend)
2 underpants
2 t-shirts
Shorts or swim trunks
Long sleeve shirt (Polyester or blend)
Back-up Rain Poncho
Athletic shoes for use at the campsite (your dry shoes)
Sandals or flip-flops
Fleece sweater or jacket
Baseball cap
Stocking cap
Water bottle
Toothbrush/toothpaste
Small Flashlight (with batteries)
Insect repellent
Cup/bowl/spoon

     On the trail there are no substitutes for a quality rain jacket or a warm sleeping bag. Expect to spend over $75 for each. Bring a sleeping bag rated at least 30 degrees F that stuffs or rolls into a small bundle. You'll keep a back up rain poncho for emergencies in your trail sack.

Send us your news to cvspirit and put Camp Catch-Up in the subject line.

     Congratulations to Charlie Erdmann (John and Abi's son) who will marry Ashley Blankenship in a small ceremony at the fire circle August 21.
     Margot (who has accepted a job with St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN) and Larry Zelenz will relocate north, splitting their time between their cabin in Ely and Duluth, MN.
     Jack Davidson is starting an internship on Monday as a hospital chaplain in Portland, ME.

     2 new campers have signed up for this summer. We now have a total of 63 signed up for camp. As more and more campers sign up, the excitement continues to grow at camp! There's no reason to wait to sign-up, it helps us organize for the summer and more importantly shows everyone else who's registered that you'll be coming this summer.

     11 new campers have signed up for this summer. We now have a total of 61 signed up for camp. As more and more campers sign up, the excitement continues to grow at camp! There's no reason to wait to sign-up, it helps us organize for the summer and more importantly shows everyone else who's registered that you'll be coming this summer.

     2 new campers have signed up for this summer. We now have a total of 50 signed up for camp. As more and more campers sign up, the excitement continues to grow at camp! There's no reason to wait to sign-up, it helps us organize for the summer and more importantly shows everyone else who's registered that you'll be coming this summer.

     9 new campers have signed up for this summer. We now have a total of 48 signed up for camp. As more and more campers sign up, the excitement continues to grow at camp! There's no reason to wait to sign-up, it helps us organize for the summer and more importantly shows everyone else who's registered that you'll be coming this summer.

     3 new campers have signed up for this summer. We now have a total of 39 signed up for camp. As more and more campers sign up, the excitement continues to grow at camp! There's no reason to wait to sign-up, it helps us organize for the summer and more importantly shows everyone else who's registered that you'll be coming this summer.

     7 new campers have signed up for this summer. We now have a total of 38 signed up for camp. As more and more campers sign up, the excitement continues to grow at camp! There's no reason to wait to sign-up, it helps us organize for the summer and more importantly shows everyone else who's registered that you'll be coming this summer.

     1 new camper has signed up for this summer. We now have a total of 31 signed up for camp. As more and more campers sign up, the excitement continues to grow at camp! There's no reason to wait to sign-up, it helps us organize for the summer and more importantly shows everyone else who's registered that you'll be coming this summer.

     We've packed our sack to premier "The Stars Align in 2009," last summer's memories DVD, on a winter swing through the Midwest. Bring friends and 2009 Voyageurs can pick up a copy of the latest CV movie. Campers and friends coming to Dave and Buster's in Indianapolis and Chicago will be treated to food and video games as well. Please RSVP by Wednesday February 24. At each rendezvous John Erdmann will discuss which wilderness trips you want to take this summer. It won't be long before we all 'Hit the Trail'.

     Along with Trip Director Larry Zelenz, John has pounded out a trip schedule for this summer. Some popular BWCAW entry points have already closed and Quetico permits are even more precious. Government permits require four campers' names, so let us know if you are coming to camp this summer. CV trips always challenge novice and experienced campers alike.
     Expedition and Advanced Trip announcements were sent out last month. We'll mount one Expedition as well as three 10-day Advanced Trips per session. Trips are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

     Drake Roth spent a week this winter playing guitar for the St. John's Prep jazz band in Puerto Rico.
     Drake was also surprised when Morgan Doyle transferred this semester to St. John's Prep in St. Cloud, and is now his classmate.
     Voyageurs Michelle Erdmann and Chris Smith have announced their plans to marry in Costa Rica next January.
     Alumni Rich Beal visited snowy Camp Voyageur en route to pick up his brother Ron Beal. They were in the area to participate in to the Freeze Your Gizzard Blizzard Run in nearby International Falls.
     In January Henry Rodman followed his dream by moving from sunny California to the snowdrifts of Minneapolis. He has been playing music with Matt "Reggie" Miller when not delivering Dominos Pizzas.
     Henry is subletting Darrin Commerford's apartment while Darrin is on a trek photographing India.
     Jim Herman is recovering from a heart valve replacement at home in Cedar Rapids, IA. He'd love to hear from fellow Voyageurs here.
     Jacob and Sidney Boston's parents Jeff and Michele Boston have assembled two medical teams to help the Haitian earthquake victims. They have selflessly been helping Haitians long before the recent earthquake and founded a nonprofit organization called No Time For Poverty. Check out their website to see how they're making a difference and how you can help here.