John Burgman

Editor and blog contributor

John Burgman is the grandson of camp’s founder, Charlie Erdmann. He was a camper throughout the 1990s and a counselor in the early 2000s. He is a former editor at Outdoor Life magazine and writes regularly for Climbing magazine. He has authored two books, including a travel memoir called Island Solitaire about life on a remote island in Asia.

5 Old Camp Traditions

5 Old Camp Traditions

By John Burgman
May 08, 2019 (comments)

In many ways, Camp Voyageur prides itself on continuing in much the same manner that it has for decades. Although there have been necessary changes in order to adhere to new standards set by organizations such as the American Camping Association, the rhythms of any day in camp or on the trail are very similar to what they were in the 1950s. There is a reason for that. While technology and trends change, the principles of building good character do not, and enjoyment of the outdoors is timeless. Still, there are some summer camp traditions that have fallen by the...

What It’s Like: Crossing Your First Portage

What It’s Like: Crossing Your First Portage

By John Burgman
April 23, 2019 (comments)

For most kids, a summer at camp will be their entrée into a number of firsts. Some campers will catch their first fish; others will go sailing for the first time. And for nearly all kids, camp will give them an adventure-filled wilderness experience unlike anything they have ever found in school. Perhaps no greater camp “first” holds more significance and lore than crossing the inaugural portage. On a literal level, a camper’s first portage is likely a fairly nondescript strip of land connecting two lakes that are probably more captivating and mysterious; most young campers are mesmerized first and...

New Studies Praise the Health Benefits of Saunas

New Studies Praise the Health Benefits of Saunas

By John Burgman
March 11, 2019 (comments)

If you follow along with the latest health and fitness trends, you’re likely to encounter some unique and unfamiliar concepts: Wearable Technology, Cryotherapy, Foam Rolling…Control Pause Breathing. That’s not to say that there are not benefits to each of those; it’s certainly important to always keep in mind that health and wellness practices are always evolving. But a surprisingly familiar concept to many summer camp alumni has been getting a lot of attention from the mainstream lately. Within the past year alone, the practice of taking a sauna has been purported to have benefits ranging from lowering the risk of...

Summer Camp: An American Tradition

Summer Camp: An American Tradition

By John Burgman
April 16, 2016 (comments)

Author, traveler, and veteran counselor John Burgman writes from South Korea… Over the weekend, a low-pressure system that had lingered for days and dropped nonstop rain on my town finally dissolved. When it did, the landscape emerged in a seemingly new state: grasses appeared with deeper greens than before; flower buds spiraled open to reveal the beginnings of their colorful blooms. Even the soil somehow looked healthier—it was no longer that dull, moon-like gunk of winter. As I stepped onto my deck and took in the scene, I took a deep breath of fresh air and something clicked inside of...