Greetings Horseshoe Spirit & families,

The summer of 2013, “Gi Bi Dahn”, is officially closed.  We literally “crushed it” in terms of having another fantastic summer.  This is due to the caring, kind staff and their efforts as well as the terrific group of campers, their “spirit” and all the support of our fine camp families.  Thank you once again for making the summer so special on our tenth anniversary of the re-opening of Camp Horseshoe, Quenotah! Fran and I have been privileged to be able to spend our summers with your boys for all these years.

Roddy has been sending pictures of camp in full fall colors, our fields re-seeded and our new outdoor hand washing station, and of all the other projects that have been completed.  Everything has been put away for camp to have its “winter sleep” and awaiting the return of all of us for the summer of 2014!!!  We will all have to wait for the Bi Da Ban ceremony to find out the theme of the summer of 2014!

This also has me thinking of a few of the great memories we created last summer:

• Friends from 18 states and campers and staff from 6 different countries
• Na Ta Ne- Golden Horseshoe
• 44 returning staff members
• Big Brothers-Pizza Party, bean cake
• Cabin 14 Boundary Waters/sailing trips
• Mackinaw, Madeline, Guide Sports tour, Sea Kayaking trips, Namekagon, Flambeau, Bagley, Nebish and Day lakes, Teepee
• 4th of July Ranger softball victory and Woodchuck game and fireworks
• Casino nights, socials, Pro’s v. Joes, jamboree, Message to Garcia
• Willy Wonka counselor hunt, Hodag Lanes,  T-Hunts
• Shoe Madness, Missouri Tigers!
• Blue-Green- fireworks at flag
• Wrestling Night
• Under the lights-Pioneer/Woodsman World Series, Ranger football
• League Champions
• Council Horseshoes
• Banquet night

We once again will have a fantastic return of campers as well as a great number of returning staff.  We will let you know in the next few newsletters of all the returning staff.  We know some of the veteran staff at times moves on, that is a part of camp life.  We wish Kevin all the best in his new opportunities. We are excited to have Alex Berman helping with year round responsibilities. We are also talking to a few old-timers about returning in a full-time capacity and will report as soon as we know for sure.

Two hundred fourteen days until camp starts!?  It may seem far away for most, but for me the camp season has already begun!  I’m hard at work putting together the Staff of 2014, and let me tell you that this is going to be one fantastic group.  Many of your favorite “Shoe” veterans are coming back trying to earn that spot as a Shoe Madness head coach, or writing that super secret All-Nighter!

As we approach New Years, I can’t help but remember all of the great memories from the summer of 2013.  Who can forget the Green-Blue football “A” game under the lights?  Who can forget the Mizzou Tigers dominating Tug-of-War on their way to winning the Shoe Madness plaque?  Who can forget the Rangers upsetting the counselors for the big 4th of July victory? I know Nate Scheck won’t forget that!  Who can forget the JERRY chants (Ya!), the socials (Ya!), casino nights (Ya!), water wars (Ya!), the camping trips (Ya!), and all of the beautiful days spent on Doc H field, Big H Court, or out on Lake Snowden (Ya!).

But most importantly, who can forget all of the friendships that they’ve created at camp?  It’s special knowing that you have friends from all over the country.  I know that I enjoy being able to have a place to stay when I want to go visit friends in Wisconsin, Michigan, California, even London, Spain, New Zealand, and Australia!  As 2013 comes to a close, I can’t wait for all of the new friends and memories that 2014 are sure to bring.  214 days and counting!!!

I would like to re-kindle an old tradition of adding some of Doc Hirschberg’s poems that we hear throughout the summer in each newsletter.

When you get to know a fellow

“When you get to know a fellow,
Know his every mood and whim,
You begin to find the texture
of the splendid side of him.
You begin to understand him,
and you cease to scoff and sneer,
for with understanding, always
prejudices disappear.
You begin to find his virtues and his
faults you cease to tell,
For you seldom hate a fellow,
when you know him very well.”

Let me live in a house by the side of the road

Let me live in a house by the side of the road,
and be a friend to man.

Re-printed from December 1975 newsletter

Dear MEMBERS OF THE HORSESHOE FAMILY:

In 1932 Camp Horseshoe was founded by “Doc’ Hirschberg. His love was working with boys, helping them to understand and live with nature, and thus helping them to become fine citizens of this world.  The philosophy of Camp Horseshoe has never changed, so indirectly and for some of you, directly, Doc has had a great influence on your lives.

It is with great sorrow that we must tell you that our beloved friend passed away on December 14th. Yet another leaf has fallen from our Horseshoe Tree of Life, but our memories are many and cherished. These words of his, I believe, summarize his feelings for all;

“These are the things I prize
And hold of dearest worth:
Light of sapphire skies,
Peace of the silent hills,
Shelter of forests, comfort of the grass,
Music of birds, murmur of little rills,
Shadows of cloud that swiftly pass,
And, after showers,
The smell of flowers
And of the good brown earth,
And best of all, along the way, friendship and mirth.”

Doc H, will always be with as thru his words at Council Horseshoe