A Break From The Norm

Treehouse experience provides a unique perspective of camp

By Elliott Newman
Photos: Courtesy of Camp Foley

Something that makes Camp Foley in Pine River, Minn., unique is its outdoor treehouse experience. Once a session, cabin groups have the opportunity to sleep in treehouses at one of two designated campsites: Lower or Upper Mosquito. Lower Mosquito is located near the camp’s soccer field. Upper Mosquito is located farther away in the woods, past the paintball course. The treehouses give campers a chance to spend quality time in the woods appreciating nature while also having a great cabin-bonding activity.

Gearing Up

Before campers arrive at the treehouses, they prepare for the evening by packing a pillow, sleeping bag, water bottle, flashlight, camp chair, and miscellaneous items. After fifth period—ending at 5:15 p.m.—participants meet at the back of the dining hall to collect utensils and food for the trip. They head toward the treehouses while singing fun songs or doing a funny walk. A popular theme has been “blindfold,” where campers lead another camper who is blindfolded.

Upon arriving, campers bring their sleeping items up to the treehouses. Then the treehouse doors get bug-sprayed to prevent mosquitoes from getting in. Mattresses are brought down from the rafters and paired with sleeping bags and pillows. Counselors then take campers to the fire pit, where everyone collects sticks for a fire where meals will be cooked. Campers also have the option of helping to start the fire while counselors supervise to make sure safe techniques are used.

There are three different meals for campers, depending on the age group. Foxes, ages 7 to 10, have hot dogs for dinner and s’mores for dessert. Hot dogs are roasted on sticks over the fire. S’mores are also made using sticks over the fire. Coyotes, ages 11 to 13, have pizza pies and fire-made rice crispies. for dessert. Pizza pies consist of bread, pizza sauce, cheese, and pepperoni cooked over the fire in closable skillets. Rice crispies are made with marshmallows and Rice Krispies cereal. The Wolves, ages 14 to 16, have tin-foil dinners and skillet brownies. Tin foil dinners are definitely a camp favorite! Making them is fairly straightforward—mix potatoes, ground beef, corn, onions, and salt together into tin foil, then place them in the fire.

Settling In

After dinner, counselors plan fun activities. The first activity is often a hike where counselors lead campers through nearby trails. They can pick a theme, such as “Snipe Hunt.” where campers search for a mythical creature. A mindful, meditative nature walk is also a great option, especially for campers who want a more relaxing night. Afterwards, other games are played, such as Kick the Can, Hide and Seek, and Mafia. These games are considered classics for the environment because there are plenty of trees and bushes for good coverage. The counselors at the lower treehouses can even take campers to the nearby soccer field to stargaze. The treehouses also provide campers the opportunity to really take advantage of the woods and nearby wildlife.

After a fun night of food, games, and quality time with friends, campers go to bed. The next morning, they wake up a little earlier than usual to head back to their respective boys’ or girls’ side for showering and tick checks. Many campers live in cities away from camp, constantly surrounded by technological influences. Treehouses give campers a break from the real and digitalized world. All in all, the entire experience ends up being truly special and unique.

Elliott Newman is attending Grad School at the University of Iowa after graduating with a degree in Computer Science and Data Analytics from Drake University. He worked as a cabin counselor and marketing intern for Camp Foley during the summer of 2019. He was a camper at Foley from 2006 to 2013 and worked as a counselor in 2017.