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Camp Kawaga Noted for Indian Lore
from "The Rhinelander Daily News"
Friday, July 22, 1966
Written by Marcia David, staff writer
On Lake Kawaguesaga in Bide-A-Wee lives a great chief of the Kawaga nation. His home is always open to the braves of his tribal council, the Chippewa, Sioux, Mohawk, and Oneida.
For 53 years Bide-A-Wee, the home for Mr. and Mrs. Louis S. Ehrenreich, has been the gathering place for the 127 boys
who spend fun-filled summers at Camp Kawaga, one mile south of Minocqua. "The long tradition of Indian lore still has the same fascination for the boys," said Ehrenreich.
In the Ehrenreichs' spacious and homey living room, generally filled with campers or counselors who have stopped for a visit, the walls are covered with memorabilia from "the kids", as Ehrenreich calls them, and with old Indian relics.
A large picture of the boys at the waterfront hangs behind the long green couch. Surrounding it are dozens of smaller pictures of every activity of
Kawaga.
Trophy Prized Possessions
Small plaques with clever sayings are found everywhere one turns. On the walls of the office adjoining the living room are more plaques and photographs. The Kawaga Ideal is
framed, as the essay on "What is a Boy?" in full view for all to read.
Pictures and mementos made by campers, each of which brings fond memories to the Ehrenreichs , cover every inch of wall space. "I enjoy having things around me where I can see them that remind me of my kids," said Ehrenreich.
Displayed on a dining room chest is Ehrenreich's proudest possession, a recognition trophy presented to him at a reunion on the camp's 50th anniversary. He was given the trophy for his devoted and unselfish leadership and
development of Camp Kawaga. Three loving cups exemplify his devotion: The largest labeled "Campers," signifying his first interest; the next labeled "Camp," his second interest, and the smallest labeled "Lou," his last interest.
A row of wooden pinecone shaped commemorative plaques line the walls near the ceiling of the living room. The plaque nearest the porch door is testimony to the first camp session in 1916 when Dr. and Mrs. Bernard C. Ehrenreich, 14 campers (one of them Lou Ehrenreich), 2 counselors and 1 doctor spent the summer at Camp Kawaga.
Carved in the mantel of the smoke stained fireplace of the mess hall are the words Dr. Ehrenreich created which express the spirit instilled in the camp that first summer- "As God gave us fire, so gave He us the warmth of friendship."
Director Since 1949
Ehrenreich, who the boys fondly call "Lou," has directed the camp since 1949. He has never missed a summer at camp since 1916 when his father, the late Dr. Ehrenreich, opened Kawaga for the first session. Lou was a camper, then a counselor, then director.
"My father, who was one of the first playground directors in New York City in the 1890s was well acquainted with the lack of recreational facilities in cities. He wanted to establish a place where boys could spend the summer learning about the great outdoors and enjoying the spirit and companionship of camp life," explained Ehrenreich.
When Dr. Ehrenreich visited Minocqua in 1915, he found an ideal location and purchased a camp with its few buildings and 160 acres on Lake Kawaguesaga.
" I remember those first 10 years vividly," Ehrenreich said. " There were no roads, no lights, no telephone. Every morning at 6 o'clock, not matter what the weather, two counselors rowed across the lake to get milk for breakfast from a farmer."
Today roads have been built and campers and luggage must no longer be brought in by raft. The camp has expanded physically since the first year when the campers and counselors slept in the mess hall. There are 57 buildings and 360 acres of land, 2 miles of which are along the lake.
Staff Well Qualified
Dr. Ehrenreich felt that they were working toward one goal - a fun summer for boys. Today Lou Ehrenreich carries on his father's dream. Of course, the boys who spend summers at Kawaga not only have fun, but they mature and learn under the supervision of a well-qualified staff of 27 counselors.
"The greatest change in theory at Kawaga is that the boys are to participate in all activities available at the camp, so they will attain a well-rounded recreational and educational program," said Ehrenreich. " In past years campers were allowed a choice and sometimes missed valuable experiences."
The boys, most of whom are from the Midwestern states of Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin, are divided into tribes, and Chippewa, Sioux, Mohawk and Oneida. Each activities unit consists of 20 boys, a number easily split into smaller groups.
"I am a firm believer in the value youngsters get out of competition, but per se, Kawaga is not highly competitive camp," explained Ehrenreich. "Every one must take part in activities whether they are the worst of the best player. In this way each boy is given the chance to develop some skill in all activities."
The 127 boys have a busy schedule. Activities begin at 9a.m., when the campers have a choice of instruction period; at 10a.m., there is an assigned activity to which a boy must go-scuba diving, arts and crafts, water skiing, golf, tennis, rowing, sailing, football, volleyball, basketball, baseball, archery, riflery, track, canoeing, or dramatics.
Swim Lessons Daily
At 11a.m. swimming starts. The campers are divided into three age groups, and 40 boys are instructed during each period. "Every morning this swim is instructional, no matter how skilled the camper," explained a counselor. While the Chippewa and Sioux, the younger boys, swim for example, the rest of the camp has a free period and may do as they please.
The noon meal is served in the mess hall at 1p.m. On the rafters, stuffed animals of practically every north woods variety view the noisy scene below. Meals hum with the talk of boys enjoying themselves. A table breaks you in song and the rest follow.
Since there are only four campers and a counselor in most of the 28 cabins, two "cabins" eat at each table. A capable kitchen staff satisfies hearty appetites with delicious home made dishes.
A rest period follow the noon meal with activities starting again at 3 p.m. when a scheduled program is followed. "Free swims" start at 4p.m., followed by a 15 minute rest period before the evening meal.
After dinner boating activities and team practices start. Ehrenreich said that he encourages water activities at Kawaga. Available to the campers are 20 canoes and an equal number of row boats, 4 sail boats, several water bikes for the younger boys, 2 Chris Crafts for water skiing and
equipment for scuba diving, including a compressor- all this plus a well-equipped swimming area.
14 Clubs Available
There are 14 clubs the boys may join - shop, scuba, life saving, baseball, track, water skiing, golf, camp craft, Pineneedle (the camp publication which is typed by Mrs. Lois Farrell, the camp secretary) canoeing, tennis, sailing and dramatics.
" Individual instruction is given on each of these for one hour every morning for a seek or more, depending on the club. Campers take an examination at the final meeting of the club. Intensified personal instruction in eight different fields during the summer," explained Ehrenreich.
Kawaga has a well-balanced system of recognition so that every boy receives merits. Trophies, medals and letters are awarded, but the intangible reward of accomplishment is perhaps more valuable to the campers, whether they realize it or not, said Ehrenreich.
The evening program varies from day to day with storytelling, sings, camp fires, movies, musicals or plays. "Every 10 days we have a 'record night' with the main idea of giving the boys an added hour of rest which they often need. They would run themselves ragged if we let them," explained Ehrenreich.
"The boys dress for bed an hour early. They lie down in their cabins and listen to a selection of records we play over the intercom. The boys identify either the name of the piece, the leader of the band or orchestra or all of these. We collect each boy's data sheet, and the cabin with the most correct answers is given a
Coke treat."
"On other nights we play musical bingo in much the same way. Everyone ends up winning a candy bar and getting an added hour of rest and relaxation."
Trips Enjoyed
Each night the Ehrenreich's invite a group of campers up to Bide-A-Wee after taps. Their home is always open to the boys during their free period, and there are bound to be at least three or four campers or counselors relaxing in the comfortable leather chairs or on the long green couch.
"Besides the activities, there is a tripping program which is an important phase of camp activities, although Kawaga is not primarily a tripping camp," explained Ehrenreich.
"Every camper has an opportunity to go on at least one. The boys learn to provide for themselves in the wilderness, and at the same time they learn to cooperate with others," said head counselor, Tom Karpan.
Ehrenreich said that in their activities, and especially the Indian ceremonies, it is stressed that God is present in the Great Outdoors. He describes the powwow around the blazing council fire as "white man's religion dressed up in Indian feathers."
At the end of each half moon the Kawaga tribesmen, dressed in authentic Indian costumes, participate in the peace pipe ceremony held in the council ring.
To open the ceremony the four tribal chiefs, Machoninie of the Chippewa, Wakonta of the Sioux,
Scotozie Kenoshay of the Mohawks and Macha Muckwah of the Oneida, enter the council ring and address the great chief and the council with this tribe's traditional speech telling the ideals and aspirations of his braves.
The ceremony continues, followed by the passing of the peace pipe and the awarding of honors for individual achievements, including acceptance into the honorary tribes of Mawanda and Sachem.
Tradition Has Role
To earn the Indian award of Mawanda, a feather and headband, a camper must earn 200 points over several years by qualifying in both athletic and non-athletic activities. The honor of Sachem is earned by accumulation 100 points in one year, at which time the camper is given a second feather and an Indian name which he is known by in all tribal ceremonies.
A final prayer and the singing of "Taps" ends the great ceremony, and each tribe silently files out into the night. Ehrenreich feels that the return of the same campers year after years is the basis for the tradition and the spirit which have grown with Kawaga since the first season in 1915.
The visitor can feel the companionship and enthusiasm between the boys and the 40 adults who
instruct them or help keep the camp running smoothly.
Every night, when the boys are tucked into bed Lou and Tom Karpan go around and stop at each cabin.
"Everybody in?" asks Lou and Tom.
"Yes, Sir!"
"Good night, folks."
"Good night Lou, Good night Tom."
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