Dear Chippies, Parents Family and Friends,

An ode to the 2025 Ten Year Girls…

It is hard to believe that it was ten years ago that these amazingly strong, determined, enthusiastic, compassionate, empathetic, authentic, generous leaders showed up on Chippewa’s doorstep with bright eyes and nervous smiles. How did we get from then to now in what feels like the blink of an eye? I can picture each and every one of these incredible humans as the 7, 8 and 9 year-olds they were back in 2015 and I am filled with pride at the integrous, kind and confident humans that they have become. They are catalysts for good both in our little world at 8258 County O and in their worlds outside these gates. And to celebrate them today has been a joy!

From breakfast through evening program, we found ways to honor our Ten Year Girls, and to make them feel special, loved and appreciated. They ate their favorite Northwoods meals in The Adler Lodge including delicious cake that the whole camp enjoyed with them. They participated in activities to re-live their camper days…sailing & capsizing, swimming & blobbing, waterskiing, horseback riding, climbing & zipping, and frolicking around camp without a care in the world. We had two ceremonies where speeches & poems were read, gifts were given and coins were presented. Today revolved around our Ten Year Girls and it was just one small gesture to demonstrate our gratitude towards them for their commitment to making Chippewa the absolute best place on Earth. There is no doubt in my mind that these girls had a day that they will remember for the rest of their lives. And that is what we wanted for them, and that is what they have earned.

In addition to this day being one that will inevitably be a core memory for our Ten Year Girls, this day also had an impact on Chippewa campers young an old. Just like I once felt as a camper, I am confident that today’s campers see themselves in these Ten Year Girls- they admire them, the are obsessed with them and they want to be just like them. They want to form lifelong friendships the way these Ten Year Girls have. They want to love camp in the same way that these Ten Year Girls do. And they want to make camp a better place just like these Ten Year Girls. And if CRC continues to have campers & staff who return summer after summer with a true passion for this place and these people in the same way our Ten Year Girls do, we are going to be lucky. A camp full of people just like these girls is truly all we could hope for!

Ten Year is always a day that provides me with an opportunity to reflect and appreciate. Today I am extra grateful for the Ten Year Girls and their contribution to making Chippewa such a unique and outstanding community. I do not take for granted the fact that #TheRanch2025 is composed of some of the most committed and loyal young adults that exist anywhere. And to have the good fortune to be a part of these girls’ lives is a true privilege.

So to our Ten Year Girls, I say THANK YOU. Thank you for making camp a priority in your lives. Thank you for being moral and kind. Thank you for being strong and supportive role models for the campers of CRC. Thank you for demonstrating a love for something bigger than yourselves. Thank you for being here, thank you for your impact, and thank you for being you- exceptional individuals!

Happy Ten Year Amari, Daisy, Ro-Buisha, Lauren, Emma, Camryn, Lily, Danielle, Juj and Avery. Thank you for your service, and your friendship too. And don’t forget, here’s to ten more!

Happy Camping and Love,
Sari