Category: Leelanau Alumni

Hey Alums – Would you like to be in on the new tradition of Leelanau Carhartts?

We’re offering Carhartts that look just like the ones in the picture where you see three styles, “well used”, “used” and “brand new”. They all come in brand new.

Here’s the deal, we are offering them to the alums for the bargain price of $70. Proceeds go to help current counselors achieve a pair without depleting their store accounts.

July 1 is the deadline for the order! You can pick them up at the end of camp or have them mailed to you for a little extra. Check out the Carhartt website for sizing.  If you would like to order or have questions please email or call  Weldon, 231-334-3808.

Thanks for your support.

P.S. Please send us a picture of yourself in your new Leelanau signature Carhartts!

Capture the Flag is a venerable Camp Leelanau summer tradition: tough, aerobic, strategic, tactical, and metaphysically challenging. This version of the classic, however, was not in the gorgeous summer that captivates one’s camp memories– sunny, and mild. This winter version in 18” snow drifts, at fairly steady 8+degrees, and really, really dark – before sunrise and after star-rise on the 21^st of January.

To camper-alumni, the invitation from Weldon Rutledge, Camp Leelanau Director, was one that could not be ignored, a Christmas gift that could not be ignored. Some 26 Camp Leelanau alumni signed on; most arrived at Camp on Friday, January 20. The big game began with a wake-up cannon shot at 5:00 am, literally shaking the Orion bunkhouse; teams flooded out the door and hoofed it to their sites. The Green and the Sand teams built their jails in the crisp pre-dawn air, and raids began at 6 am.

Before and after flag play, cozy fireside chats in the Great House were, in every respect, the Gold Standard for (1) warmth, (2), reminiscences and (3) readings in the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, including a full reading of the lesson (Truth) between the morning and afternoon games. This spiritual grounding was the glue that helped define sportsmanship, energy, and focus in the Christian Science way to all the players. Weldon clearly marked the spiritual and metaphysical landscape of the game – a spiritual focus on the game as a metaphor for healthy competition, tactical savvy, and adherence to the Divine Law.

Breakfast and Dinner were cooked over fires and judged with all of the usual standards for timeliness, quality, and presentation.  For the sake of authenticity, a “beach carnival” in the Great House included a series of games, skits, and original songs (which inevitably made fun of slogging through the cold and snow at uncivilized temperatures). After Game Off on Saturday night, Weldon facilitated a fireside chat where alumni participants were asked to name the single most important, and memorable, part of the winter game experience. It is perhaps difficult to summarize the thrill of the alumni…meeting up with old camp friends, comparing dates of campership/counsellorship, from modern and Paleolithic eras, but the spirit that imbued this group, the rekindled friendships, and love for Camp and Christian Science illuminated and pervaded the landscape of this joyous weekend event.

Steven Jareo

1955-59 Tiger

1960-65 Red

1967-70 Purple

It’s been a while since I’ve been here; some I knew some I didn’t, yet what has struck me is seeing those who were campers when I was here who are now running things.  Most important not just the physical growth and the fact that there are people of all eras, but the quality of the standard has stayed the same.  Leelanau is one important arm of the Christian Science movement and it churns out the cream of the crop in terms of metaphysics, with clear, principled healers who are committed to excellence. Leelanau is the cutting edge space for practicing metaphysics and making healers. It is so heartening to see the numerous guys who are now in the public practice of Christian Science. Finally, I’d like to give gratitude for two folks sitting here who have made such a difference in the lives of so many here today – Clark Shutt and Marcia Hufstader.  Bravo! –Blake Windal

Thanks for everyone; there are a couple of things that stood out to me as so special about this place.  Not all the people here knew each other before this weekend, but we all love Camp, and each other because of that shared love of Camp.  There is a wonderful combination of embracing the enduring traditions, but also seeing the continual development of new expressions of this love through new awards and traditions.  This love is what has brought us together and it continues to grow. – Tom Freund

“It’s amazing to be at a reunion with guys that were my campers, that are 10 years younger than me; and also guys that were at camp two generations before me and are 50 years older.  And it’s not just that they’re fun guys, it’s that they are all admirable men.  No matter what the age, I look up to everyone here.  This isn’t just a group of fun people, it’s a room full of great men, each of whom inspires me to go farther, reach higher, and always seek to raise the standard of my thought.  And that’s what binds us together: the standard of excellence that is the foundation of Leelanau, and has stayed with all of us for all of these years. – Jervis DiCicco

Weldon Rutledge writes:

Thomas Eichstadt came tearing into my office.  Short, mustached, barrel-chested and with the stance of a man that can’t sit still for long, Tom announced to me that he still worked full time.  I stood and introduced myself as the newly appointed Director of Leelanau and asked what I could do for him.  With no rudeness in his tone, nor preamble to waste words, Tom explained to me that he had been a camper and counselor at Leelanau from 1941 to 1954, and curiosity brought him in today to learn if any of his generation would be attending the Leelanau Reunion in October.

I’m sure I’ll get better at thinking on my feet as I spend more time in the Director’s Chair but… I was floored.  This fire-plug of energy standing in my office rattling off names of fellow counselors, campers, cabins, and teams that had been a part of his experience 56 to 69 years ago was a living historical record for camp, and just sharp as a tack.  I scrambled to navigate my computer and scour the database for his generation of comrades.

Wow.  You all remember from world history class that 1941 is when the U.S. joined World War II.  And Tom Eichstadt was in Argosy.

Men of Leelanau, the call to arms is now.  Join us in celebrating 90 summers of Camp Leelanau for Boys.  Steeped in tradition, laughter, camaraderie, and love for our Land of Delight.

Share old memories and create new memories on the shores of Lake Michigan, here at Pyramid Point.

Dear Keith Johnson, 7/11/09

Your Stand up and Cheer Newsletter made me put on my memory cap. I was glad to see one old-timer, Bud Olson (‘42-’43) just after my (‘38-’41) still keeps in touch

I wonder how many remember the wonderful old days with Art Huey, Col. Ransom, Skipper Beals and many others. How can I forget CT as co-captain of the Green team with Emmett Bedford followed by Counselor with the Earlybirds. How many remember the cedar block walks throughout the camp area. I worked with Col. Ransom many hours mixing cement, grading the walk and setting the blocks.

Do many remember the Upper Peninsula trip with two station wagon loads of campers, counselors and equipment. Carlos Kotilla had us stop in Calumet City to visit his relatives. There we were treated to an authentic Finnish Sauna complete with the cedar bows to stimulate the skin and ice-cold water tossed at us upon emerging. Up to Fort Wilkins, Copper Harbor followed by a trip to see Red Lake emptying into Lake Superior.

Col. Ransom then took us to visit an old crony, we referred to him as Old Man Rockendorf, whose farm was about twenty miles from Gladstone. That was a most memorable experience as he and the Col. hugged and jumped around like a couple of kids. When we entered his home, he had a rack of guns near the doorway. He took one out and went to the door and fired away. He then looked us and said “Boys, every gun in this rack is loaded, do not play with them.” Needless to say it was a lesson.

Do any old-timers ever remember having to visit the Skipper in his little cabin? Ralph Meeker and I did. We had made a no-no and were promptly chastised. As for remembering the Skippers words I will have to  beg off.  All I remember is we were properly admonished and did not again waver off the  route. That was a serious, intense but loving experience from a master with words.

Does anyone remember the quartet that went to the Cherry Festival in Traverse City to sing Ragtime Cowboy Joe? What a thrill that had been.

These are rambling memories and thought I would pass them along from a guy that loved every minute of his life at Leelanau. In those days, I was best known as Doc Faust. That may spur a few recollections. My sister Joan Lee Faust followed me after a few years attending Kohahna. I think she has been back for a few visits. Her life work was as Garden Editor for the New York Times and now lives in Riverside, Conn.

Sincerely,

Bill Faust

[email protected]