Camp Michigania confirmations are in. Anyone else going?
For those of us out there who are rabid Camp Michigania fans, the confirmation emails just went out in the last hour so mazel tov to those of you who survived the lottery. Feel free to sound off on weeks you were assigned.
PS... rumor from a good source that Coach Carr is going to be one of the faculty speakers for Week 8 this year. I think he did Week 9 or 10 last year.
February 19th, 2014 at 4:45 PM ^
UofM Alumni Association owns its own summer camp in northern Michigan (Walloon Lake to be exact). Alums can sign up for a week of camp at a pretty reasonable price. http://alumni.umich.edu/connect/michigania
Looks like this
Does not suck!
February 19th, 2014 at 4:56 PM ^
Reminds me of a cross between Michigamua and the Bohemian Grove...
February 19th, 2014 at 5:09 PM ^
Just received my email confirmation. This is our first trip to the camp and we are already quite excited. I know a bunch of lifelong campers and they literally sound like Jobs disciples, all stating that camp is "magical." Needless to say we are pretty pumped. Week 6.
Question to Camp veterans:
What should we bring (besides the obvious stuff)?? Any inisights/things we should know?
February 19th, 2014 at 5:24 PM ^
I'll see you on your way out and my way in. I'm a Week 7 camper.
Three recommendations.
1) At least two big window fans. No A.C. obviously and you'll be sucking wind if you're there on a week that gets hot without a couple of fans. if you're bringing kids, get them those clip on fans to put on their bunk beds.
2) A cooler. Good solid porch crew drinking scene once the kids go to bed and
3) stuff to put in said cooler. Lots of stuff.
Also, if you have REALLY little ones that still drink milk before bed, you may want to invest in one of those tiny dorm fridges. One of mine was 18 months when we started and still drinking a ton of milk. Dealing with remembering to bring it back from the mess hall every day and keeping it cold was a pain.
February 19th, 2014 at 6:04 PM ^
Yes to little ones and pre-bedtime milk. Very glad you mentioned that!
2 fans per room or 1 for each?
February 19th, 2014 at 7:47 PM ^
At least two big window fans (one for each room). From there I'd check the weather report the week before to see whether to bring more. It all depends.
Since you have little guys... One other warning, you will do a crapload of walking. Camp is BIG and on a hill. If you have kids that are still in strollers bring a stroller that can handle "off-road" conditions. Maybe one of those big wheel jogging strollers, probably something with inflatable tires rather than hard plastic. The trails around the camp are not paved.
One other thing that we bring that u may want, waterproof walky talkies. You won't want to take your phones near water activities and the phone reception is somewhere between bad and none. My kids are both elementary school aged and we give them one each and my wife and I have. Helps coordinate when everyone is everywhere.
February 19th, 2014 at 6:18 PM ^
for two summers during her college time at U-M. She really enjoyed it. Walloon Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in Michigan and the entire U.S. Being near Petoskey is also great. If you want to sneak out of the camp for a getaway, it's only about 20 minutes. away. Make sure to visit City Park Grill - a bar and restaurant in an old building where Ernest Hemingway used to pony up for a few drinks regularly.
She worked in the child care area and had one of Lloyd Carr's grandkids there at least once. Evidently, he comes up and stays there pretty much every year from what I understand. He talked to her in the dining room at least once and was very nice as my daughter reports.
February 19th, 2014 at 6:56 PM ^
I love living in Petoskey!
February 19th, 2014 at 11:17 PM ^
Friday morning?
February 19th, 2014 at 6:44 PM ^
Im thinking about joining the alumni association, what are some other activities and benefits that come with a membership?
February 19th, 2014 at 6:51 PM ^
I joined when I graduated in 1993 and have no idea. Wait! you get a magazine a few times a year. I know that for sure. The alumnus magazine.
February 19th, 2014 at 7:24 PM ^
Last year we were week 10 and Coach Carr was the faculty forum speaker. I posted a recap of his remarks shortly thereafter.
Love ending the summer up at Michigania...although we usually end up missing the first home football game of the year.
I was driving home during The Horror.
February 19th, 2014 at 9:42 PM ^
We are long time 5th week Michigania campers. Our kids grew up going to Michigania, but we are taking a break now that they are in college. I do miss it though and I can't recommend it enough, especially for families with young kids. They have an incredible amount of freedom there in a very safe environment. Meanwhile, parents get to go sailing, shooting, do a high ropes course, galze some pottery, or just sit and read all day. We made some great friends with fellow alums and their families.
February 19th, 2014 at 9:47 PM ^
Best place on earth. Lifetime 4th and 5th weeker. Wish I was going this summer.
February 19th, 2014 at 10:06 PM ^
So bummed. Wait listed this year. Went last year for the first time and it was amazing! Anyone have any luck getting in off the wait list in year's past?
February 19th, 2014 at 10:13 PM ^
That happened once to us. If you can do Week 11 you should call in ASAP and say you'd be willing to take that. I've heard that most years, but not all, there are spots open in Week 11 for another couple of weeks.
February 19th, 2014 at 10:58 PM ^
Thanks. Some members of our party can't do that week because they are already back at school but I'm tempted to just say screw them rather than miss this year.
February 20th, 2014 at 12:35 AM ^
I can't speak for previous years given I'm only in my rookie season, but I saw in an email that went out from the Alum Ass'n a few days ago that they were advertising vacancies for week 11. Tood bad you are tied up Vaugn, otherwise might have been worth a try.
Out of curiousity, how tough is it to "win" the lottery? Are there many years where familes don't place?
February 19th, 2014 at 10:17 PM ^
I can't wait to go here! Maybe next summer. Is there much to do for a 5 year old, or is it better for elementary age kids?
February 20th, 2014 at 8:03 AM ^
Plenty to do for a 5 year old - I think this is the ideal age to start at Michigania. He or she will have the time of his or her life. The staff are great at keeping young lids active and entertained. You can see a sample schedule here:
http://alumni.umich.edu/sites/all/files/docs/MorningGrid.pdf
February 19th, 2014 at 11:26 PM ^
I'm in. Thankfully all my complaining about the new spousal membership rule didn't get my family banned.
February 20th, 2014 at 8:04 AM ^
What is the new spousal membership rule?
February 20th, 2014 at 6:08 AM ^
Got in for week 1!! Saw Coach Carr about five yearsago.