Welcome to the

Alumni Association of the

Northern Lights Camps

This site will work as a way for all present and past camp staff to keep in touch! Please feel free to take advantage of the web site and all it has to offer. If you have suggestions for ways to improve the site please forward them the the webmaster at nlalumni@northernlightsalumni.com

FOR SALE: 1973 Ford Dump Truck

1973 Ford dump truck. Approx. 94,000 miles. One ton dually, 4 speed manual transmission, hoist, 360 V8 motor. Truck has been well used as it has served its entire life at Camp Wilderness. Sale will be via sealed bid auction. Bids are due to Ranger Andy at Camp Wilderness by May 15th. Bids will be opened by May 18. High bid gets the truck. Terms: payment due within 10 days of notification of winning bid, and truck must be removed from Camp by June 1. If you have any questions or wish to see the truck, please contact Ranger Andy via phone at 218-732-4674 or email at forestry76@hotmail.com. Mail sealed bids to: Camp Wilderness, re: flatbed, 29984 Journey Trail, Park Rapids MN 56470.

Minneapolis Social Set for March 19, 2010

Minneapolis Social will be held March 19, 2010 from 6:30 to whenever at Joe Sensor's Grill-Sports Bar, 4217 American Blvd West, Bloomington, MN 952-835-1191. Please let Jeff Ronning know if you are going to come at jeffmronning@comcast.net or (651) 793-0227.

Art Henize Receives Alumni Achievement Award

Art Heinze was awarded the distinguished Alumni Achievement award. Check out Art and the rest of the recipients on the Alumni Achievement Page.

Winter 2010 Aurora Published

The Winter Aurora has just been published. Take a sneak peak on the Aurora page or check your email or mail box. If you are interested in receiving The Aurora via Electronic Mail, please contact Chris Soper at chris.soper@northernlightsalumni.com. Aurora web page

Metigoshe Reunion held August 22, 2009

The Metigoshe Scout Reservation Reunion was held on August 21-23, 2009 at the old Boy Scout Camp now located within the Lake Metigoshe State Park. Thirty-five past staffers showed up to remember and share their memories of working and attending camp from 1958 through 1991. We were very fortunate to have a representative from every year that the camp was open in attendance during the reunion; a pretty remarkable feat considering the camp was open for 33 years. In attendance were past staffers from Bottineau and as far way as Maryland, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, South Dakota, Kansas and Minnesota.
Organized by the Alumni Association of the Northern Lights Camps this event was highly successful in uniting these staffers covering 5 decades. Many had not seen each other since they were in their early twenties, now in there forties, fifties, and even seventies there was much to catch up. Reminiscing over photos and slides, memories quickly came back to the time of being at camp providing an experience of Scouting to countless boys over the many summers that Metigoshe Scout Reservation operated. Old campsites were explored and the camp’s building were checked out as groups of staffers talked about what they did on staff and how they were effected by the camp. Saturday winded down by having a campfire with stories and skits from the past and a chapel service on Sunday morning. As everybody was saying their last good-byes the conversation turned to making sure they stay in contact with each other and how much better the next reunion will be.

WANTED - Staff Photos

We are trying to collect staff photos from all camps for every year. We have many, but are still searching to complete the set. Please take a look at the list of needed photos.

Wilderness: 46, 47, 48, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 96, 98, 99, 01, 02, 03, 04

Metigoshe: 59, 61, 62, 68, 71, 72, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, and 85.

Wabaunaquat: 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86

Heart Butte: All Years

If you can help, please contact Chris Soper at Chris.Soper@northenlightsalumni.com

Phil Blomquist Recieves Alumni Achievement award.

For nearly a year, Phil’s wife, Virginia and Chris Soper conspired to find an appropriate location to award Phil Blomquist with The Alumni Achievement Award. Chris Soper and Bob Szczys had also been talking for years about having a Metigoshe all staff Reunion. After putting two and two together and coming up with four, the Metigoshe reunion date was set and the weekend had been cleared for Phil to come to camp for the reunion. Little did he know that the weekend was planned around him. Here is what the person who nominated Phil for the Alumni Achievement award had to say about him.
“I first met Phil Blomquest when I was eleven years old. At this point, Phil had been the ranger for Metigoshe Scout Reservation for several years. In total, Phil served 18 years as ranger of the camp. Phil managed activities in camp year round. He prepared buildings for troops in the winter, plowed roads, and welcomed troops and other organizations for spring and fall activities. In the 18 years that Phil was at camp, the camp was maintained to perfection. Every building, road, and campsite was in perfect condition even during hard times in the council when money was not available. Phil found a way to gather materials and maintain a high standard. Both directly and indirectly, Phil Blomquest affected the lives of every scout, scouter, volunteer, or visitor to Metigoshe Scout Reservation during his 18 years as ranger. I am still in contact with him today and he continues to provide valuable historical information regarding staff members and a vital part of the history of the Northern Lights Camp.”

Chad Swenson Elected Exec. Secretary

Chad Swenson, a long term supporter and backbone of The Association, was elected to the Executive Secretary/President Elect position. We are happy to have Chad back on board for three more years.

Brandon Wehner Elected to Board

Brandon Wehner, a long time staff member, was elected to the Board of Directors. Brandon's last year on staff was 2008 and he is currently working in Fargo as a Firefighter. We thank Brandon for his service to the camp over the many years and look forward to this new chapter in his life as a Board Member.

Open House Biggest Ever

Thanks to Neil Litton and Chad Swenson, the annual Open House was larger than ever. This year, staff names and family contact information were gathered early on and a card with ASVP informaton was sent to each family. Tours of camp were available, pictures from the 40's, 50's, and 60's were on display and there was lots of pie thanks to our friends from Two Harbers MN.

Reunion Week Huge Success

As always, the Alumni Reunion Week was full of activity. The wall between the QM and the Trading Post storage area was moved, CIT tents were set up properly, floor tile work was completed, the Human Foosball game was completed, the old wood at the campfire area was burned, and many staff alum joined together to meet and help out the current staff. Much fun was had as alum gathered each day for a social to share ideas and eat and drink.

Winter Aurora Articles Wanted - January 15th, 2010 Deadline

Remember the input comes from you so we can't do it without you. Articles are to be sent to Scott Ralston at Scott@skralston.com

Wabaunaquat Reunion Set for May 15, 2010

Dave Quam is heading up a Wabaunaquat reunion to take place in 2010. Please see the the web link http://www.paulbunyan.net/fair/wabaunaquat/ for more informaiton.

Wabaunaquat Reunion

Updated Calendar of Events

The 2009 calendar of events has been updated. Check out all that is going on on the News and Events page. News and Events.

Songs of Camp Wilderness CD Now Available

The first Songs of Camp Wilderness CD is now available for sale. Stop by the Fargo Scout office, The Camp Wilderness Trading Post, or download an order form from the Sales Items page. Order today! Sale Items page.

Grand Forks Social Huge Success

The latest Grand Forks Social was a huge success. Sixteen alum gathered to catch up, talk about old times and and just socialize. The social chair has dedicated the last Sunday night of the month as social gathering time. For now the socials will be held at Buffalo Wild Wings at 7:00 pm. Buffalo Wild Wings is located at 2717 S Colombia Road in Grand Forks. Tell all of your camp friends and come out and join the fun. For more information, check out the News and Events page. News and Events

Added Audio and Video Available

New additions to the Audio and Video are now available. Check out an interview with Phil Schorn, video from the Andrew Nelson Welcome Center Dedication and much, much more. Audio & Video

Order of the Arrow Donates $1000 to the Staff Scholarship

The Order of the Arrow has donated $1000.00 to the Staff Scholarship Capital Campaign. The campaign has grown significantly this past year due to your donations and generous contributions from service organizations. It is not too late for you to get involved. Find out more at the Staff Scholarship Web page. Staff Scholarship web page

Fire Tower Dedicated

The Fire Tower was dedicated in style during Alumni Reunion Week. Check out the photo gallery for pictures of the event. Pictures of the tower can be found in the Photo Gallery or the web page at http://www.paulbunyan.net/usspa/firetower.htm.Firetower

Alumni Achievement Nominations are being accepted for 2010.

The Alumni Achievement Award Committee is now accepting nominations for the Alumni Achievement Award. Please download a nomination form from the Alumni Achievement page. Alumni Achievement web page.

AV Page Under Development

We are developing a page for audio and video memories. Please check it out, grab your old tape recorder and help us further the development. Audio / Video

Check Your Membership Status

Membership Status reports are now available for download on the Membership & Officers page. Membership & Officers

Camp Patches Wanted

Roger Smart is trying to gather a complete set of Summer and Winter Camp patches for Camp Wilderness. He is missing the following Summer camp patches (53, 80, and 87). He is missing the following Winter Camp patches (65, 66, 70, 84, 90, and 03). If you can help, please contact Roger at RSMART3540@AOL.com or 701-241-7973.

Socials Ongoing Throught the Council

Socials are now going on in Bismarck, Minot, Fargo, Grand Forks, and will be starting this Fall in Duluth, Park Rapids/Bemidji, and Minneapolis. Check the news and events page for more information.News & Events

Camp Wilderness Note Cards, Shirts & History Books

Camp Wilderness memorabilia is now available. Order forms can be found on the Sale Items page. Please take time to look at all of them.

Ways To Get Involved:

Update Website Information: We hope to create a living history with staff photos, pictures of staff shirts, pictures of camp patches, etc. So did out your old stuff, get those pictures digitized, and help us create a web-history. Contact the webmaster.
Write an article for The Aurora: Pick a topic, a memory, a story, or any interesting topic and send it to the Publications Committee Chair.
Join a Committee: Serve as a member of a committee by contacting the committee chair or any officer of The Association.
Nominate Someone for The Alumni Achievement Award: Complete the nomination form and send it to the Alumni Achievement Committee Chair.
Participate in one of The Association events: Attend or help with the Staff Week, Open House, or Fall Fellowship events. Look for information in The Aurora or contact the respective committee chair.
Help update the Alumni Roster: We are in the process of assembling a roster of all the people who have worked at one of the Northern Lights Council Camps. If you would like a copy of the lists that we have for the years that you worked, please contact Chris Soper at 913-221-7252 or Email him at Chris.Soper@northernlightsalumni.com.
Become an officer of The Association: If you would like to become heavily involved in the business of The Association, consider running for election. Contact any of the officers for information.
Vote on one of The Association projects: Help select projects, execute, and generate funds for Alumni Association projects. Contact any of The Association officers for information.
Memories from Camp: Jot down you fondest memories from camp in story or in letter form so that we can compile a book at some point.
Become a Social Chair: Locate other alum in your area and host a social event. Contact any of The Association officers for information.
Participate in a local Social: Local Social events are occurring in major cities around North Dakota, Minneapolis, and Duluth. Check the web page for social chair contact info and dates for the Socials.

Please conatact the webmaster with any changes or suggestions at nlalumni@northernlightsalumni.com

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Last Updated 02.14.2010