Summer is coming!

Well, after a touchy spring of warm, then snow, then warm, then cold, I think the lake has finally decided to open up. This afternoon I took a look out the PO (Program Office) window to see open water beyond the Sail Shack, which normally wouldn't surprise me, but since I've been here in January all I've seen has been ice. It's a little early to officially declare the "ice out" but it's getting there.


[View from the Trips House]


[Here's what Matt and I found walking down by the Sail Shack this afternoon]


[Wilderness Program Director Jay Creagh helps Mika get a sense of the epic Upper Dam Portage. She was still a little confused about the whole river right vs. river left terminology, or the English language.]

The kitchen renovations have been moving along and will be ready to start serving up delicious meals in a couple weeks. Here's a couple pictures of Nash nearing completion.

[View of the kitchen from the north end]


[View from outside of Boyce]

One last thing: Matt and I will be in Minneapolis, for the Midwest Mountaineering Expo, so if you're in the area, stop by. There's plenty to see and do, and it's free. We hope to see you there.

Meet The 2009 Staff: Azael Meza

It is a pleasure to welcome Azael "Ozzie" Meza, our 2009 Challenge Course Director, to the Manito-wish community! Ozzie comes to us from his previous job as a Project Director/Program Coordinator with the Lac du Flambeau Natural Resources Department. During his six years in that capacity he visited Camp many times beginning in 2002, when he brought groups interested in environmental education and leadership activities to utilize our wonderful facilities. He is excited to now be working full-time at Manito-wish, where he is no longer a visitor but an integral part of our 2009 staff team. A few interesting facts about this interesting man:
- Born and raised in Guadalajara, Mexico; Came to United States for good at age 23
- Moved to Wisconsin in 1998; decided he liked cold weather
- Moved to the 'Northwoods' in 2000
- Was the Weekend News Director/Production Assistant at Channel12/Rhinelander in 2001
- Married in 2000 to Lisa from Appleton, WI
- Two children: Sylvia, age four, and Stella, age two
- Loves the Porcupine Mountains, Sylvania and his own backyard (Chequamegon N.F)
- Currently lives in Lac du Flambeau
- Has climbed mountains in Mexico!

Ozzie is excited to get the summer started. He has already begun untangling massive piles of ropes and carabiners at the ropes course shed, and has had the opportunity to fill out a maintenance request form, which is fun. Here are three things he's pumped about:
-Seeing Camp running and working at full capacity
-The spring-to-summer transition at Camp
-Paddling with you!

Welcome, Azael, to Camp Manito-wish! We are fortunate to have you working with us.