2008 Summer Schedule
Click here to register
"Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books."
- Sir John Lubbock
|
|
|
"It was excited to try something I've never tried or even thought about trying. I think it was a great trip, with wonderful people, great leaders, and an experience I will never forget!"
"Emily had a great time on the caving trip! She was so excited about it she talked about it non stop for several days after she got home."
"The canoe trip was perfect and the river was beautiful! Both leaders knew a lot about living in nature. I loved canoeing around dam ponds, and trying to form our canoes into a raft, also sitting around the campfire at night talking and telling stories. I only wish it would have lasted longer."
"I loved South Manitou. It was like having our own island for 4 days.
I also liked the ferry ride to the island, although I was nervous at first. I want to go back again!"
"My most memorable experience was the fox that came to our campsite three times our first night on the island. I was really cool to see him up close, and personally it was quite fun to see other campers reactions."
|
|
Although the Crystalaire resident site on Crystal Lake has closed, we are continuing Crystalaire Camp in a slightly different format-- Crystalaire Adventures. Basically we are enlarging the trips program of Crystalaire and, this summer, are offering seven wilderness trips and two resident programs for teenagers. Check out the detailed information and schedules. If you think you may have "aged out" of resident camp, perhaps one of these trips are for you. Check them out.
If you're interested in an adventure trip but our offerings just doesn't fit into your schedule, or if you want a different trip, possibly with just you and several friends from school, or if you want to bring the parental units along, contact us. We can work with you to design a trips that fits your specific needs.
Of special interest for former Crystalaire campers-- check out a brief video on YouTube-- "Crystalaire final bell ring". The ringing was recorded on October 10, 2007, at closing ceremony attended by about 150 former campers and friends. Former Crystalaire campers will instantly recognize the sound!
Further information about the Crystalaire closing can be found at Mycampfriends.com
One of the first things folks saw when driving into Crystalaire was a huge mural painted on a tennis court wall. This painting didn't disappear! The mural , 16' tall and 32" wide, was dismantled this fall and is now installed in the Buena House garage. The garage, on Beuna Road near the Lookout parking lot, is a part of Camp Lookout, is used for winter storage AND, during the summer as the trips equipment storage and staging area for Crystalaire Adventures.
The photos from 2007 season have been posted under the photos tab above.
You can also view past adventure photos @
http://picasaweb.google.com/CrystalaireandLookouttrips
Check them out!
The 2008 Camp Lookout schedule is up and ready for you. Click the Lookout tab above for more information. A hard copy brochure is available by contacting the camp office.
The final EBay auction of cabin signs and plaques was recently held. If you missed out-- or with to make an offer on any of the remaining items please contact: Blake Compton email-- blake@crystalairecamp.com or phone at 231 352-7589.
|
|
Crystalaire Adventures are based on community involvement and every trip participant is included in helping to plan and prepare for the trip, to decide daily activities and itineraries as well as for daily chores including preparing meals, washing dishes, fetching water and making fires.
One of the most important aspects of Crystalaire Adventures is that they are focused on group interaction, making friends, having fun, being safe and most importantly enjoying beautiful natural surroundings. Through hiking, canoeing, backpacking or kayaking our goal is to help campers foster a sense of belonging to the natural world and a feeling of wonder for the environment to which we belong. We aim to lead trips that are not about conquering mountains or pushing personal limits, but that help us discover what it feels like to sleep out under the stars, come across a moose on a woodland trail, taste pancakes made over an open fire and sit around a campfire telling stories with a group of friends.
|
|
|
 |
Crystalaire Adventures & Camp Lookout Office
PO Box 1129
Frankfort, MI 49635
PHONE (231) 352-7589
FAX (231) 352-6609
info@crystalairecamp.com
|
|
A recent research study released by the American Camp Association and done by an independent research group which surveyed over 5000 families found...
- 96% of campers said that camp helped them make new friends
- 92% of campers said that camp helped them feel good about themselves
- 74% of campers said that at camp they did things they were afraid to do at first
- 70% of parents said their child gained self-confidence at camp
- 69% of parents said their child remains in contact with friends made at camp
- 63% of parents said their child continues to do activities they learned at camp
|
|
 |
|
Stop by to see us in these cities this winter. Never been to Lookout or Crystalaire before? Come to a camper reunion or camp fair to meet new campers, former campers, have fun and talk with us about coming to camp!
Fri Mar 14, 2008 |
Grand Traverse/Leelanau/Benzie
Friday March 14, 2008 5-7pm
Indoor Black Light Mini Golf at GalaxSea Golf in Traverse City--3655 Marketplace Circle
Event cancelled-- Contact EB or Blake at the camp office if you with us to reschedule it. |
Sat Feb 2, 2008 |
Cincinnati
Cincinnati Camp Fair held at Indian Hill Middle School. Visited with about 35 potential camp families. |
Sat Feb 9, 2008 |
Ann Arbor
3rd Annual CAMP GAMES IN THE PARK held at Gallup Park in Ann Arbor.
Over fifty campers, camp families and friends from the Detroit, Lansing/Okemos and Ann Arbor areas stopped by to play snow games and share popcorn and hot chocolate |
Sat Feb 9, 2008 |
Ann Arbor
The Ann Arbor Camp Fair held at Emerson School. Visited with about 50 potential camp families. |
Sat Jan 19, 2008 |
Chicago
Crystalaire and Lookout staff spent the day hosting mini-reunions at camper's homes all over the great Chicago area. The reunions featured sharing northern Michigan cherry pie and conversations with about 30 campers and their friends |
Sat Jan 26, 2008 |
St. Louis
Camper & staff reunion held at the St. Louis City Museum exploring the five story outdoor jungle gym. About 10 campers and friends attended. |
Sat Jan 26, 2008 |
St. Louis
St. Louis Camp and Summer Program Fair at Mary Institute. Visited with about 50 potential camp families and former campers. |
Sat Mar 15, 2008 |
Spring Lake/Grand Rapids
Spring Lake/Grand Haven/Grand Rapids/Muskegon area
Ice Cream Social Saturday March 15, 2008 3:30-4:30pm at Sweet Temptations--621 Miller Drive in Grand Haven
Event cancelled-- contact EB at camp office if you think we should reschedule! 231.652.7589 or eb@lookoutsummer.com |
Sun Feb 10, 2008 |
Birmingham
Detroit Area Camp Fair held at the Birmingham Schools Conference Center
Visited with about 75 potential camp families |
Sun Feb 3, 2008 |
Columbus
Camp Reunion held at a camper's grandparents home featuring Graeters Ice Cream. Eight people attended. |
If you would like to host or help plan an event let us know.
|
|
Staff are the cornerstone of any adventure program. We select staff from enthusiastic college students and graduates, primarily from the Midwest, but also from all over the world.
When hiring staff, we look for people who possess interest and experience in a variety of fields, who have a good measure of flexibility, and have solid communication and listening skills with a healthy respect for the viewpoints of others.
We look for creative, people-centered staff embers who are willing to take on the responsibility to be solid role models. We strive for about all of the staff to hold certifications in either Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness First Aid and for all of our staff to hold current Lifeguard certification. As part of our staff training, we offer specific training focusing on type of adventure and location.
and , the owners/directors of Crystalaire Adventures and Camp Lookout have been working in camps for over 30 years, directing Crystalaire since 1976, owning Crystalaire since the mid 80's and owning Lookout since 1995. They met while working at YMCA camp in Pennsylvania in the early 70's, were married at Crystalaire and, in general, have had camping as a central focus of their lives.
Email Dave (dave@crystalairecamp.com)
Email Kathi (kathi@crystalairecamp.com)
has been the Trips Program Director of Crystalaire Adventures since 2004. He has lead Adventure Education and Environmental Educations Programs for a number of Chicago based youth organizations. Prior to coming to Crystalaire, Blake worked for the National Park Service as a Wildlife Biologist and a Backcountry Ranger specializing in Search and Rescue.
Email Blake (blake@crystalairecamp.com)
|
|
 |
 |
Dr. H. Frayzer Mattson remembered the founding of Crystalaire (then known as Osoha) like this: "Osoha was started by my parents, mainly by my mother, Elizabeth Dudley Mattson. At the time, my father was pastor of the First Congregational Church in Manistee. There wa very little capital to start with-- a situation which never did improve very much. They were able to rent the Mills Cottage, now the Benzonia Library, for two months each summer for the first three or four years."
Click here for the rest of the story....
If you have historical information, photos, brochures about the camp and would be willing to share them with us for an eventual donation to the Benzie Area Historical Museum, please contact the camp office.
|
|
|
