The 2025 Winter Campout at Camp Anokijig was one for the books! The Valley Nation was among the first groups to use the newly built lodge, and it did not disappoint – providing a warm and welcoming space for all.
The princesses spent much of the weekend on the frozen lake, slipping, sliding, and skating. Of course, no winter campout would be complete without a fierce broomball showdown – Princesses vs. Dads. The game was a nail-biter, coming down to a last-minute goal by the princesses to claim victory!
Unfortunately, Mother Nature didn’t deliver enough snow for cardboard sled races, but that didn’t stop the tribes from competing in a Castle Building Competition. Each tribe brought their own unique approach:
- The Fire Ferrets built the most fortified stronghold.
- The Snow Owls showcased their engineering prowess with Geodesic Dome.
- The Gray Wolves took a conceptual approach, constructing a castle entirely from firewood.
During the Fire Ceremony, the Gray Wolves set their wooden castle ablaze, providing warmth for the entire Valley Nation. The night culminated with the ceremonial burning of the Geodesic Dome as the tribes chanted, “Burn Geodesic Dome! Burn!”
The Snow Owls finally reclaimed the coveted Golden Arrow, parading it proudly around camp. However, the true trifecta of champions for the weekend goes to the Schindlbeck family, taking home three major prizes:
- The Giant Pan for the best chili.
- The candy jar prize for the most accurate guess.
- The Rat Sack for being fashionably tardy
With over 115 attendees, this was one of the largest winter campouts yet! A huge thank you to everyone who came out and made it an unforgettable weekend. We can’t wait to see you all at the Spring Campout!