Tradictionary
A Guide to Foley Lingo and Traditions
A Message From Luca, Foley Camper
Learn a little about our Traditions and Lingo!
Alpha Games: Previously known as Banquet Day, Alpha Games is the all-camp event that is held on the last full day of camp before the campers go home. It is a color war set up, where campers are assigned a team and compete against each other in a variety of challenges. The challenges change every year, with examples from previous years being an all-camp game of capture the flag, and building boats out of materials and racing them on Whitefish Lake. Read more on Alpha Games here.
Activity Guide: A booklet of all the activities camp has to offer. The book has a description of the activity as well as the requirements for any award campers can receive at the activity. The book is sometimes given to each camper or placed in the cabins to be used as a reference tool throughout each session.
Anchor Award: The Anchor Award is a special award that is handed out to one boy and one girl (sometimes two boys or two girls) each session every summer. Campers that have been at camp for more than five weeks are eligible to win this award. Counselors have the privilege of nominating the campers that they think are deserving of this award. The Admin team then takes the list of nominations to then decide the one girl and one boy winner of the award, and are ultimately responsible for the final say of who wins. The Anchor Award is given to someone who is a good representation of the camp community, someone who is friendly, kind and a positive role model for everyone. This award is not based on skills in a specific activity or popularity, but solely on character. There is a list of past Anchor Award recipients dating back to 1984 that hangs in the Dining Hall. Usually, prior to the presentation of the award, past recipients share what the Anchor Award means to them. Then, the most recent recipient (or someone who hasn’t presented the award) gives the award to the next recipient. The Anchor Award is more of a way of life rather than an award. The actual award is a small, gold anchor pin for the camp lanyards.
Arrival Day Celebration: After everyone has arrived cabin groups travel around to different stations: They go to the Swim Dock for the swim check (and get to snack on goldfish while hearing the rules), they visit the nurse, learn camp rules at the office (where they have the opportunity to fill their water bottle with lemonade) and they visit the Marina to learn boat safety and test lifejackets. Campers then sign up for activities and eat the traditional first night spaghetti dinner. After dinner, campers attend Opening Campfire and the Arrival Day Celebration comes to a close.
Awards Campfire (Closing Campfire): Awards Campfire is the final campfire at camp and occurs the night before campers depart for the summer. At this campfire, campers receive recognition for the awards they have earned over the past three weeks. Songs are traditionally sung at this campfire as well. There is a special story that Marie tells at the end of this campfire (sort of a tradition of itself). Like any Foley campfire, Awards Campfire is concluded by singing Taps. May also be referred to as Closing Campfire.
Bakers Square Night: A favorite meal among campers and staff alike, the Bakers Square meal consists of various kinds of soup, bread sticks, salad bar and dessert (usually some kind of pie). The uniqueness of this meal has to do with the dessert, as it is something not usually served at meals.
Beach Duty: Assigned to campers who need safety reminders on the waterfront like checking in/out at the Buddy Board, keeping lifejackets buckled or not adhering to other waterfront rules. Years ago campers were assigned to collect dead fish or to rake up the weeds that float and pile up on shore. It has evolved into picking up rocks in the shallow areas. Beach Duty isn’t assigned very often anymore… but it isn’t unheard of.
The Beach: A lake front property Camp Foley owns, with a shoreline on Whitefish Lake. It is the site of many of our closing campfires. The oldest campers in camp also camp out for a night here in lieu of going to the treehouses.
The Bell: The bell is a huge part of camp. Hearing the bell ring means one of two things. Usually, it’s rung to bring campers and staff to the benches for a meal. It is also rung to bring campers and staff to the benches case of an emergency. Hundreds, probably thousands, of campers have rung that boisterous bell calling campers and staff to the benches.
The Benches: A collection of benches sits in a horseshoe formation in front of the Dining Hall, and they are the heart of camp. Campers and staff gather at the benches before every meal, for all camp events, for emergencies, for certain activities and during free time simply to hang out. From left to right (when facing the lake) cabins sit youngest to oldest. Each cabin has two benches that are designated to them. As a rule, we do not stand on the benches, but we do have outdoor meals on them, sit on them to hear announcements about who has gotten awards at activities, gather on them in teams on banquet day, etc.
Birthdays at Camp: Birthdays at camp are very special. Traditionally, counselors will decorate the cabin for the birthday boy or girl. Then, at lunch, a ruckus is caused and the birthday boy or girl is brought to the front of the Dining Hall. The entire camp sings “Happy Birthday,” and then the staff sing the special “Foley Birthday Song.” The camper is presented with birthday cake (to be enjoyed by the cabin later). After lunch, campers follow the birthday boy or girl toward the waterfront signing, “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, we hate to do it, but we must we must.” Then, the cabin counselors have the joyous opportunity to throw the birthday kid in the lake!
Buddy Board: The Buddy Board is the safety system used at the Swim Dock and Marina at Foley. It is two boards (one at each place) that have hooks and Buddy Tags. Each camper has a number (their canteen number) assigned to them that has a Buddy Tag at each Buddy Board. Campers sign in at one of the two boards whenever they are at the waterfront. As the campers pass the Buddy Board on their way to the activity, they must take their Buddy Tag and sign into their activity so the staff knows they are in or on the water. Campers must sign in and out every time they enter and exit the waterfront.
The Bugle: The bugle was the original camp alarm clock. It was played over speakers inside and outside the buildings in the morning to rouse campers from their sleep. The song played was Reveille. The bugle is no longer sounded in the morning. “The Bugle” is also the name of the Camp Foley newsletter.
Canteen: Canteen generally happens after 4th period each activity day. Canteen includes the following: a variety of candy, ice cream, healthy snacks. Each camper can have one canteen per day unless Marie declares a DOUBLE CANTEEN! Special Canteen occurs on select days after the normal Canteen rush is over. It includes apparel items (sweatshirts, hats, t-shirts) and other miscellaneous items (toiletries, friendship bracelet string, camp chairs, water bottles). The amount of money campers have to spend at Special Canteen depends on how much money a parent puts into the camper’s account before camp.
CDO (Cute Dinner Outfit) Night: CDO Night usually takes place on the second Friday of the session. It began as one night for the Tekawitha girls to dress up for dinner. Once upon a time this meant jeans and a nice top. In the more recent years, CDO Night means sun dresses and skirts. Also in the more recent years, other cabins like Hiawatha and sometimes Mingo and Wahtassa get caught up in the glamour of CDO Night. Counselors are also invited to dress up (although dressing up for a counselor usually just means clean clothes).
CFC: A Camp Foley crush. Crushes are generally discouraged at Foley but never-the-less present every summer.
Cool-Off Swim: Cool-off Swims are an essential part of Foley, especially during the hotter days of July. After an especially vigorous activity or event, campers are encouraged to put on a swimsuit and jump into the lake as the sun sets. Cool-off swims are sometimes mandatory and traditionally occur after the dance and evening activities such as three-goal soccer or capture the flag. For cool-off swims the boys use the Swim Dock and girls use the Marina.
Departure Day: Departure Day begins with campers packing their last few belongings and hauling their bags from cabins to their departure location (typically spread around the Dining Hall). Breakfast consists of “depression donuts” and “misery muffins” – names given to the foods by campers due to the sadness felt by all because it’s the last day of the session. After breakfast, the buses are loaded with the campers departing for the airport or OLG (the Twin Cities drop off point). Everyone not leaving on a bus, lines up from the Dining Hall to the doors of the buses for a large hug line, ensuring goodbyes are said to everyone desired. Campers leaving by car get picked up after the buses depart. Camp empties and only the staff remain.
Dishwashers: Camp is feeding approximately 200 campers and staff at every meal and therefore has a ton of dishes that need to be washed after every meal. With this tremendous number of dishes come the wonderful campers who volunteer to wash dishes. Dishwashers don’t do it for the glory – they do it to cut tuition costs for their parents. Each camper who signs up to be a dishwasher gets money off of their camp tuition each time they wash dishes.
The Disk: The Disk is a red wooden circular disk that is used in attempting to achieve the Advanced Ski Award and the Intermediate Ski Award. One must be able to stand up on and rotate oneself on the Disk.
Double Canteen: Double Canteen is the act of receiving two canteens in one day. This can be a combination of two types of candy or ice cream, or a combo of a candy and ice cream. Back in the day, Double Canteen was only on Fridays and after Rest Period instead of after 4th period as it is today. Today, campers anxiously await the one day a session when Marie declares it’s the double canteen day.
Father John P. Foley: He was born in 1878. Father Foley was the Pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Faribault, MN for 36 years. He founded Camp Foley, at the time known as Camp St. Thomas, in 1924. Father Foley was very involved within the College of St. Thomas and was the President of the college at one point. He passed away in 1964.
Flashlight Time: Flashlight Time is the time after lights out. Campers may use this time to read or write letters. Campers are discouraged from talking during this time, but whispers and giggles are usually present.
Foley Green: The grassy field south of the Dining Hall (lake side) where many friendships are born. It is a common hangout spot for campers of all ages who are there enjoying the sun, making friendship bracelets, writing letters, playing interactive games, etc. Foley Green is also used for large camp events such as boys or girls night as well as pack events.
Foley Records: Much like the Guinness records, these are records that have been set by past Foley campers for a variety of different activities, from balancing golf balls, rolling an orange with your nose, coin spinning, broom balancing, to basketball free throws and card sorting. We have records dating back from the last 10, 20, 30 years!
Founders Day: Every session we have a day set aside to celebrate some of our older traditions in anticipation for our 100 year anniversary in 2024. We call it Founder’s Day in honor of our founder Father John P. Foley. We start the day with a flag raising ceremony and a calisthenics exercise, just like campers would do every morning for many years at camp. In the evening before dinner, campers are encouraged to dress up in nicer or “fancier” clothing and sit in the Dining Hall separated into boy and girl sides, a nod to when Foley first became co-ed and the boy and girl campers sat separately. We have a meal together and then enjoy a skit put on by the CITs about the history of Foley and how it has changed over the long years. Then the whole camp watches and participates in a talent show. It’s always amazing to see what hidden talent there is here at Foley, from piano playing, gymnastics, to singing opera and choreographed dancing. We cap the evening off singing traditional songs all together like “Found a Peanut” and “Clementine”. It’s a wonderful chance for all our campers to get a glimpse into the rich history of Camp Foley.
Free Swim: A time similar to Morning Fun but during the afternoon. It is one hour during which campers are allowed to choose their own activity. There are multiple options available to campers; options are listed on a whiteboard outside of the Dining Hall. Popular options include actual free swimming at the Swim Dock, playing at the water mat, 4-Square and Gaga Ball, Frisbee, friendship bracelet making or just hanging out in front of the Dining Hall at the Benches.
Friendship Bracelets: Small tokens of appreciation made by campers and staff for one another. String for bracelets is available at the camp store and designs for bracelets are passed along from counselors to campers and campers to campers.
Friendship Campfire: Friendship Campfire is one of the more serious and reflective events that take place at Foley at the end of each session. The girls go to the historic fireplace of Father Foley’s original house, and the boys bounce go to the Osawaka Firepit. The boys share a memorable moment, do some readings and have s’mores. For the girls, this is a time to have each cabin share a short skit, poem, story, etc. about what friendships at camp mean to that cabin. At both campfires the Anchor Award is presented to one boy and one girl. After the Anchor Award is handed out, the girls do a hug circle (started by the Anchor Award winner, every girl camper hugs every other girl camper) and then eat s’mores. The older girls often cry at Friendship Campfire, and it’s not unheard of for boys to cry too.
Fun Awards: Fun Awards are awards that are the non-ribbon awards at camp. These awards aren’t in the Foley Activity Guide and the requirements are made up by the counselors. These include things like the Closet Junkie (trying every piece of equipment in the Waterski Closet), Red Badge of Courage (an old Kayaking award), Super Surfer (a traveling Windsurfing award) and many others that are introduced or phased out each summer.
The Gong: A new addition in the new millennium. The gong hangs on a tree outside the Dining Hall. A privileged camper is granted the opportunity to “ring the gong” by hurling a large wooden hammer into an oversized frying pan, sounding for all campers attention. The Gong was also the name of Foley’s podcast, which only lasted a few seasons.
Grand Dance Festival: A longtime camp tradition, which has progressed over time. The dance is held within the last few days of camp, and all of the campers and staff are involved. The dance always has a fun theme (Nerds, MORP, Pajama, Beach, etc.), and everyone dresses up crazy. The counselors DJ and play songs that are fun for every age. Until recently, the dance was held on the Basketball Courts (or in the barn on rainy days). The summer of 2011 was the first summer that the dance was held in the Wabi Building, which is now decked out with lights and speakers for a real grand dance experience.
Greased Watermelon: An entertaining game played at the Swimdock. It involves placing some sort of slippery material (i.e. Vaseline) onto a watermelon. The watermelon is then placed in the water. A group divided into two teams proceeds to wrestle the watermelon; they attempt to wrestle it to their designated side of the dock. The game is over once the watermelon is placed on a teams designated dock.
Headlamps: Rather than using a flashlight, these are headbands with a light attached at the forehead. Very convenient for reading, writing letters and making friendship bracelets after lights out. Very often sported by counselors.
Hidden Lake: A small lake a short walk from the main grounds of camp. A small pretty lake where many campers go canoeing and turtle hunting. It opens up into Trout Lake.
Highs & Lows: Cabinmates share their high point low point of the day. This is generally done at night right after lights out as a way to wind down the night. Also known as Rose, Bud, Thorn.
Human Foosball: Added for the summer of 2004, this is a court that resembles a foosball table. Campers act as the actual foosball men by placing their hands through handles and holding onto a PVC pipe that slides on a metal bar inside the court. The pipes slide from side to side in order to move from side to side on the court. Campers must coordinate with the other campers on their bar in order to move efficiently. The rules of the game are just like foosball – everyone uses their feet to kick the ball and score a goal. To shakeup the game, two balls are thrown in to make it more intense.
Lip Syncs: This activity is generally only done on rainy days. Cabin groups choose a song, choreograph a dance or routine to the song and dress up in appropriate costumes. These routines are then performed in front of the entire camp in the Wabi or The Barn. Occasionally, there is no rainy day during a session, in which case lip syncs are performed out on Foley Green.
LIT/CIT: Leader in Training (or LIT) is a program open to high school aged campers. It is meant to teach leadership skills and allow the oldest campers to have more responsibility within the camp community. The LITs lead some of the non-activity day games and typically do some type of community service during the session. LITs must take the “LIT Class” during one of their five activity periods. Counselor in Training (or CIT) is a program open to 16-year-old campers during their last summer at camp. It gives the oldest campers more responsibility and helps prepare them to be a Foley counselor. CITs are assigned to a younger cabin to help out during the session. Helping out includes going to the treehouses with the cabin, staying with the cabin during rest period, attending evening activities with that cabin and assisting the counselors of the cabin before lights out. CITs must stay at camp for four weeks (two sessions). The CITs lead Opening Campfire their second session, assist in an activity they would one day like to teach and sit with the youngest campers at meals to assist the counselors.
Lower Mosquito: Lower Mosquito is where Opening Campfire happens each session. It is the closest campfire site that the entire camp can use. At one point, green tents were set up at Lower Mosquito as an overnight destination before the treehouses were constructed.
The Marina: The white cement building has been a landmark on Whitefish Lake since the 1960’s. Sailing, Windsurfing, Waterskiing and Wakeboarding, Canoeing and Fishing all take place at the Marina. The actual Marina building houses all of the necessary equipment for these activities.
Mail Call: Every camper longs to receive mail at camp. Currently, Mail Call happens between the 4th and 5th activity periods. Each cabin now has a “mailbox” in a kiosk at benches where their mail is placed when it arrives in camp. One member of the cabin will grab all the mail and distribute it to their cabin mates. Back in the day, before email was the most popular form of communication, Mail Call was held after lunch. Campers would sit on the Benches in cabin groups and listen for their name to be called out. (Handing out mail was a huge honor, usually a job for the counselor but sometimes a job for a lucky camper.) If you received five or more letters on one day, you would have a bucket of water dumped on your head. Just for fun. Back in the day, campers were allowed to receive packages from home, but packages had to be opened at a table in front of a D/AD so any contraband items like candy or gum could be taken away. Nothing was safe, teddy bears would be opened, books would be paged through, and clothes would be unfolded on the hunt for candy.
Malt Cups: A very coveted treat during canteen. A Malt Cup is a cup 
of malt chocolate ice cream, and you have a very small window of team to grab one when canteen begins every day after 4th period.
Muck Pond: To find the Muck Pond one must trek past the Paintball Courses, past the turn to Upper Mosquito and continue further into the depths of the forest. Campers have the opportunity to experience the Muck Pond when the cabin groups are taken out on special adventures. At the pond, campers wiggle their toes in the muck and make their best guess as to what the muck is made of. Then the crazy “muck diving” begins. This is a time to get as dirty as possible and just have a blast.
Opening Campfire: Held on the first night of every session (a part of the Arrival Day Celebration), Opening Campfire is one of the greatest traditions at Foley. It gets all of the people in camp fired up for the session by singing camp songs and watching a variation of skits that all relate to a central theme. All of the counselors are introduced as well as the CITs for the session. The night ends with a lot of new memories and the dulcet tones of the traditional campfire closing song, Taps.
Open Activities: Open Activities typically happens in-between regular signup days. These are generally activities that don’t require a lot of set up or maintenance (fishing, nature, paddle mania, tennis). Sometimes specific activities are open for campers that are trying to complete awards. Campers are allowed to bounce from activity to activity at their leisure. Open Activities generally go on for two or so hours to allow campers to try everything they want.
On Deck: Being called “On Deck” refers to being called next in line for the current meal. When called your entire cabin proceeds to the stairs of the Dining Hall and will be the next cabin to get your food.
Pack Groups/Tribes: Way back when, the camp was divided into Tribes for specific age groups. Now, the camp is divided into Pack Groups. There are Foxes (2nd to 5th), Coyotes (6th to 8th) and Wolves (9th to 11th). Many Evening Programs will involve more than one cabin from your Pack Group or may involve the entire Pack Group. For example, the boy Coyote cabins Kadigomeg, Shingwako and Seneca may join the girl Coyote cabins Micmac, Sacajawea and Menominee for a game of Capture the Flag. Pack Groups are not always made up of the same cabins, as cabins may move from Pack Group to Pack Group depending on the age of the campers living in it.
Pinning Ceremony: This ceremony takes place at Friendship Campfire, and is the time where each camper gets recognized for the number of years they have gone to camp. Campers are given a pin for their lanyard that corresponds with the number of years they have been attending Camp Foley. For example, any first year campers receive their 1st year pin, and so on. Staff normally receive their pins for that year at the last friendship camp fire of the summer.
Professor Squeegee: Professor Squeegee is the trained professional on the paintball video. He explains to the campers the rules of paintball and has a PhD in safety and having fun. He is watched every single period by campers before they play paintball. It should be noted that he is a paintball squeegee cartoon character.
Red Ribbon: The Red Ribbon was used long ago during camps earlier years. Campers who failed the Swim Test would be forced to wear a red ribbon around their neck. This helped the counselors know who might need help swimming. The ribbons were phased out awhile back when lifejackets were more commonly used and because the practice wasn’t very nice. Campers who wore Red Ribbons were known as “sinkers.”
Rice Krispie Treats: A delicious combination of crisped rice cereal (Rice Krispies), melted marshmallows and a dab of butter. At Foley, Rice Krispie Treats are cooked over a campfire while at the Treehouses or on a trip. They are cooked in an old tin can. Hands are cleaned using a combination of water from a water bottle and hand sanitizer after eating.
Riflery paper: The targets shot at riflery are made of paper and get recycled after each Riflery class and becomes scratch paper for anyone in camp to use. It is very pleasant to write on and is a favorite to use among most staff, and even campers.
Rose, Bud, Thorn: A closure activity that asks each camper to share the best part of their day, the rose, the worst, the thorn, and what they are looking forward to tomorrow, the bud. This exercise usually happens at night to the cabin a closure to the day and help everyone wind down.
Skillet Brownies: A treat reserved for Treehouses and tripping. Involves adding some “just add water” brownie mix and a splash of water to a cast iron skillet. The concoction is then carefully cooked over a campfire. In order to achieve the best possible result, one must have constant vigilance to prevent burning. Furthermore, the mix must be stirred throughout the cooking process. Skillet Brownies really do not resemble actual brownies, but rather a chocolatey, mush of semi-cooked brownies. Campers gather around the skillet when the brownies are done to eat. Each camper getting their own delicious portion.
Social Fishing: A popular activity that takes place as an evening program or during open activities. Campers fish off the end of the dock using bamboo poles and corn. The quest to catch a fish with such feeble bait is exciting! When fish fail to bite, campers utilize their time on the dock talking and singing songs.
Soda Bread: The traditional breakfast served to campers on Sunday mornings. It is similar to a coffee cake.
Song Book: A booklet of all the most popular camp songs. Some are available in each cabin and in the center of camp. They are particularly useful during campfires, to help one follow along to different songs that might be sung.
Spaghetti: Also known as the first meal of the session. Each arrival night, the first meal served is Spaghetti. Camp spaghetti is a goulash style pasta dish, meaning spaghetti noodles and marinara are already pre-mixed once it reaches the table. The meal is also traditionally served with garlic bread, corn, parmesan cheese and Jell-O.
Swamper Canoes: Canoes that have been used to the fullest in their classic use. These canoes have holes, dents and lots of memories embedded in them. They are now used for random camp activity days and fun competitions. These canoes are clearly labeled with large, red, spray painted “X”s and say “SWAMPER” in large letters.
Swim Across the Lake: On special days, under the perfect conditions (sunny skies, calm water, minimal boat traffic), campers are sometimes given the opportunity to swim across the lake. Campers would be boated across the lake to O’Brian’s point. Upon reaching the point, they would get out and begin to swim back to camp. Counselors lifeguard from safety boats being rowed alongside the camper. Campers get the choice to wear a lifejacket or go without. The swim is approximately a mile and a half, and the swimmers are usually greeted upon their arrival with cheering crowds and cowbells.
Tepee Island: A small island of land the Camp Foley owns on the Whitefish Chain (on Island Lake). Tepee Island is approximately 15 minutes east of camp by pontoon ride. The location is occasionally used as a place for cabin overnights or one-day canoe trips. The island is frequently used as a snorkeling destination for the Beaver level Snorkeling class. In the past, Tepee Island has been used as a destination for special events on special, non-activity days.
Tin Foil Dinners: Tin Foil Dinners, more commonly known as TFDs, are first and foremost delicious. These meals are often made on trips or overnights (such as to the tree houses). There are many ways to create a TFD, but the essentials include: starting with a foot-longish piece of tin foil, smearing it with butter and adding a dash of salt, pepper and garlic salt. The creator then adds the main components: ground beef, onions, carrots and potatoes. Vegetarians may choose to omit the ground beef, and in recent years, peanut butter has become an interesting addition to the TFD.
TNC: That’s Not Foley (TNC for short) is a term used to remind campers or staff to do and say appropriate things at Foley. People can be heard saying, “TNC” in response to inappropriate actions or language.
Treehouses: The Treehouses were added to Camp Foley in 2007. Each cabin gets to spend one night in one of the Treehouses. At the Treehouses cabins cook their dinner (Hotdogs for the Foxes, Pizza Pies for the Coyotes and Tin Foil Dinners for the Wolves) and make a dessert (Rice Krispie Treats, Skillet Brownies or S’mores). Campers play various evening games depending on which Treehouses you go to (Lower Treehouses or Upper Mosquito/Treehouses).
Upper Mosquito: This is the campsite where most Awards Campfires take place. While it takes a bit of time to get to Upper Mosquito, the trek is often looked forward to as a time to talk and joke with cabinmates. The campfire site is surrounded by wooden benches and is encircled by tall trees, but if you look up on a clear night, you’ll see the stars. Upper Mosquito is home to the Upper Treehouses as well.
Washo: The Washos are the buildings that house the restrooms and showers. Three Washos are located in camp. The West Washo is for the girls, and the boys have the East and Mid Washos.
Waterfront Toys: Over the years, there have been a vast number of water toys available for campers at the Swim Dock. Past campers may remember the black inner tubes with the long metal piece to fill the tube with air (that always managed to jab you in the leg). Now campers know the lime green inner tubes and noodles. There was once a volleyball net for shallow, water volleyball games, and there is still a basketball hoop. There have been Fun Bugs, a paddle boat, white boards and red and yellow kayaks. At one time there was a raft anchored out for campers to jump off of, the Saturn, and the Log. Currently a couple of water mats and water swing reside at the swim dock for campers to enjoy!
Wheelhouse: This is the name of the building that houses the Counselor break room, where counselors can store certain belongings and hang out when not working. It is one of the few places campers are not allowed to enter, so lots of mystery and intrigue surround the building.
Retired for Now…
Arrival Day Celebration: When campers arrive at camp a great celebration takes place. Counselors, and campers who were dropped off by car, make a long line and cheer and jump around when the coach buses arrive. When a camper comes off of the bus a director will shout his/her name and cabin to the camp community. The cabin that the camper is joining will reply with cheers and shouts of joy.
Beach Duty: Assigned to campers who need safety reminders on the waterfront like checking in/out at the Buddy Board, keeping lifejackets buckled or not adhering to other waterfront rules. Years ago, campers were assigned to collect dead fish or to rake up the weeds that float and pile up on shore. It has evolved into picking up rocks in the shallow areas. Beach Duty isn’t assigned very often anymore… but it isn’t unheard of.
Bus Lunches: One of the ways campers can arrive to Foley is by bus. The two buses are known as “The Airport Bus” (because it comes from and goes directly to the airport) and “The OLG Bus” (because it picks up and drops of campers from the Twin Cities at Our Lady of Grace Church in Edina, MN). When campers take the bus to camp, a weird sensation runs through the campers called hunger. Camp Directors found a way to deal with this problem, “Bus Lunches.” These have changed over the years. Not long ago, campers would get a lunch from McDonald’s. Now campers receive bagels, cream cheese, Chips Ahoy Cookies, chips and an apple. Camper do not receive silverware, so learning how to skillfully get the cream cheese onto the bagel has become somewhat of a rite of passage.
Change Over: When we used to have 4 2-week sessions, between sessions, the four-week campers would do a variety of activities in the absence of the two-week campers. Typical out-of-camp changeover activities include: mini golf, going out for pizza, visiting a local water park or going to a movie. In camp, campers may go swimming, hang out on the dock, watch a movie in the loft or enjoy a sleep-in day.
Banquets: The last full day of camp was known as “Banquet Day.” There was always a special theme that was new each year. Past examples include Harry Potter, Out of this World, Flintstones, etc. New in 2019 began Alpha Games (see above). This new end-of-session celebration replaced the Banquets Day but kept with the idea of a theme, an all-day challenge and a final banquet meal. Alpha Games operates in a color-wars type of event and is becoming the new tradition for Foley campers. Read more under Alpha Games.
Red Ribbon: The Red Ribbon was used long ago during camps earlier years. Campers who failed the Swim Test would be forced to wear a red ribbon around their neck. This helped the counselors know who might need help swimming. The ribbons were phased out awhile back when lifejackets were more commonly used and because the practice wasn’t very nice. Campers who wore Red Ribbons were known as “sinkers.”
Morning Fun (11:30 Fun Time): Morning Fun is one hour right before lunch which campers may choose their own activity. The available options can be viewed on a whiteboard on the porch of the Dining Hall. Popular options include crafts, Rec Center activities, socializing on the Benches or Foley Green, etc. Morning Fun used to be the half hour before lunch and was once called 11:30 Fun Time. Sometimes longtime campers or staff may slip up and refer to Morning Fun as 11:30 Fun Time.
The Tipi: The Tipi is a symbolic piece of Native American culture and there was once one set up at Foley. It was set up on a wooden deck, complete with fire pit in the middle. Cabin groups would come and sleep in the Tipi for overnights. Circling up around the fire pit. The Tipi is now gone, but the campsite and wooden deck remain as the location for Woodskills.
Umgawa: The Great Umgawa Festival long part of the camp tradition with tales of its events being recorded in the 50s, 60s and 70s. Chief Umgawa would reign over the Tribes as they would compete in Swimming, Sailing and Canoeing competitions. Recorded were games of greased watermelon, tug of war, counselor versus CIT/LIT water basketball, sail regattas against other camps, canoe fills and a parade of floats.
Grand Dance Festival: A longtime camp tradition, which has progressed over time. The dance is held within the last few days of camp, and all of the campers and staff are involved. The dance always has a fun theme (Nerds, MORP, Pajama, Beach, etc.), and everyone dresses up crazy. The counselors DJ and play songs that are fun for every age. Until recently, the dance was held on the Basketball Courts (or in the barn on rainy days). The summer of 2011 was the first summer that the dance was held in the Wabi Building, which is now decked out with lights and speakers for a real grand dance experience.