CRIVITZ – The Friends of Camp Bird hosted Camp Bird Appreciation Day on Saturday, Sept. 19, offering community leaders, volunteers and former campers a chance to relive memories and reconnect with nature.
Despite the rainy weather, groups came out to enjoy guided camp tours, presentations in the nature center and special presentations.
Friends of Camp Bird Event Coordinator Dan Nommensen kicked off the presentations, speaking on the importance of the camp to the estimated 125,000 youth that have been visiting since 1943 as well as his personal connection that began when visiting as a child and continuing his father’s work with the user group Camp Bird for Lutherans.
Representative Jeff Mursau echoed Nommensen’s comments on the importance of Camp Bird, “Camp Bird isn’t just a piece of Marinette County’s history — it’s a place where history is still being made.”
As a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly Committee on Forestry, Parks and Outdoor Recreation, he stressed the lasting impact that nature-oriented programs have in a technology-heavy world.
“We’re not just trying to give our kids something fun to do for a few days. We’re giving them experiences that can shape them for the years to come,” he explained.
Representatives from a variety of user groups spoke about their experiences utilizing Camp Bird as a safe space for children to build confidence and learn new skills.
Justin Woulf from the Peshtigo School District and Stacie Witt from the Crivitz School District both recounted instances of kids gaining confidence during their first night away from home, embarking on hiking trips and building lasting friendships.
User groups that rent Camp Bird from the county have given kids from different counties, states and countries a chance to partake in the summer camp experience. Lutheran Girl Pioneers representative Amy Spaeth, 4-H representative Wally Hitt and Camp Bird for Lutherans representative Brian Zunker all reflected on the decades that their organizations have utilized the camp and shared their hopes for a successful future.
When planning for the future, the Friends of Camp Bird have been working to secure additional funding for the facility as funding sources become scarce.
Marinette County Board Chair John M. Guarisco said that the Marinette County Board of Supervisors supports Camp Bird and the parks system, but has been put into a difficult position due to state funding.
“The current system that the state of Wisconsin provides funding to counties with is antiquated and the county has had to make substantial cuts in personnel and services. This is not a new problem, but it’s become more and more severe the past few years,” Guarisco explained.
He urged community members to contact their representatives, adding, “We are sending representatives to insist that they continue to lobby for a greater share of the taxpayer pie for Marinette County.”
The Friends of Camp Bird utilized Camp Bird Appreciation Day not only to reflect on their past, but also to invite people to join in on their future endeavors. Nommensen was excited to share that the original donation goal of $10,000 was surpassed, having now hit $20,000.
Nommensen thanked everyone who donated to Camp Bird and those who came out to the event, including additional county board members, Marinette County Sheriff Randy Miller and the granddaughter and great-granddaughter of Charles Drewry, one of the people responsible for the founding of Camp Bird.
For more information about the Friends of Camp Bird, find their page on Facebook or visit https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/camp-bird-appreciation-day to make a donation and help reach their new goal of $25,000 by the end of the month.
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