Camp Horseshoe for Boys
Camp Horseshoe is a traditional summer camp for boys that is located in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, and was established in the year of 1932. The camp was started by Maurice Arthur Hirshberg ("Doc H")and his partner Al Engelhardt. Doc H and Al Engelhardt were co-directors until Al left it in the hands of Doc H, eventually. In 1990, the camp closed and was reopened by former camper, Jordan Shiner and his wife Fran. The camp is currently owned and operated by Jordan and Fran Shiner. Camp Horseshoe offers such activities like sailing, skiing, basketball, volleyball as well as trampball (four square on trampolines). Horseshoes' traditions teach kids to set goals and to keep trying. When the camp was reopened in 2004, new traditions begin, but most traditions were kept.
Campers
The campers at Camp Horseshoe are boys ages 8–16 who come from all over the country (including Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Miami, Dallas, Phoenix, Maryland, Sacramento, Nashville, Los Angeles, and Milwaukee). The age groups stretch from Pioneers to Cabin 14ers. Campers play leagues (big and small) after a combine and a draft by league coaches. All the league teams compete in multiple sporting events from soccer to flag football (big leagues) and from basketball to tramp-ball (small leagues). Campers set goals for themselves to complete Na Ta Ne, a tradition where campers can try to do activities for a certain number of points and try to get 150 points. Then they are inducted into a Na Ta Ne family. The families include Bear Family, Sun Family, Dancer Family, Wolf Family, Sage Family, Friend Family, Dancer Family, Fire Family, Falcon Family, Eagle Family, Bobcat Family, Bison Family, Moon Family, Star Family, Spruce Family, Sky Family, River Family and more. If a camper makes Na Ta Ne, they can go for Golden Horseshoe and have their name on more plaques in the mess hall. If a camper completes Golden Horseshoe, they receive an adjective in front of their Na Ta Ne Family (for example: Sparkling Oak). Every new camper will receive a big brother (will have parties with his big brother) and a medallion that they can add to after making Na Ta Ne. Na Ta Ne and Golden Horseshoe are optional.
Spirit
Horseshoe shouts and sings cheers so they can be heard from way outside of the mess hall. After sports games the sportsmanship is brought by both the winning and the losing teams by cheers they recite to one another.
Traditions
Horseshoe sings songs like "Hail to the Forest" that lead into taps and is competitive with events like Shoe Madness and Green/Blue. Shoe Madness has 10 teams (colleges) that complete for a mess hall plaque in many events. With song and skit to playing basketball on the Complex Courts, Shoe Madness is very exiting. Green/Blue (Second Session) is intense with sporting events and a super relay race at the end. Two energetic teams (Blue and Green) pump up the spirit until the very end. A newspaper is sent out every year called the "Horseshoe Review".
Accreditation
Camp Horseshoe for Boys is a member of the American Camp Association.
External links
Coordinates: 45°39′46″N 89°16′43″W / 45.662797°N 89.278743°W