The Outpost Village Is Here!
This past year, we’ve been writing blogs and posting updates on The Outpost Village. We’ve talked about the program, activities in and out of camp, and events we ran. But there was one thing missing in all of this: photos of the actual village.
Up until now, we haven’t shared any photos of The Outpost Village simply because there wasn’t anything to share. Supply chain delays, inclement weather, and some more inclement weather to top if all off really tested our patience. Now we can say- it was worth the wait! The yurts are up, the pavilion built, the plant garden planted, grassy field laid, and the firepit christened. We are excited to finally be able to share photos of the developing village with everyone!
The Yurts
There are two custom designed, 30-foot yurts in The Outpost Village. One of the yurts was named “Mekorot M.A.P.” by Chi Alumni Laurie Greiman, Marcie Achler and Sue Donley-Klein, in memory of their parents; the Hebrew word “Mekorot” translating to “foundation”. Each has the capacity to house about 20 campers and staff, and are actually bigger than our cabins! The yurts were definitely a hit during our First Flagpole tour, with “oooo”s and “aahh”s echoing out the doors and windows from those inside. With brand new bunk beds, cubbies, and rugs, The Outpost Village yurts will be the talk of the town this summer!
The Pavilion
Our beautiful pavilion, named the Greiman Family Pavilion, A.K.A. “Big Al’s Place,” towers next to the entrance to The Outpost Village. Big enough to fit the whole village underneath, the pavilion is equipped with special designed tables, indoor/outdoor lighting, and outlets. The space is big and open, perfect for providing shelter from the rain or a shady spot on a sunny day. Sitting underneath the curved wooden archways and crafted beams, one can see why this is the coolest pavilion in all of camp!
Native Plant Garden
The massive garden in The Outpost Village consists of 200 Wisconsin native woodland semi-shade plants (perfect for The Outpost Village). Planted by Chi Alumni Bill and Vicki Goldberg, the garden was designed to bloom various times throughout the summer, meaning it can be enjoyed by all of camp all summer long. The plants in the garden will grow anywhere from 3 to 6 feet tall (taller than most campers), and includes a secluded sitting area and winding paths.
The Field
Tucked into the back of The Outpost Village is almost 20,000 square feet of grass. Sourced from a local sod farm just down the road from camp, The Field is basically a third athletic field! Perfect for sports, playing cards, or just hanging out, this shady spot will be an Outpost Village favorite.
Firepit
At the heart of The Outpost Village is The Firepit. Both the geographic and spiritual center of the village, the brand new pit includes a grate for cooking, and is surrounding by benches crafted by a local furniture store. Nightly campfires here with music, stories, and s’mores will have participants in The Outpost Village trying to figure out how to make one of their own during the rest of the year.