Over 50 Years of Giving Back to Camp
This article is in memory of Jerry Neseth and his incredible leadership to his Camp Ihduhapi team. Special thanks to the following Ihduhapi leaders who shared their stories: Bruce Benidt, Charlie Bjerken, Peggy Burns, Phil Griffin, Mike and Marilyn Jorgensen, Dave King, Doug Mellema, Terry Merritt, Jack Mertes, Mark Neseth, Greg Rosholt, Al Sterner, Linda Wareham, and Jim Werpy.
YMCA Camp lhduhapi staff alumni and camp counselors from the 1970s have an extraordinary record of giving back. They have volunteered on lhduhapi's community board, raised funds for the Welcome Center and outdoor Chapel, hosted annual jambalaya/shrimp boils for incoming summer staff, and many are paying this dedication forward with future legacy gifts for camp.
What was it about this '70s alumni group that produced a class of life-long philanthropists? We visited with over a dozen leaders to learn lhduhapi's secrets of success.
During these visits, the camp alumni repeatedly echoed a deep respect for Jerry Neseth, their Camp Director. With his strong leadership and tireless work ethic, Jerry empowered his young team with the skills needed to navigate not only the demands of camp, but future life challenges.
These counselors learned to draw out the timid and manage the rowdy. To get good behavior, they realized that you first must model good behavior, a mantra they learned firsthand from Jerry.
The counselors remember that camp activities began promptly at 6 a.m. They were usually finishing tasks late in the evening to prep for the following day, so a good night's sleep didn't come often. Camp sessions only lasted 7-1 2 days, but the counselors often impacted these youth even during the short stays. The fast moving pace of activities from hiking, archery, music and singing, to nightly campfires and maintenance day-afterday was tiresome. Our former counselors emphasized that being away from home and leading young people was intense, but incredibly rewarding. The staff mentioned that communication skills rapidly develop when you "listen, don't preach" and "pull, don't push." Nevertheless, the friendships and confidence that each rigorous day brought to the young campers made the wilderness experiences well worth it.
Fast-forward 50 years- the love and memories built during the 70s are still strong. It is safe to say that our alumni developed strong physical, mental, and spiritual growth decades ago at Camp lhduhapi, and these values transformed into giving back in so many critical ways.
"WE DON'T WANT TO JUST SUSTAIN CAMP. WE WANT IT TO CONTINUE TO GROW, THRIVE, AND HAVE THE RESOURCES NEEDED TO ADAPT TO ITS EVER-CHANGING NEEDS." -IHDUHAPI 1970s CAMP TEAM