Referrals – How Current Families and Alumni Help Camp Chippewa Thrive
One thing that makes Camp Chippewa such a special place is the camaraderie within its community. Strong ties of brotherhood exist between campers from different home states, age groups, and even generations. Campers return home each summer having found lifelong friends and mentors.
Our high return rate is both a cause and effect of Camp Chippewa’s close-knit community. Excluding those who graduate from the CLT (Chippewa Leadership Training) program, an impressive 80% of campers return for another summer. Over a 90-year history, Camp Chippewa has thrived on high return rates not only among campers but also counselors, kitchen staff, and even directors (four director teams over 90 years speaks to remarkable longevity!).
Heading into the 2025 summer season, 72% of campers have already re-enrolled. By the enrollment deadline in April, we expect our historically “later-to-enroll” families to bring us to about 87 returning campers. This leaves us needing 49 new campers to fill camp. So, where do these new campers come from?
The Sources of New Campers
Since 2020, Camp Chippewa has welcomed new campers from three primary sources, each contributing about one-third of the new camper enrollment:
1. Camper Referrals
So many kids return to each year because they love it—and they want to bring their friends! Many parents are also eager to share how much their sons have grown at summer camp with friends and coworkers. These personal testimonials are invaluable in introducing new families to Camp Chippewa.
2. Alumni Referrals
Many of our alumni send their sons to camp—in some families, as many as three generations have attended Camp Chippewa! Our strong alumni network often inspires new families by sharing heartfelt recommendations and cherished stories from their time at camp.
3. Google Searches
The final third of our new campers come from families searching for overnight summer camps online. These parents are often drawn to Camp Chippewa’s emphasis on character growth, leadership development, and time-honored traditions. And, of course, many are excited to replace the heat of the city with a Minnesota summer on Cass and Buck Lake—who could blame them?
To fill camp in 2025, we need 25 more camper referrals from our families and alumni. This is where the Camp Chippewa community shines.
The Importance of Word-of-Mouth Referrals
With two-thirds of our new campers each year coming from word-of-mouth referrals, we rely heavily on our current families and alumni to spread the word. To express our gratitude, we offer the following incentives:
- Camper Referrals: Campers who bring a new friend or family member to camp receive the newest Camp Chippewa Legends Collection t-shirt. Only a handful of these are made each year. For 2024, it was the ever-popular Phil Shirt. In 2025, campers will earn the RP Shirt!
- Family Referrals: Families who refer a new camper receive a 10% discount on their camp tuition. Some families choose to donate this discount to Camp Chippewa’s Scholarship Fund, while others use it to help offset the cost of sending multiple boys to camp.
- Alumni Referrals: Alumni who refer a new camper will also receive a Legends Collection t-shirt. As a thank you, alumni are invited to stay at Camp Chippewa’s Alumni Cabin and visit for Alumni Reunions.
Thank You for Your Support
Thank you to everyone who helps Camp Chippewa sustain its enrollment each year. Your support ensures that we continue building a community of happy campers and strong leaders. Together, we are moving closer to celebrating 100 years of Camp Chippewa!
If you know a family who might love Camp Chippewa, please share your story or invite them to visit our website. Referring a new family on our website only takes a few seconds. Let’s work together to fill camp and keep our traditions alive for future generations!