Alumni Spotlight- March 2016

Tuesday, March 29 by Sari Hirsch

Our March Alumni Spotlight features Stephanie Hokin Moss. For Stef, Chippewa is in the family…she went to CRC with her sisters and then her daughters and nieces were Chippies as well. She is incredibly enthusiastic about everything camp and now is one of the directors of Camp Lenox. We love that the camp tradition is being passed on even beyond Chippewa’s camp grounds and know that Stef is an amazing director- the campers and staff at Lenox are very lucky! Read below to learn all about Stef’s camp experience…it will bring back some good Chippy memories! Thanks Stef for sharing :).

What years were you at CRC?
I was at CRC from 1970-1982…I know, a long time! My parents made me stop!

Which summer was your favorite and why?
They all mesh together- I’m old! If I had to pick, I would have to say my Junior CIT summer (which doesn’t exist any longer) in the A-frame. Most of my friends were still returning to camp and we were stuffed in the A-Frame! We ran the BEST programs that summer and that was the beginning of the Bohemian Rhapsody lip sync act. I don’t think I will ever live that one down…But I must say, being on Tom Adler’s first staff in 1979 was the most amazing summer! We worked so hard to continue with all of the Chippewa traditions and get camp “cleaned up” for the 60 campers that attended that summer. It was like one big happy family…

What is your favorite camp memory?
Wow, there were soooo many! I have to say my favorite memory was when I was elected Grand Sachem of the White Team. I always loved Tan & White, and idolized the Grand Sachems each summer. When that moment became mine, I was so elated!

What was your favorite activity at camp?
My favorite activity changed throughout the years at camp. I either got more coordinated or my sister forced me to take them! I loved arts and crafts and theater, then began waterskiing and loved it! I stuck with that and taught waterskiing as a counselor for a few summers.

Were you a Tan or a White?
We’ve got the might, GO WHITES!!! I WAS GRAND SACHEM IN 1977…

How do you keep in touch with your camp friends?
Facebook has been the best way to keep in touch with my Chippie friends! Some of my friends have remained in my life since the day I left Eagle River. But I keep finding more and more Chippies out there on Facebook and love it! Then I learn that their girls know my girls, and so on and so on…the beauty of Social Media!

Where do you live now?
I live in Delray Beach, Florida.

What do you do?
I am a Camp Director!! My life has definitely gone full circle. I love my job, and my life as a camp director! Working with our youth keeps me young minded and on my toes! By attending Chippewa as a camper and staff person, I feel like I had my “masters” in camping before I even started!

What do you miss most about camp?
I definitely miss living with my best friends in a cabin for 8 weeks! The bonds and friendships I made at Chippewa have lasted a lifetime; and these women have remained in my life ever since! I miss pulling pranks and singing “our songs” at Friday night services around the campfire. OH, and borrowing clothes on a whim! Loved that!

Is there anything else you want to share with your Chippy family?
Yes…for all of the young alumni Moms who have not yet decided about sending their daughter(s) to camp…being an alumni is so much more than just attending a camp for a few summers. It’s YOUR legacy that you can hand down to your girls. You will be able to share a piece of your childhood that is so incredibly special. Each of my three girls went to CRC for 10 summers+, and our hearts will always share in our mutual love of Chippewa!