The one consistent message that alumni, campers, parents, leadership, and staff share when they talk about “camp” is the recurring theme of tradition. The traditions of camp are long-standing and deep-rooted. These traditions are passed on from generation to generation, and they far exceed the trends and latest gadgets that so often come and go. These are woven into everything we do at Towering Pines, and they are one of the significant reasons that campers and counselors come back year after year to spend their summers in the Northwoods.
Our camp culture provides many opportunities for new memories to be created and shared with both old and new campers, counselors and staff. It is a cycle that encourages balance and consistency, and yet allows for change and growth. And just as TP has its long-standing traditions that foster connections amidst our camp family, many other families also have their own holiday customs that bring them together. Our camp team shared some of their families’ holiday traditions . . .
These are a few of our favorite things . . .
What is your favorite holiday food?
Jeff: This is a tough one, but fondue on New Years is a Jordan tradition, or stuffing, which I used to hate.
Jonathan: Stuffed chickens
Jon: Green bean casserole
Andrea: Lobster tail
Will: Anything with gravy
Jan: Cranberry orange relish
Angie: Soup and cinnamon rolls
What is your favorite holiday movie or TV show?
Jeff: I love the “Heat Miser and Cold Miser” in “The Year Without a Santa Claus.”
Jonathan: “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” or the newest “Grinch”
Jon: “It’s a Wonderful Life”
Andrea: “Trains, Planes and Automobiles”
Will: “Home Alone”
Jan: “Elf!!”
Angie: I’m with Jeff—Heat Miser and Cold Miser rock it out! I
Jeff: Too many to name but probably Uker
What is your favorite activity to do with your family during the holidays?
Jeff: Puzzles or cross country skiing
Jonathan: Decorate the house, listen to lots of holiday music, drink hot chocolate
Jon: Decorating the the outside of the house
Andrea: Making Christmas Cookies
Will: Read quietly by the fire
Jan: Snowshoeing
What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Jeff: New Years Eve Fondue for the whole family
Jonathan: St. Nicholas Day is on Dec. 6th so we put our shoes outside our doors to wait to see if there is a gift waiting inside the shoes in the morning.
Jon: Opening gifts on Christmas Eve
Andrea: Caroling
Will: Weird beard competition
Jan: Lasagna on Christmas Eve with just our family opening stockings and sitting around a fire watching movies.
Angie: Sitting in our living room with the holiday lights after everyone else is asleep
What is your favorite holiday dessert or treat?
Jeff: Birds Nest Cookies, an Anne Jordan classic!
Jonathan: White Chocolate covered oreos
Jon: Christmas cookies
Andrea: Fruitcake
Will: Crinkle cookies
Jan: Gingerbread cookies
Angie: Cinnamon rolls and peanut butter balls
What is your favorite book from your childhood or teen years?
Jeff: Lord of the Rings
Jonathan: Chronicles of Narnia series
Jon: A Stone for Danny Fisher
Andrea: Little Women
Will: Enders Game
Jan: The 1st that comes to mind is JAWS!
Angie: A Little House Christmas
What is your favorite holiday song?
Jeff: N/A
Jonathan: ‘Zat You, Santa Claus?, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Jon: The Christmas Song (Chestnuts roasting on an open fire . . . )
Andrea: Mary, Did You Know
Will: Baby its Cold Outside
Jan: Oh Holy Night
Where is your favorite place to spend the holidays?
Jeff: CAMP!!
Jonathan: With family in Louisiana or Houston
Jon: My home
Andrea: with family wherever they are
Will: Camp!
Jan: Eagle River, Wisconsin (always has been!)
Angie: We’ve been spending Christmas Eve at my grandparents’ house, which is now my house, for almost 50 years.
If the weather outside is frightful, may you all have a cozy and safe place to be. May you find ways to bring joy to the world by sharing a little kindness with both friends and strangers. If you have a chance to spread peace on earth, you’ll impact the lives of many. We hope that the holidays with your family and friends are both merry and bright!!
From all of us at camp, thank you for helping us build fond memories amidst the Towering Pines in our Northwoods home.
Angie Ziller
- Camp Mom at TP
- Leadership Staff at TP/Office Manager
- Marketing TP/Woodland
- Leadership Team TP/Woodland
- Assistant Waterfront Director at Woodland
- Counselor at Woodland
- “Building in our hearts fond memories, Towering Pines for you.”
