NUSH Staff Visit House In The Wood

We had our May In-service at House In The Wood yesterday. Our 4th grade Rowe children were at camp so staff got to see them in action. They also dug in the compost pile for worms and had worm races, played Gagaball, Dug to China, watched birds at the Feeding station, and roasted marshmallows. The weather was sunny and beautiful so there was also a lot of lounging by the lake as well. We had catering from the local Mexican restaurant while our Rowe children had hamburgers in the dining hall.

Head Start Staff Arrive

Linda tries to decide if it is done.

Selfies

Nathan and Kali lead a Song

House In the Wood is operated by Northwestern Settlement

Settlement Family Gifts! Thank You!

The Settlement has always been fortunate to have incredibly generous support from its dedicated boards. This fall many families came through with extraordinary gifts, inspired by Kathy & Mike Elliott and Val & Bill Hall, whose recent support for House In The Wood has been transformative. With the Elliotts' support the expanded dining hall and new shower facility are under construction, and with the Halls' support the new Outdoor Education Center is soon to follow. Now we add to that.... 

Rouse Cottage, to be underwritten by Barb & Ted Rouse, is part of a three-building quad designed to house teen and family campers. The Rouses have been tremendous supporters of the Settlement in many ways: through Barb's leadership on the  North Shore Board and her tenure on the main board, currently serving as it's Secretary; through their early and continuous support of Rowe Elementary; and through countless resources they bring to the Settlement. Rouse Cottage is further testament to their dedication.

Anna Atkinson, president of the Evanston Board, has named The Truitt Family Office in the Outdoor Education Center.  Long-time Settlement leader Patty Johnson has also named a designation at the soon-to-be-built Outdoor Education Center - PJ'S Patio! We're sure kids will soon be saying "let's meet up at PJ's"!

Mimi and Mark Harris recognize that the arts have always been an integral part of the camp experience and have chosen to name the Harris Family Art Center. The space will continue to be the hub of artistic activity at House In The Wood.

House In The Wood is operated by Northwestern Settlement

Construction News...MORE Progress on New Kitchen Area

Here is a BEFORE picture, waaay BEFORE...

Before the Dining Hall had a screen porch in early 1990's.
The fence was to store cross county skis during winter camps.
In summer we had a vegetable garden in front.
Along the edge was a flower garden.

Yesterday they worked on the roof tresses and walls in the back area and it shouldn't be long before they have the whole thing enclosed.

House In The Wood is operated by Northwestern Settlement

Construction News...More Like a REAL Building Every Day!

Here is the latest picture from yesterday...

They are working today to get the whole building "under roof" as soon as possible so they can pump some heat into it and start on the inside. They still need to put the back roof on. It is snowing so that makes everything harder.

Yesterday, the plumber was also working on the shower house. THAT should be done early next week and the plan is to pour the slab in the shower house on THURSDAY.

House In The Wood is operated by Northwestern Settlement

Construction News...Elliott Lodge Walls!

Hey, the walls are starting to go up--I can actually see what it might look like! The -20 F temperatures and the snow has made the going slow.

FRONT--The two windows and door are framed in here.

BACK-Dining Hall Window Framed in

SHOWER HOUSE-Temp heat put in so we can start plumbing on Monday!

House In The Wood is operated by Northwester Settlement

Summer & Spring Staff NEEDED

We are looking for staff!

• 12 staff for Spring Outdoor Education Center
• 30 staff for Summer Camp.

We are accepting application NOW. Go to our website to fill out an application at www.houseinthewood.org.

We will be recruiting at colleges in January/February. Come talk with us.
Thursday, January 30--Western Illinois University, Macomb, Illinois
Summer Camp Job Fair 10am to 4pm.

Tuesdays February 4 and February 25--UW-Whitewater-Union
Mini Camp Job Fair from 10am to 2pm

February 18--UW-Stevens Point-Dreyfus University Center
Summer Camp and Recreation Fair 10am-3pm

February 19--UW-LaCrosse-Cartwright Center
Summer Job and Camp Fair 10am-3pm

Summer Camp Boating Lessons

Spring OEC Forest Lesson

Summer Camp Swim Lessons

House In the Wood is operated by Northwestern Settlement

Construction News...Floor In

Floor over the shower house is almost done...they are working on it again today. And yes it IS cold out there! It will be dangerously cold Monday and Tuesday (-14 for a HIGH!) so they will not be working those days. I am sure they can't wait until it is totally "under roof"!

Jerry, J.R. and Greg are back together again to work with Ron Deschner, general contractor. This is the same group that did all of the construction at camp in the last 30 years. In the 80's it was Val's Office/House improvements, Hickory House, Nature Center, Racoons Cabin, Squirrels Cabin, and the White Pines addition. In the 90's it was the two mini cabins and shower house improvements. And then in the early 2000's it was the Vittum Lodge addition.

Jerry and Greg

J.R.

Looking down into the new shower house.

Ron Deschner, General Contractor

House In The Wood is operated by Northwestern Settlement