| HERB BELLER (written Jun 8, 2026) |
Each summer several campers became members of a select fraternity-like group called the “Braves”. This status signified a high ranking within the Waupaca Indian Tribe. It generally was bestowed on campers who had spent at least 2 or 3 summers at Camp and were well-liked and respected by other campers and counselors.
The pageantry surrounding the Braves tradition was especially memorable. Twice each summer, all campers were summoned after dark to the waterfront to greet Big Chief Skipper Kuklin and a few senior Braves bedecked in Indian garb as they paddled across Lake Stratton by torchlight and the sound of tom-toms. When the
canoes arrived at the beach, Skipper led everyone up the hill to the Brave Ring, which was situated across the road from the Mess Hall near the horseshoe pits.
The campers circled around the darkened ring while Skipper danced to the beat of the tom-toms chanting “Oh Great One give us fire!” Lo and behold, one of Skipper’s henchmen tripped a hidden wire and a huge bonfire suddenly erupted. Skipper continued to dance around the Ring until stopping in front of an anxious camper, tapping him on the shoulder three times, and proclaiming him a Brave. He repeated this process until all of the newly-minted Braves were identified.
Apart from the satisfaction of having been chosen, my recollection is that the only tangible benefit associated with becoming a Brave was a special trip to the
A&W Root Beer stand in Waupaca (the same reward for cabin inspection winners). The existing complement of Braves, however, did have a voice in recommending new Braves; and there was no doubt some “passed over” campers who felt that they may have been unfairly “black-balled” by Braves with whom they did not get along well. Nowadays, given especially the heightened sensitivity to DEI considerations, the establishment and perpetuation of select groups like the Braves might, at least for some campers, be viewed as potentially detrimental to their overall camp experience. |
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| WAYNE TOWNE (written Sep 9, 2018) |
The Braves secret society was Skipper's responsibility alone. A camper could become a Brave by points earned from attending classes, winning Track and Field events, nomination of a Brave or counselor, and Skipper's appointment. The Brave Ring was fenced off and only Braves could enter it. Brave night was an event that started with the Braves coming across Stratton Lake with fire balls on sticks between two canoes. Campers with chicken feathered head dresses and with towel breach cloths hit the shore and were led to the beach by Skipper. Modest Braves wore shorts under the breach cloth; the brave Braves did not even wear underwear. Skipper wore his usual long pants and shirt. He had a special blue and white head dress that eventually got moth eaten, but in the dark... They wanted food, water, and a fire. The entire camp surrounded the Brave Ring and a “Little Brave” started the fire without a match. A string to a cup of chemical and a bit of sugar did the job, but it looked like magic. All would have been spoiled if the Brave had just picked up a string and pulled it.
While the fire burned, the Braves in the ring picked out the camper who were on a list to become new Braves or close to be selected at the next Brave Night. Each Brave had one pledge to wait on him the next day. The pledge may be dressed with his underwear over his pants, his hat on backwards and any other thing a Brave could think of. The pledges had to make the bed of the Brave who selected them at the fire. After flag lowering that day, the pledges life was normal again. The Braves had a secret meeting to confirm the new Braves.
Oh yes, the food and water the Braves asked for. I did not forget that. It was a treat in the Mess Hall after the fire burned down. Soon after Brave Night, all the Braves took a trip to the A&W as part of the initiation of the new Braves. A Brave once told me it took place at the Rural Elementary School parking lot in Rural.
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