What a weekend! Over 130 members of Valley Nation made the trek to Camp Benson in Mount Carroll, Illinois this spring, and the experience was nothing short of legendary. From thrilling adventures to fierce tribal competitions, Camp Benson delivered unforgettable memories for dads and daughters alike.

Camp Benson offered a mix of excitement, nature, and challenges. Princesses climbed high into the trees to soar through the forest on the zip line, while other princesses tackled multiple rock-climbing courses on the Mt. St. Benson. The vertical playpen tested coordination and teamwork, and the black hole twilight zone tube slides had everyone racing back and forth. Princesses were also able to test their aim and focus with archery, atlatl spear throwing, and hatchet tossing. Creativity was on full display at the rock painting station, and the serene grotto hike provided a peaceful break amid all the action.

The ceremonial fire on Saturday night was a true highlight of the weekend, and the Snow Owls had the honor of serving as the fire starters. With pride and the goal of the largest ceremonial fire, they ignited a towering trifecta of firewood - carefully built to represent the unity of our three great tribes. Rising over 10 feet high, this may have been the largest ceremonial fire in Valley Nation history. As the flames roared into the night sky, the message was clear: though we are many tribes, we stand as one Valley Nation. The warmth, light, and spirit of that fire will carry with us until we gather again. Thanks to all who joined, and especially to the chiefs, organizers, and volunteers who made it happen. See you at the next campout!

The 2025 Winter Campout at Camp Anokijig was one for the books! The Valley Nation was among the first groups to use the newly built lodge, and it did not disappoint - providing a warm and welcoming space for all.

The princesses spent much of the weekend on the frozen lake, slipping, sliding, and skating. Of course, no winter campout would be complete without a fierce broomball showdown - Princesses vs. Dads. The game was a nail-biter, coming down to a last-minute goal by the princesses to claim victory!

Unfortunately, Mother Nature didn’t deliver enough snow for cardboard sled races, but that didn’t stop the tribes from competing in a Castle Building Competition. Each tribe brought their own unique approach:

• The Fire Ferrets built the most fortified stronghold.
• The Snow Owls showcased their engineering prowess with Geodesic Dome.
• The Gray Wolves took a conceptual approach, constructing a castle entirely from firewood.

During the Fire Ceremony, the Gray Wolves set their wooden castle ablaze, providing warmth for the entire Valley Nation. The night culminated with the ceremonial burning of the Geodesic Dome as the tribes chanted, "Burn Geodesic Dome! Burn!"

The Snow Owls finally reclaimed the coveted Golden Arrow, parading it proudly around camp. However, the true trifecta of champions for the weekend goes to the Schindlbeck family, taking home three major prizes:

• The Giant Pan for the best chili.
• The candy jar prize for the most accurate guess.
• The Rat Sack for being fashionably tardy

With over 115 attendees, this was one of the largest winter campouts yet! A huge thank you to everyone who came out and made it an unforgettable weekend. We can't wait to see you all at the Spring Campout!

The Snow Owls had one more special gathering before the holidays to decorate our annual Holiday Ornament. It was wonderful to see so many Snow Owls come together at AHML for this festive tradition. The holiday spirit was on full display as our princesses and dads decorated their ornaments with creativity and imagination. A few lucky Snow Owl princesses found a golden ticket to win a large Sour Patch Kids box – luckily they shared their prize with everyone. We were half-expecting to see some Sour Patch Kids hot glued to the ornaments, but everyone kept their sweet treats separate from their masterpieces this year.

A big thank you to all the families who joined us for this fun-filled event. Your enthusiasm and participation made it a fantastic way to wrap up the year. Wishing everyone a joyful holiday season, and we look forward to more great memories together in the new year!

This fall, the Valley Nation gathered for the 2nd annual pumpkin carving event, hosted in the Mustang Tribe Chief’s backyard. Over 100 pumpkins were cored and cleaned, setting the stage for an afternoon of creativity and fun. The Snow Owls and Mustangs worked their magic, transforming pumpkins into incredible works of art through carving, painting, and decorating.

​As always, the dads jumped in after the party to tackle cleanup duty, wrapping everything up in record time. A big thank-you to everyone who attended and helped make this event a success. It was a wonderful day of fall festivities, teamwork, and memories that we’ll cherish until next year’s celebration.

Great job, Valley Nation, for making this a pumpkin-perfect day!

​This year's Valley Nation Fall Campout at Camp Eberhart was a memorable weekend filled with fun and exciting activities. The Gray Wolves joined Valley Nation’s fire ceremony for the first time, proudly standing alongside other tribes. They capped off the weekend with a major milestone, taking home the coveted Pink Recruitment Belt for the most new members. But that wasn't their only victory, the Gray Wolves also earned the distinction of finding the legendary golden arrow. Meanwhile, the Fire Ferrets showed their dominance on the Gaga ball court, sweeping both the Junior and Championship trophies. Their impressive skill and competitive spirit were a highlight of the campout, drawing cheers from all. We’re already looking forward to the next Campout in Winter!

The Valley Nation is thrilled to announce that the Gray Wolves from Patton Elementary School, led by Chief Robert Finnegan, will be joining the Valley Nation! As a nation that values tradition, the gray wolf is seen as a symbol of loyalty, strength, intelligence, and freedom. We have no doubt that their presence will enrich our community, adding new perspectives and energy to our Valley Nation.

As we gather together for upcoming events, we look forward to seeing the Gray Wolves in action, contributing their unique talents and ideas. Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Chief Robert Finnegan and the entire Gray Wolves tribe. We are excited to see what the future holds for all of us.

​Welcome, Gray Wolves!

The Valley Nation ended the 2023-2024 Season at Camp Edwards. The nation started the weekend off with a flag raising and then hit the camp for two days packed with adventures. From tube slides and Gaga Ball to low ropes courses, archery, canoeing, and arts & crafts, there was something for everyone to enjoy at the camp. A new legend was born on the archery range, Dry Fire Dave, accompanied by an important lesson emphasizing the significance of Rule #6 – Never dry fire a Genesis compound bow.

Later in the evening the Spring Fire Ceremony was with filled with laughter and even some tears as new chiefs were handed the honor of leading their tribes into the new season. Amidst this ceremonial transition, a new Nation Chief and Chief’s Hand were introduced, tasked with guiding the growing nation. Additionally, the Mighty Winnebago Tribe proposed an alliance with the Mighty Fire Ferrets for the next season so that they may ensure a more bountiful hunt and joyous winter for our combined brothers and princesses. Henceforth, the Mighty Winnebago will travel and camp alongside the Mighty Fire Ferrets, uniting as one tribe.

​While we welcomed new members, we also have to say goodbye to some graduating princesses. We ask the winds to guide this year’s graduating princesses as they travel down their new paths. They may be moving on from the nation, but the bond that was built between a father and daughter through the years has created two lifetimes of memories. Pals Forever - Friends Always!

​The Valley Nation Winter Campout at Camp Duncan experienced an unexpected twist of warm weather. Despite the absence of snow, our adventure was filled with unique experiences and unforgettable memories. Instead of traditional winter activities like sledding or building cardboard sleds, dads and princesses had the opportunity to enjoy the warm weather and explore the Camp Duncan campground. Dads and princesses constructed elaborate princess palaces out of cardboard boxes, from towering fortresses to intricate designs complete with drawbridges.

Some of the other highlights from the Winter Campout included slingshot paintball and archery. Princesses also worked on hammering stencils and transforming simple pieces of leather into personalized keychains and bracelets. Saturday night was capped off with a princess talent show, from heartwarming singing performances to impressive dance and gymnastics routines. The dads were not to be outdone as they embarked on a culinary adventure of their own. Armed with secret ingredients and time-honored recipes, they set up their cooking stations for the chili cook-off. As the evening progressed, participants and spectators alike savored spoonful's of chili goodness, casting their votes for the coveted title of Chili Champion.

Despite the absence of snow, we embraced the warmth of the season and created lasting memories against the backdrop of nature's beauty. From exploring the trails to bonding around the campfire, every moment was a reminder of the magic of the great outdoors.

The Snow Owls met up at the AHML Makerplace for a fun afternoon of decorating holiday ornaments for the second year in a row.  Thanks to Mr. Garb for making this event happen.  The two wooden halves for the ornaments were previously laser-cut and engraved using the equipment at the Makerplace by Mr. Garb.  The girls decorated their pieces with markers, paint, and other materials, and then assembled the ornament with a printed photo of themselves.  We think they came out great!

This past weekend the Valley Nation had our annual Fall campout.  This time around we headed up to Burlington, Wisconsin for Camp MacLean.  Despite heavy rains Friday night into early Saturday morning, our spirits were not dampened.  The rain let up by midday and we were able to enjoy a variety of activities, including the high-ropes course, fishing, archery, hiking, and crafts.  In an unusual twist, the golden arrow stayed very well hidden and was not finally located until late in the night and deep in the woods by the Fire Ferrets.  Sunday ended up being a beautiful, sunny day - a stark contrast from Friday night!  The Fire Ferrets did an excellent job on hosting for our spooky themed campout.
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The Valley Nation visited the Stillman Nation Center in South Barrington for a guided pond study.  The princesses and their siblings were able to join in the fun and get it a bit "dirty" by scooping up some muck out of the pond and looking for life forms.  We found all kinds of amazing tiny creatures in the examination bin that you would have never realized would be there.  Afterwards we were able to view some amazing birds in their habitats... some of the birds of prey were quite large!

Another Spring campout in the books!  This time we were at Camp Tecumseh in Indiana.  Although the weather forecast was looking a bit sketchy with the threat of rain, eventually the forecast improved and we saw virtually no rain.  The princesses and their dads got plenty of walking in!  There was so much to do...  Kayaking, canoeing, riflery, archery, the bullet slide, the blackhole slide, the petting zoo, the horseback trail rides, the tether balls, rock climbing wall, obstacle course, the giant tree house, the many miles of hiking trails,  candle making, the nature center, and more!  This place pretty much has it all!  

We had a fantastic 2023 winter campout at Camp Minikani in Hubertus, Wisconsin. With snow on the ground, the girls got in some sledding.  We had epic tug-of-war games with both the princesses and the dads.  The girls also put together various acts to perform at the winter talent show back in the mess hall after the fire ceremony.  And of course, what winter campout would conclude without the annual chili cook-off!  

The Valley Nation hosted a Rain gutter Regatta at Westgate Elementary School on Saturday, November 12.  The kids (with help from the dads) each got 1 hour to build and decorate their boats.  The girls then got to race them using a straw to blow wind into their sails.  Trophies were awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for each of the groups (Kindergarten-2nd Grace, 3rd-4th grade, and 5th-8th grade).  The girls also got vote for best decorated boat for each of the 3 groups, and trophies were awarded for these as well.    

The Valley Nation had perfect weather at the Fall 2022 campout at Camp Crosley in Indiana.  The giant swing, zipline, and wall climbing tower were available for those girls brave enough to challenge their fears of height.  The archery, riflery, and the giant pillow were popular activities.  The girls and dads enjoyed "Human Foosball".  The Gaga ball tournament resulted in another showdown with the Winnebago's taking their second win in a row!

The final campout for the 2021-2022 season was held April 29-May 1 at Camp Anokijig in Plymouth, Wisconsin.  Although we had bouts of rain, the Valley Nation persevered!  We enjoyed water activities that included canoes, paddle boats, row boats, and kayaks.  We also enjoyed horse back riding, mini-golf, archery, riflery, arts & crafts, and many other activities!  The Winnebago pulled off an epic Gaga Ball tournament win!

The Valley Nation held an overnight sleepover at the Chicago Field Museum on April 8th.  Known as the "Dozin with the Dinos", the girls had fun exploring the museum and enjoyed the special activities that the Field had for them.

The Valley Nation held their 2022 winter campout out at YMCA Camp Sherman Lake, in Augusta Michigan this past weekend.  We were fortunate to have ample snow available to us as seen in the pictures below.  Activities included swimming in Sherman Lake's indoor pool, archery, rock throwing, sledding, tie dye making, and more.  The Illini came away with the award for Best Tribe for their impromptu talent show that included lighting and sound effects, and the Winnebago won the Nuttiest Tribe award for their sharing of fire so that the Snow Owls could stay warm!  The Snow Owls found the Golden Arrow, and the Illini went home with the Tatanka.

The Snow Owl tribe hosted a pumpkin carving/decorating party on Chief Loose Arrow's driveway.  The princesses enjoyed showing off their creations!

The Fall campout at YMCA Camp Benson in Mt. Carroll was a great success! Here are a few picture from the event:

 

The Fall Campout for the Valley Nation will be at YMCA Camp Benson in Mt Carroll, Illinois and will be September 10-12.  Registration for the Fall Campout is now open!  Don't forget to register for this event!  
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We held the Spring 2021 campout at YMCA Camp Edwards in East Troy, Wisconsin on Saturday, April 16 of this year.  Due to the ongoing situation with the pandemic, this was a day-only trip.  The girls got to enjoy activities such as the rock climbing wall, archery, zip-line, and the black-hole tube slides.

The day ended with our traditional fire ceremony, which concluded with the changing of the guard from the old chiefs to the new chiefs in preparation for the 2021-2022 season!

Valley Nation welcomes the new leadership for the 2020-2021 season:

Nation Chief:  Andy Rehm
Chief's Hand:  Adam Poteracki

Illini Chief:  Jeff Wery
Snow Owls Chief:  Jason Tatum
Winnebago Chief:  ​Todd Tracy