Camp Norwesca will be waiting for us

Located steps outside of Chadron State Park, Nebraska's oldest state park, in Chadron, NE; Camp Norwesca will be the setting for our 2022 Corneliusen Family Reunion. If you're unfamiliar with this little section of Nebraska, it is nestled in the picturesque arch-shaped escarpment some 100 miles long and 20 miles wide known as the Pine Ridge. The Ridge, a division of the Nebraska National Forest, consists of intermingled stands of ponderosa pine and prairie. It is rugged country with broken ridges, buttes and small streams and pains are taken to retain the pristine integrity of the area. The northern edge of the High Plains in Nebraska, it was formed during the Cenozoic Era when the Rocky Mountain and Blak Hills uplifts began.

Exploring the vast, wild lands west of the Missouri River in the 19th Centruy, fur traders pushed into unchartered areas, building remote trading posts to swap the Indian's good for furs. It took a far and courageous trader to be successful in these isolated outposts. Such was Louis B. Chartran. His good relationship with the Brule Sioux in the upper White River Valley earned him great respect. The town, park and creek bear his name, which changed over time to Chadron. The world renown Museum of the Fur Trade and Mari Sandoz Center offers even more insight into this history.

Chadron is an agricultural community and home to Chadron State College. Recreation and history surround the community with 90,000 acres of National Forest and grasslands. The elevation approaches 5,000 ft in places and miles of hiking/nature trails meander through the national forest lands offering short segments for a brief stroll or rugged distances and climbs for the dedicated wilderness buff. There are scenic observation points, fishing and hunting, more than 50 species of song, shore and game birds to be seen and heard, 80+ species of trees, shrubs, wildflowers and grasses. The town offers recreation, parks, a public golf course, quaint local shopping in addition to a handful of retail chains, restaurants, churches, museums in addition to the breath-taking scenery. Nearby are amenities of other small Nebraska towns that are fun to explore. (More on these opportunities later!)

Camp Norwesca will offer us exclusive use of the property with the guidance of their staff for the days we are there. Amenities will include double occupancy dorm style (two twin beds) rooms with bedding and linens, where two rooms share a bathroom inside of the lodge. Additionally there are five cabins with twin beds-no bedding and linens provided. The cabins share a large bathhouse. Tents can be pitched near the cabins. There are no RV hookups, but RVs can be stayed in and parked in a nearby lot with shared use of the rest of the facilities. The lodge boasts a large dining room and commercial kitchen, pockets of lounging areas as well as many games that are sure to spawn some sort of competition. There is a fire pit, an outdoor chapel, miles of hiking, a craft cabin, organized activities including a challenge course, mud-slide and shared activities with Chadron State park such as archery, shooting, paddle boats, fishing, and swimming. Check out a sneak peek of where we will be: