Stand By, Campers. We might be moving next week!

"We'll do it. We'll smile about it. But must we do it HERE?"


Brutal wind chills and slippery roads over the past two weeks, along with evidence that the dreaded “Michigan malaise” could settle in any day, has Borgess Run Camp organizers re-thinking their January 29 plans.

Currently scheduled for the WMU College of Engineering, next Saturday’s run in all likelihood will be moved to East Little York, Texas. Research shows that the Houston suburb’s conditions on January 29 more closely resemble Kalamazoo’s early May weather than those in any other American city.

Camp organizers said they would decide by Wednesday whether to move the camp. They will announce any changes to team leaders Thursday morning. “We know campers will have to make travel arrangements, so we want to give them at least two-days notice,” said Steve Blum, Camp Travel Planner. Blum warned that those who plan to drive to East Little York should leave by Thursday noon.

Although Michigan weather conditions look “stable to miserable” over the next 10 days, organizers take into account that four of the five largest snow storms over the past century have occurred between January 25 and January 28. “Not saying that scares us,” commented Blum. “Just saying.”

Historically, when camp is moved in late January, organizers conduct a contest to give away three or four round-trip airfares to campers. When camp was relocated to Hilton Head in 2005, winners of an essay contest entitled “I’m so pitiful” received the airline tickets. The essay allowed campers to highlight previous frostbite experiences, training injuries and the like. Blum said there may not be enough time for an essay contest this year, but a drawing might be possible.