Northland College and the City of Ashland are thrilled to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us at Camp Brother Bear 2024, which took place September 28 at Prentice Park. The weekend was a celebration of community, alumni, and friends, all coming together for music, food, and fun in one of Ashland’s most beloved outdoor spaces.
This year’s event was made even more special thanks to a generous donation from Northland College alum Bonnie Smeja ’72, who was inspired by the new and returning students arriving at Northland this semester. Her timely support helped make this event possible, allowing organizers to provide an evening of free live music for the entire Ashland community.
“Thanks to this incredible act of generosity, we were able to host this event in ways we couldn’t have imagined just weeks before,” said Executive Director of Institutional Advancement Jackie Moore ’05. “We are deeply grateful for the support of our dear Bonnie, not only for her financial contributions, but also for her commitment to fostering strong connections between Northland College and the Ashland community.”
Camp Brother Bear is an evolution of the Brother Bear Fund, which was created by the family of Bjorn Norgaard ’10, who tragically lost his life in 2011. Inspired by Bjorn’s adventurous life and love of the outdoors, the Norgaard family established the Brother Bear Fund to support student participation in outdoor experiences like the American Birkebeiner. Over the years, many Northland students have enjoyed skiing adventures that it made possible.
In the fall of 2022, conversations began about creating an event for Northland students to enjoy camping, music, and community in the north woods. From those conversations developed a committee of people who knew Bjorn, including Bjorn’s father, Brett Norgaard.
Brett Norgaard connected with staff at Northland College. Through a series of meetings over several months, the concept of Camp Brother Bear was born. Hosted at the Highbridge Hills Disc Golf Course during Northland’s 2023 Fall Festival weekend, the inaugural event was spirited and well-attended by students and alumni, ultimately grossing revenue to support the Brother Bear Fund and more student experiences.
Flash forward a year and Camp Brother Bear 2024 was a resounding success, drawing hundreds of attendees to Prentice Park after mere weeks of advertising. The event featured live music from local talents, including Sean and Ian Okamoto, Northland alumni Andy Noyes ’84 and Olaf Kirsten ’85, current student Jay Harris ’25, and headlining act Baba Fats. With performances running from 4 p.m. to 10:28 p.m., the atmosphere was lively and welcoming for all ages.
In partnership with the City of Ashland, the event also included a well-received beverage garden where attendees could enjoy a variety brews, seltzers, and ciders while taking in the sights and sounds of the evening. Food enthusiasts delighted in the diverse flavors from three food trucks: Glizzy’s with its locally-famous wild rice burgers, Papa Saletri’s Chicago-style Italian beef, and Superior Cubans serving up authentic Cuban sandwiches.
“We are overwhelmed by the community’s response to Camp Brother Bear,” Jackie Moore ’05 added. “This event exemplifies what Northland College is all about—bringing people together to enjoy nature, listen to music, and celebrate community. Besides hosting a great party for everyone who attended, we were able to put some money into the Brother Bear Fund to support students in the year ahead.”
Northland College looks forward to hosting more community-focused events and remains grateful to everyone who made Camp Brother Bear a success. We especially thank Bonnie ’72, whose timely generosity made the weekend possible.
For more information about Camp Brother Bear, or to get involved with or sponsor the 2025 event, please email alumni@northland.edu.
The header image above is of a poster designed by senior Alyssia Christopherson ’25.
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