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   Nestled in a group of Evergreens–to one side a small amphitheater, to the other, a stunning view overlooking Little Boy Lake–is a rock. The inscription on the stone states, “One man may not live to see all his dreams come true, but his institutions carry on.” Dated August 8, 1958, the “Dedication Rock” shows a quote from E. O. Olson, founder of Camp Olson YMCA. 22 year executive director and soon retiring in January 2025 Russ Link has taken these words and built onto the dream that E.O Olson envisioned 70 years ago.

Camp Olson’s “Dedication Rock” that displays a quote from E.O. Olson, founder of Camp Olson in 1954. Photo by Katelyn DeLost

   Russ started his involvement with summer camps when he attended University of Wisconsin-La Crosse to be an educator. He started working for a camp for children with special needs. After 17 years serving as camp director, he began looking for ways to advance his career. His in-laws had a home in Minnesota’s central lakes area, and found a promising camp looking for a new executive director. Before long, Russ and his wife Jolene, along with their two young boys Connor and Micah, moved to Camp Olson in March 2003.

   Camp Olson YMCA is situated on 1,350 acres of pristine forests, lakes and fields. If you have a hard time conceptualizing the size of Camp like I did, Little Boy Lake is 1,400 surface acres. The camp is home to premier sailing and horseback riding programs, along with a nature center, archery and rifle range, craft shop, beach, mountain bike shop, sauna, fishing pier and endless miles of trails for bikes and horses. Camp Olson has six full-time and 90 seasonal employees from 12 countries around the world.

   Since Russ joined the team in 2003, camp attendance has more than doubled from 600 to 1,300 campers attending during the summer season. He has grown the non-profit’s annual budget from $600,000 to $1.6 million annually, $400,000 coming from charitable donations. Russ has also been able to invest $10 million back into the Camp’s capital, the newest addition being the brand new $1 million arts center.

   The new arts center has replaced one of E. O. Olson’s original buildings from 1954. The build was originally scheduled to be done in 2019, but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Wanting to have the building finished for the 70th anniversary, Camp raised $1 million dollars in 18 months, with 90% of those funds going right back into the community through local contractors and suppliers.

Russ Link showing off Camp Olson’s newest addition, the arts center. Completed spring 2024, the $1 million arts center returned 90% of that total back to local contractors and suppliers. Photo by Katelyn DeLost.

   Russ is greatly committed to giving every kid the opportunity to attend camp, no matter who they are or where they are from. Camp Olson has a generous scholarship program that can cover anywhere from 10-100% of costs for families. Roughly $90,000 are committed to financial aid annually, giving about 200 kids a year opportunities they may not have had otherwise. Camp Olson YMCA has never denied a child because of financial limitations. These experiences young children have can be absolutely life changing and stay with them for the rest of their lives.

   “When you become a business operator in a small town, you also become a community owner,” Russ told me as we sat on his golf cart, “You need to have mutual respect. We rely as much on the community as they rely on us. Being involved is very important to me.” It is very easy to look into Russ’ time in Longville and see this clearly. Russ has served on nearly every non-profit board in town. He has served on the Longville Area Community Foundation, the Longville Area Food Shelf, Longville Chamber of Commerce, Walker Youth Hockey and has helped with the Longville Turtle Races for 17 years. Beyond Longville, Russ has led nationally in the YMCA and American Camping Association movements. He has been a member of the American Camping Association since 1987 and served as Vice President on the ACA Northland Section Board of Directors. He is currently the Public Policy/Govt. Relations Chairperson, and has served as chairperson and secretary for the Conference of Lions Camps of the United States. Additionally, he has been a Y-USA cabinet member for Small/Mid-Size YMCAs and a cabinet member for YMCA Camping. Not only has he donated time, but Camp also sends about $400,000 annually back into the Longville economy. 

   Just as much as Camp Olson supports the local community, it could not exist without help from locals, too. Without grants from Longville’s Chamber of Commerce, Community Foundation, Women of Today, Lions and local businesses, Camp Olson would not be what it is today. 

   Camp Olson has had a dramatic impact on Russ and his family as well. Since Camp Olson is open seasonally, it can seem overwhelming during summer and tedious during winter. Work/life balance is a continuous battle for many business owners. When I asked Russ about how he manages a balance between the two, he laughed. He emphasized how important it is to put everything into your job when opportunity presents itself. For many in Minnesota, this means trying to fit a year’s worth of physical work into the couple months of warmth we have. This is contrasted sharply by the slower winter season. “The craziness of summer has taught me to find gratitude, thought and inspiration in slower times.” It is important to take advantage of these slow seasons to see deficits and plan how to fix them. Russ emphasized the need to trust yourself when making big decisions. “You need to trust yourself to make your situation the best yet.”

   Working seasonally also has an impact on raising a family. Russ said he was very thankful for the Camp community to help raise the boys. They had a very unique experience to meet people from around the world. For example, Camp Olson will see children from 27 states and seven countries this summer. “I really wanted to help them find a sense of spirit in the northwoods.”

A couple of campers enjoying the beauty of Minnesota’s northwoods and lakes. Photo submitted.

   A love for the outdoors is a clear prerequisite for being a summer camp director. Russ loves it so much that he has dedicated 37 years to helping kids find their place and grow themselves and their relationship with nature. Camp Olson’s property is protected under lifetime conservation easements, which prevent development on the land–and Russ has stepped up to, “maintain this amazing paradise for future generations.” Russ also told me that one of the favorite parts of his job was dealing with challenges and coming back better.

   During the Covid-19 lockdowns in 2020, Camp Olson was not allowed to open. As prices rose, supply chains stalled and businesses closed, Camp Olson lost $1 million, over half of their annual budget. How can a business keep open during these circumstances? The answer is a passionate community and leader, both of which Camp Olson has.

   As we drove through the tall pines and hardwoods, Russ reflected on his time at camp. While he brought me around the camp, we stopped many times for Russ to talk to kids we passed. He asked how their day was going and listened to their stories. It was obvious to me the impact that Russ has had on every one of these kids.

   The conversation turned much more sentimental when retirement was brought up. Within the next couple of weeks, Russ will be going through his job for the last time. Last Saturday turnover, last sail boat regatta, last dinner and last lights out. Many of Russ’ current employees went to camp themselves when they were younger, and have known each other for most of their lives. 

   As I spoke to Russ, I could feel this story coming together in my head. Russ’ love and passion for his family and job is contagious. Not only has Camp Olson come together to grow themselves, but the Longville and summer camp community overall.

Camp Olson’s staff shirts this summer that show a quote from Russ. Photo by Katelyn DeLost.

   On the back of Camp Olson’s staff shirt this year is a quote from Russ, “This is going to be the best summer yet!” Russ said that he repeats this every year, because Camp always aims to grow and better itself every day. I think this can apply to just about everything we do in our daily lives. Every time you do something, from a daily job to a life-changing decision, make sure it’s the best you’ve done yet.

   Russ and Jolene plan to return to Wisconsin after retirement to be closer to family. 

   If you would like to support Camp Olson YMCA, they are hosting a community picnic and camp tours on August 28. The meal starts at 5:30 p.m. and tours start after. Free will donations are greatly appreciated. The first 100 guests to RSVP by sending an email to [email protected] will be provided a picnic style meal.

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