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Boys at Camp Lincoln and Camp Hubert Nisswa Minnesota
Boys

Camp Lincoln for Boys

For over a century, Camp Lincoln has been the ultimate playground for boys seeking adventure, laughter, and lifelong friendships. Set across 400 acres, our camp buzzes with more than 40 exhilarating land and water activities, promising endless discovery and excitement. We provide campers with the opportunity to learn new life skills while empowering them to grow as leaders.

A Typical Day

Morning

7:30am - Rising Bell/Campers and Staff Members Wake-Up/Cabin Clean-Up Begins

8:00-9:00am - Breakfast and Cabin Clean- Up Concludes

9:10am - Flag Raising

9:30-10:30am - First Activity Period

10:40-11:40am - Second Activity Period

AFTERNOON

12:15-2:20pm - Lunch and Resthou

2:30-3:30pm - Third Activity Period

3:40-4:40pm - Fourth Activity Period

4:45-5:15pm - Freeswim/Camp Store Open

evening

6:00pm - Dinner

7:15pm - Evening Activity (All-Camp, Cabin Activity, Camper-Choice Activity, or Division Activity)

8:25pm - Snack

9:15pm - Vespers

9:45 - 10:15 pm - Lights Out

meet our directors

boys camp

Our dedicated directors pour their hearts and souls into crafting unforgettable summers, each one more extraordinary than the last. Get to know their backgrounds, passions, and the special spark that sets them apart.
Ruggs Cote at Camp Lincoln and Camp Hubert Nisswa Minnesota

Ruggs Cote

Managing Director
As a third-generation Camp Director, Ruggs follows his family's legacy and passion for camp and its mission with children from around the world. He was a camper for 11 years, completed the Counselor-in-Training Program, was an assistant counselor, a counselor, and a head counselor. He graduated from DePauw University in 1993 where he majored in Economics and was treasurer of his fraternity. Four years later, he returned to the camps full-time. Ruggs proudly continues the Cote Family tradition at camp with his wife Nancy and their children Christian (2000), Audrey (2001), Sam (2002), and Elise (2014).

Favorite Camp Activity:Sailing

Best Camp Memory:Firewatch and eating Alaskan Hummingbird

Favorite Camp Meal:Tacos

Childhood Hobbies: Legos, Sailing, and Tennis

Favorite Camp Value:Excellence - it is what makes us great!

Goofiest thing I have done at camp:Running the Weenie backwards (in my youth, of course!)

Ruggs Cote at Camp Lincoln and Camp Hubert Nisswa Minnesota

Ruggs Cote

Managing Director
As a third-generation Camp Director, Ruggs follows his family's legacy and passion for camp and its mission with children from around the world. He was a camper for 11 years, completed the Counselor-in-Training Program, was an assistant counselor, a counselor, and a head counselor. He graduated from DePauw University in 1993 where he majored in Economics and was treasurer of his fraternity. Four years later, he returned to the camps full-time. Ruggs proudly continues the Cote Family tradition at camp with his wife Nancy and their children Christian (2000), Audrey (2001), Sam (2002), and Elise (2014).

Favorite Camp Activity:Sailing

Best Camp Memory:Firewatch and eating Alaskan Hummingbird

Favorite Camp Meal:Tacos

Childhood Hobbies: Legos, Sailing, and Tennis

Favorite Camp Value:Excellence - it is what makes us great!

Goofiest thing I have done at camp:Running the Weenie backwards (in my youth, of course!)

André Brewer at Camp Lincoln and Camp Hubert Nisswa Minnesota

André Brewer

Director of Camp Lincoln
A native of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, André (Dré) has been at Camp Lincoln now for 35 consecutive summers as a counselor, head counselor, associate director, and director. He is an alumnus of DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education in 1993. In 2002, he earned his Master of Arts Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. Before joining the year-round staff team at camp, André taught 4th and 5th grade in the Advanced Program (AP) at Kerrick Elementary in Louisville, Kentucky. He is an active member of the American Camp Association (ACA) having served on its National Board of Directors for 2 terms, its National Young Professionals Committee (now called EPIC) from its beginning, and the Association of Independent Camps now known as CODA. In addition to the ACA, André completed 6 years of service on the DePauw University Alumni Association Board of Directors and was also a member of DePauw's Board of Visitors for 3 years. He is currently one of the Class Co-Chairs for his class at DePauw and tries to give back to the place that did so much for him whenever possible. André also remains active in the community by serving as a member of the Edina Noon Rotary Club in Edina, Minnesota, and is currently the Head Coach of the 27-Time Minnesota State Champion and 6-Time UCA National Champion Minnetonka High School Varsity Cheerleading Squad in Minnetonka, Minnesota. He is very passionate about making a difference in the lives of the campers and being a role model for all that he comes in contact with daily. Too, he is quite loyal to his faith, his family, his friends, and those that strive to be fair in all of their dealings with their peers.

Favorite Camp Activity:Horseback Riding and Tennis

Best Camp Memory:LT2 Program Closing Vespers Session…TRADITION!

Favorite Camp Meal:Anything vegetarian, high in protein, and, of course, the salad bar.

Childhood Hobbies:Cheerleading, Gymnastics, Music, and Tennis

Favorite Camp Value:Personal Growth and Development - It represents why so many of us are at camp. We not only create opportunities for others to grow, but we as directors grow more and more each summer as well.

Goofiest thing I have done at camp:He once took 20-plus trips to the BOG in one session with a group of Senior Campers.

André Brewer at Camp Lincoln and Camp Hubert Nisswa Minnesota

André Brewer

Director of Camp Lincoln
A native of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, André (Dré) has been at Camp Lincoln now for 35 consecutive summers as a counselor, head counselor, associate director, and director. He is an alumnus of DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education in 1993. In 2002, he earned his Master of Arts Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. Before joining the year-round staff team at camp, André taught 4th and 5th grade in the Advanced Program (AP) at Kerrick Elementary in Louisville, Kentucky. He is an active member of the American Camp Association (ACA) having served on its National Board of Directors for 2 terms, its National Young Professionals Committee (now called EPIC) from its beginning, and the Association of Independent Camps now known as CODA. In addition to the ACA, André completed 6 years of service on the DePauw University Alumni Association Board of Directors and was also a member of DePauw's Board of Visitors for 3 years. He is currently one of the Class Co-Chairs for his class at DePauw and tries to give back to the place that did so much for him whenever possible. André also remains active in the community by serving as a member of the Edina Noon Rotary Club in Edina, Minnesota, and is currently the Head Coach of the 27-Time Minnesota State Champion and 6-Time UCA National Champion Minnetonka High School Varsity Cheerleading Squad in Minnetonka, Minnesota. He is very passionate about making a difference in the lives of the campers and being a role model for all that he comes in contact with daily. Too, he is quite loyal to his faith, his family, his friends, and those that strive to be fair in all of their dealings with their peers.

Favorite Camp Activity:Horseback Riding and Tennis

Best Camp Memory:LT2 Program Closing Vespers Session…TRADITION!

Favorite Camp Meal:Anything vegetarian, high in protein, and, of course, the salad bar.

Childhood Hobbies:Cheerleading, Gymnastics, Music, and Tennis

Favorite Camp Value:Personal Growth and Development - It represents why so many of us are at camp. We not only create opportunities for others to grow, but we as directors grow more and more each summer as well.

Goofiest thing I have done at camp:He once took 20-plus trips to the BOG in one session with a group of Senior Campers.

Sam Cote at Camp Lincoln and Camp Hubert Nisswa Minnesota

Stuart Swearingen

Assistant Director - Programming and Staffing
Originally from Bettendorf, Iowa, Stuart has been at Camp Lincoln since 2009. During his 17 consecutive summers, he has been a traditional camper, a graduate of the Leadership Training Program, head counselor, Leadership Training Program Co-Director, and division director. Stuart graduated from Saint Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. in May of 2023, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics. He is a proud member of the American Camp Association (ACA) where he volunteers as an Accreditation Visitor. Stuart's passion for camping stems from his mother, a retired early childhood special educator, and her history of working at a camp in Missouri. A firm believer in helping those around him, Stuart is driven to aid campers and staff members alike to find their love for Camp Lincoln as his counselors did for him.

Favorite Camp Activity: Windsurfing

Best Camp Memory: My entire summer as an LT 2 in 2018

Favorite Camp Meal: Chicken Wings

Childhood Hobbies: Car Detailing, Playing Drums, and Tennis

Favorite Camp Value: Quality Relationships - Rarely do you get the opportunity to form strong, everlasting bonds with people from around the world. CFAB!

The goofiest thing I have done at camp: I set the "record" for the most times jumped off The Loon in one activity period (46).

Sam Cote at Camp Lincoln and Camp Hubert Nisswa Minnesota

Stuart Swearingen

Assistant Director - Programming and Staffing
Originally from Bettendorf, Iowa, Stuart has been at Camp Lincoln since 2009. During his 17 consecutive summers, he has been a traditional camper, a graduate of the Leadership Training Program, head counselor, Leadership Training Program Co-Director, and division director. Stuart graduated from Saint Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. in May of 2023, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics. He is a proud member of the American Camp Association (ACA) where he volunteers as an Accreditation Visitor. Stuart's passion for camping stems from his mother, a retired early childhood special educator, and her history of working at a camp in Missouri. A firm believer in helping those around him, Stuart is driven to aid campers and staff members alike to find their love for Camp Lincoln as his counselors did for him.

Favorite Camp Activity: Windsurfing

Best Camp Memory: My entire summer as an LT 2 in 2018

Favorite Camp Meal: Chicken Wings

Childhood Hobbies: Car Detailing, Playing Drums, and Tennis

Favorite Camp Value: Quality Relationships - Rarely do you get the opportunity to form strong, everlasting bonds with people from around the world. CFAB!

The goofiest thing I have done at camp: I set the "record" for the most times jumped off The Loon in one activity period (46).

Ryan Smith at Camp Lincoln and Camp Hubert Nisswa Minnesota

Ryan Smith

Assistant Director - Operations and Staffing
Hailing from Iowa City, Iowa, Ryan has spent the last 6 summers at Camp Lincoln. He was a counselor, head counselor, and division director, before joining the Camp Lincoln Full Time Leadership Team in 2023. Ryan attended the University of Iowa where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in History in 2021. During college, Ryan worked as a tennis instructor and has always been passionate about coaching and mentoring youth of all ages. Before joining the camp team in a full-time role, Ryan spent his winters working at the Tanque Verde Ranch, and summers working as a seasonal staff member at Camp Lincoln. When not focused on camp, family and friends of his life.

Favorite Camp Activity: Tennis and Ultimate Frisbee

Best Camp Memory: Jell-O Wars

Favorite Camp Meal: Beef and Broccoli and please do not forget the egg rolls!

Childhood Hobbies: Chess, Choir, and Tennis

Favorite Camp Value: Excellence - Camp is a great place to practice excellence daily. Seeing a community come together to be the best version of themselves is a very rewarding experience for all involved.

The goofiest thing I have done at camp: The Hummingbird Skit - 2019

Ryan Smith at Camp Lincoln and Camp Hubert Nisswa Minnesota

Ryan Smith

Assistant Director - Operations and Staffing
Hailing from Iowa City, Iowa, Ryan has spent the last 6 summers at Camp Lincoln. He was a counselor, head counselor, and division director, before joining the Camp Lincoln Full Time Leadership Team in 2023. Ryan attended the University of Iowa where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in History in 2021. During college, Ryan worked as a tennis instructor and has always been passionate about coaching and mentoring youth of all ages. Before joining the camp team in a full-time role, Ryan spent his winters working at the Tanque Verde Ranch, and summers working as a seasonal staff member at Camp Lincoln. When not focused on camp, family and friends of his life.

Favorite Camp Activity: Tennis and Ultimate Frisbee

Best Camp Memory: Jell-O Wars

Favorite Camp Meal: Beef and Broccoli and please do not forget the egg rolls!

Childhood Hobbies: Chess, Choir, and Tennis

Favorite Camp Value: Excellence - Camp is a great place to practice excellence daily. Seeing a community come together to be the best version of themselves is a very rewarding experience for all involved.

The goofiest thing I have done at camp: The Hummingbird Skit - 2019

 Singing is woven at Camp Lincoln and Camp Hubert Nisswa Minnesota

Camp Songs

Feel the heartbeat of Camp Lincoln through our cherished, traditional camp songs. Singing is woven into the fabric of our camp community, heard before and after meals, along our winding trails, and around campfires. It is our way of expressing boundless camp pride and spirit! While our repertoire has grown over the years, here are three timeless favorites that capture the essence of our camp experience:
  • The Camp Lincoln Song
  • Johnny Appleseed
  • The Banana Song

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