Once known as "The LPL Rafting Trip," the annual summer-time excursion to the Glacier Wilderness Campground near Elton, Wis., has, well, changed with the times.
The Lincoln Park Lagooners ( LPL ) now present the event as the Wisconsin Wilderness Weekendbecause there is much more to it than just rafting.
"This is one of the most relaxing and rejuvenating events around," said Felix Quintiliani, who has been on the LPL executive board for 23 years. "Glacier Wilderness Campground is beautiful and totally private; we reserve the entire campground for our event. The food is catered and quite delicious. So many of our members who have attended this camping trip come back year after year and never tire of the beautiful surroundings and totally relaxing atmosphere. We are a very friendly group, very nurturing and welcoming of new attendees. This trip is a tremendous value, and a weekend without drama is included."
The 2010 Wisconsin Wilderness Weekend is set for July 29-Aug. 1, and about 35 LPL members are expected to attend.
The campground has hiking trails, wooded and open areas, a scenic creek running through it, and more. Near the campground are a private trout pond ( no license required ) , lake swimming, wilderness hiking trails, casinos, and a horseback riding stable. Members also often participate in on-site sunbathing to board games.
And they also participate in raftingin two-person rubber rafts down the Wolf River through the Menomonee Indian Reservation.
"The friendshipsor friends for life, as I call themare the most rewarding part of my involvement with LPL," said Quintiliani, 56, who lives in Lakeview and has a partner of five yeas, Luigi. "We have had so much fun and met so many wonderful people [ through LPL ] . We come together for a brief time, but the memories and the smiles last forever. I could go on and on. [ If you ] attend one of our events, you'll be hooked. This organization is unlike any other group that I've had the pleasure to be involved with; I've tried the rest, LPL is the best."
Quintiliani serves as LPL's unofficial "madame secretary for Life," he jokedand he has the plaque to prove it. LPL is a non-profit social organization for the LGBT community.
" I record and maintain the official minutes and records of the organization and assist with events as needed," he said.
LPL members range in age from their late 20s to their mid-80s, and they come from all walks of life: medical personnel, lawyers, accountants, business owners, bartenders, servers, chefs, entertainers, administrators, IT support staff and more.
"We have mostly gay men and a handful of women who participate in our events," Quintiliani said. "We are open to all [ 21 and over ] and everyone is welcome.
"The goal of LPL is camaraderie; we have all made 'friends for life' just from attending some of the events. Providing our members with the best value for their money is one of the board's objectives; we realize how tight money is for everyone these days. There are no membership dues."
Quintiliani said one of the best parts of the LPL is the, "eclectic mix of personalities within the group."
So, yes, the memories are plentiful.
"Oh boy, if those wooded trails could talk," Quintiliani said, laughing. "Seriously, it's our membership that makes it a special organization and one that is not duplicated anywhere in the Chicago area."
The LPL has a variety of events throughout the year, including camping/rafting, game nights, candlelight bowl, boating events on Lake Michigan, picnics and more.
"LPL is a unique organization," Quintiliani said. "I have served on various boards for other organizations and none of them have the passion and dedication to their membership that the LPL board has. Again, it's a unique group of people dedicated to providing a great time for a little money to all who are interested."
For more information on the Lincoln Park Lagooners, visit www.lincolnparklagooners.org .