An early copy of “The Loon” was found in the Girl Reserves scrapbook dating back to 1937 with an article entitled “Arrival Day”, which gave a great vignette of what it must have been like for the new girls to land at camp.
“About eleven o’clock Wednesday morning a few girls began to arrive one or two at a time, some with more courageous faces and others with frightened and apprehensive faces. At last about twelve fifteen the bus itself arrived. The new girls clambered out and many greetings could be heard thrown back and forth as a girl ran into an acquaintance of the year before. Also could be heard the many goodbyes from the girls leaving and the more lucky ones who were to stay. The faces of those leaving expressed alternately grief of desire as they viewed for the last time the familiar landmarks of Maqua. After a delicious dinner Miss Epple informed the new girls of the mode of living at camp. Then came physical and swimming examinations followed by the supper bell. After dinner a very delightful program was arranged and a jolly time was had around the campfire. At eight forty-five the girls prepared for the night and all hopped into bed tired but happy and well satisfied with their first, if rather strenuous day at camp.”
Laurie Cone (1962-68) recalled the caretakers helping with the arrival at camp. “Mel and Ollie were the couple who helped us. I can’t remember if Mel or Ollie was the man, but he drove the truck for the camp. The families would unload the girl’s luggage on the archery range beside the lodge. There would be a mark on the ground that signified which cabin the luggage and lockers would go and he would deliver it all. Getting down the hill in muddy conditions was a job!”
Melissa Plambeck (1968-78) still has her footlocker with her photos tucked inside. “I can still remember the truck that would take our footlockers to the cabin and whoever was on the truck would sing, “We Welcome You To Camp Maqua”.
Dorthe’s reports included instructions for the camper’s arrival and departure with a copy of the camper check in slip. Arrival was on Sunday from 2-4, with all the counselors in their respective cabins ready to greet the families.
One person was posted at the waterfront, two worked as greeters, four worked the truck taking the luggage down and two worked chalking the name on each piece of luggage. The numbers of each cabin were put on the badminton nets that year and the luggage was dropped off. Parents were instructed where to park and meet the director, nurse and program director over punch and coffee.
Forms to designate cabin mates were filled out by the parents and it was the director’s responsibility to make out the cabin lists. There were eight campers in each cabin with a counselor, except Senior Village, which had an extra bed in each for staff.
Cabins were numbered one through nine, and A, B and C for the older girls in Senior Village. Cabins One, Two and Three were for the younger girls. There were two tents in 1966, which housed four girls and two staff members. In later years, the cabins were given Native Indian names.
Harriet Crumb, who camped in the early twenties, knew the girls were assigned to cabins by age and recalled only six per hut during smaller sessions of fifty girls. “You had to quiet down when the counselors came and in the evenings the girls would sit on the lodge porch swings and exchange confidences.”
What was arrival day like for you? Describe the feeling you had upon arrival. What was your first night like?
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