Priscilla Johns, (above) (1968+) loved all the activities at camp—the arts and crafts, the horseback riding and nature. “I remember the first summer as I got on my horse and walked through the woods, I thought I would rather be galloping,” she said. “I learned to pick up a snake and not be afraid, even after the little garter snake bit me. I can still build a great fire from learning at camp and I know the girls used to say, call Cilla because she will get the fire started right away. And to swim in a lake or jump of the dock is simply amazing,” said Cilla. “There is nothing like a Michigan summer. Hot during the day, but you could swim and then throw on a sweatshirt and jeans at night. Ah—the fresh air! I think this is why I got into dentistry with children. I work a lot with special needs patients and I was drawn to it from my Maqua days. I always loved being silly, so I threw myself into a profession that would accommodate my personality!”
“I loved the campfires and the friendship circles and the bonding with others. Just being in nature and yet having a routine was great,” said Laya Rose (1937-48) “ I came from a home where my parents both worked and I was on my own a great deal. I realized that everyone needed something and everyone brought a gift to camp. My needs were met there. I think my gift was listening to others with kindness and connecting to people. I had enthusiasm for living and camping—maybe because I am not a low-key type of person. I was a people person then and I am still a people person now.”
Jenifer Penzien (1969-71) recalled the movie “The Parent Trap”, starring Hailey Mills as twins separated who find each other at camp, which aired around the time she thought about going to camp. She attributed her camping experiences for her love of horseback riding, canoeing, and kayaking—all of which she continues to do to this day.
Sue Robson’s career as a “User Experience Counselor” with web page design involves observing people using software and she feels as if her observer tendencies as a child have come in handy with her work. She also volunteers at an art center and it always reminds her of the arts and crafts of her camp days in the seventies. Barb Ballor expressed how camp fostered kindness to others, which encouraged her into the nurturing profession of nursing, as well as to send her boys to camp.
Sometimes, it was just the little things that camp taught the girls that meant the most. For Karen Kaiser (1959-62), it was simply music, campfires, the ceremonies and “ the chance to become who we were” and for Judy Kessler, her love for the outdoors began at camp in 1946 and it was always just a magical place.
Three women, Kathy Butsch (1968-74), Randi Wynne-Parry (1969-73) and Beth Taylor (1966+) were influenced to become involved with the Girl Scouts, either as a leader or member of a troop. All three drew on their experiences at camp and to this day they all enjoy the outdoors.
For Sue Purdue(1964-68), shown on the right of this photo with fellow staff member Anne Pennington, the realization of how important the camp experience did not occur until she was older.“Who knew they would be such formative years. We had instincts and urgings of vulnerability but since it was a girl’s camp, it was instrumental in my self-esteem. I believed in myself and I felt like I could do anything. I felt like I could speak my mind. Camp was a culmination and a big part of who I am. I always knew I wanted to work with kids after that and earned a Masters degree in guidance and counseling after my undergrad degree in physical education. I believe I came into my own and look back at the fact that I was in charge of such young kids at a young age, but Dorthe did a great job as a director with seriousness and responsibility. We had fun, we made a few bad decisions, but we were all searching for acceptance and now look………all the close friendships are being re-consummated!”