Stay-overs

Published on April 24, 2017April 15, 2017 by Kathy Baker

There were always a few days between sessions where the girls who attended more than one session “stayed over” and staff had time off. It was a good time to catch up on laundry, drive into Tawas, walk into town, or visit a friend’s nearby cabin.

Only twelve campers stayed over between the sessions and Alice Bishop noted that checkout was very orderly in 1961. Some stayed for the afternoon program, others went to the movies with counselors and a few went out with their parents for the evening.

There was a program set according to Dorthe Balaskas’ 1966 director’s report, which indicated eight or nine staff stayed to help, while others took twenty-four hours off. If they slept at camp, the usual rules applied for time in, boats and waterfront. The staff would have to be back by Sunday at noon for a staff meeting.

Barb Krohn (1970-72) stayed a whole month in her fourth year and slept in the lodge between sessions. “There were not too many of us who stayed, but we would go into town. One of the best parts about going every summer was seeing the same girls.”’

Meg Dahlem, who talked to me about her stay in 1925, thought it was a great treat to be able to walk into Hale for an ice cream during her free time. It was a tradition that continued as long as the camp operated. Penny Mitchell loved the same walks into Hale in the fifties, as did Jennifer Fenton for her favorite bubblegum flavor in the seventies!

Staffing During the Depression and War Years

Published on March 6, 2017February 20, 2017 by Kathy Baker

While camping before the Depression and World War II was seen as a way for young people to extend their skills and extend their education, it evolved from a middle class activity to a summer program for all economic levels. Camping grew during the years after 1945 and parents encouraged their children to return to nature, especially in organized religiously affiliated camps like the YWCA.

Marilyn Levine, born in 1925, remembered Maqua as the best experience of her life. “I adored it”, she said, “but it was Depression time when I went in 1933 or 1934, so I could only go for one week.”

Dorothy Bonnen was in the ninth grade when she attend Camp Maqua in 1942 during Depression times. It was the only time she had been out of Bay City and it was her first time on a bus and a lake.

Notes left behind in the archives indicated the YWCA sent some of their staff to conferences that pinpointed the war years and the effects it would have on camping. Older people with experience were sought for positions and standards were kept high for their qualifications

Directors #1

Published on January 23, 2017February 20, 2017 by Kathy Baker

In the beginning years of the camp, scant references were made in the archives to hostesses and directors. Virginia Leitch was mentioned as a possible first in 1916, with Vera Merriman in 1918, but in the book “Camp Maqua” the gap years not listed were due to un-certainty and verification of the positions. Committee director Adelaide MacCauley, who left notes in the YWCA archives, referenced other women in her historical notes, but when not able to be verified historically, the list remained incomplete.

In 1934 Mrs. Beckwith was nominated by Mrs. Luppert for the position of hostess, according to minutes and ledgers from that era. It appeared she retained her position in 1935 and 1936 and noted she had eleven years experience.

Edna Young, who camped in 1932 and possibly before, was ninety years old when I interviewed her. “I spent a lot of time in the lodge and remember a widowed or divorced hostess named Mrs. Beckwith, who oversaw the dining room. She was an older woman with a daughter my age named Jean, who was able to camp all summer with the girls. Her Mom’s room was in the lodge. I think our camp directors were Miss Lineberger and Wilma Lewis.”

In 1937 Mrs. N.R. Wentworth was mentioned as hostess. No one else was mentioned until 1943, when Margaret Fletcher’s name was brought up by the camp committee and she served until 1945.

Counselors Share Their Stories #1

Published on January 16, 2017February 21, 2017 by Kathy Baker

“I was at Western Michigan University, packing to go home after my sophomore year, with no plan for a job for that summer,” said Ann Carney (1968-72).” Brooke, (a fellow classmate that I did not know), said she was going to camp as a horseback riding instructor. I had just finished my certification as a water safety instructor. She told me the camp was looking for a W.S.I., and handed me a crumpled a piece of paper with a number of the director, Dorthe Balaskas, and threw it at me. I had no money, but knew I was going to be a resident advisor for the dorm the following year. I taught at the “Y” in Kalamazoo for extra money and knew what it was like to swim competitively. “

“I called Dorthe, who told me to come to her class in East Dearborn, which was close to my home. She was very direct. I met with her at the end of the school day and I think now it was a small test. She was teaching special education to some of the most severely handicapped and disabled children I had ever seen and I think she wanted to see how I would respond. I engaged with her and the children. She basically told me camp starts on June first and you should be there. It was total happenstance! We lived in Dearborn and my father worked for Ford. She was a very real person and understood who each one was as a person. She saw the person, not just the helmets, braces and prostheses.”

Meg Dahlem (1924) loved the ballroom dancing with campers and counselors in the evening, recalling that most of them were college girls or teachers. Martha Carpenter, who taught in the arts and crafts cabin and was a resident of Bay City, and was a student at Skidmore of New York. “Counselors stayed in “Dutton” and when they got tired of cooking, they would hike to Long Lake for pancakes,” she said.

Counselors Left Their Mark

Published on January 4, 2017February 21, 2017 by Kathy Baker

“The year was 1947 and we were all in a tent down the hill to the right of the lodge. We should have been known as the dirty shoes and socks gang. There was a counselor that said her name was Julianna Knockalulu Desdemona Pocohantas Bubble Gum Duck Face Ford. Some important things you just never forget”, laughed Mary Hewes.

There were stand-outs as role models or counselors remembered because of their kindnesses, talents, or traditions within their cabins. For Sally Allen (1968-73) the memory of a family of sisters who taught sailing (with long gorgeous hair) was a combination of envy and respect.

For one young camper in the sixties, (who was very bright, but not as social as some of the counselors), one counselor intimidated her and another personified the ideal Maqua girl. Her name was Diane Dudley, nicknamed “Dodo”, who began as a camper and then became an aide, and was loved by everyone.

Susan Alcorn, who camped in the fifties, believed “riding instructors were goddesses and counselors just a step below”, as did Barb Rehmus (1965-76) about Judy Moore.“Her back went out and she couldn’t get out of bed. She was so well loved and we all thought she was invincible! We couldn’t believe she was all stooped over, so we brought her food. Some people have magnetism and charisma and even then, she had it.”

My (Gang) Went There !#4

Published on December 28, 2016February 21, 2017 by Kathy Baker

Nancy Michelson was one of four sisters who attended in the sixties and seventies. Close in age, they were known at “The Michelson Girls”. Their mother was not only behind the sisters going to camp, she was the ringleader of the many girls from Flint who attended in the late forties.

Ellen Hydorn was part of the “Fifth Street Gang”, which consisted of five girls who lived on the same street. Four went to camp together in 1954, when they were eleven years old. The other girl had a mother and two daughters who attended.

Friends Lori Rosenbaum, Karen Magidshohn and Pamela Hartz were known as “The Three Musketeers”. “I was the youngest in that group of Jewish girls, but we never felt prejudice. I always felt incredibly safe,” said Pamela.

Kim Wynne-Parry was eight in 1963 when her Mom and Shelley Wright’s Mom decided they should go off to camp together. Kim continued until the end of middle school, but Shelley continued on as a counselor. “I was always with Shelley when I went to camp, but she was the more athletic one and made friends more easily.”

Melissa Plambeck (1968-78) met a girl by the name of Julie Bernard at camp and they stayed in touch long enough for Julie to stand up in her wedding. Carol Wahl met Pam Moore in 1974 in her first year at camp. They ended up as college room-mates and was also in Carol’s wedding.

Girls of Camp Maqua

My Book ~ Your Story

1940’s