Additions To The Property–

Published on August 17, 2016February 21, 2017 by Kathy Baker

In April 1936, the camp committee discussed a small piece of property that belonged to the D&M Railroad, which would cost $5.44 and back taxes of $800. It must have been purchased, because to this day the tracks can be seen on the back of the property, where the present owners hike during the fall.

In the committee minutes of October 1955, references were made about a piece of property owned by Mr. James Miller, who was willing to donate a lot at the corner of his property for the caretaker’s cabin at the east end of the property. They also questioned a cabin that lay at the foot of Chapel Hill that may have been built over the property line.

Another cabin had been built 15 feet from the camp property line and the owner was trying to sell it for $8500 unfinished or $9500 finished. There were concerns if it did not sell and was rented, it could be “disastrous” to camp.

Onto The Property–

Published on August 15, 2016February 21, 2017 by Kathy Baker

Early photographs and postcards of Camp Maqua leave the viewer with the feeling that the property was a beautiful lakeside setting, but had very few trees. In later years, the trees matured with birch, oak, pine and other varieties creating a beautiful forested landscape.

A letter in the archival files from the State of Michigan Department of Conservation in Lansing, dated January 14, 1925, agreed to furnish 2,000 White Pine trees and 2,000 Norway Pines for the property. The letter also stated if more were needed, they would be amenable to providing additional pine trees.

The only other mention of trees on the property in the minutes was in 1963 when the caretaker agreed to check into timber cutting on the swampland of both the old and new property. (Forty-five additional acres had been purchased that year.) The estimate was $1,000-$1,500, but it was unclear if they were paying for it to be cut, or receiving payment for the timber.

The roads were always a constant source of maintenance and concern. As early as 1933 the minutes stated a need for improvements to the road into camp. For $35, they contracted someone to grade, crown and provide drainage in the low places. Other mentions of the road included adding gravel when needed.

Over the years not only the entrance of the road changed, but so did the signs. According to many of the women who were interviewed, the road came in from the east side of the property that wound around the curve of Putnam Rd. and cars entered at the back of the property.

Later the road entrance was moved to Putnam Road at the south end of the property, which was closer to the lodge. The first reference was in 1955, as the minutes stated a discussion held by the camp committee about the road, and a motion was made to build it. A letter in the files from 1956 offered $600 toward the road from Mr. Miller, but “ the board was not inclined to accept that offer or the possibility of leasing property between his and the camps”.

Donors And Volunteers–

Published on August 1, 2016February 21, 2017 by Kathy Baker

Without the donors and volunteers, camp would have never survived. Camp committee minutes in the fifties included references to roof and hut repairs, toilet seats, kitchen necessities and a new cook stove. A washing machine had been donated to the camp in 1954, but “another list of wants and needs was to be posted on the bulletin board, in hopes that other individuals would contribute”.

Sometimes the repairs had to wait until the ground frost was thawed, (such as the well), and sometimes the items were beyond repair, (such as the sailboat), which was sold in 1954. New tents, bedspreads, paddles, and the lists were endless, In the late fifties there was not enough money in the treasury, so each member of the committee was asked to bring in a dish towel, campers were asked to bring their own canoe paddles and old bedspreads instead of new ones were hunted down.

In the late fifties, caretaker Tom “Pops” Watson was building a new raft and submitted bids for a shed to be built. Sails, riflery and archery equipment had to be procured from the Yacht Club and Rifle and Archery clubs, as well as a piano tuner, bullets, ping pong balls, and food supplies. Goodeynes appeared to be the favored store for many of the camp’s purchases.

Post-Camp Clean-Up–

Published on July 25, 2016February 21, 2017 by Kathy Baker

A copy of the revised edition of the “Notes Regarding Closing Camp Maqua” for the season, dated 1954 and updated from August 1950, listed the elements required to successfully close up camp.

The surplus food, that was unopened and would not keep until the following season, had to be returned. The kitchen had to be cleaned well enough that the mice would not have an attraction to it. Bedding had to be stored with paper supplies in Dutton. The screen doors and shutter ropes were removed from the huts for security. The supplies in each area had to be stored safely. The furniture inside and outside the lodge were positioned, rugs were rolled, poison was spread for rodents, windows were latched or shuttered, doors were padlocked, planks were nailed, screens were removed, water was drained, and pumps were covered. At the waterfront, ropes, buoys, riggings, rafts, and anchors were stored inside the boathouse, huts or lodge.

According to Dorthe Balaskas’ 1966 notes, post-camp days were a busy time for the caretaker and a time for the counselors and directors to list repairs needed in their areas. Mert and Ollie Webb were the caretakers at that time and she was always confident of their abilities to handle the general maintenance, but enlisted the help of “Pop” Watson to deal with some of the larger issues to be delegated to the appropriate services, since he was familiar with what had to be done to close up camp.

She had a banquet style meal for the staff after they had packed their bags. All the living areas were checked and counselor notes had to be handed in before she passed out their checks. The frozen food, record player, library books, mimeograph machine, medications and station wagon were taken to the “Y”; the guns were put into storage or repaired, and surplus food was returned to Schwanbecks in Saginaw.

Pre-camp Staff Training

Published on July 20, 2016February 21, 2017 by Kathy Baker

There were no records of pre-camp directives in the files until the sixties, when reports were left in the files of the Bay City YWCA, so it is unclear whether the same type of schedule was used for previous years.

Alice Bishop’s first period in 1961 as camp director began with pre-camp training sessions on June 28 until July 2, with twenty-six staff members. Her program included hints on effective counseling and the reading of the staff manual. There were always unexpected issues to deal with and she wrote, “Last summer the cook broke her leg on the first day of camp. This summer the cook had her luggage lost by the Greyhound bus company and was without menus and clothes for a week and a half.”

Seven members of the camp committee and board of directors, as well as vendor, a banker, hardware owner and frozen food company owner were in attendance for the Friday night cook-out that particular summer. It was a perfect way to see how the camp and staff operated for those who had a direct or indirect part in the camp’s smooth operation.

The report from director Dorthe Balaskas in 1966 was an informative and comprehensive peek into what the summer sessions were like for staff and campers alike. Pre-camp began in September with the executive director and some of the committee members to discuss the upcoming season. If a director were to be asked to return, this meeting would be the normal time for such an invitation. A contract and job description of the duties would be given out. “The immediate supervisor is the executive director,” Dorthe stated, “—you will find that you will turn to her for assistance and guidance many times.”

The director usually arrived at camp three days before the staff, just to set up. The caretaker checked the food inventory, which arrived around the middle of June. Dorthe’s report mentioned she had checked with the druggist, gas station, grocer and hardware to determine how each business wanted to handle the purchases over the course of the summer. She even met with the Webb family about the horses.

There were schedules included in the report with the itinerary for each day of pre-camp, which included training, meetings, inventory, swim tests program set-up, campfire demonstrations, manual discussions, nurse appointments, fire drills, work-shops, visits to each separate activity area or building, caper charts, trips to church and even the free time and trips to Lumberman’s Monument had been itemized.

Dorthe, as all directors probably did, greeted her staff on the first day, handed out all the bed linens and assigned cabins. The staff was given time to settle, unpack and she assigned three cabins for time for them to get acquainted.

Camp schedules were handed out, physical exam forms and YWCA memberships were handed in, and at this time insurance could be purchased. The staff was given ample time to inventory, prepare their lesson plans and create their bulletin boards. According to Dorthe, the waterfront staff had the toughest job, setting out lines and hauling rafts and boats.

Special Needs Considerations

Published on July 18, 2016February 21, 2017 by Kathy Baker

The camp committee was meeting more regularly during the spring, reviewing applications for staff, discussing new policies, accepting final payments and organizing small get-togethers to allow the new staff to get to know each other.

Over the years many different policies were instituted for the safety of the children and staff and also to comply with different state regulations. But, one question continued to be brought up concerning the admittance of “borderline retarded children or handicapped children”.

In 1960, it was noted in the minutes that handicapped children would be accepted, which would include the hard of hearing or those who were slightly crippled (due to hilly terrain). Physical examinations were always part of the camper’s acceptance, including those with no infirmities.

In 1961, after no applications had been received for any campers with physical limitations, it was decided “it would be best to work them through the Live Y’er program” at the YWCA.

In 1964, the issue came up again. “Borderline retarded children to be considered, upon recommendation of Mrs. Larry Miller of Fordson High, Dearborn Schools”, with the possibility of admitting four, was the consideration in the minutes.

As a counselor, member of the staff or camper, what type of disabilities were admitted to camp? Were the girls with limitations able to navigate the camp grounds easily and were they treated well by their bunk mates?

Girls of Camp Maqua

My Book ~ Your Story

1960’s