Work Weekends At Camp–

Published on July 27, 2016February 21, 2017 by Kathy Baker

Yearly inspections were mandated by the state of Michigan, and many of the reports indicated nothing but excellent comments and ratings. Caretakers, committee members and volunteers worked tirelessly to keep the camp in good shape.

Notes in the camp committee minutes outlined many trips scheduled in the spring before each session to work on maintenance. In 1933 the improvements for the camp included new signs, posts under one hut, repairs to benches over the boat- house, one new raft and three boats required repair. In 1958, it was the weeds in the swim area, which I’m sure was a yearly chore. In the early sixties, it was Chapel Hill that required attention.

The caretakers were responsible for contacting contractors for larger projects, such as road grading and large mowing. Often work-related projects were adopted by church groups, Ki-West Kiwanis and the National Building Trades Union, which required “male assistance” for some of the heavier jobs.

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.

Finding The Money Tree–

Published on July 13, 2016February 21, 2017 by Kathy Baker

The financial piece of the camp puzzle was always a challenge. Donations helped to stock the camp store, keep up maintenance on various buildings and aid the camperships, but fees were raised incrementally each year. Many references were made in the camp committee minutes of board members donating, even as they sat on fundraising committees.

In 1932 the financial situation was discussed at the camp committee meeting and members were asked to do what they could do towards “wiping out the deficit for the 1932 season” by raising monies.

In 1933 a suggestion was made to save money but having neighboring camps purchase supplies together. Some leaner years, letters were sent by the committee to local businesses to cover the expenses on major projects as a donation.

In 1936 the financial report stated the income was $5,793.30 and the expenses were $5,181.61, which did not leave a huge amount to carry over into the next camp season. The minutes stated, “no actual profit was made on camp last year, so we have no balance to start the coming camp period.”

On March 31, 1937, “Mrs. H.B. Smith gave the camp $100 to reduce the principle on the camp note. $40.90 was raised with $5 more promised, which would purchase the deep sink, double boilers, butter cutter, can opener, carving knife and two wire whisks”, the minutes read. It wasn’t just new roofs and increased salaries that were needed!

The Generosity Of Others–

Published on July 6, 2016February 21, 2017 by Kathy Baker

The YWCA had always relied on the kindness of strangers and the help of volunteers. Without them, Camp Maqua would have never existed or survived. Many grateful young girls whose families could not afford to send them off to camp were on the receiving end of the generosity and kindness of such people, sponsoring sessions to camp. Applicants were interviewed by the committee and chosen from the many requests, which sometimes included foster children.

Minutes from the camp committee mentioned in June 1936 that the President of the Exchange Club promised to send one girl to camp for two weeks. Another club, Zeta Rho, sent a girl to camp in 1943, paying $30. The same year a total of $110 was donated from various men’s clubs in the Bay City area.

The Rosenbury Furniture Company donated $500 in 1944, Ladies of United Commercial Travel in 1957, the Bay City Women’s Club, Kiwanis and other fraternal organizations took the camp under their wing as their project. Rummage sales, an “April Showers” list to choose from and private donors each year raised money to send an “underprivileged” girl to Camp Maqua.

Mary Jo Stegall, who had camped from 1939-41, remembered many of the prominent families, committee members and benefactors to the camp. The Otto Sovereign family of Aladdin Homes, Mr. Earl Perry, Adele Macauley’s daughter Pat, the Foss family, Frank and Sybil Johnson, Lee and Kitty Hudson, Charles Coryell, Ben Calvin and Don Rayburn were some of the kind donors of time and money. Many of the names can be seen as committee members and volunteers in the ledgers and minutes.

“I always admired the girls who had been there for many years,” said Sue West (1975). “One girl couldn’t afford to come one year and they raised the money to get her back. I can remember she used to sing this hilarious song—Elvis Presley’s “Black Cat” and they would all clap and holler to get her to sing that song.”

Registration And Rates–

Published on July 4, 2016February 21, 2017 by Kathy Baker

“Attendance records were broken in the first two weeks of camp for the first time in camp history,” read the minutes from November 2, 1934. “There were a total of 168 campers, 79 of which were from Bay City and 89 from other cities and states. The largest enrollment was during the fourth week. For the entire season the total campers numbered 428.”

The earliest mention of registration in the minutes left by the camp committee was June 1935. The camp rates were $11 for the first week, $10 for the second, and $1.50 registration fee. The monthly fee was $43.50. Notes from February 15, 1937 stated a fee of $1.00 was charged just to register by the Saturday before camp and presumably the balance was paid upon arrival.

On February 9. 1945, the minutes indicated a discussion of how many periods or sessions to have at camp. “Some thought that four two-week periods scheduled as in previous summers is advisable because there are many other changes in the camp situation. Mrs. Coryell mentioned the state camp that holds its two four-week periods with the advantage of continuity of program for four continuous weeks. During the discussion, the idea of planning for two four-week periods or two two-week periods (were) considered. No decision concerning the matter was reached.

All periods in 1952 were full, with the exception of the first period. The camp committee was pleased with the successful season consisting of 263 girls.

In 1955, there was a discussion about raising the camp fees to $40 for Bay City girls and $50 for out-of-town girls. By 1957, they were up to $50 and $60.50 for the same breakdown. By 1959, the fees were stated by week sessions and $27/$53 was charged for locals and $32/$63 for out-of-town.

Where The Girls Are–

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

Girls who came from homes as an only child, homes with all boys or even a house filled with children—the reasons were varied as to why campers loved being with all girls for an extended period of time.

Elaine Levinsohn spent three wonderful summers from 1927-1930 and loved being away from home. She had one brother and no sisters, and like many of the girls camp was appealing because she could be around other girls her age.

“I was the only girl out of four kids in my family,” said Sarah Smith, whose mother Joyce was President of the YWCA board and main fundraiser in the seventies. Her mother had attended Holyoke, which was an all girls’ college, and had valued those friendships. “She sent me on purpose to an all girls camp, so I would understand the world was not all about men!”

Beverley Schlatter (1944) spent four summers there. Her friends had gone and she begged her parents to go. “I had never been away from home and I was an only child, which was a lonely life, since I really had no one to play with. Many of my friends tried to go at the same time as I did, and I begged to go back after my two weeks there.”

Girls of Camp Maqua

My Book ~ Your Story

1930’s