The “Loon” captured the types of activities the campers enjoyed in 1947, but the older scrapbooks had wonderful photos of young campers dressed in gauzy scarves, with fun activities from the twenties’ and thirties’.
The “Evening Program” section started out on Wednesday with games. Paired by twos and armed with slips of paper with articles written on them, the girls had to find the members of the other team with the matching article-((i.e. salt and pepper, pen and ink) The second game consisted of finding as many things in the lodge that started with the letter F. On Thursday, the seniors had a free night and the juniors played the lodge game with the letter S. On Friday, the juniors played games in the lodge while the seniors played baseball, followed by a group singsong around the piano.
On Saturday it was bath night and “Each hut was allowed ten to fifteen minutes in the water.” (!!) Sunday was hut night, but due to rain the picnic suppers that were planned had to take place in the lodge. Then, each hut went to their own spot and played cards, musical chairs, or had square dancing. Camp songs were sung around the fireplace with candlelight.
On Monday there was a carnival, with each hut setting up their own booth. House of Horrors, Trip to Mars, Leaping Lizard and many more booths occupied an hour and a half of the camper’s time. Tuesday was free night for the seniors, but some of the “old campers” went with Ann to Lumberman’s Monument in the truck, followed by ice cream.
On Wednesday, everyone played charades, using three songs, books or movie titles, followed by singing around the fireplace. On Thursday all gathered in the lodge for Peg to teach new songs and there was a fire in the fireplace and lighted candles on the mantle.
On Friday, “Station MAQUA” had their broadcast rom the lodge, using Tom Brennaman’s famous program. No camper was allowed in without a hat and Hut 8 took charge of the singing commercials. “The oldest camper, Norma Schnapp, and the youngest camper, Kay Alcorn, were given orchids,” the article stated. Prizes were awarded for the four most original hats and lemonade was served before another singing night. On Saturday, when the bell rang, each hut took their spot in the lodge and began to make decorations for the carnival floats.
On Sunday everyone went on a cookout either at Hale Park or somewhere around the lake, followed by lodge singing. Monday was the scavenger hunt.Tuesday was ceremonial—“We marched down to the beach four abreast singing “Follow The Gleam”. Then we sang more camp songs. Next Margie Niedzielski said a few words about the friendship wall, while singing “Gift Bearers”, each hut placed their stones on the wall. Carolyn Abbott also said a prayer before lighting the fire. Following this more camp songs were sung.”
Were you a part of the camp sessions in 1947? What do you remember?