“I was very independent and made friends easily and I recall there were never any problems with kids and no one got moved out of the cabins, “said Ruth Wiesen (1957-59).” I don’t remember anyone going home early either. We were all so busy and signed up for activities before we started. In the activities, you were in with other kids from other huts, and if you wanted to switch activities, the counselors would let you.”
Jan Mosier’s good friend Mary Lou Clay went away to Camp Maqua with her in 1947 just before Jan turned eight. Both sets of parents were good friends and Jan and Mary Lou ended up going to college together.
“I usually went to fourth period for the first few years and I never remember being in the first sessions, but I attended for six years until 1952,” she said. “The other great thing about my friend going up with me was that her Mom could drive. If I stayed for more than one session, my Mom would send up new clothes—all with the labels sewn in.
Jan looked forward to going to camp every year and could not wait,” I guess I was an extrovert and made friends easily. I wasn’t bold, but I certainly got along. Every year I was chomping at the bit to get back to camp. When I look back, I think it taught me tolerance to live with other people and a love for the outdoors.”
It was Jenifer Penzien’s (1969-71) first time away from home and she loved the adventure. “I don’t know that anyone knew anyone in that first cabin I stayed in, but we hung together and I’m sure we paired up,” said Jenifer. “I wasn’t a real social person, and this was the biggest social thing I had ever done. My best friend when I was growing up lived right next door and I never really expanded that circle until I went to camp. Being in a situation where you were with girls you didn’t know, well, you just had to make friends.”
Cindy Knapp (1968+) loved all the staff and campers and although there were a few unfriendly ones in her memory, she felt like camp brought out the best in everyone. “There were a few of us that always seemed to end up in the same cabin together summer after summer, and of course, we all ended up as staff, too. Amy Johns, B.J. Falvey, Betsy Howell, and Kim Moore were all such wonderful friends and we never really noticed the time between summers.”
Carrie Norris (1972-73) also stuck with the girls in her cabin, and said she could rely on the friends she knew in there and go to the counselor if there were any problems. Mickie Kessler, forties camper, felt making friends was easy for her, but had many of her high school friends with her. “I felt close to those girls in my cabin as a young girl, but now I can’t even remember their names. I do get warm fuzzies just thinking about the green, hilly pine forest and the smell of the pine and even the smell of the lodge.”
“I loved the campfires and the friendship circles and the bonding with others,” said Laya Hennes (1939). “Just being in nature and yet having a routine was great. 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.”
“The second year was so much easier,” said Geraldine McDonald (1954). “I can remember “Uncle Joe” (Hirschfield) saying he was going to send me back and all I could think of was no, I don’t want to go back! But, he knew I would have a good time, and a couple of the same girls I had met came back and even though they weren’t in the same cabin, I met a new bunch of girls. It really helped me to become more outgoing. I was so protected by my aunt and uncle.”
Dorothea Kelton (1940) felt like kids enjoyed each other and tried not to make waves back in her camping days. Ellen Hydorn thought the fifties was a gentle age, where the girls were unsophisticated, fun-loving and gentle. I’m quite sure each era felt like they had it the best, but in general Camp Maqua left most girls with that all over happy feeling! What were your feelings?