The word independence was mentioned more than any other word when talking to the women who camped and counseled at Maqua. (Besides the word happy.) Forties camper Kay Alcorn, along with many other women, was saddened by the closure of the camp, hoping that their children and grandchildren could have camped at a place that promoted […]
Cathy Hawkins
A Safe And Happy Camp
The physical plant of Camp Maqua was listed as ‘rustic” in the 1971 report from the Dept. of Social Services, but “conducive to a quality camp experience”. The report confirmed the positives of the camp stating, “Camp Maqua is definitely a fun place to be for YWCA girls. The program is varied and complete and […]
Rites Of Passage—
It was all girls and a safe place to talk, a place to give in to the innocent rites of passage, and share experiences only girls could relate to–that was camp. Shaving your legs, bleaching or cutting your hair, smoking your first cigarette, talking about sex, wearing a bra or not wearing a bra […]
Sixties’ Riding Instructors–
“I gravitated to the horses right away,” said Cathy Hawkins, who admitted it was her only interest. “If they made me do other activities, which they did, I did it, but as a camper I was a goodie two shoes and it was so unlike me to do this, but I skipped the other classes […]
Directors #4
Dorthe Balaskas was the assistant under Alice before becoming the director in 1966 and served until 1969. She had worked for other camps, so when Alice Bishop wanted to retire, Dorthe applied for the position. Her degree was in Special Education, specializing in physically impaired methods from Eastern Michigan University, but she also received her […]
Homesickness–#5
Knowing your bunk-mates or having a friend or relative at camp during the session was often the best security blanket needed for first timers who felt the pangs of homesickness. Marcia Michelson had three older sisters in camp in the early sixties and made good friends while there. Sisters Barb and Sue Utter convinced Jane […]