Confidence, self-esteem, fearlessness, self-sufficient, and nurtured were other common words that campers and staff used to describe their experiences found at Maqua. Karen Selby, seventies camper and staffer said,” As a camper, I tried everything I could not do in Bay City. I rode a horse. I learned how to shoot a bow and arrow. […]
Judy Engibous
Why I Did Not Return To Camp #4
Families members passed away and families moved, so those events affected the decisions of girls to return to camp. Others had to earn money instead of camping, and then some were fortunate enough to take advantage of other opportunities with travel. Jane McKinley attended camp 1956, 1957, and 1959, but her parents moved to Portland, […]
Snakes, Raids and Miseries—
“Cabin B was my favorite as a camper. “Dizzy” was my counselor. I have to say I was a practical joker and could be sarcastic at times, but she loved my personality. There was one who did not like me, but “Dizzy’ laughed at everything I did,” said Susan Kiltie. (1967+) “Dorthe was not […]
Heartless Practical Jokers–
Dorthe Balaskas, despite her director status, was the target of many pranks, but was on the giving end of many reprimands. In 1965, the “Loon” chronicled the prank that was played on her on July 5th around the flagpole.“Bathing Suits Billows In The Balmy Breeze” was the title of the article that described the swimsuit […]
More Firsts—
“I can still see that L-shaped dock,” said Karen Magidsohn (1965+).” We would take baths down at the lake, but we would also sit on the dock and shave our legs. I can remember the older girls were shaving their legs and it was a peer thing, so I thought I should. On the way […]
Having My Sister There—
Elaine is the oldest of the three Engibous sisters and was friends with Beth Swift during her growing up years. Doris, fourteen months younger, and Judy, ten years younger, were all Maqua campers. (Ironically, Elaine ended up marrying Beth’s older brother and they must have always felt like family, since Beth had been in […]