Camp’s Positive Influence–

There was no one who came away from Camp Maqua without some experience that affected them in a positive or negative way. From the sights and smells, to the activities chosen, or the staff that modeled behaviors, or the friendships made, the girls chose careers, hobbies,  and even decorated their homes in terms of their […]

Waterfront Scares

There are no statistics or mentions anywhere in the archives of any deaths or drownings associated with the camp. The director selected her water safety instructors, boating instructors and directors for the waterfront with a careful eye on experience and maturity. But, incidents happen and that was where drills and safety procedures came into play […]

Stay-overs

There were always a few days between sessions where the girls who attended more than one session “stayed over” and staff had time off. It was a good time to catch up on laundry, drive into Tawas, walk into town, or visit a friend’s nearby cabin. Only twelve campers stayed over between the sessions and […]

Sixties Staffing and Issues #6

Shy, quiet Linda Doering was even more so at Camp Maqua as a first time counselor in 1967. Her friend and fellow Physical Education major from Western Michigan University, Barbara Haggart, recruited her as the Boating Director that summer. “Beanie” also nicknamed her “Yakky” and the name stuck for her next few years on staff. […]

Counselors Share Their Stories #3

As the oldest Michelson daughter, Sue camped for nine years at Maqua and developed her love of the water at the Flint YWCA. Beginning in 1963, her last job was as waterfront director in 1973, having only missed one summer when she travelled to Europe. She had worked all the way through college and loved […]