A document in the archives from 1974, was soliciting for donations for the “camp restoration program” for the fiftieth anniversary for Maqua. It listed “Trail Blazer” as $1,000+, “Maqua Sponsor” as $500-$1,000, “Camp Circle” as $300, “Century Camp” as $100, and “Builder” as $99 and under. Checks were to be addressed to YWCA Camp Maqua Fund and could be paid in installments.
The results of the Camp Maqua Improvement Fund Drive listed the amount pledged as $15, 737.32. There were 153 individual pledges totaling $13,237.32 and the Osthelder Foundation pledged $2,500.00. On January 7, 1975, the amount spent on improvements was $7, 525. 81. There was a list of itemized expenses, which included $3,947.97 paid to Bob Feasal for labor and materials. Paint, hardware items and lumber, as well as campaign expenses were listed. It left $6,392.51 in the checking account on that date.
The second session “Loon” edition was July 20. 1974 and it was Maqua’s fiftieth anniversary. (July 15 was the actual date, but camp celebrated on the 14th.) The day cleared after it rained in the morning. The camp worked on cabin projects such as cleaning the boathouse, washing the boats, cleaning the firebowls, and washing the cars. Two of the cabins made signs that instructed the cars to slow down and a sign to direct people where the camp was located. Some painted the trash cans, some created new song sheets and one cabin made a new cross for Chapel Hill. In the evening there was an old fashioned picnic at the waterfront with hot dogs and “S’Mores”. “It was a beautiful day and after taps, the trees whispered their thanks for all we had done,” the article ended.
There was a full page spread in the Bay City Times on April 4, 1974, titled “Celebrates Fifty Years” under a photo of the entrance sign of “Camp Maqua YWCA”. Times staff writer Gay McGee wrote the article detailing the history of the camp after a rally had been held at the YWCA to mark the date with old photos, stories and a few original campers there to celebrate. Photos from every era graced the pages