Yearly inspections were mandated by the state of Michigan, and many of the reports indicated nothing but excellent comments and ratings. Caretakers, committee members and volunteers worked tirelessly to keep the camp in good shape.

Notes in the camp committee minutes outlined many trips scheduled in the spring before each session to work on maintenance. In 1933 the improvements for the camp included new signs, posts under one hut, repairs to benches over the boat- house, one new raft and three boats required repair. In 1958, it was the weeds in the swim area, which I’m sure was a yearly chore. In the early sixties, it was Chapel Hill that required attention.

The caretakers were responsible for contacting contractors for larger projects, such as road grading and large mowing. Often work-related projects were adopted by church groups, Ki-West Kiwanis and the National Building Trades Union, which required “male assistance” for some of the heavier jobs.

In October 1936, the minutes read; “There is a new roof being put on the lodge—painting and other work being carried on. There is enough money for these repairs at present.” The same year a list of equipment and supplies were detailed, as well as repairs to the electric light plant. The lists were sometimes wishes, but they were not always granted.

Wishes included a new canvas for the badminton court, a safe for the office, an office desk with a typewriter top, sofa pillows for the lodge, camp stools, or material to cover the old ones, new beds for hut two (which had to be tied every few days), a deep sink in the kitchen, large double broiler and brooms. There were no notes to suggest all or any of these wishes were granted!

Plans for a counselor’s cabin were submitted in March 1937, with the suggestion that the Rotary Club might care to build it. Along with it came suggestions of companies in the area for new beds and mattresses from Furniture Co., Rosenbury’s, Levine Mattress Co., Sears Roebuck, Haggart and Marcosson and Wieland Upholstery.

In the late thirties, minutes noted that supports had been installed under the boathouse and pavilion, which stretched out over the shore. A Mr. Thayer had also built a wall of piles at the end of the pavilion to serve as protection against the ice moving the supports once winter froze the lake.

In 1942, the boathouse was again reinforced, with several new windows installed in the upper room, which allowed ten more girls to camp each period.

Were you ever a part of a group that helped Camp Maqua with either maintenance or fund-raising?