The upkeep of the buildings on the property were vitally important from a safety standpoint. Trees that grew too close to the buildings had to be removed when the branches and roots interfered with the tile fields or roofing. The roofs of the lodge, brownie and bunkhouses were a constant item of repair. Storms caused […]
Kathy Baker
Donors And Volunteers–
Without the donors and volunteers, camp would have never survived. Camp committee minutes in the fifties included references to roof and hut repairs, toilet seats, kitchen necessities and a new cook stove. A washing machine had been donated to the camp in 1954, but “another list of wants and needs was to be posted on […]
“Camp Maqua Revisited”
Over the years-and there’ve been many since then, At least once a summer I reminisce when, My friends and I would pack up our trunks, and come to this place and Pick out our bunks. “What do you want” bottom or the top? Nobody really cared, We were there, up for the dare, And ready […]
Work Weekends At Camp–
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. […]
Post-Camp Clean-Up–
A copy of the revised edition of the “Notes Regarding Closing Camp Maqua” for the season, dated 1954 and updated from August 1950, listed the elements required to successfully close up camp. The surplus food, that was unopened and would not keep until the following season, had to be returned. The kitchen had to be […]
Pre-camp Staff Training
There were no records of pre-camp directives in the files until the sixties, when reports were left in the files of the Bay City YWCA, so it is unclear whether the same type of schedule was used for previous years. Alice Bishop’s first period in 1961 as camp director began with pre-camp training sessions on […]