Counselor’s Retreat

Published on January 9, 2017February 21, 2017 by Kathy Baker

For the staff, the days were long and responsibilities were huge. They were in charge of many campers at one time and at the end of sessions, most would say they were truly tired. In the early years a tent sat behind the lodge for smokers, but later one of the cabins was designated for revival. There were days off and escapes to the Laundromat in Hale (laughed Zoe McGrath 1967), but the retreat was THE place to go.

“Camper’s Vision and Opinion of the “Staff Shack” was the 1965 headline of the “Loon”. A survey was conducted to see why many of the campers had something against the retreat. (The final conclusion was the retreat had formed lazy counselors out of nice girls, according to the survey!)

“We would look better in it than those counselors. It’s so dirty, they probably have rats. They’re always telling us to be quiet, how can we? They’re setting the example from the retreat. The retreat is just a place of gossip. While we make her bed and pick up her stuff, she sits, eats the candy out of the candy machine and listens to music on the hi-fi”

Counselors Left Their Mark

Published on January 4, 2017February 21, 2017 by Kathy Baker

“The year was 1947 and we were all in a tent down the hill to the right of the lodge. We should have been known as the dirty shoes and socks gang. There was a counselor that said her name was Julianna Knockalulu Desdemona Pocohantas Bubble Gum Duck Face Ford. Some important things you just never forget”, laughed Mary Hewes.

There were stand-outs as role models or counselors remembered because of their kindnesses, talents, or traditions within their cabins. For Sally Allen (1968-73) the memory of a family of sisters who taught sailing (with long gorgeous hair) was a combination of envy and respect.

For one young camper in the sixties, (who was very bright, but not as social as some of the counselors), one counselor intimidated her and another personified the ideal Maqua girl. Her name was Diane Dudley, nicknamed “Dodo”, who began as a camper and then became an aide, and was loved by everyone.

Susan Alcorn, who camped in the fifties, believed “riding instructors were goddesses and counselors just a step below”, as did Barb Rehmus (1965-76) about Judy Moore.“Her back went out and she couldn’t get out of bed. She was so well loved and we all thought she was invincible! We couldn’t believe she was all stooped over, so we brought her food. Some people have magnetism and charisma and even then, she had it.”

Counselors’ Responsibilities

Published on January 2, 2017February 21, 2017 by Kathy Baker

The earliest mention of counselors in the camp committee minutes was in May of 1933. It read; “Relationship of leader and camper was discussed, working through a self-governing camp council. The idea of having one girl in each hut responsible for her hut was also discussed: the counselor to be nearby, but not in the hut. This developed leadership among the girls. Acquaint each counselor with the others skill and so relate to each other. Use of natural resources in camp, stressed cooperation with staff necessary to put ideas over.”

The camp committee minutes from 1936 stressed the need for a trained counselor for their overnight hikes, the selection of a riding instructor that would fit more readily into the camp activities and perhaps even a junior and senior camp. Sometimes finding the right counselor involved leadership training weekends or specific training for the activity. (Riflery, archery, horseback riding and nursing.)

It is unclear whether counselors in the beginning years actually lived away from the girl’s cabins, but most of the girls interviewed spoke of them present on a cot in each cabin.

The general duties in 1971, as put forth by the YWCA, included living with and having charge for their group, assisting the other counselors and operating within the realm of their specific duties according to the department they were hired to supervise or assist.

Camp training, health exams, and specific attendance at camp activities were mandatory, as was joining the YWCA as a member. The contracts also included the amount of time off during the day and week.

A credo in the seventies was included on the contract. “The center of Camp Maqua is our camper. She is the reason for our camp. All camp life revolves around her. Our duties are to know her, to help her learn to do things for herself, and to help her do things with others. It is for these purposes that we are selected to serve at Camp Maqua. Be a good example to campers at all times!”

Reverse Homesickness–#4

Published on December 19, 2016February 21, 2017 by Kathy Baker

For those girls who were campers and then moved into staffing positions at Maqua, their memories of the girls leaving and their own feelings continued to be strong. They had to say goodbye to campers at every session and watch as girls left with many emotions.

“One cherished memory for me is the sight of the young campers making new friends and bonding through a two-week period, sad to leave each other at the other end. They too had an experience for the first time—very emotional. There were those who really waited so anxiously for their parents to arrive for pick up and it was always obvious to me which parents had a special bond with their girls,” said Judy Moore, who was the assistant director 1970-71. “These young campers had an adventure that asked that they survive without their usual family support and develop these skills. Remarkable, when I think about it!”

The staff of the “Loon” in 1961 penned this paragraph—“Dear Campers, Was it really only two weeks ago that all of us gathered together in the lodge together, watching the Kangaroo Court for counselors? The time has gone by so swiftly, and now we say ‘so long’, but let us not say goodbye. Instead, why don’t we take with us memories made rich by new friendships, made rich by new skills learned, made rich by evenings spent around a campfire. We on the staff will remember the fun we had on cabin day when we got to know each one of you well. We will remember the time when we sang together after meals, and the way Alice would holler “garbage”. Sure, we all know about the dishes and cabin clean-up, but deep inside we all know that these are only a part of camp life. And were they really that bad? We have all enjoyed these weeks. We hope you have, too.”

Reverse Homesickness–#1

Published on December 7, 2016February 21, 2017 by Kathy Baker

“I loved camp from the first day. I never remember being the least bit homesick, nor did I ever see my sister, except in passing,” said Kay Alcorn, who was bunked in Cabin Two (in the forties) closest to the lodge, with a counselor and seven others in bunk beds. “I got a prized top bunk that summer and every summer thereafter until I was thirteen. The other young girls did get homesick and one or the other of them was always in tears– being comforted by a counselor. I couldn’t understand their feelings.”

“The first year I eventually figured out the other girls with their homesick routines were getting more attention than I was. So, I decided to fake it during siesta one day. I put on a far bigger act than anyone before. I lay in my bunk and wailed. My counselor was rubbing my back and offering treats. Nothing worked, so she sent for other counselors and eventually my sister. Still I howled, mostly with a pillow over my head. Finally, I had to give up. I threw the pillow off and started laughing. I don’t remember their reaction, but I think I felt a little embarrassed by all the concern I’d caused, as well I should have.”

Nurses, Doctors and Patients–#7

Published on September 19, 2016February 21, 2017 by Kathy Baker

One of the activity centers that no one ever wanted to have an incident was the waterfront. The waterfront staff were all certified in water safety, Red Cross training and lifesaving. But, there were other causes for concern that did not always entail water.

On the first day of camp in 1961, Margie Barbier fell on some stones and broke her arm, so off to Dr. Payea’s in East Tawas she went, which ironically was her home. Her mother seemed satisfied with her care, but since Margie could not ride or swim, she was forced to stay home with fees refunded.

The business manager, Rhonda Thayer (1974-77), played softball and was in the outfield running backwards when she broke her hand and fingers. With a splinted hand, she had a tough time doing the books with her hand in a claw shape.

Amy Johns admitted she had such a crush on Mel Hurst, a counselor from Hawaii, who was there the last two years of camp. “He made homemade skim boards out of plywood and sanded each one down. He taught the kids how to skim, but took one fall and cut his foot on a rock under the water. I remember the blood squirting in the air. Maybe it was an artery. We put compression on it and off he went to get stitched up at the hospital.”

Camper Debra Osher (1963) went for one week her first time and can still remember whittling a little stick with a little army knife. “I carved my finger instead. No stitches, but it was a long walk up the hill to have someone help me.”

Carrie Norris (1972-73) spent time in the Infirmary for a dose of poison ivy and Dawn Sohigian was also terribly allergic to poison ivy and underwent a series of shots before she went off to camp in 1966, which paralyzed her leg and caused it to swell.

Girls of Camp Maqua

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