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Special Needs Considerations
The camp committee was meeting more regularly during the spring, reviewing applications for staff, discussing new policies, accepting final payments and organizing small get-togethers to allow the new staff to get to know each other.
Over the years many different policies were instituted for the safety of the children and staff and also to comply with different state regulations. But, one question continued to be brought up concerning the admittance of “borderline retarded children or handicapped children”.
In 1960, it was noted in the minutes that handicapped children would be accepted, which would include the hard of hearing or those who were slightly crippled (due to hilly terrain). Physical examinations were always part of the camper’s acceptance, including those with no infirmities.
In 1961, after no applications had been received for any campers with physical limitations, it was decided “it would be best to work them through the Live Y’er program” at the YWCA.
In 1964, the issue came up again. “Borderline retarded children to be considered, upon recommendation of Mrs. Larry Miller of Fordson High, Dearborn Schools”, with the possibility of admitting four, was the consideration in the minutes.
As a counselor, member of the staff or camper, what type of disabilities were admitted to camp? Were the girls with limitations able to navigate the camp grounds easily and were they treated well by their bunk mates?
Finding The Money Tree–
The financial piece of the camp puzzle was always a challenge. Donations helped to stock the camp store, keep up maintenance on various buildings and aid the camperships, but fees were raised incrementally each year. Many references were made in the camp committee minutes of board members donating, even as they sat on fundraising committees.
In 1932 the financial situation was discussed at the camp committee meeting and members were asked to do what they could do towards “wiping out the deficit for the 1932 season” by raising monies.
In 1933 a suggestion was made to save money but having neighboring camps purchase supplies together. Some leaner years, letters were sent by the committee to local businesses to cover the expenses on major projects as a donation.
In 1936 the financial report stated the income was $5,793.30 and the expenses were $5,181.61, which did not leave a huge amount to carry over into the next camp season. The minutes stated, “no actual profit was made on camp last year, so we have no balance to start the coming camp period.”
On March 31, 1937, “Mrs. H.B. Smith gave the camp $100 to reduce the principle on the camp note. $40.90 was raised with $5 more promised, which would purchase the deep sink, double boilers, butter cutter, can opener, carving knife and two wire whisks”, the minutes read. It wasn’t just new roofs and increased salaries that were needed!
The Kindness Of Strangers–
The Camp Committee spent countless hours raising funds for all aspects of Camp Maqua. Most of the money raising was funded by local companies, generous benefactors and volunteer teams. “Shaking the can” for such endeavors was not an easy task, especially during tough financial times. Most families had all they could handle just paying for their own children’s needs, and many of the campers had no idea how or who was paying their way. They were just happy to be going!
Julie Bernard (1970-78) was patently aware of the contrasts between those who came from the wealthy families and those who were on scholarship, but insisted they all got along. It was not a topic of conversation, but she knew there was a family of sisters whose father had been killed in Vietnam and had generous donors not sponsored the girls, they may have never had the camping experience.
Kathy’s Musings: A Bucket List Item
The night was perfect and so was the room. It had been cleaned and sprayed for any little critters that may be lurking for nearly forty years.(Remember the daddy long legs?) The newly installed stairway to the upper bunk over the boathouse was in good shape, the floorboards formed a firm floor, (having recently been sturdied up), and the few screens that were in the open windows were clean–fitting quite nicely back into their openings. The ceilings and walls were covered in numerous signatures of past campers, which only added to the ambience of the night. Gone were the metal bunk beds, but instead a comfy inflatable queen-sized bed was the platform for Sascha’s sleeping bag. The bag beside her bed held water, insect repellent, tissues and a flashlight. She was all set! The stars were out, the sun had set in the northern sky over Loon Lake and the only things missing were the voices of girls either at the fire or inside the hut, but no matter because Sascha Immerman was happy. She was crossing off a bucket list item from her missed opportunity during her camping years of the late forties and early fifties. She never got to sleep in hut nine. Unafraid, she settled in for a night of happiness with a view over the lake and awoke with a smile as the sun rose over the lake. The only bucket list item missing from the night was the curtain of dreams called the Northern Lights, but that did not spoil her perfect sleepover. Oh, did I add she will be eighty in August? It is never too late to have a happy childhood.
The Generosity Of Others–
The YWCA had always relied on the kindness of strangers and the help of volunteers. Without them, Camp Maqua would have never existed or survived. Many grateful young girls whose families could not afford to send them off to camp were on the receiving end of the generosity and kindness of such people, sponsoring sessions to camp. Applicants were interviewed by the committee and chosen from the many requests, which sometimes included foster children.
Minutes from the camp committee mentioned in June 1936 that the President of the Exchange Club promised to send one girl to camp for two weeks. Another club, Zeta Rho, sent a girl to camp in 1943, paying $30. The same year a total of $110 was donated from various men’s clubs in the Bay City area.
The Rosenbury Furniture Company donated $500 in 1944, Ladies of United Commercial Travel in 1957, the Bay City Women’s Club, Kiwanis and other fraternal organizations took the camp under their wing as their project. Rummage sales, an “April Showers” list to choose from and private donors each year raised money to send an “underprivileged” girl to Camp Maqua.
Mary Jo Stegall, who had camped from 1939-41, remembered many of the prominent families, committee members and benefactors to the camp. The Otto Sovereign family of Aladdin Homes, Mr. Earl Perry, Adele Macauley’s daughter Pat, the Foss family, Frank and Sybil Johnson, Lee and Kitty Hudson, Charles Coryell, Ben Calvin and Don Rayburn were some of the kind donors of time and money. Many of the names can be seen as committee members and volunteers in the ledgers and minutes.
“I always admired the girls who had been there for many years,” said Sue West (1975). “One girl couldn’t afford to come one year and they raised the money to get her back. I can remember she used to sing this hilarious song—Elvis Presley’s “Black Cat” and they would all clap and holler to get her to sing that song.”