Docks, floats, rafts and boathouse took on many shapes and forms to create swimming and boating areas on Loon Lake over the course of fifty-four years at Camp Maqua. Floats were made with drums fitted to them (donated by Imperial Oil) in 1933, according to notes in a ledger book
“Removed front half of the platform (ruined by lake ice) and moved it up to shore”, read committee notes in 1951 from the YWCA. A new raft was also built, 100 ft. of permanent dock was installed and six new rowboats, several paddles, a new job for the Snipe and new buoys completed the list of boathouse needs.
In other years, supports were added to the boathouse and pavilion that once graced the formidable structure. A wall of piles at the end of the pavilion served as a protection against the ice moving the supports during the cold winters.
In the early years there were boat competitions, according to Meg Dahlem (1925), where the winner received the Bracken Fern Award. Rowboats, sailboats, and canoes turned into parade floats. In the later years, kayaks were added to the boating fleet, and water skiing was taught.
Judy Alcorn was a C.I.T. during her years at camp in the forties and taught rowing. “It wasn’t any fun (teaching rowing), but we were always on the waterfront teaching kids sailing and swimming. I have always been a swimmer, taught swimming in Bay City and swim to this day.”
“One year we took the rowboats, those of us who were good swimmers,” said Minette Jacques (1955), “and boated over to Hale Park and made pancakes over a fire.”
“I always loved the kayaks, canoes and sailboats,” said Debbie Tweedie (1965-72), who was certain that she had to reach a particular level in order to use the boats. She had learned to swim at the “Y”, earned her lifesaving certificates and Red Cross cards, so was always qualified for the furthest swimming section.
Helen McLogan (1972-74) was a great little swimmer, so she was able to do the rowing, canoeing and sailing, but never stayed long enough to do any overnight river trips. Even though she loved to swim, she thought the lake was slimy, but always loved the feeling of navigating the lake in a boat through the lily pads.
Two seventies campers who enjoyed the kayaks were Liz Anderson and Rebecca Prieskorn. “Kayaking was always my favorite at Maqua. There were smaller little red or yellow kayaks and we paddled to the middle,” said Liz, who recalled the leech she came back with and doused with salt.
Rebecca loved any of the activities you couldn’t do at home. “I remember I peed in one of the kayaks, “ she laughed.”I didn’t want to get out of the water. It was a single-seater, so no one knew but me.”
Boating director Laurie Cullen was a second year staffer when her director Barbara Haggart reviewed her summer of 1971 in the reports. Described as a “good thing”, despite her young years, Beanie was delighted to find that responsibility and good judgement didn’t necessarily come with age. Laurie stressed safety and was deemed mature, sensible and serious about her job with clases that ran smoothly.
“Cullen is the kind of person who is always around to add a word of encouragement and cheer in a tight situation. She was always willing to entertain when we needed it and the campers and staff alike were her greatest fans”
The report went on to say that since boating was the second most popular activity, Laurie did her best to make sure the girls got the most out of everything they did in rowing, canoeing, advanced canoeing for canoe trippers, kayaking, sailing, inner tubing and swamping. When they had free time, they were down at the lake in kayaks and she made sure they knew all the safety rules. They all went home from camp with more knowledge in small crafts than when they came!
“It was the most fun summer ever!” said Dawn Kober of her 1977 camping experience. “I learned to water ski and have enjoyed that all my life. I also loved that I could pick my activities and learned to sail. I think we sailed on a little Sunfish, but it was never as much fun as waterskiing.”
Some girls, like Maggie Young, still have their green ribbons for canoeing in the sixties and seventies, despite being the”worst canoe person in the world”. Others persudaded their family to rent canoes after the skills they learned at camp. (Chris and Sue Augustyniak) Carla Wilhelm was nominated as the outstanding camper in her last year of camp (1949) and to this day wished she had taken sailing.
Did you have any water activity regrets?
