Post-Camp Clean-Up–

Published on by Kathy Baker Category: 1920's, 1930's, 1950's, 1960's, Blog, Directors, Counselors, Staff

Maqua scans_Jun60_4a-2A 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 cleaned well enough that the mice would not have an attraction to it. Bedding had to be stored with paper supplies in Dutton. The screen doors and shutter ropes were removed from the huts for security. The supplies in each area had to be stored safely. The furniture inside and outside the lodge were positioned, rugs were rolled, poison was spread for rodents, windows were latched or shuttered, doors were padlocked, planks were nailed, screens were removed, water was drained, and pumps were covered. At the waterfront, ropes, buoys, riggings, rafts, and anchors were stored inside the boathouse, huts or lodge.

According to Dorthe Balaskas’ 1966 notes, post-camp days were a busy time for the caretaker and a time for the counselors and directors to list repairs needed in their areas. Mert and Ollie Webb were the caretakers at that time and she was always confident of their abilities to handle the general maintenance, but enlisted the help of “Pop” Watson to deal with some of the larger issues to be delegated to the appropriate services, since he was familiar with what had to be done to close up camp.

She had a banquet style meal for the staff after they had packed their bags. All the living areas were checked and counselor notes had to be handed in before she passed out their checks. The frozen food, record player, library books, mimeograph machine, medications and station wagon were taken to the “Y”; the guns were put into storage or repaired, and surplus food was returned to Schwanbecks in Saginaw.

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Pre-camp Staff Training

Published on by Kathy Baker Category: 1960's, Blog, Directors, Counselors, Staff

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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 June 28 until July 2, with twenty-six staff members. Her program included hints on effective counseling and the reading of the staff manual. There were always unexpected issues to deal with and she wrote, “Last summer the cook broke her leg on the first day of camp. This summer the cook had her luggage lost by the Greyhound bus company and was without menus and clothes for a week and a half.”

Seven members of the camp committee and board of directors, as well as vendor, a banker, hardware owner and frozen food company owner were in attendance for the Friday night cook-out that particular summer. It was a perfect way to see how the camp and staff operated for those who had a direct or indirect part in the camp’s smooth operation.

The report from director Dorthe Balaskas in 1966 was an informative and comprehensive peek into what the summer sessions were like for staff and campers alike. Pre-camp began in September with the executive director and some of the committee members to discuss the upcoming season. If a director were to be asked to return, this meeting would be the normal time for such an invitation. A contract and job description of the duties would be given out. “The immediate supervisor is the executive director,” Dorthe stated, “—you will find that you will turn to her for assistance and guidance many times.”

The director usually arrived at camp three days before the staff, just to set up. The caretaker checked the food inventory, which arrived around the middle of June. Dorthe’s report mentioned she had checked with the druggist, gas station, grocer and hardware to determine how each business wanted to handle the purchases over the course of the summer. She even met with the Webb family about the horses.

There were schedules included in the report with the itinerary for each day of pre-camp, which included training, meetings, inventory, swim tests program set-up, campfire demonstrations, manual discussions, nurse appointments, fire drills, work-shops, visits to each separate activity area or building, caper charts, trips to church and even the free time and trips to Lumberman’s Monument had been itemized.

Dorthe, as all directors probably did, greeted her staff on the first day, handed out all the bed linens and assigned cabins. The staff was given time to settle, unpack and she assigned three cabins for time for them to get acquainted.

Camp schedules were handed out, physical exam forms and YWCA memberships were handed in, and at this time insurance could be purchased. The staff was given ample time to inventory, prepare their lesson plans and create their bulletin boards. According to Dorthe, the waterfront staff had the toughest job, setting out lines and hauling rafts and boats.

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Special Needs Considerations

Published on by Kathy Baker Category: 1960's, Blog, Directors, Counselors, Staff

644420_460710000629947_1369161173_nThe 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–

Published on by Kathy Baker Category: 1930's, 1940's, 1950's, 1970's, Blog, Buildings and Property

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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!

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