Camp waterfall

Recollections from Lucille Logan Cole.

 When I was fourteen years old, I was one of the “camp breakers” – the very first group of campers to attend the new 4-H Camp Whitewood.  The cost was $7.00 for 4 to 5 days.

Our list of things to take included a wash basin (no showers in those days), flashlight (the path to the roadside park style restrooms was not lighted), four blankets ~ never enough ~ the canvas cots had no mattresses so the campers got cold from the bottom unless half the blankets were on top and half on the bottom.

The grounds were unfinished.  We all chose work details ~ I chose “trailblazers” – building walks for the hiking paths.  There was no lake – campers who wished to swim had to get up before breakfast and hike down one of the trails to the swimming hole – part of Phelps Creek.

camp swimming hole

All of the girl’s tents had nice wooden platforms.   The cabins were starting to be built.   I think there were three cabins at that time.  I stayed in the tent – loved the sound of rain on the roof.  The boys did not have all the nice wooden platform floors.

A clothesline was important for drippy bathing suits and our towels from our morning wash and occasional laundry.

Our daily routine included:

Flag raising ceremony and announcement of day’s happening or special visitors.

Breakfast ~ We were assigned a special table for the entire time.  We took turns being servers – who went to the kitchen for bowls of food ~ perhaps cooked cereal, scrambled eggs (they were good), toast, French toast, pancakes, etc., and there were always pitchers of milk.  After the meal, the helpers went to the kitchen for two dishpans of hot water – one to wash, one to rinse the dishes, which were kept covered with a cloth on each table for the next meal.

After breakfast we broke into groups for the activity we had chosen as “camp breakers” (we were very proud to be first.   I chose to be a TRAILBLAZER.    We were making or enlarging hiking paths or trails through the campgrounds.  I remember moving rocks and cutting steps with our shovels.

Back to camp for activity or sports time.  I liked the craft activities, weaving baskets, lanyards, of course, and a yarn bracelet, plus many other crafts.

At noon we were back at the mess hall (I’m not sure we called it that) for a hearty lunch which might be macaroni and cheese, goulash, spaghetti, meat balls, real mashed potatoes, veggies, fruit, cherry or peach cobbler and our special dessert (served often) bread pudding!   Pizza and French fries were not normal fare in those days.

Then we would sing and sing and sing.  “This is table number one, where is number six?   This is table number six, where is number nine? …”  Favorite song was “Song of the States”   

Q ~ What did Della wear? (Delaware)

A  ~ She wore her new jersee (New Jersey)

Q ~ What did Ida Hoe? (Idaho)

A ~ She hoed her merry land. (Maryland)

Q ~ What did Ioa weigh (Iowa)

A ~ She weighed a washing ton (Washington)

 I think we had a ditty for every state.  If we came to a puzzle, the answer ws “I don’t know ~ I’ll aska” (Alaska).

 If any camper dared to rest his or her elbows on the table, they were greeted by this chant by the entire group:

 
            “Mabel, Mabel, if you’re able

             get your elbows off the table,

             this is not a horse’s stable,

             but a first class dining table.”

Afternoon sessions were interesting, as well as educational.  County Agent, Dan McGrew, and assistant, George Schmid, often visited and introduced guests.  (All the 4-H kids knew Dan and George).  We might have nature talks, nature hikes, speakers about wildlife (who brought a few critters to show us – I didn’t like the snakes).   One speaker told about building a pond:   “You’re not beavers – don’t build a pond in a running stream – choose land…..”

Conservation class at Camp Whitewood - 1954

Our camp nurse was Mary Starkey.  Her ten-year-old daughter also attended camp.  Mary later was quite a famous person – she started and managed the Mary Och Learning Center in Champion, Ohio.  She ran the agency until she was +90!

Our evening meal (did we call it “supper” instead of “dinner”?) was much like the noon meal – tasty and hearty.  Mealtime was always fun because it included other activities – songs, chants, and games.

As the sun went down, campers participated in the evening vesper services, often around a campfire.  Usually, each cabin was in charge of one activity – a song, skit, charade, or game.  We had favorites, such as – “Tell Me Why”, sung in harmony.  (after 2 or 3 days we were getting good.)  I remember two girls from my cabin singing – “Seeing Nellie Home” in harmony.  They practiced and practiced all day – by night they were so hoarse they could hardly sing!  The last night my cabin led the group in a silly ditty (which I have managed to remember for sixty –six years!).

      “I don’t want to go home

      I don’t want to go home

      The summers are hot

      The winters are cold

      I’m much too young to be feeling old

      They say Camp Whitewood is fine

            That’s why I am singing this line

            (Talking) Oh dear . . . I want to stay here

            I don’t want to go home.”

Lowering the flag was the final activity as we ended another busy day at Camp Whitewood.

~ Lucille Logan Cole

p.s.  I was such an enthusiastic camper (or they were short-handed) that I was invited to be a counselor for the next group – junior kids ages10-13.  What a thrill! Some of the “little kids” even called me “Miss Logan”!

 Thank You to Lucille for your great memories!