Wednesday, November 26, 2008

"Who once were strangers."


I had never met a Swedish person before coming to camp HWH. To me they were all blonde and terrifying; destined to arrive upon our English soil in Dragon boats, bristling with axes and spears and ready to loot and pillage. I believed that each Swede (or Dane or Norse man) would look a little bit like Kirk Douglas in 'The Vikings'. How wrong I turned out to be.
This last weekend, my family and I were visited by our friend, Michael Soderlund. We first met in the summer of 1997. I had arrived from teaching school in the UK to work second session at HWH, and I soon learned about the hard-working and likeable Swede who ran the waterfront. Mike was everything that is best about a waterfront director; fun, vigilant, VERY qualified and knowledgeable and mostly VERY safe. No child would ever come near harms way under Mikey's watch. He joined in the fun as well. Mike exemplified another group of people to which I belong in the many guises my time at HWH produced: namely the 'Year round staff' or 18 monthers. In addition to the marvelous staff at both camps during the summer, these staff took school groups during the fall/winter/spring programs. Each of us learned every job at camp; we all cooked, cleaned, sang, snowshoed and a million other things. We loved it, but most of all we loved and still love camp.

Mike and I (and my wife Jane) hadn't seen each other in over eight years, but the time fell away and friendships were renewed without question. Every camper, staff member and alumnus that has ever been part of this magical place will know what I mean. The buildings echo with every name, and the memories we carry with us to every part of the planet are a coat of many hues and shades; we are each 'Ghosts' of HWH. Mike loved meeting my family, and was thrilled to learn that our sons Samuel and Elijah had already visited camp in the summer of 2007. I told Mike about camping at the point on a beautiful night with my eldest son Sam and one of my oldest friends Dave Brott. Mike was a bit emotional as we talked about our times, people we had known, some still with us some (sadly) not. He asked "Will you ever go back to HWH, Rob?".

I smiled, remembered the feeling of the trails beneath my feet and the smell of wood smoke accompanying the strains of "This little light of mine", and answered, "I have never left."

Rob Wilkinson November 2008

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!



After weeks of planning and three days of preparation, another successful Thanksgiving dinner was served to over 220 guests and 25 staff and volunteers on Sunday at Kresge Lodge. A total of 388 pounds of turkey (14 whole turkeys) were slow roasted to perfection. We save all the drippings to prepare our 7 gallons of gravy and flavor the 130+ pounds of stuffing. Over 100 pounds of red potatoes were boiled and mashed. A total of 60+ pounds of green beans were used for the casserole. Oh no! It seems we ran out of cranberries (almost). I've always made 60 pounds of cranberry sauce but in the past it was too much. So this year I made 30 pounds and it was close, this will of course be adjusted for next year! Then to the PIES PIES PIES! We decided to make them this year and it was well received, but Chad and I both agree, we are glad we don't work in a bakery. Of course we had all the fixings to go with the meal like pickles, fresh rolls and butter, and even apple cider. Coffee was even a hit and always nice to have with your pie. We served over 300 cups of coffee - I had two.

This is a lot of food, but just think if we could accommodate everyone that wanted to come. It seems we ran out of room and had to turn down over 50 people. The main topic of discussion for next year will be how to make sure everyone can participate in the dinner. There are several ideas floating around from having two dinners on different days and others. If you have any ideas on how this can be done, let’s talk!

I must thank all the guests that attended and for your wonderful fellowship. To me it shows such a manifestation of the true Hayo-Went-Ha spirit. This is evident too of the all the excellent staff and volunteers as they focus on their tasks at hand in serving our friends around the community. We all know how important community is and especially on Sunday when we gather as one big family. It re-energizes me and assures me that our mission at camp is doing positive things and the support from our friends is making it all possible. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart and I wish you all the best Blessings for your Holidays.

Sincerely, Frank Rushlow
Food Service Director – YMCA Hayo-Went-Ha Camps

Friday, November 14, 2008

Registrar Kathy Peterson leaves after nine years.....




Our Registrar person, Kathy Peterson left for warmer temperatures last week. We had a fun going away party and we will all miss her outgoing personality around the office. Thank you Kathy for all your hard work. If you had every called our main office, most likely Kathy was the one happily answered all your questions.

The search is now on for a replacement!

Monday, November 10, 2008

Summer Camp Thoughts

It's no small feat for a parent to send their child to summer camp for four weeks. In fact it is reminiscent of tribal times when mothers pushed their young sons into the world at puberty while feigning disgust with them. Shielding their tears, the mothers would turn their backs and walk away. Back then it was a very important right of passage...and signalled the ascension to adulthood. Now they leave them with a big hug, an email address and the expectation that they will stay in touch. But it's definitely still a right of passage, whether it's a son or a daughter. Only at Hayo-Went-Ha Camps do children become young people -- not through stringent discipline and rigorous academics, but by catching frogs knee-deep in mud, or by lugging a heavy back pack on the paths of Isle Royale. Mostly it's the friendships that bond them together and keep them in touch even as adults. I've had the privilege of watching them get together after years of being completely apart, even on opposite sides of the country. Hayo-Went-Ha is sticky and stays with them through life...the stories never leave, the songs are still sung...and the places they grew to love as campers are still cherished and cared for as we move through the Second Century of Camping.