saying good-bye

This was my last breakfast and lunch at Camp Monterey. I'd taken the opportunity to spend the night before to camp overnight with the youngest campers. It was a total joy remembering how much fun it was being a camper and having adults and peers taking an interest in me, watching the silly skits, allowing me to build the fire, letting me climb on the D&M roof and the old apple trees, and giving me lots of room to be a kid. I wanted more than anything to do that with these young girls and kind of act as a spotter in weight lifting would do. It was great. I could just see the confidence build in the girls' eyes. I just hope when they share with their parents, they will share in a way that exudes confidence and empowerment.

At 42 years old, sleeping on the ground without cushion was so worth the time I spent at camp. I truly completed my stay. It was rough, but after about 4 years without a 48 hour break or vacation, camp was the perfect remedy.

After breakfast, I knew it was time to clear my bed and belongings. I didn't bring as much as I did when I would stay 8 weeks, so it was really a breeze to pack up. I got that done promptly after breakfast, and then I went out and played and sought out staff that needed help. I felt very fortunate to have worked diligently so that I could help others.

As lunch approached, I began to look around the dining hall at all the campers and staff with a satisfying smile. I felt like I had just gotten a second chance in life. What total fulfillment coming back to camp after a long absence. So many things are the same, but there are also improvements. When the JCs led familiar songs to me, I started singing loudly, no matter where I was in that dining hall; it was an automatic reaction. I looked around carefully and studied my surroundings as if I would never returned. But in this 9 day vacation and second chance in life, I felt totally satisfied and complete stepping back onto the grounds of Camp Monterey. It has so much to do with who I am. One learns to do without, to do with little, to live within our means, to live with people different than we are, to work together, to appreciate "friendly" competition, to strive to do your best in each endeavor, and to leave things better than when you found them. Am I alone?

If you've ever been a campin' at Miss Dollie's, and maybe at the closing of each day,

You will sit around the campfire in a circle, and watch the sun go down at Monterey.

Oh to wake up to the rising bell at seven, gather in the dining hall for all your meals,

And to share the joy and laughter of each camper, that's the joy a stranger never feels....

two barns and a machete

I love barns. Not only is there history in them, but they are all different. It's like the different personalities at camp, the different horses, different techniques but they all have a grand purpose.

The first barn I went to was up with the horses. This barn was more of a stable. I hadn't been up to the stables and tacked a horse since my last year as a camper in 1986. The staff needed help that morning, so I came dressed at breakfast with my jeans on and overly eager to help.

By 2011, all my favorite horses had gone on to horse heaven: Idaho, Governor, Cyclone, Red, Black Nuisance, Mr. Ed, Baby, & Boise. Now they were replaced by others such as Juniper, Marley, Sassafras, Little Bud & some others I didn't get a chance to love on. But what a familiar site as I swung open the gate and entered horse heaven.

All the familiar stalls were there. Some had hay in the feed area. The tack room was open and there were the English saddles, saddle blankets, halters, reins, extra stirrups, extra girths, horse shoe picks, curry combs, brushes, & fly wipe. There was even an outhouse yards from the stables. I felt I was at home again.

I was just in time to tack two horses. I put the halter on first, led the horse out of the stall, secured him, and got to work brushing and talking to him. What a warm, solid and sweet smelling animal. I'm not sure how many hands tall the two I tacked were, but for the former campers, I'd say they were each about the side of Boise. Stroke, brush, stroke, brush, love on, brushing down the legs, then trying not to act scared keeping a stiff arm on the hind quarter as I walked around the back of her. I never got kicked today, but you know how it is when you've seen a horse kick. Sometimes it's because of a horsefly bite or their snappy personality. But these horses were well mannered, until it became time to tighten "the girth"!

The sight of the saddle made one squint her eyes, lay her ears back, and move away from me. I tried to outsmart her, but one of the staff members came to my rescue and volunteered to get the saddle on. And so she did. Picking hooves was much more pleasant. And if horses could smile and say thank you, they sure did when the fly wipe was applied.

This was a morning of doing yet another activity that I used to do growing up. Because my time was so short this summer, only 9 days filling in for someone, I really made the most of trying to do things I did the first 20 years of my life. It wasn't only tacking horses, it was also playing volleyball, playing tether ball, swimming laps in the lake, racing in a canoe, skulling in a canoe, landing in a canoe, camping out, sleeping on the ground without any padding, showering in the outdoor pee wee showers, visiting familiar spots at camp, and living to tell about it.

Barn number two came later in the day. It was a favorite at the D&M. It was another opportunity to go on an overnight camp out with the Sunshine Gang. I wasn't going to pass up another opportunity to capture my youth. I was living in the moment! And so it was, I was off with 14 campers and 5 other staff. I made it an even 20.

The D&M grounds are now more open because the large apple trees died out years ago and were removed. The outhouse is sturdier and nicer. The lodge is still solid and standing. And the barn still stands on the right as you enter through the gates. (To see footage of the site, please go to YouTube and type in D&M campsite.) It was always a fun place to have a picture in front of or to hide in when playing games in the field.

Once we all arrived at the site, it was off to gather wood. Isn't always the campers' job to find kindling, logs and hot dog sticks? We let the kids get a ten minute head start, then we followed. They were all searching diligently for twigs and putting enough in their hands that was equivalent to a Sunday newspaper. Hot dog sticks were out of the question because the good, long, strong ones were higher up. But it was fortunate for me that I got to be their hero for a few minutes because I brought the machete again and started chopping them out of the trees. That's when I got the idea to see who wanted to learn to use a machete properly. It was a skill I was taught at their age and it made me a responsible user from that point on.

I announced that anyone who wanted to try the machete was welcome to try chopping some of the green hot dog sticks I'd found. We'd practice cutting the small branches off. Each camper that wanted a try received instruction on the danger zone (making sure no one was within their swing area), proper hand placement when holding the branch, proper handling of the machete and off they went. Some chopped with a soft swing while others chopped like they were going to chop a snake's head off. It was a super confidence building and camp skill builder as well. And to add to anyone who wanted a challenge, I marked the sticks with a line that they had to hit for accuracy. Several did that easily. From there, we moved on to the thicker pieces of dead wood which I had them chop and turn, chop and turn. Achieving that meant one last skill...chopping that dead wood in under 2 minutes. Our champ cut it in 1:30. That's when we called it quits.

I truly hope that these young campers will be able to add this to their camp summary when they get home. (And I hope no parent squashes their enthusiasm for playing with big knives.) This is what camp is all about--stepping out, trying new things, testing the boundaries, surrounding yourself with great friends, and making memories that will truly last a lifetime. People outside our camp world may hear about it, but when relived among campers, it comes back to life.

That is what the last week filling in a camp has been for me. Every cabin I look at, every path my feet touch, the bed I sleep on, the songs sung in the dining hall, dropping the mail in the wooden mailbox, ringing the aide bell, checking in for free swim, hoping nobody walks in on you at the Freds, and slipping on the slick grass after sunset at the volleyball courts, are all ways my mind and heart were zapped back into the good 'ole days. It's been soup for my soul returning. Thank you, Miss Dollie, for your vision of this girls' summer camp in Monterey, Tennessee. There is no other place like it. (I am now crying.)

rah rah rah rah rah

Wednesday during meet week is always swimming. Because all campers are required to take swimming, it is the most participated in meet. The campers compete in standing front dives, surface dives, form and racing. It is a well oiled ship how smoothly the events move from division to division.

It's fun to watch the campers display the progress they have learned since coming to camp. It can put one in a place of great memories or wanting to jump right in there and compete with the girls. I would have loved to have done that. In fact, during my free time in the mornings, I have been indulging in the lake and swimming laps, practicing surface dives, standing front dives, and even flips off the diving board. It's one of those things you feel like doing upon your return in hopes that you can still do what you did in your teenage years. And I am happy to report that I can!

In case you've forgotten, the last Wednesday night is not campfire. It is last team meetings. The Wataugas were in the dining hall and the Nolichuckies in the lodge. And all the staff was squeeze in nice and cozy on Miss Keith's porch. What made me smile was when the Wataugas started cheering at the end:

RAH RAH RAH RAH RAH

RAH RAH RAH RAH RAH

RAH RAH RAH RAH RAH...NOLICHUCKIES! (then WATAUGAS, then THE CUP!)

What follows? Tears of course! It's the reality of knowing that in a week, everyone will be at home, and many of the girls will not see each other until next summer. And others cry because a period in their youth will come to an end. The JCs will evolve into CITs, ACs, counselors, then senior staff. Oh, what I would give to be a JC again with all my friends. Thank goodness for the friendships that still remain!

The countdown to banquet and the announcement of the winning team for the summer is 5 nights away. What a feeling!

acres and acres

I'm not sure how many acres are here at Camp, but I am sure it is close to 900. There a so many trails that have grown over, some that are used daily, and some that are being rediscovered. I went on one of those trails today.

I had a little down time this afternoon and thought I'd go for a walk and take some pictures primarily. I really wanted to go take photos at the steel barn, but as I got close, the antique vehicles were not there. So I decided to keep walking down that familiar path that I took trail rides and hikes down for 20 years.

The same car ruts lined the fences. Pine, oak, maple and dogwood trees kept the path shaded. Grass was growing between the tire marks. Crickets chirped in the woods. And the paths were just the same as when I ventured there over 20 years ago.

I found myself hoofing it and made it to the creek. After looking at my watch, I thought, I have time to get to the chimney. And once I got there, I knew it was less than a 5 minute walk to Flint Rock Hollow. It was stunning. Great trail riding in my youth. Great hiking. Picturesque. Awesome. I am glad I went there. I just lived another Monterey memory.

Smile Day

Today is somebody's birthday!

Who's birthday?

Camp Monterey's birthday!

How old is she?

25? NO. 50? NO. 65? NO. 67? Yes!

Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, Camp Monterey. Happy birthday to you!

Smile Day is still has the same loud outfits and some costumes, but the big change is that each table gets to decorate their own pan cake with candy that has been collected from the campers' packages or trunks. The kitchen makes colored icing. A funny bell is rung, and the cabins come to the dining hall about 15 minutes before the aide bell to decorate. It's a great way to get the kids involved in creating their own work of art. Here are some samples.

meet week

This is one of the most looked forward to times at Camp. As the last week of camp is upon us, my favorite meet, canoeing, begins week 8 of camp. It's when all your hard work, practice, team spirit, determination, will to win, and high level of performance get put on display for about 90 minutes. The pee wees get a chance to race doubles and jump outs. The juniors race singles, doubles, and crew. And the seniors race singles, doubles, crew & rescue at sea. Where is relay? I ask myself that.

I had fun being a neutral spectator with a camera and my Flip video that I could truly watch with eyes of excitement that the girls' tradition of canoeing and being skilled remained constant. I loved watching from the dam how the teams approached the staff that would be holding them. They encouraged each other and got together on their plan of winning. Once they got in place, they'd look to their competitor and wish them a genuine "Good luck". This is what sportsmanship at Camp Monterey is all about--the friendly competition. And truly it is.

I loved hearing the familiar start, "Canoers, on your mark. Get set. Go!" The whistle would blow. And instantly the Nolichuckies and Wataugas yelled their hearts out yelling for their team mates. And of course, no matter who won or lost, the familiar cheer followed with everyone cheering simultaneously. "They're our peaches, they're our cream. They're the pee wees (juniors or seniors) of our team!" The teams would then get in one row, facing each other, hands up and clasped, and the racers would run under the archway.

Today, the Nolichuckies won all the races except for senior crew. But of course, every race was close and competitive. I think back to all the races I participated in, got excited for, worked hard for, and I just wanted to be out there again this morning. Well, I have to opt for being a canoe judge tonight in form (with my mother).

The teams have been shown an example of form by the canoe staff and given hints on what the judges will be looking for. Canoe meet, part 2, here we come.

Shortly after dinner, it was time for the canoeing form. My mom came from Cookeville to be one of the judges. Since I am senior staff, I was allowed to accompany her. We judged singles and doubles and were quite pleased with the campers. A handful of girls really stood out, many had mastered the basic skills, and just a few doubles were new and had much to aspire to in the more experienced girls.

The girls all remained in their blues and whites. Many had their hair in nice braids and had a nice appearance. And it was a joy to be in the midst of all the canoers and know that years ago (25 to be exact), I was in that same spot.

quiet Sunday

Even though the campers get to sleep in an hour today, I was up before 6am and decided to come sit on the dining hall porch and listen to the sounds of the birds, the water dripping off the wet leaves onto the tin roof, and listen to the quiet chatter in the kitchen.

It rained last night, so I got to hear my absolute favorite sound in the world. If you've ever known me, that has been my answer for decades...rain on a tin roof. That really makes all the camp memories rush back to times in the cabin with everyone, rainy day skits, Miss Monterey pageant, damp clothes that never seem to dry quickly enough, dirt and leaves clinging to your ankles and feet as you walk down the path, shaking the trees when someone least expects it, the stillness on the lake, water that has collected in the canoes that will have to be unloaded, bringing something to sit on at church so your white shorts don't get dirty, and an all around dampness. Remember those days? Church was lovely outside. It was a sea of white and braided hair.

Later after dinner, it was unit vespers time. I chose to go with the Sunshine Gang since I'd gone on a campout with them Thursday night. The girls talked about their gifts and about the gifts of their bunk mates. It was fantastic encouragement and a lovely view sitting on the dam watching the sunset and the mist starting to settle on top of the lake. What was your favorite vespers?

scum of the lake

Gettting all my breakfast duties caught up quickly, I was able to take almost a 2 hour break before I had to be back in the dining hall. What better way to spend the break but in the water! With my newly purchased black swimsuit (that would camoflauge the Obey orange and the brown lake scum), I headed for the dock, checked in, set my timer and started swimming laps! Fifty-two laps later, I finished. Refreshing.

I felt like I was a JC again when I was outside the swimming area and just beyond the rafts. I was mezmerized before I started at how great the water felt, how young I felt again, how the campers were sailing around and doing endurance and landings, and I just couldn't wait to partake. This must feel what someone sober feels like when they suddenly binge. I was binging on the whole scene. It was heavenly!

I instantly got into my Monterey form, concentrating on my strokes (just in case the younger swimmers were sizing me up), and moving at a constant speed. I loved being eye level with the scum of the lake, the freeboards of the canoes, and turning over and watching the clouds float by. Can anyone relate?

The summer breeze has been steady. It allows the sailors to do more than drift slightly. For canoers, it keeps them cool but poses a little challenge for the bows. But it sure made for a wonderful swim. I could remember practicing strokes, surface dives, standing front dives, back flips, greased watermelon, Marco Polo, buddy tags, lifeguard training, swim meets, water pageant, canoe races, endurance, man overboard and capsizing the boats, and the sound of paddles hitting the gunwales of the canoes during rest hour when the older campers would be allowed to do their endurance occasionally.

All those things are still the same. The spirit of Monterey will NEVER be broken.

senior volleyball

Dinner at 6pm tonight and the campers come dressed in their team colors. A sea of greens, blues and yellows bring to life the dining hall. The anticipation of senior volleyball is in the air. And to speed dinner and dishwashing up, Friday nights have become pizza night. Yep, pizza, made on foccachia rounds, topped with meat, veggies or pesto. These were served with the salad bar and everything on paper plates so the clean up would be quicker.

Once dinner was over, the campers hustled up to the courts to line them with the lime. The lines were done on a curve that followed previous years. The same poles housed the low and droopy net, so it was a haven for anyone who really wanted to spike the ball.

The teams cheered while their players warmed up. The sponsors scrambled to find a referee. Since no one stepped up to take the challenge, I was more than glad to take it. I grabbed a whistle, got up on the ladder and took charge.

Each team won a game, but it was the Nolichuckies that prevailed in the last game by a score of 15-1. The buddy songs followed. And everyone had a great time. Good memories in the making.

within the walls of dining hall

It's Friday morning and half the camp (pee wees and juniors) are out for breakfast. The set up this morning is simple. The menu includes cereal, eggs, bacon, grits, oatmeal & toppings, strawberries, yogurt & waffles.

There are four full time kitchen staff who stay at camp. Three are from the Mennonite community. And if you know the foods and desserts the Mennonites can cook, Camp Monterey is fortunated enough to get some of that cooking.

There is not too much waste here. Food scraps are put into a bucket for the farmers nearby with pigs. Plastic milk jugs, yogurt containers and other usable storage containers are resued for campouts, parties, crafts, toiletries or however else someone can think to use them.

The tables are set with "newer" Oneida type plates that have slowly replaced the awesome mismatched heavy stoneware from the old camp. Even the cool metal pitchers have been replace since they lost their ablity to sit on the table in an upright manner or they were simply falling apart. Remember how they would sweat on the table at lunchtime? Even the silverware count is dwindling, so occasionally plastic utensils will be pulled out. Remember crawling under the dining hall to find silverware? Cheryl or Rosa would reward you with a cold dessert on a stick! The tables remain the same and all the benches are holding up like they were made of steel. Even Miss Dollie's clacker gets daily use.

Remember setting the tables, putting the hot food on, then turning a plate over and covering the food? That practice is still in function. It's amazing all the things that haven't changed, but there have been gradual upgrades sporatically. It's still a place you could come, sit down, start singing songs, and know the predictability of the schedule of events. This place is truly frozen in time. It's quite lovely.

letters from the lake

I am here one week before the meets begin. I have a 2 hour break after breakfast, so I decided to come down to my favorite place in camp--the lake! Here I sit with one eye on the swimming area and one on the canoe dock. Most of my camp free time were spent in these two areas.

The swimmers are practicing their standing front dives, racing starts, pointing their toes during surface dives, and the lake is embracing the scum that is skimming on top of it. It's the most beautiful sight.

Off to my right, the canoe dock is working with sterns and stars. A lone canoer is standing up in the midship of the canoe with life jacket on, bent over, and doing stand up paddle. Luckily for her, it is a calm morning on the lake.

Over by the figure 8 poles, two solo canoers are set up for skulling but seem to be practicing figure eights. Did we do that?

The trees now give great shade in the morning for the staff and campers, but it beats down on the sterns of the canoes. These are what Monterey memories are all about.

The sailing dock is off in the distance. The sunfish sails are up. A pram with two pee wees is planted in the middle of the lake. And the viper, the queen of the fleet, manages to glide through the lake with the slightest breeze.

As the sailboats struggle to get in, the second bell rings! The familiar sounds of camp, crickets in the trees, breeze in the maple and oak trees, chatter of the campers getting to their classes, dropping of the toilet seats at the Freds and the familiar sound of flip flops on the well worn paths, bring such happy memories back, as if I'd never been gone since 1994. Life is good. And it's only my first day back!

off to the Obey & camping out

Rest hour is just about over. Since I am kitchen staff, Thursday afternoons and evening are a designated time off. However, since my time here is short and precious, I asked if I could drive separately and attend a campout. So I was approved to go and was assigned to the Sunshine Gang and their trip to the Obey River and the Shelters. Hard ground, hot dogs, and talking all night, here I come.

The shelter campsite is beautiful and open. An old wagon stays on site with a tarp over it. This became instant housing for all the bedding until it was time to sleep. Once everyone was unloaded, the hike down the hill to the Obey commenced. A total of 20 campers and staff made the trek down the path to the water. There we did a short walk downstream and found a good swimming hole and shallow spot for skipping rocks. Watching the campers play and hearing them laugh brought a genuine happiness to my eyes and a sense of joy overcame me. I just wanted to be part of that again. So in I went and enjoyed socializing with everyone.

When the water time was over, not a soul was hurt and no one had orange, iron stains on themselves or their clothing. It was time to hike back up the hill and start looking for firewood and hot dog sticks.

Tonight's menu: hot dogs, pbj, potato chips, fruit and s'mores. Camping out this way is awesome! And it's usually the only time I eat this combination. Although I didn't stay for breakfast because I had a job to do, this is what they had to eat: hard boiled eggs, cereal, fruit, & yogurt.

The sun has set. The dew is starting to collect in the field. The campers begin setting their ground covers and sleeping bags up under the summer sky. The campsite is illuminated by the glowing campfire and the accumulation of fireflies. The girls set up their sleeping bags in groups so they can talk well into the evening. Laughter and chatter fills the air.

campfire

Some things never change, thank God! From the days that events are held, Wednesday night will always be campfire to me.

Waiting for the sun to go down, the bell ringing, everyone gathering at the flagpole, and walking down together singing, "Monterey Here's Our Promise", were such a part of my life for over 20 years that I just blended right in.

It was fun to observe everyone at the flagpole. Campers congregated. Staff socialized. Long sleeved shirts and sweats would keep you warm when the sun went down and they kept the bugs away.

Here's a list of things I jotted down during campfire. I thought it would bring a smile to many faces. Please feel free and add to the list of your memories: Nolichuckies, Wataguas, huge circle, plastic shorts, lightening bugs, frogs and bull frogs from the bog, friendship circle, good housekeeping dolls, tidy table award, progress awards, unit spirits, Maid of Monterey, good night song, Big Dipper & Little Dipper, shooting stars, dew on the grass, yellow lights in the outhouses, and the embers fading away.

I love, love seeing Camp again in this stage of my life.

dining hall routine

I arrived at camp around 4:15, found my way to my cabin, and I set up the bed and my area in record time. Waiting in the cabin were 2 mattresses and a board to support them. I'm one of three cabins too with indoor plumbing. (However, I may have to sneak in a shower outside just so I can look up at the trees instead of the tin roof.) I think I was in the dining hall to begin working around 4:30. The second period bell rang shortly afterward.

For those of you who haven't been to camp in a decade or more, the piano is gone. Miss Dollie's clacker is still in use. The lights are kept off at lunchtime because of the heat. Two tables near the window are now put together and moved out into the dining hall where a buffet is set up for each meal.

Mornings consist of cereal, eggs, grits, oatmeal and toppings, fresh fruit,bacon, biscuits, sausage, milk, coffee, and yogurt! Lunches and dinners have a salad bar type spread with dressings & fresh fruit. The variety is very good and can easily fit into a dieter's plan.

Just today at lunch, I happened to look up on the wall, and there I spotted a picture of Rosa rolling out what looked like her biscuits. That really just put a smile on my face. And much of the kitchen is still arranged as it was when she, Johnny and Cheryl worked in the 70s. (I must call Cheryl.)

The campers have been singing their cabin songs, unit songs, familiar songs, and doing their

canoeing approvals in front of the camp. It's been rewarding and joyous being back!

The spirit of Monterey will never be broken. It lives on in campers who cherish her name. So keep all your memories of camp days at Monterey. For they will bring you joy and cheer through all the year!

new kid at camp

I got to thinking today that in two days, I will be attending Camp Monterey for the first time without my Mom, coming in after camp has started, working in the kitchen, and staying in Rosa and Johnny's cabin with women I don't know yet. Is this what it's like coming to camp and not knowing anyone?

I do have the advantage of knowing my way around the camp in the dark, having history, knowing how the schedule goes, etc. Do you remember your first day at camp?

From the time I remember, I always attended precamp. Precamp began on the Friday before the campers arrived. The staff would open up the camp, get their cabins cleaned out, work areas set up, have meetings, make work wheels & name tags, and be ready to go on Tuesday morning when the campers arrived. Now I will be one of the campers arriving and everything will be set and ready to go.

The Outback cabin, for those of you who haven't been to camp in decades, is the cabin behind the dining hall where Rosa, Johnny and Cheryl stayed. I am going to share a bit of history staying in there. What great memories of Rosa making the best biscuits in the world, Johnny sneaking me goodies, and Cheryl teasing me in a loving way. (I think I'll have to call Cheryl and tell her I'm sleeping in her old bed.) I hear the cabin has a shower and flush toilet in there instead of using the "Johns".

Remember all the extras you packed that were always left off the list? Here's my list for a 9 day stay: pillow, medium weight blanket, sheets, matress cover, 2 towels, 1 bathing suit, 24 shirts (3 per day working in kitchen), 18 shorts, socks, 2 pairs of tennis shoes, flip flops, flashlight, fan, 3 pjs, stationary, Taboo, toiletries, French press, Cuban espresso maker, espresso, vanilla bean coffee, hot sauce, camera, and laptop. I'm bringing the coffee stuff to share. I hear the staff can use laptops after 3rd bell!

Two more sleeps to go before I head into the woods. This will be my first time on staff since 1994. I was a unit leader for the Sunshine Gang then. Now I will be "senior staff". Wow.

clap and cheer

FRAGILE MOMENTS

Whenever I'm disappointed with my lot in life, I stop and think about little Jamie Scott. Jamie was trying out for a part in the play at his schoool. His mother told me that he'd set his heart on being in it, though she feared he would not be chosen.

On the day that the parts were awarded, I went with her to collect him after school. Jamie rushed up to her, eyes shining with pride and excitement.

"Guess what Mom!", he shouted. Amnd then he said those words that remained a lesson to me. "I've been chosen to clap and cheer!"





by Marie Guring

Memories of Monterey

The memories of Monterey will never be broken.

It lives on in campers who cherish her name.

So keep all your memories of camp days at Monterey,

For they will bring you joy and cheer through all the year.

the bathing suit

I'm not quite sure if it is a "written" law at camp, but since I can remember, it has always been a camp of modesty and the one-piece bathing suit. Thank goodness for that. Suits are so creative to this day, from floral print to groovy to the skirt with skirt cover up.

At age 42, I'm just not ready for the bathing skirt. But I bet you when my mom was my age, she was wearing one. But great memories of past staff come to my mind when I think of the bathing skirt: Marge Rios, Peggy Bernhart, Nursie Jan, Mother Goof and Bonnie Hobden. None wore those any better than they. What sweet memories. They were bathing beauties. Who do you remember in the bathing skort?

So ladies, when it comes to picking out a suit, have fun and make great camp memories! And if you're one of the lucky ones, you'll find one in your team color! The only luck I had with this one was that I bought it mid summer and it was half off the clearance price. That's something to smile about!

Memories from Yancy Parks:I just remember not to bring a bathing suit with any light coloring because the lake scum would turn any light parts brown. And you had to bring a extra "Obey Suit" (and shoes) that you know you wouldn't even bring back home. All the Obey Suits had rust stains all over the bottoms. I can taste that lemony water all over again.

the phone call

It was 7.20.11 in the afternoon when I got the call from Keith, the camp director. Although I was not needed for the summer originally, a call came that afternoon inviting me to come work for a week in the kitchen. There was going to be a gap that needed to be filled, and I got the call.

Although a week's notice is quick, these dates actually worked out fine. My mom stepped up to the plate to watch my 2.5 year old, Lucy, who was too young to attend the camp (without any hired childcare). While mom would watch during the week, my husband would watch her some nights and on the weekend. My hopes of attending camp once more were becoming a reality. And my husband was even getting excited watching the joy overcome me.

Now let the packing begin! It's time to get together t-shirts, shorts, some comfy shoes, bedding and a swimsuit, and by golly, I'll be out of here next week!

Monterey Here's Our Promise

Monterey here's our promise to be loyal and true.
For we shall never forget, all we have found through you.
Nights that we spent by the campfire, watching the embers fade away.
Then we'll recall, days we loved best of all,
When we were at Monterey!

What song reminds you of the days of camp nearing?