Memories in the Making - Week of July 7th

“To be one, to be united is a great thing. But to respect the right to be different is maybe even greater.” ~Bono 

The exact first use of the term “sleepaway camp” in Michigan isn’t clearly documented in public records or historical archives. 

However, the concept of overnight summer camps in Michigan dates back over a century. 

For example: Camp Ohiyesa, operated by the YMCA, has been running since 1919 in Holly, MI. Camp Walden, a traditional sleepaway camp in Cheboygan, was founded in 1959.

Camp Miniwanca, run by the American Youth Foundation, began in the 1920s and has long offered overnight experiences. It is also a camp where Jane' dad was a counselor long before she was born.

The term “sleepaway camp” itself became more commonly used in the 1970s, according to Merriam-Webster, to distinguish overnight camps from day camps. So while Michigan had overnight camps much earlier, the label “sleepaway” likely entered local usage around that time.

When Cam's parents arrived to pick him up from his 5-night sleepaway camp before lunch on Friday, he appeared to be a happy camper!  

During his week at Indian Trails, he told us that he went on scavenger hunts, the adaptive playground, the pontoon and the splash pad.  Cameron purchased a shirt in the camp store.  One of his favorite activities was the dance that took place on Thursday.  Chris and Jane kept themselves busy while Cam was away- Verve Pipe concert, visiting family and friends, seeing the F1 movie and taking Chris out for his birthday dinner. Upon picking up Cam, one of the counselors shared that three girls were surrounding him during the dance event.  

Friday afternoon was relaxing for our family.  We welcomed our dear friends and neighbors for dinner that evening. Ms. Patti and Mr. Steve, Ms. Cara and Mr. Craig joined us for a grilled feast with everyone contributing something different.  We all had our first taste of zucchini tots!

Outdoor and indoor projects filled the weekend.  We were all a bit tuckered out from the week's activities.  Chris had an early morning golf outing on Sunday while Cam and his mom talked about all of the different memories made over the last several days.  And in light of the early mornings at camp, Cameron slept in until almost 9am!

Camology Quotes:

One of the campers in the same cabin as Cam was a fellow baseball player.  Each morning, Cam said Ephram would wake up at 7am and come over to his bed.  Cam said each morning he responded with the same comment (we're certain, in his best 'parental' voice):

"Ephram, you need to go back to bed. It's not time to get up yet."