Camp Counselors, Superheroes

I'm bummed I don't have any camp photos scanned into my computer yet (they're all in a box back in Ohio somewhere), but I thought I'd include an updated shot of three of my bestest friends in the universe--Odie, Knutsy, and Shortstop. Most of my camp memories involve getting into or out of some sort of trouble with them as CITs and junior counselors. ("Spazz, I tried!!!")

I think my first year as a camper was in 1989--I was in Whispering Woods and my favorite counselor was Teddy. One of my tent mates that year ended up being Meeko, who like seven years later did CIT 1 with me :)

I was actually quite resistant about going to camp at first--I had always been an outdoorsy sort of kid, but I think I actually resented how much my mom gushed over her own reminiscences about the place. Both my mother and paternal aunt had been CCH counselors and it was assumed that I would be, too. My mom struggled with depression back then and I think I didn't like the idea of resident camp because, to my nine-year-old self, it appeared that camp made my mom happier than I ever could or would. Stupid camp! I was practically dragged there and of course loved every moment of it--even when we were suffering 'abuse' at the hands of counselors who FORCED us to eat no-thank-you helpings.

Every summer, I'd be packed & ready to go at least week ahead of time and kept signing up for longer and longer sessions as age allowed. What I probably would not have been able to put into words back then was just how much camp meant to me. Many of the former counselors might not have realized just how important it is for some kids to experience what a normal childhood is like, even for a few weeks.

For me, camp was a much-needed vacation from a pretty dysfunctional home life and I relished every minute spent there. Giving the gift of laughter, adventure, encouragement, and even a little magic is truly priceless and you probably have no idea how many lives you have touched. It may have been one of your lower paying jobs, but I promise you it made a huge difference to many campers' lives. I'm getting all weepy just thinking about how wonderful all of you are! Seriously. You guys rock.

With love and admiration,

Moose :)

from Yakko of 1995, 1997, and 1998

These are my memories of my first and only resident camp experience as a camper.

I went to Hilaka with a friend, Carrie, and we were in a program that focused on water sports. We swam in the pool every day, boated every day, and - yup, swam in the lake, too. We stayed in Wonken Tonken, and it must have been mid-1980s. I had two counselors - one named Biff, and another with long blond hair who was unusually young-looking for her age. The blond's last name was Manning, but I don't remember her camp name or her real first name.

One day, it was really hot, and we were all complaining about it, even during the quiet time after lunch in our tents. So, with a bit of quick thinking, Biff planned a whole bunch of water obstacles to go through - stomping through water-filled pails, getting water poured on our heads, limboing under the water coming out of a hose. At the end, as we finished the obstacle course, we did jumping jacks as we sang, "We're the Biffsters, the mighty mighty Biffsters! Everywhere we go-oh people want to know who we are, so we tell them we are the Biffsters..." over and over again. We chanted it the rest of the session.

The other thing I remember from that week is how homesick we were right from the start. I think the first night, we were frog marched back to the unit after dinner to pack up our stuff to sleep out under the stars on top of the boathouse. We all thought the counselors were crazy, and we cried and moaned and complained. Most of us wrote letters home to our parents complaining about the crazy counselors that very night and mailed them at the dining hall before going to the boathouse. Of course, it was a beautiful clear night, and we actually built a fire on top of the boathouse and had smores and sang songs and had a great time. After the fire went out, I think one of the counselors even told us mythology stories related to all the stars we could see. Some of us forgot our dropcloths, so hiding from the mosquitoes and the dew in the morning was tough, but it was a great experience. Other units camped out on the boathouse later in the week, and we were all so sorry we couldn't do it again. Needless to say, our parents got the letters after we'd adjusting to being there and laughed at us when they picked us up and we asked if we could go back next year.

from PJ of 1995-1999

I was a camper at Camp Hilaka from 1991 to 1994, a CIT in 1995, a Junior Counselor in 1996, and a Riding Instructor in 1998 and 1999. My camp name was PJ.

My favorite camp memory as a camper was the hike from Windy Hill (where they stuck us "Horse Sense" girls) to the dining hall. We had to go down the gas cut, across a little stream, and through some beautiful woods. I saw my first banana slug on a tree in those woods - I put my hand on it, and I remember it was really weird.

My favorite memory as a counselor was when a TV news show came to the camp and did a morning spot with us all in the background. The campers were all out at the dining hall singing songs and playing games. The news folks did interviews with campers and counselors. The riding staff got to pick their favorite horses and ride up to the dining hall. It was so odd to be taking the horses around that part of the camp, but it made us feel important :) I ended up taking a horse that had chronic gas attacks. I think she farted when we walked by the news camera!

My favorite camp song has ALWAYS been "Banana Slug". I still know the words (10 years later), and like to entertain my husband with them. Really, he just loves it when I sing camp songs real loud in the car.

Oh, another favorite memory - when I was a CIT, I helped Jelly Bean (another CIT) "bagel" the boy's tent. We also put Saran wrap around their beds, and tied them together.

from Dragon of 1997-99

I was one of the horseback riding instructors, along with my sister Jennifer (PJ '97). One of my favorite memories from camp was really every summer afternoon after lessons, when we would be hanging out at the barn and just relaxing and talking...

I think another memorable time that sticks out for me was when PJ and I went to our cousin's wedding and came back to camp. We decided to check on the horses, and walked into the barn in our dresses and high heels to realize that the horses had gotten into the barn and eaten a bag of grain and knocked some tack over. It had been raining, and so we were trying to herd horses through mud and dookie in heels... gross then, but funny now.

I think its hard to pick one memory because I have so many positive ones - I loved closing campfire and the walk from the dining hall down to the boathouse. I met so many great people at camp (ESPECIALLY in the summer of '97... that's my favorite summer ever, by the way!), and always had a great time, and I felt so free and young!!! I've met wonderful friends for life from Crowell/Hilaka, including Hickory, Oasis/North Bear, Wombat and Gecko.... I was sorry to hear that they had decided to stop funding the camp because it was such a big part of my life. I'll bet I could still find my way down past the dining hall, through the woods (especially that part where all the moss grew on the rocks before the creek!), over the creek and up the gas cut, and up to the barn or Windy Hill. Thanks for the memories!

from Hawkeye of 1984

I worked at Camp Hilaka back in the summer of 84. I have many fond memories of that summer. I worked on the water front staff and was known as Hawkeye. I was one of 5 guys working in the camp that summer. I can remember sitting around many of the camp fires sing songs helping out with crafts, but most of all I can remember how wonderful it was to be out canoing on the Upper Lake Linea. I also enjoyed many evenings hanging out in Amity House with other councilors Skye, MJ, Midget, W, Happy, Clown, Strawberry, and others. I can remember one night several of us even went down to the Old Mill Museum to see if we could catch sight of the famous ghosts. Since the original mill that stood there had been part of the Underground Railroad the stories always spoke of a little black boy and an older white woman. No one I know ever knew who they were. We didn't see the ghost but we were definitely startled by a raccoon on the trail on our way back to the campsites in the middle of the night. I believe I still have my notebook of addresses of all the counselors there that summer.

Post format

If you'd like to post a story, please send it to me at camphilaka at gmail dot com in the following format:

1. Your name (camp and real/maiden). I will only post your camp name or your first name and last initial.


2. The year when the story/memory was created.


3. Your favorite camp song, if you remember it


4. What you want to share

In addition to memories, you might also consider sending notes about how Camp Hilaka has made you a better person, how it has led to the job/position you are in now, or a quick "shout-out" to other people you met at camp that you're not in touch with now. We're hoping that this will jog others' memories and encourage more sharing.

Sincerely,
Moose ('94-95) and Yakko ('95, '97-'98)

Welcome to Camp Hilaka on the Web!

After talking to several camp friends I'm still in touch with, I thought it would be cathartic and entertaining to create an area where people could share their stories about Camp Hilaka, a now defunct resident camp in the Lake Erie Council. Since Hilaka no longer holds resident camps, and many of the staff and long-time campers have moved out of the area, there's no chance we can ever come back to visit in the same way. Please feel free to email me stories at CampHilaka at gmail dot com to start the stories flowing.