Stream at Split Rock, Camp Oh-Neh-Tah

Boathouse

The boathouse was along the northwest end of Silver Lake. It was a large house that housed all the waterfront equipment and the place where everyone changed for swimming. On the outside of the boathose was the area where the rowboats and oars were stored and the canoes. This was a busy spot during the day as everyone was always getting in and out of the boats to ride o the lake. When you walked inside, there were large cardboard boxes where the bathing caps were stored for everyone's use. There were 3 colrs - red, white and blue each for a different level of swimmer - crib, bucket or lake. Along the two walls were benches where campers sit to change and hooks for all their clothes or bathing sits to dry. In the back were 2 compartments where the counsleors and senior campers would change. There were boxes of all waterfront items that were used during swim or one of the waterfront activities. During the day this was one of the busiest places as the waterfront was used all day long.

Nature Cabin

I HATED the nature cabin. I was actually afraid in there. It was right near the flagpole and I am not an animal person and I hated it. All those creepy, crawly spiders, frogs, toads, snakes, and bugs. I eventually did get used to the little orange salamanders and at one point would pick them up and play with them, but anything else........NOT! I used to have a coronary whenever I saw a daddy long legs which is one of the reasons I was not the best candidate for being in a tent. I can remember being at Tawanka and going to rest on the bed and one crawling on my hand. They must have heard me at ONT!! I can remember my first year at camp Miss Claire being the nature counsellor and then another year it was Miss Judy. I never picked nature as an activity!

Windmill

I have always loved windmills and when I first came to ONT as a camper I was so fascinated by the windmill which was the arts and crafts center. I vividly remember the countertops around the whole perimeter and the cabinets and the specks of paint all over the floor. There were large wooden tables with benches scattered throughout. If you went outside you could go up to the second level which to me was like a lookout. You could look over the beautiful countryside around us. I hated arts and crafts as I am not a talented craft person and could never even draw, but I just loved being near the windmill. It was so out of place in the mountains and yet so serene. The doors were always open welcoming people into its warmth. All around you were projects made by campers or things in process. I remember it being a place where campers were assigned on rainy days and there was always so much hustle and bustle. I spent a lot of free time on the steps just writing letters and reading. The most busiest time was banquet time as alla the decorations and costumes were made there.

The Lodge

At ONT, the lodge was a place of constant activity. It was situated right near the kitchen and at the top of the hill going down to the lake. The lodge was where the director and her family resided for the summer. In the back were their bedrooms and bathroom. There was also an infirmary where the nurse was during the day tending to cuts, bruises and colds. Occasionally a camper would be sick enough to warrant them to sleep there overnight. On the other side of the lodge was the kitchen. It was railroad style and had a stove, refrigerator, sink and upper and lower cabinets and cubbies for the couselors to store their food received in the mail or bought in town or at the Point. The main part of the lodge was the great room which had the fireplace, couches and chairs, coffee tables that held magazines and in front of the large windows were a table and chairs. This was such a warm, relaxing place that was beautifully and tastefully decorated with beautiful Indian rugs hanging on tahe walls and Indian artwork. There were large brown and orange rugs on the floor and ample lighting. This ws where all the counselors congregated at night after the campers were put to bed. This was a hub of activity every night as this is where all the planning for everything took place. The first night of each trip after the fun fire, we would gather there and plan all the special activities and evening activities for the trip. We would sign up for committees for vespers, each evening activity, overnights and gypsy days. All the counsel fire planning was done here. We would all meet at night to discuss the days events, problems and happennings. There was always counsleors laying around on the floor during free time planning something and anacking on things from home or the store or something that Mrs. Baker or Louise or Mrs. Kading had made. There was always food around and leftovers from each meal were brought over here. Rehearsels for the productions were here and planning for the banquet were here. Tehre were always things being made here for the banquets, carnivals, drama production or activities. Books were always open on the couches and table and floor. This was always a nice place to chill out at night after a busy day, but sometimes it was even busier here with all the planning and activities going on and I can remember sometimes being there till all hours of the night wrapping up a project.



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