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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