I was a counselor on Indian at Zoar Valley in 1964, the summer between high school graduation and my freshman year at college. And then five years later, the summer between my college graduation and my marriage and move to Boston, I was the unit director on Pioneer.
Camp staff spent a week at Zoar Valley at the beginning of the summer, before the campers arrived. During that week, we lived as campers -- followed the camp schedule, sang grace before meals, learned the flag ceremony, practiced rusty camping skills (or learned them for the first time!), had campfires every night. We bonded. And a day or three into that week, we were asked to choose our camp name - Skipper, Bo, Windy, Sunshine, Eddie, Speedy, Crafty, Happy. My camp name was "Dee." Once we all had names, we used only those names - so we became really comfortable using them and responding to them.
Did I mention how much this was a bonding experience? That week with the staff was one of the best parts of being at camp!
Over the weeks of camp, we would sometimes spend nights off just hanging out together somewhere at camp. Sometimes we would venture out... I think Burt's (a burgers place not too far from camp) served beer.
Looking back, I have no idea why I was not a counselor every summer. I loved it there so much!
I could have done without the spooky music... and I wonder whether the new owners gave these folks permission to explore! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKWtAiPW_3w
My first stay at Zoar Valley Camp - I was about eight years old, and my cabin was in Jungao. 65 years later, I have no idea how to spell that - but it was pronounced Jung-gay-O. The unit was right by the creek, and had very sturdy large cabins. My only really clear memory from that stay ... I was walking on a fallen log, trying to keep my balance. I fell off and got a deep cut on my knee. Off to the camp nurse! (I still have the scar.) To get to the main part of the camp, we walked past the foot of the Pioneer Hill, and past Sherwood.
Sherwood - second year. I remember maybe six cabins, smaller than Jungao, but still enclosed cabins. The cabins were around a large area of lawn, over near the camp store. We were separated from the main area of the camp by a swinging bridge over the creek. For our song, unimaginatively, we sang "Robin Hood, Robin Hood, riding through the glen. Robin Hood, Robin Hood, with his band of men. Feared by the bad, loved by the good - Robin Hood!"
Indian - third year. Up on a hill - but the hill was pretty moderate, neither terribly steep nor terribly long. Housing was in lean-tos -- sturdy buildings, but open on one side. (I think the counselors had a cabin, but I'm not sure!) I was on Indian as a camper and a counselor. (My camp name was Dee.) Our song -- "Indians are high minded. Bless my soul, they're double-jointed. They climb hills and don't mind it -- all day long."
Pioneer - fourth year. Located on a more serious hill - longer, and a couple of places were steep. Housing was in good-sized tents with wooden floors. We had a communal building for rainy days. I was on Pioneer both as a camper and years later, as unit director. I remember getting the girls ready to hike down the hill for breakfast - and roaring with them "GOOD MORNING, WORLD! I feel TERRIFIC!" And we always re-gathered into a group at the bottom of our hill so that we could march into the main part of the camp singing our song. "We are the Pioneers. Jolly Old Pioneers. We come from Zoar Valley, as you all may know. As for the things we do, we leave them up to you! We are the jolly Pioneers, we're not so slow! (Other shout "Oh no?") Pioneers end with "NO!" My best memory of Pioneer - I must have been around twelve years old. We were setting up for a campout on a meadow near the unit. I lay back in the grass for a few minutes, and realized, I think for the first time in my young life, fully realized, that I was completely, utterly happy. Sweet moment, sweet memory.
Trailblazer - fifth year. Now up a very long hill - not as steep as Pioneer, but longer. We were in tents, but I don't remember that the tents were on platforms. May have been. We did go down to the main part of the camp for swimming and some meals, but many meals were prepared and eaten on the unit. We also hiked somewhere for a campout, carrying all of our food and tents and gear. A group of us shared Trailblazer with a group of Canadian Girl Cadets and their leader. And we raised the Canadian flag in the morning, along with the American flag. I still know all of the words to O Canada.
Others may remember other units - I know that there was a horseback riders unit in the meadow across from the main camp, but I think that was when I was an adult. (Because I was passionate about horses, and if that had been an option when I was a kid, I would have signed up in a New York minute!)
Blue shadows falling, in the canyon pale
And the whispering pines entwine along the timber trail
While high above, the love song of the trees
Will wend, and bend, its way out on the breeze
Tall timbers calling as the echoes ring
All nature sings a song along the timber trail.
WITCHCRAFT
If there were witchcraft,
I'd make two wishes
A winding road that beckons me to roam.
And then I'd wish for a blazing campfire
To welcome me when I'm returning home.
But in this real world, there is no witchcraft
And golden wishes never grow on trees.
Our fondest daydreams must be the magic
To bring us back happy memories
Mem'ries that linger, constant and true
Mem'ries we cherish, Zoar Valley Camp, of you.
