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HYDE BAY HOME LETTER
VOLUME 39 June 30, 1965 No. 1
THE HOMELETTER: is our method of informing you of our week’s events. The boys write home each week but many items of interest are omitted. This edition begins the thirty ninth season of this pleasant tradition. We would be most pleased to include on our mailing list any other members of the camper’s family when so requested. We, of course, shall continue to send the letter to former campers, and councilors who have indicated their desire to receive it.
REP0RTS: Will not be included in this letter since there really is not sufficient time to properly evaluate the campers. Next week the councilors will report on your sons.
ENROLLMENT: We are pleased with the number of boys enrolled for the first half. Not all have arrived as yet but will be coming in the next few days. At certain age levels we can accommodate a few more for both the first and second months.
TENT LISTS: Following our practice of past years, a tent list for July is enclosed with the intention that it will assist in introducing you to the boys in your son’s tent as well as the various councilors. It will also aid in identifying the tents that will be performing on the stage in the tent plays on successive Saturday evening throughout the summer. The curtain rises at 8:30 p.m. and we welcome all guests. The schedule, subject to change, of the tent plays is: July 3 -- Tents # 4, 10, 63B, 11; July 10 -- Tents 63A, 1, 2, 3; July 17 -- Tents # 7, 8, 6, 53B; July 31 -- #12, 14, 15, 16; August 7 -- # 17, 18, M.C.
OPENING DAY: For the third year in a row, Opening Day could not have been better, weatherwise, a bit cold for swimming but no precipitation. The camp was ready for campers, the council having done a splendid job of getting equipment and waterfront in good order. Campers began to arrive at about 11:00 a.m. and continued throughout the day until just before supper. The bus group pulled in about 5:30, led by John Mercer, who had departed from Baltimore at 7:45 a.m. Many of the early arrivals were able to pass their initial “D” swimming test. The rest of the day was spent in getting acquainted. Excitement and activity were conducive to bedtime for all at the scheduled time.
SATURDAY: Another fine, day, weatherwise. Getting acquainted, unpacking, and swimming tests involved most of the morning e wasted little time in familiarizing the campers with all activities except riding and tennis, which were opened up on Monday. In the evening, the entire camp enjoyed the 16 mm color film “The Mouse that Roared” starring Peter Sellers.
SUNDAY: Without too much housekeeping and inspecting to be done this first Sunday, all activities got off to a rather early start. The boys going to church in town left immediately after breakfast and the rest of the camp assembled in our theater for our camp service. Each Sabbath we have a brief
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church service conducted by various members of the staff. The Director leads the first and final Sundays. The thoughts today were on getting along with each other, emphasizing the fact that we live as one big happy family even though we all come from different schools and from all parts of the country. Fried chicken dinner was followed by rest period and the afternoon produced activity in archery, baseball, and the waterfront. The day ended with our supper out-of-door in buffet style followed by our usual Sunday night educational movies.
SWIMMING TESTS: Frequently throughout the summer, we will be referring to various swimming tests. To interpret our terminology, we are describing the tests as follows -- the progression in distance being from "E" to "A":
"E" -- around the float and back---about 50 yards
"D" -- around the tower and back---about 150 yards or a little more.
"C" -- swimming along the shoreline towards Cooperstown about 400 yards. This test also includes mastering a few fundamental strokes as well as diving fundamentals.
"B" -- a yet longer swim with more emphasis placed on the mastery of some advanced strokes and advanced diving.
"A" -- from Clark's Point to camp---a distance of about 3/4 of a mile.
All our swimming tests are done with a councilor rowing a boat along with the boy in the water.
VOCABULARY: In future weeks we will be using many of the following names. We thought it might be helpful to you if we give you an early brief description of each.
Nebo -- is a mountain side about nine miles from camp where we send groups of boys on overnight trips. We own about forty acres of wilderness which gives the boys an opportunity to camp in unpopulated surroundings.
Lookout -- is the mountainside just back of camp within hiking distance - Again used for overnight trips (supper and breakfast.) It overlooks our end of the lake.
Rum Hill -- is the tallest mountain around Otsego Lake. This is also an alternate overnight camping spot. We take the boys across the lake by boat and they hike to the top for their stay.
Trenton Falls -- is a trip to the Adirondacks (3 days) for all boys who have passed Junior Life Saving and are with us for the full eight weeks. This involves three days of hiking, swimming, and canoeing.
Around-the-Lake or Up-the-lake -- This trip is either for the day or an overnight stay at the foot of Natty Bumppo’s Cave, depending on the weather and age of boys making the trip.
Natty Bumppo -- is a cave situated high above the lake, referred to by Cooper in his writings about this area.
Other trips will be described as they take place.
Other trips will be described as they take place
Hacker -- is our 22—foot custom built launch which we use extensively for water skiing, transportation, and sailboat rescuing. It is powered by an inboard Chrysler engine.
S.T. -- is our small motor boat that boys ten years and older learn how to run as soon as they have passed their N.Y. State Motor Boat course. It is powered by a 5 h.p. Johnson outboard motor. We have replaced the old S.T. boat with a new one of the same Oldtown construction.
Comets -- are our fleet of four sailboats.
The “35” -- is a fiberglass motor boat powered by a 35 h.p. Johnson motor which is used, ostensibly, for water skiing.
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