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HYDE BAY HOME LETTER

VOLUME 39             August 16, 1965                   No. 8

MONDAY: Hot and humid. Slightly overcast but cooler and clearing in the P.M. The morning was spent continuing with our wind—up events until after milk and cookies. At that time the Howe Caverns trip left with sixty four in the group under the direction of Dick Carlton and Alton Davison. The few that chose to remain in camp had free choice of all the activities and certainly made good use of them. After lunch a small group of boys went to  Sunken Islands for the afternoon. Touch football and volleyball were the after supper activities.
 
TUESDAY: A beautiful camp day with some cloudiness in the afternoon. Everyone was occupied with some form of wind—up activity. In between these events, a large group went up Shadow Brook by canoe to collect specimens for the nature department. Sailing and wrestling were the main departments for action since they were not as far along as the others. The boating section of the waterfront was completed in the wind-ups up to the UL group which will be done at a later date. A basketball game and an evening swim for all finished the day.
 
WEDNESDAY: Sunny with a slight breeze -- enough so that the sailboats remained active all day. Since only two boats were being used for races, many other boys were out in the Comets - many of them for the first time. They, perhaps, realized what they had been missing all summer. The Mouldy Coaster was very busy - this seems to go in spasmodic usage. It will be relatively quiet for a few days and then is in steady use all day on a given day. The archery range was wel1 patronized. In the evening after supper the camp was entertained by the movie, “Sea Hornet.”
 
Thursday: Sunny and warm. The ULs and some volunteer campers, with Phil Breadel in charge, went to gather wood for the final bonfire, In fact, this was the main project for the day. The campers assisted in loading and unloading the trailer as it came in. At noon both baseball teams journeyed to Worcester for two games. The twelve—and—over lost a close one, 4—3. The twelve—and-under also lost by a greater difference, 11-2. As soon as the teams returned another Rum Hill trip departed under the guidance of Scott Carlton, Tom Kemp, Tim Pitts, Mike McClelland, Bill Schiess, and Bill Holaday. It was a large trip which accounts for the numerous councilors in charge. It included campers Matt Fenton, David Tillapaugh, Bob Reardon, Zeke Little, Fred Gale, Dave Gotshall, Mike Hilliard, and Fred Reynolds. There were thirty five in all. The rest of the camp enjoyed after-supper swimming and a quiet evening at home.
 
FRIDAY: Another beautiful camp day. More wind-up events and the swimming team prepared for their meet with Chenango shortly after lunch. The meet was quite one sided with Hyde Bay coming out on top, 121—67. We won all the relays and campers Dusty McCauley, Donald Ross, Scott Supplee, and the Turner brothers were standouts in their respective events. In the morning, those planning on participating in the horse show spent several hours practicing. After supper the ULs went to Cooperstown and then to bowling in Vanhornesville.

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A winner of the bowling trophy was decided during this evening’s rounds. The trophy will be presented at the Final Barbeque.

SATURDAY: Cloudy and warm, turning very hot and humid with little or no wind. After milk and cookies the annual Nature Hunt began. This is a voluntary activity. It consists of six boys on a team hunting for various flora and fauna, labeling, and exhibiting it before a panel of judges. Four teams ended up the day with first place going to the team of Randy Ryan, Freddy Reynolds, Ted Mehl, Mike Hilliard, Scott Supplee, and Sandy Pickett.  Their reward was two cartons of candy bars. The twelve—and—under baseball team went to Chenango once more and again were the victors, l2-6. This was the final game of the season. More work was put in on the riding show schedule for Sunday and emphasis was placed on the Archery wind—up. Old counci1ors Mac Mellor and Jim Main arrived late the night before but were not seen by many until later this morning. After lunch six canoes were loaded on the canoe trailer and taken to Cooperstown for the annual Cooperstown-to-Camp canoe race participated in by the ULs. There were six crews in all. The canoe piloted by Chooch Turner was the winner in one hour and twenty four minutes - a new record. Jim Stone and Bob Erlandson were Chooch’s able and stalwart assistants. Shortly behind them came Randy Ewell, Steve Hyde, and Billy Lynn. Although this is only the second time that we have run this event, it has been extremely successful. In the evening, in place of our usual tent plays, we had our Sunday night movies - a fine group of Leonard Bernstein in Venice, tarpon fishing, and a film on the Fuller Brush Man.

SUNDAY: A very hot and humid day. Preparation for Inspection started right after breakfast with church commencing at 10:00 a.m. As is customary, the Director led the final service. His topic was how and why friends have been made at camp. After Inspection, there was a mass movement for the waterfront. A small group went to the riding ring where they competed in the tacking class. The winners will be announced at the Barbeque. Immediately after lunch the whole camp assembled at the riding ring for the Riding Show. The competition was kept to a minimum due to the heat and sun - but a very good and satisfactory show was demonstrated by Tom Kemp and the riding department. Even the horses showed the effects of the heat and humidity. More swimming in the afternoon after the show and then our outdoor supper and Inspection winner trip for tents # 2 and 4. After the evening store hour we were entertained by magician, Bud Spraker, of Cooperstown. As usual, he was very mystifying and thoroughly enjoyable. His tricks are always challenging.

We will be sending put another Homeletter in September with the incidental bills your sons have accumulated during their stay at camp.

Thank you all for your checks end kind words. We have enjoyed having your sons with us this summer and hope that they, in turn, have enjoyed, themselves enough to depart from Hyde Bay with pleasant memories and a desire to return next year.

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