Kathy Baker, left, owner of the old main lodge at the former Camp Maqua, chats with Anne Rogers Anderson of Bay City, a onetime camper. The two are compiling information and collaborating on a book about the camp. MyBayCity Photo by Dave Rogers Old YWCA Camp Maqua, Now Private Residences, Lives On Mainly in Memories
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A small item on page 6 in the Cass City (MI) Chronicle Friday, August 1, 1931 told a simple story, but doubtless one repeated all over the area: "Miss Eunice Ehlers left Wednesday to spend a week at Camp Maqua, Bay City's YWCA camp, at Loon Lake, Hale."
Fresh-face girls by the dozens would arrive on a Sunday and launch into a week or two of furious activity described as follows by a former camper, Jennifer Huard, former Bay Cityan, now a columnist for the Albuquerque (NM) Journal:
"Reveille blasted over the loud speakers at the crack of dawn, and that meant it was time for the 'hoppers' in the cabin to get up to the dining hall and set the table for their cabin mates. The 'apple polishers' stayed behind after the meals to clear the tables and clean up.
"All campers were up at the flag pole for the raising of the colors every morning before pancakes and sausage. Pranks were to be expected, like the time the horseback riding counselor's bra went up the flag pole with the flag.
Blanche Starks, who owns half the main lodge with her husband, Aaron, shows off canoe paddles with girls' names that personify the spirit of outdoor activity at Camp Maqua during its 55 year run.
Old picture on the wall at the Maqua condominium shows campers in the dining hall during the camp's hey day.
Campers from 1954 read and relax in rustic main lodge room with fireplace.
"When the sound of taps came over the loud speaker, it was lights out. All the happy campers were worn out from their nature hikes and junior life saving classes and ready to go to sleep until a flash light flicks on and a voice begins, 'It was a dark and stormy night ...'"
Ms. Huard, who blogs at www.Jenniferhuard.blogspot.com got quick feedback from her readers:
"Anonymous said... 'I went to Camp Maqua, too! Thanks for the memories and the songs!
"Lindy said...I went to Camp Maqua as well. I always wish that I could go back for at least one week in the summer. Unfortunately it is gone and I'm now WAY too old! Thank you for the memories. What years did you go to Maqua?
Said Mary Ellen ... I, too, loved being a Maqua camper. Such memories!!! Remember the boys of Mahngotasee? I was there from 1951-1958."
That gives the flavor of the wealth of memories attendance at Camp Maqua engendered in former campers across the country.
For two families, one from Florida and one from Texas, the essence of Camp Maqua pervades their lives. They live there.
Bill and Kathy Baker and Aaron and Blanche Starks share the old main lodge at Maqua, having condominiumized it in 1988 and renovated it to perhaps beyond its former glory. The Bakers are golf course owners from Punta Gorda, Florida, and the Starks are from Texas, Aaron having owned a construction company there, and now winter in Florida.
The original 148 acres are home to 10 families, several having built new "cottages" and retaining some of the old campers' huts and/or camp buildings they have redone.
The onetime camp infirmary, for example, is now a guest house for Tom Engel, a retired high school principal from Warren, Michigan, and his wife, Lydia, who was an elementary principal at Oxford, Michigan.
The Bay City YWCA ended the camp in 1979, faced with rising costs and shrinking demand from girls who had many other attractions in the computer age. After 55 years, the Maqua era ended. It had opened in 1924 on 64 acres in Plainfield Township, Iosco County, on pristine Loon Lake. The first land purchase was followed 40 years later when 23 more acres obtained from Ira Scofield and then in 1969 another 60 acres were purchased for $18,222 from John Webb.
Among the early camp supporters was Otto Sovereign, co-founder of Bay City's Aladdin Homes, the pioneer in ready-cut home industry, who gave buildings including the cook's cabin and a garage that became the "nature hut." A historical note in the archives states: "In 1958, Pa Watson built the camp gate."
Former campers with recollections, pictures or information that might be useful for the book are asked to contact Anne Rogers Anderson, andersa81@ymail.com
Anne Anderson, left, Kathy Baker and Aaron Starks discuss the renovations that have been going on in the main lodge at Maqua since 1988.
Map of the 148 acre camp was done on linen in 1961 by riding instructors Kay Connor and Mary Lou Goggin.
Riding was a big part of camp activity, with 10 horses leased annually from a local farmer. Rider at right is identified as Alice Ann Hages of Bay City.
Proprietary loon floats placidly on lake that bears its name; expanse of wood in background is the 248 acre former Camp Mahn-Go-Tah-See, now the Loon Lake Lutheran Retreat Center.
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"The BUZZ" - Read Feedback From Readers! |
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andersa81 Says:
On August 16, 2010
at 08:06 AM
Great story!! Thank you for your help and support of our efforts!!
Anne Anderson |
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walkbake Says:
On August 16, 2010
at 11:38 AM
Thanks so much for the article on the Camp Maqua Lodge. Your piece, hopefully, will bring some campers out of the woodwork with their nostalgic memories of their fondest camping memories there! I enjoyed meeting you, Anne and Tommy and hope we will be seeing much more of each other as we research this popular YWCA camp!
Kathryn Baker |
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mystikdrummer Says:
On August 16, 2010
at 12:50 PM
Wow! Reading your article was almost like being there!
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ddvp44 Says:
On August 18, 2010
at 02:31 PM
I was a camper at Maqua in the 50's and worked there in the early 60's. I was Honor Camper (I think) in 1957 or so...We once got in trouble for hiking around the lake at night, but it was fun. Remember we had rifle class? We could even carry around our own hunting knoives. I loved canoeing especially bobbing the canoes. ONce when camp was over we took a three day canoe trip down Snake River. I grew up in Rochester and I think Maqua has given me my most enjoyable memories. - Diane in Virginia
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gfpre Says:
On August 28, 2010
at 10:14 AM
I loved going to Maqua during the 40's for six years and was a Jr Counselor the last one. My two oldest girls also went and loved it but when my youngest girl and her brother attended the last year it was coed and a different experience. We learned so many different sports that I feel somewhat sorry for the kids today that go to camp and concentrate on one activity. I have been back several times when friends visit and appreciate that the residents are keeping Maqua alive!
Geraldine Folkert Prieskorn |
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cavell Says:
On December 16, 2012
at 01:53 PM
Wonderful article! I am currently the Director at YWCA Camp Cavell in Lexington, Michigan and we are one of the very few overnight YWCA camps left in the country! It was so fun to ready your article because I have been here for 29 years and had never only a faint memory of reading about a Camp Maqua! I would love to learn more! Our camp belongs to the YWCA of Metropolitan Detroit and was first organized in 1914. Next year will be 100 years in camping for us. We would love to invite Maqua campers to join in on any of our celebrations!
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UCbearcat333 Says:
On September 21, 2017
at 03:40 PM
Hi from Cincinnati, OH
Growing up in the Bay City area in the 1950-60ties I enjoyed spending several weeks, every summer at Camp Maqua. I would always go with a friend and have a great time. I have all of my photos from camp. My Mother even saved a few letters I wrote home..so funny. My grandfather, Ronald E. Fischer, was a wonderful speaker and raised funds to build the original YMCA and Camp Iroquois. I remember the family spending time at the camp too when the campers were not there. It is fun for me to see photos of Camp Maqua. |
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Dave Rogers |
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