Pete Mandell makes a suggestion to help remember our camp. And keep it thriving.

Pete: I got to thinking about how (oddly enough) we loyal Clark campers owe a huge debt of thanks to the Lyndon folks at the Cape Cod YMCA. 

For any new visitors, recall that:

 1.   In 1970, a major effort was made by a lot of dedicated Clark supporters to save the camp from being converted into a subdivision.

 2.   The effort to save Camp Clark failed, but the campsite was kept out of the hands of eager developers – thanks to the Cape Cod YMCA’s purchase of the camp.

3.   In 2003, the Cape Cod YMCA and the Town of Sandwich entered into a legal agreement called a Conservation Restriction to ensure that the land that was Camp Clark, now Camp
Lyndon, must remain essentially as it is today and, barring action by the Massachusetts Legislature, the property will forever remain a place for camping activities that we were all lucky enough to enjoy.

So… it occurs to me that we should all consider supporting Camp Lyndon if we can. You can make donations for camperships and/or their building and maintenance programs - and think seriously about including the Cape Cod Y’s Camp Lyndon in your will.

To get information about supporting Camp Lyndon’s campership program  or to help in other ways, call PJ Richardson at 

508 -362-6500, extension 141, or visit:   http://ymcacapecod.org/give/donate/planned-giving/  

GREAT IDEA!  Pete...... Wayne

Carl Hokanson

Hi, I just want to say how much fun we had at Camp Clark. The Hokanson family Ken, Robert, Wild Bill, Richard and I (Carl ) have great memories. 

Recently my brother Ken passed away, He was a counselor and ran the arts and craft lodge. At family get togethers we always talked about Camp Clark. The activities, the campers, the workers and the Hastings and Johnson  families all have a special place in our hearts.    Carl Hokanson

Paul Daffinee

Paul Daffinee

I was the last song leader at Camp Clark, 1971. I actually made a song sheet for the songs we did. Took me a few days to dig them out. This one is on the list. The order was a little different. Monday through Wednesday OK but after that the run was:

Thursday, roast beef
Friday, fish
Saturday, baked beans
Sunday, church

The word "church was drawn out...chhurrchhh... and then it was off to the races as you went back to Monday. The goal was to do it without taking a breath. Each verse was as fast as you could go but of course the last was the toughest.

Do any of the rest of you who were counselors still smoke a cigar at the end of the summer and try to keep the ash standing?

Paul Daffinee

Donald Johnson

Donald Johnson All Camp Alumni, Great to hear from you.  In the way of camp songs. Question on Jeopardy last night asked for finish of "Old Rugged Cross"  a great reminder of  Sunday services on Brown Bread hill and the cross and pine cones brought for years at camp. Don Johnson alias "Fuzzy"

Joe Larson

Clayt:

I remember that Thursday was roast beef and Sunday was church.

Joe Larson

Clayton Farnham replies

Clayton Farnham  Definitely!  It was  one of many, bellowed out by whoever could be forced to lead it.  Best of all – for some reason (someone help me with this!) the last verse was sung at breakneck speed.  ??? Clayton

"EV" has a question about a song circa 1950

Was there in the early fifties! Trying to get some lyrics of one of the songs we sang in the messhall. "Today is Monday, Monday bread and butter, (then on to the rest of the week) Tuesday green beans, Wednesday s o u p, thurday ?????, Friday fish, Saturday baked beans, Sunday roast beef. All you happy campers we wish the same to you" Obviously looking for Thursday's meal. It was a great summertime experience swimming on Lawrence pond (remember the girls camp around the corner????)

Clayton Farnham also remembers the song.

Definitely!  It was  one of many, bellowed out by whoever could be forced to lead it.  Best of all – for some reason (someone help me with this!) the last verse was sung at breakneck speed.  ???

Clayton

Our newest alumni Neal Russell has a tale to tell.

Neal....

Thanks so much for sending me the BlogSpot, great job with a load of info. Certainly brought back some terrific memories.

On to the tale 

Quoting the old TV Dragnet Series "The names have been changed to protect the innocent"

Neal's memory..... 

I recall that one year a motel was being built on a nice beach across the lake and some counselors participated in a late night canoe trip across the lake and thru some materials around -  no real damage, just a way of protesting. Lo & behold, the State Police showed up the next morning. To protect the Sr. Counselors a couple of Jr. Counselors decided to take the fall. It ended up in an out of court settlement where charges were dropped by the property owner after some hallway discussions & an apology. A truly great adventure.

For those who forget the geography.

Lawrence Pond

Camp Clark (Camp Lyndon)

 Is this the target area (?) across the lake as it appears today.

Camp Clark - July 2012.

These photos were taken by my wife Donna while she was on a vacation last week to see her family in the Taunton MA region. Thanks to her and her dad for taking the time to take these photos.

 I hope everyone enjoys them as much as I do.

We should all be happy to see just how well the current steward's of the land, lake and buildings are honoring their stewardship.

Although some of the buildings have changed.  And a few old ones are gone.  And some new ones have been built.  It is still the camp we all knew.

Thanks to the Camp Lyndon staff and it's supporters for keeping our camp memories alive and flourishing. 

Respect - Honesty - Caring - Responsibility

    #2012-01  The dining hall from the entrance to the waterfront.

 #2012-02  The dining hall and flag pole from the entrance to the waterfront.

 #2012-03  The "Junior" Section from the Gazebo area. The lake is to the left.

 #2012-04  The Boat House from the beach/ Gazebo area.

 #2012-05  The Gazebo near the waterfront entrance.

 #2012-06  The Gazebo near the waterfront entrance. The "Junior" Section in the distance. I believe the craft shop use to sit on the approximate footprint where the Gazebo now sits.

 #2012-07 The "Dining Hall".

  #2012-08 The "Junior Section" from the Gazebo area.

#2012-09 The "Waterfront and Junior Section" as seen from the "Boat House".

 #2012-10 The "Nature Shack". This was one of my favorite places to hang out. It's probably why I have a BS in Biology.

 #2012-11 The upper floor in the "Boat House". I helped pound nails into the sub-flooring when this building was being built.

 #2012-12 This building used to be the "Candy Shack" in the late 50's and early 60's. If memory serves me right.

#2012-13 The "Boat House".

#2012-14 Camp Staff Jeremy Shea served as Donna's guide for the tour. Thanks Jeremy for making this 2012 photo visit to "Camp Clark" possible.

#2012-15 The "Waterfront". This photo made me smile. It is a great feeling to see "our memories" are alive and well and kids are still there.

#2012-16 The "Boat House".

#2012-17 The "Waterfront" for the "Dining Hall".

 #2012-18 Inside the "Dining Hall".

#2012-19  The "Dining Hall" we all know. The kitchen, fire place and the dish room.

#2012-20 The entrance to Camp Lyndon

Respect - Honesty - Caring - Responsibility
Well Done!

Bob Zimmermann's memories and pictures. Part #1

The following pictures and news articles are from Bob Zimmermann's "Camp Clark" collection. Most of the pictures will be familiar to former campers. Some of the pictures have Bob's handwritten notes. Many of the photos have names for the individuals in the photos. Some of these photos were before my time at the camp so they might have to be labeled as we all figure out what they are. For example is that  an "outhouse" floating on the swimming raft?  There must be a story there? Bob? Pete? Joe? Anyone?

I will try to add additional labels and my comments to the photos over the next few days.

The news story below about Robert S. Dennie ("Spike") was one of my favorite additions from Bob Zimmermann's material.

Reading the article encouraged me to call on Pete Mandell to get me in touch with Bob Dennie. As usual Pete came through. Spike and his wife Sandy live in Florida. Spike is 80 and his wife of 48 years Sandy is 75.

Update 06/20/12: With Sandy and Bob permission.

Sandy and Bob Dennie 06/2012. Bob's 80th birthday.

Excerpts from Sandy Dennie's recent emails :

"Bob loved Camp Clark.  I was the Camp Nurse in 1964 and that is where I met Bob and we were married the same year.  Married 48 years in November.  Bob just turned 80 years old in May and I was 75."  "We have a Daughter and a Son and from them we have 9 grandchildren and 4 great grandsons.  They all live about 14 miles from our home.  We have lived in Florida for 21 years and love it.  We call it our paradise."

"I will try and locate pictures of me as the camp nurse and others. I am enclosing a picture of Bob and I at his 80th birthday.  Thank you very much for your nice letter.  Bob loved Camp Clark so much that he is always glad to hear from someone that went to Camp Clark." 

"I was also Camp Nurse after our daughter was born in 1965 and our son in 1968."  

"There was a reunion at Camp Clark.  I forgot what year.  It was a lot of fun and Bob was one of the persons in charge of it if I remember correctly.  People came from all over.  When it was about to be sold, Bob and Pete along with others tried to persuade the powers that be to not sell the Camp but it didn't work out.  It became a day camp and Bob and I visited the camp and it seemed very nice and active."   

"Camp life is wonderful for children.  It seems that is where a lot of memories and friendships develop as seen from Camp Clark."

"CLICK" ON ANY PHOTO FOR A LARGER VERSION.

David W. Beaman Hall

David W. Beaman Hall with the camp work truck. I remember riding in the truck when I was a camp worker. 

Uncle Bob Hastings (L). Spike 3rd from (R). Camp cook (R).

During my time at the camp the building in the background was called the candyshack. If you had money in your camp account and had no demerits you could go to the candy shack and get some "sweets" after the supper hours.

During my time at the camp the building in the background was called the candyshack. If you had money in your camp account and had no demerits you could go to the candy shack and get some "sweets" after the supper hours.

Bob Zimmermann's memories and pictures. Part #2

Although this was taken before my time there are familiar items in the photo. The photo was taken in the dining hall (David W. Beaman Hall) the fire place with the Camp Clark sign and the stuffed Loon were regular fixtures through the decades.

These two pictures taken from the top of Brown Bread are great reminders of one of my favorite spots at the Camp.

If you know anyone in this or other group photos please email the ID. Email address shutterwi@gmail.com

Ok this is what appears to be an "Out House" on the swimming raft. Some one please enlighten me. There must be a story behind this photo.

Bob Zimmermann's sister circa 1954/55.

Bob Zimmermann's memories and pictures. Part #3

I can remember sitting at our kitchen table while mom and dad filled out my first application to Camp Clark. Although I don't remember exactly what application it was it could very well have been one like this.

The is a commercial contemporaneous postcard. Probably sold at the camp. This is the view I remember as seen from the hill by the flag pole. All of the trees and underbrush have been removed and  the waterfront is clearly visible today.

The following photos were taken during Sunday Services at the outdoor chapel located out in the woods near the junior section.

This is the beach area as I remember it. The trees and underbrush came right down to the waters edge. This is not the case now. The trees and underbrush are gone and the waterfront is open with a clear view to the lake.