Carl Hokanson provides a new piece of Camp Clark memorabilia.

Carl Hokanson provide a new piece of Camp Clark memorabilia. His brother Richard also a Camp Clark alumnus passed this document on to Carl and Carl forwarded it to me. This piece has a special point of interest for yours truly. So a special thanks to Carl and Richard Hokanson.

As I prepped this piece to get it ready to post (a little Photoshop tweaking) I read it as the tweaks brought out some of the faded words.

For the first time there it was my name Wayne Griffiths in a comtemporanous document from Camp Clark in it's 54th season.  Answering the question "what did you like best about camp?"
Wayne Griffiths "losing my fear of deep water".

If you can date this document that would be a great piece of info. With the passing of my mom and dad I have no idea of when this could have been. Two hints in the document 1. all the campers were 10 years old. 2. The cabin Craigleigh.  I was born in 1947 so this would make this document a 1957 writing. Meaning the camp's first season would have been circa 1903.

Thanks Carl and Richard. Enjoy memories. 

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

Paul Daffinee brings back some old camp songs.

Camp Clark Songs

Row Your Boat

Sung as a round

Row, row, your boat

Gently down the stream

Merrily, merrily, merrily

Life is but a dream

Jon Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt

Sung unceasingly softer on each verse until the last line which is sung as loud as possible

Jon Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt

That's my name too

Whenever I go out

The people always shout

There goes

Jon Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt

Da, da, da, da da da da

The Ants go Marching

Ants go marching one by one (two by two, three by three etc.)

Hurrah, hurrah

The ants go marching # by #

Hurrah, Hurrah!

The ants go marching one by one (or whatever verse),

The little one stopped to stick out his tongue (see below for other verses)

And they all go marching

Down

To the ground

To get out of the rain

Boom, boom, boom

2 Tie his shoe

3 Climb a tree

4 Slam the door

5 Pick up Sticks

Do Your Ears Hang Low?

Do your ears hang low?

Do they wobble to and fro?

Can you tie them in a knot?

Can you tie them in a bow?

Can you throw them o’er your shoulder like a Continental soldier?

Do your ears hang low?

Goober Peas

Sitting by the lakeside on a summer's day

Chatting with my bunkmates,

passing time away

Lying in the shadow underneath the trees

Goodness, how delicious,

eating goober peas

Peas, peas, peas, peas,

eating goober peas

Goodness, how delicious,

eating goober peas

Hole In the Bottom of the Sea

Each verse is sung faster and faster and then the chorus is sung slowly

Chorus

There’s a hole in the bottom of the sea

There’s a hole in the bottom of the sea

(Chorus)

There’s a hole, there’s a hole

There’s a hole in the bottom of the sea

There’s a log in the hole in the bottom of the sea

There’s a log in the hole in the bottom of the sea

(Chorus)

There’s a bump on the the log in the hole in the bottom of the sea

There’s a bump on the the log in the hole in the bottom of the sea

(Chorus)

There’s a frog on the bump on the log in the hole in the bottom of the sea

There’s a frog on the bump on the log in the hole in the bottom of the sea

(Chorus)

There’s a wart of the frog on the bump on the log in the hole in the bottom of the sea

There’s a wart of the frog on the bump on the log in the hole in the bottom of the sea

(Chorus)

There’s a fly on the wart on the frog on the bump on the log in the hole in the bottom of the sea

There’s a fly on the wart on the frog on the bump on the log in the hole in the bottom of the sea

(Chorus)

There’s a flea on the fly on the wart on the frog on the bump on the log in the hole in the bottom of the sea

There’s a flea on the fly on the wart on the frog on the bump on the log in the hole in the bottom of the sea

(Chorus)

Happy Song

If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands (clap hands)

If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands (clap hands)

If you’re happy and you know it

And you really want to show it

If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands (clap hands)

2nd verse

If you’re happy and you know it

Stomp your feet. (stomp feet)

3rd verse

If you’re happy and you know it

Shout “Hooray!” (shout hooray)

4th verse

If you’re happy and you know it

Do all three (clap hands, stomp feet, shout hooray)

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

John Ruggles

I can't remember the years I was there. I think 1968-1972 or somewhere in there. I remember several songs, movie night. Bob Hastings (maybe) yelling "COME ON, COME ON", "LET's GO, LET's GO",

lots of strange memories from there. I went back several years ago and found the place and looked around and a lot looked the same.

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

An answer for EV post from Paul

I think that the order was a little different. Monday through Wednesday OK but after that I think the run was:
Thursday, roast beef
Friday, fish
Saturday, baked beans
Sunday, church

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.

Great News: "Camp Clark" property Preserved Forever

Preserved Forever

Pete Mandell and Joe Larson

What news would Camp Clark alumni most want to receive? If you returned to the shore of Lawrence Pond in Sandwich, and parked on Great Hill Road across Lawrence Pond from the Camp Clark site, and saw an array of mega-mansions where once you swam, played ball, and sailed, you would be experiencing what many others have on returning to a memorable location on Cape Cod.

 Our news to you is to encourage you to make that return trip. You will not have the sad experience that others have suffered. That's because in 2003 the Town of Sandwich and the Cape Cod YMCA entered into a legal agreement called a Conservation Restriction to ensure that the land that was Camp Clark, and now owned by the Cape Y as Camp Lyndon, will never be turned into a subdivision.

 In Massachusetts a Conservation Restriction is provision in law whereby a landowner may give or sell the development rights on land, in perpetuity, with state approval, to an approved conservation organization. In this case, the Cape Y (landowner), sold the development rights to the Town of Sandwich Conservation Commission, which is legally obligated to preserve the land and ensure that it is maintained only for organized camping. The Cape Y continues to own the land and to pay much reduced property taxes (because it no longer can be developed for a pricey profit) to the town. Each Conservation Restriction is worded to spell out what can and cannot be done on the property in the future.

 In 2000 the Town of Sandwich enacted a town zoning bylaw that created what they call the Three Ponds District, comprised of land and water in the area surrounding Spectacle Pond, Triangle Pond, and Lawrence Pond. Camp Clark alumni will recall that the Quincy YMCA owns Camps Burgess (an arch rival in softball) and Hayward that border on Triangle and Spectacle Ponds. The bylaw has, as one of its purposes, the preservation of open space, rare and endangered species and habitats, and the scenic character of the District.

The District bylaw set the scene for the Town of Sandwich Conservation Commission and the Cape Cod Y to negotiate and sign, on December 17, 2003, a Conservation Restriction in return for a payment of $500,000 by the Town to the Cape Y. The restriction spells out what the Cape Y, and any subsequent owner may do with the land. In the case of the Camp property, the Cape Y all future owners, are prohibited from building homes, retirement developments, assisted living facilities, bed and breakfast places, nursing or convalescent homes, or open space residential developments. Also prohibited are mining excavating, dredging or removing soil, loam, peat, sand, rock, or other minerals or natural deposits. "Buffer" zones have been established for more limited uses. Also established is a Surface Water Protection District consisting of all the land within 300" feet of the shoreline of Lawrence Pond. The owner retains therights to fishing, boating, hiking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing (Ski Cape Cod!), camping and other outdoor recreational and organized camping activities.

The Town of Sandwich Conservation Commission has also purchased Conservation Restrictions on other land in the Three Ponds District and is legally responsible for ensuring that the conditions of all the Conservation Restrictions are complied with. The Restriction on the Camp Clark/Camp Lyndon land has been filed in the Barnstable Registry of Deeds (Book 18158 Pages 155-171). The Registry's web site is http://www.barnstabledeeds.org/getConnected.php  The web site allows the public to see, but not download and print documents. You have to order them at $1.00 per page.

The bottom line is that, barring action by the Massachusetts Legislature, the Camp Clark/Camp Lyndon property will forever remain a place for camping of the sort we were all lucky to experience. We encourage Camp Clark Alumni to send in comments about this news.

This great news comes to us from two of Camp Clark's most loyal alumni. Pete Mandell and Joe Larson. I would like to thank them for all that they have contributed and continue to contribute to this website. Their shared memories have informed and entertained us all. Thanks again Pete (Marylou) and Joe (Wendy).

Pete Mandell (L) and Joe Larson (R). 
2012 photo taken by Wendy during a recent visit by Joe and Wendy with Pete and Marylou at Pete's home in GA.

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!

Mid summer update.

Hope everyone is having a great summer.  Thank you to all who have sent me material for the website. It is sitting in my "to do" tray and I will get to it soon.

Northern Wisconsin has been in the heat belt this summer.

The days have been HOT and sunny. Both remind me of some of the summer days at camp. Remember the rest periods in mid-day? Time in your bunk was not always refreshing.

My wife is presently vacationing on the east coast and yesterday she went to Camp Clark. She called me from the flag pole and asked what photos I would like her to take. She was given a guided tour by one of the camp administrators. So let's all look forward to some new 2012 views of the camp compliments of my wife and her dad.

Sounds of Camp Clark - Reminiscences from the Guy in the Upper Bunk

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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.