For some strange reason, I was hesitant to advance to a full week outdoors at Camp Woodland Altars after my years in the Junior Lodge were done. In 1984, I actually attended the junior high lodge camp…and was one of only three boys. In 1985, I found a great compromise. Eco Adventures was a camp that was based out of the new Sugar Grove Lodge, but centered around activities outdoors (ie. hiking, streaming, climbing, and caving). So this was where I went to camp from July 14-20, 1985.
This week was certainly one of my most memorable camp experiences. It was a great time exploring the outdoors with some great friends…but forget the actual activities. Most importantly, I was coming of age and honing my comedic skills on my fellow campers. As I mentioned in an earlier posting I was really ‘into’ the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic books during this time period, so when I mentioned this to some kids at camp, they thought the whole concept of the Turtles sounded hilarious. So references to T.M.N.T. absolutely permeated the entire week. Also notable was my impression of our camp’s naturalist Dave Koehner, which went on and on all week as well.
The Sugar Grove Lodge. Scott is in the center. Kim is waving at the camera third from right.
I also met a great friend named Darin Anderson during this week of camp. We would go on to remain friends and exchange letters following this week of camp – even though I did actually attack him at one point during the week. He had turned the bathroom light off while I was incapacitated on the toilet. But Darin really got a kick out my eccentricities, among them the T.M.N.T. references, my cool t-shirts, my Sweet Breath mouth spray (seen with me in the top photo), my obsession with my cat Jet, and my Vans tennis shoes. I had two pairs, the standard black and white and a black-white-red version. The red ones had lots of holes in them. I told Darin that this pair was ‘air-conditioned.’
Darin
My counselors this year were Scott Sliver and Terrie Swartz. Scott also brandished a hearty sense of humor, so he went along with our little in-jokes and actually did quite a respectable impresion himself of Naturalist Dave. We considered him a ‘cool guy’ and Darin and I even ‘snuck out’ one night with Scott, Rhonda, and a couple of others. We hung out at the lake and then went back to our lodge and laid on top of the roof, watching the stars and cracking jokes.
Rhonda, Brian Broyles, Me, Scott, Brian Flowers, Terrie
Similar to other (later) years, we would each write a comment to each other and put it into our unique bag. These I still have, so I can easily prattle off the names of my co-campers: Darin Anderson (who signed his name as “Bob Dylan”), Brian Flowers (who I referred to as “Brian Plants” – so that’s how he signed his name), Jason Snider, Jenny Summers, Amy “Ankles” Angle, Kim Littlejohn, Meg Sparks, Christy Wolf, Bryan Broyles, Andrew Guenther (the genius albino), and Michelle Zellers (the special learning girl). Andrew woke up one night in the middle of the night, screaming “DAD!!!” at the top of his lungs.
Meg, Jenny, Brian Broyles, Kim, Jason, Amy, Christy
As I recall, there were three groups in this particular camp. Photos and my memory indicate that Brian Bohlander, Ruth Gress, Harold Wenger, Meret von der Crone, and a junior counselor named Rhonda Carter (who we suspected had something going on with our counselor Scott) were the other counselors. In the other groups were other friends Wendy Johnston and Dorinda Dohner, who would later become even better friends the fillowing year. Other kids who of whom I still have a memory are Chris Vickers (older brother of Denise’s fellow Brownie Janae), and a cute short freckled girl named Laura Baum. Darin provided me a full list of campers, but I don’t have any memory of the others outside of our group.
An odd photo of the counselors…and me. Standing: unknown naturalist, Harold W., Scott, Brian, Rhonda, Meret, Dave, me. Sitting: Terri, Ruth. At the far right in the background is Andrew the genius albino.
Definitely one of my finest memories of weeks at Woodland Altars.
1985 will continue in Florida…
Such great memories! I remember saving up all year for this camp (back then it was only $130). This was my first camp of sorts, and buddying up with Brad made the experience that much more enjoyable. Who would have thought the unheard of T.M.N.T that we all poked fun at would become something that is still around today?? Ah, if only I had bought T.M.N.T. stock back then…. 🙂
Darin Anderson
April 27th, 2007
whatever happened to Jason Snider?
Kim (Littlejohn) Younce
April 16th, 2008
Long time, no see! Yep, that’s me… right there in the middle looking very 80’s! That was a great time in my life. What a great week! Seeing those pictures blew me away! (For the record, yes, I was interested in Rhonda… We had one date after the fact and that was it… I think… lol!) I went on and became a pastor at the Dayton Vineyard Church in Beavercreek, Ohio. If you want a glimpse inside my life, my MySpace is /scottsliver. There are quite a few pics and blogs you could peruse.
I also do a weekly podcast on iTunes under Dayton Vineyard Podcast Devotional and I will be speaking all summer at the Vineyard… mp3s available on our website at daytonvineyard.com. Or just Google my name… lol.
Scott Sliver
June 9th, 2008
Scott!!! You are one of the main reasons my first trip was such a good time and why I returned the following year! I still remember receiving a post card from you before camp, with you hiding behind a large plant, and a “Guess Who This Is?”. Such a charasmatic personality, you made all our activities a great time – and now a pastor! You have a great means to reach people and a wonderful personality to do so. Thanks again for introducing us to camp life, wishing you the best.
Darin Anderson
June 12th, 2008
Darin… Thanks for your kind words! (And for all the memories!) I know it was just as long ago for all of us, but you guys were just kids and now you’re all grown up and I’m 45! (YIKES!) I have been married 22 years and have 4 kids, 15, 17, 19 and 21. (My kids are hilarious!) It thrills my heart to know I had some positive impact on your life… even if it was just that you wanted to go back to camp the next year. Not long after camp, I moved to New York City for 1 1/2 years! THAT was an adventure! Keep in touch, ok?
Scott Sliver
June 13th, 2008
Thanks to YOU, I am having flashbacks to 1985…
Bruce Springsteen, Madonna
Way before Nirvana
There was U2 and Blondie
And music still on MTV
Her two kids in high school
They tell her that she’s uncool
Cause she’s still preoccupied
With 19, 19, 1985
Woohoohoo
(1985)
Woohoohoo
Scott Sliver
June 13th, 2008