Enjoy the camp images? A selection of photos from the camp archives
will be added to the Web site alumni pages in the near future.

From the 85th Anniversary Alumnae Reunion
by Laurie Strayhorn and Betsy Reese; edited by Jim Dunn

In July, everyone enjoyed taking part in Merrie-Woode's 85th anniversary celebration. The celebration weekend and reunion made it apparent that Merrie-Woode truly is a "composite thing made up of all those who, through the years, have loved it and given it their best". Over 350 alumnae, families, future campers, and current campers' parents returned for this special celebration. The fun day showed all that Merrie-Woode means to campers and alumnae.

On that beautiful Sunday morning, everyone convened in the Chapel area for Sunday's devotional service. Nancy Swann sadly announced at the service that Merrie-Woode had lost one of her most loyal supporters on July 18th with the death of Bill Pippin of Atlanta, Ga. The 85th Anniversary was dedicated to his memory.

After the service, everyone was invited to a picnic lunch on the waterfall field. The mountaineering staff demonstrated the new ropes course and zip line for the crowd. Following the lunch, alumnae and parents were invited to attend the Showcase of Activities. Visitors attended an Arts and Crafts show, which included works from ceramics, nature, photography, woodworking, weaving, and arts and crafts. The drill teams preformed on the archery field and the cast of Godspell preformed three musical numbers on the stage in castle. The attention then turned to the waterfront. Everyone made their way to the docks for the exciting Boat Meet. The crowd enjoyed the always entertaining Crew Skits and the ever exciting Crew Race.

A composition of alumnae, campers, counselors, Board members, camp representatives, patient husbands, dedicated parents gathered together at camp in July because of their love for this unique institution. The reunion was a time to be thankful and a time to celebrate camp's rich history.

After all, the Merrie-Woode experience has connected four generations of campers as the gray middie blouse has been worn through the Great Depression, World War II, the fear of polio, the crazy '60's, and up to the current day.

And now in 2003, when Camp Merrie-Woode® celebrates her 85th birthday, we realize that camp has surpassed the "average" human life span.

In fact many of the giant hemlock trees that Dammie Day planted during Merrie-Woode's founding 86 years ago were retired from their watchful perch in recent years. These trees were harvested and milled on the property to build the new cabins from Big Apple through Bob White. New trees were planted in their place, to be nurtured along just as the campers grow. And in this way the "Merry-Woods" continue to grow and thrive letting each group of children swing from the branches and frolic in the moonlight. These children mature into confident young women as they enjoy their summers beneath Old Bald and eventually they make the passage of camper to counselor to alumnae. This is the journey that weaves the fabric of Camp Merrie-Woode®.

While the fabric and weaving continue from camper to camper, its designers have marked significant eras. The gentility and simple life set forth by Dammie Day, the challenge of adventures as charged by Fritz and Augusta Orr, the nurturing of the soul and individual, which was so evident in Hugh Caldwell's leadership; and the evolution of the Merrie-Woode Foundation's Board of Trustees.

The Foundation's unique composition of parents, former campers, husbands and fathers ensures a balance of leadership and vision. It's a combination of heart and pragmatism working together to continue a tradition of simple living, adventure, and the fostering of character.

In this era of e-mail, internet and ringing faxes, campers and counselors value even more the tranquil setting and the simple life that Dammie Day set forth as Camp Merrie-Woode's mission. While many of us have different "particulars" when it comes to the specific memories we have of camp, we all know the Camp Merrie-Woode® that Dammie Day writes of in her 1929 Christmas Letter:

"When I think of you and you think of me during the winter months, I wonder if you are as keenly aware of the fellowship to which we belong, because of the things we have shared together?"