Alumnae Story
Camp Quidnunc Part II Reunion

By Cindy Gavrity (formerly Cleveland) GSCGNY, Staten Island

The Camp Quidnunc Reunion was a great success! We had girls from across the country show up, from as far away as California to Florida to Maine. All for one reason, we love our camp. Unfortunately, it, like many Girl Scout camps, has fallen by the wayside. It was closed in 1972, but the love affair with the camp is still going strong for us. We arrived on Friday to meet at a local restaurant in Sloatsburg, N.Y. By the time I got there, about ten happy, shining faces were already there. Many I knew form camp and the others from the internet. We spent a few hours waiting for everyone to arrive, talking about the past and anticipating the weekend to come, firming up plans and passing around the picture albums.

From there the 15 girls who were staying at Baker Camp (wanting the rustic experience) left to get settled in and wait for dinner at the dining hall. The girls who stayed at the motel decided to eat at Rhoads North Tavern and continued their fun. Our cabins at Baker Camp were the bare minimum, just cots and mattresses. We did have a bathroom with a sink and cold water though! The people at the camp were great. They were very nice and there was always coffee ready at 6:00 a.m. and when it was time for meals, they rang the big bell in front of the dining hall. We had a beautiful waterfront (almost like our own camp) and believe it or not, the water was warm in the lake, and I am now a Florida girl who doesn't get in the water unless it's 88 degrees or so.

Saturday we had bag lunches and headed towards the old Quidnunc site. We met even more girls there, ready to hike to Bald Rock and then into camp. About 25 of us brave souls hiked up the steep incline to one of the greatest views around. After we all caught our breath, back down again and into camp. We made it with out one mishap! No broken bones or fainting. Not bad for a bunch of women 45 to 83! The two women in their 80's didn't hike up to Bald Rock but did hike into camp without stopping. Our first view of Quidnunc was exciting and sad. So much had changed and yet it was familiar. We walked through the different units and to the site of the dining hall. We ate lunch on the foundation of the infirmary and looked for our famous red pump that was in front of the Double Decker. When everyone finished taking in the sights and reliving their memories, we were off to the lake and a few uninhibited spirits went skinny dipping. The rest of the day was left open to swim or boat or nap. I managed to get a swim in at Baker Camp, not Kanawaukee, and a nap!

Later that night it was time for the campfire at Camp Addison Boyce. CAB, as it is known to those who went there, generously offered their location for our program. We prepared our Wishing Boats and s'mores and sang. It was a beautiful, memorable and poignant night, one to remember for a long time. All in all, there were about 60 girls there during the day and night, former campers and staff members. We hope to stay in touch throughout the year and we are still finding new alumnae everyday. Some of us are planning to do it again next year, so we can stay close.

For anyone who would like to see our pictures and more about the camp please go to campquidnunc.blogspot.com or email me at spare1@mindsping.com. I hope you enjoyed our trip down memory lane.