Connie (Sweitzer) Clauson
I saw your article in the SB newspaper today about celebrating your 100th year of Camp Fire. I wanted to share with you some information that I came across from my grandmother. Before she died in 1964, she had told my older cousin the story of her life for a school project. This what she told her:
“She and her husband (Mildred & Charles Copp) were interested in character building among youth in and helped to form the Camp Fire Girls Council in South Bend. There were very little funds to work with so at a small lake in Michigan she bought & donated the ground where the first camping period was held. The first camping group comprised of 12 girls. The camping facilities were very crude. A large tent was their sleeping quarters. They dined outside under the trees. They had a small pool at the edge of the lake that took care of dishwashing activities. Their lights were several lanterns & the moon. Their cooking accommodations were a fireplace and a wood burning stove that stood out in the open. Rainy days created quite a problem. It required the services of four girls to make breakfast: one to do the cooking while 3 girls held umbrellas over the stove to protect the food & keep the fire burning. The Campfire Girls organization has made great strides during the years. They have a beautiful campsite, modern conveniences & a membership of over 5,000 girls.”
I believe that the main lodge that used to be at the camp was called Copp Lodge. I know that my father, Walter Sweitzer, served on the Camp Fire board for several years. My oldest sister, Linda, was a counselor at Tannadoonah in the late 50’s or early 60’s. I was a junior counselor at Camp Wakinda when I was in Junior High School. All of my sisters & I were Camp Fire Girls. I also remember being in Indian Guides when I was in early elementary school.
Congratulation on 100 years as an organization! Many girls & now boys have been served by your great organization.