In 1935 an 8 year old attended Camp Miller for the first time, four
week stay. The cabin he resided in was the first one on the even side
of the Jr. Area horseshoe, number #2.
The staff cabin "A" was not yet built. In cabin #2 their were six
other cabin mates of various ages plus a counselor, a native American
known as Chief Bearhart. Chief Bearhqart was very much into American
Indian Lore which was a hallmark of creating an atmosphere of native
lifestyle in the Delaware Valley (Shawnee-on-the Delaware). Sunday
evening Campfire was rich with Indian history and stories and Chief
Bearhart in full Indian attire.
Cabin mates were of different ages and sizes and their was only
one 8 year old in cabin #2
in July 1935. The second morning upon jumping out of the canvas bunk
the 8 year old found his shoes nailed to the floor.
No memory of any hot showers, the latrine was a series of septic
tanks, kind of a super outhouse. Once a week you did a "soap dip" in
the river, naked bodies with only a cake of soap and a towel. No
facilities or electric in the cabin, the one and only function was
bonding with your cabin mates and counselor. My counselor was
introducing me to the real world of many different ethnicities & for
that I learned to be grateful. Right now in the state of Hawaii I am
Kahu Lawrence Roller at Hawaiian Language Congregation (182 years old
ministry) known as Lili'uokalani Protestant Chuch, Haleiwa, Oahu.
The Camp Miller was a" water shed" experience. Chief Bearhart was
a unique personality who added flavor not only to the cabin but to the
entire camp atmosphere of living close to nature & the outdoors. The
camp had an award system which kept the campers moving in all kinds of
activities. At flashlight out time/taps Chief Bearhart led our cabin
community in "sentence prayers" & the Lord's Prayer
Cost per week for Lutherans, $9.00 & all others, $11.00
Larry Roller, Camp Miller 1935-1944 & 1949-52
(eight years as a camper of which seven were entire season of eight
weeks}
(six years as a counselor) ALOHA
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Comments
Hello, Beth! Spent some good times with your Dad, Eli, when camp was over. My husband was Assistant Director when your Dad was Director at Miller. I remember you as a very little girl.
Hello Larry,
Thank you for sharing your wonderful memories. I can not imagine camp with out indoor plumbing. I do remember washing my hair in the river..(Just had to remember to face the water flow when rinsing) :)
Hope all is well with you.
Inge Rau Coleman