Inspection

By Pati Egan

Since Camp opened, campers and staff have assembled on the “Parade Grounds” – also known as the parking lot – to lower the American Flag and the other flags on the five poles. Campers are taught flag etiquette in an informal way. They learn by doing this time-honored tradition. OWLS learn the proper way to lower the flags and how to fold the American Flag. This is something Camp has always done and the campers of today take this activity just as seriously as the campers in 1959. Enjoy taking a look back at Inspections 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s style.

An announcer bomb was shot into the air to announce the beginning of lowering the flags. The puff of smoke is from the bomb. This picture was taken prior to Central being built. Notice only three flag poles in the picture below.

1960s girls’ staff inspecting the campers.  Notice the three flags each unit had – the unit flag & two other flags marked A and B.

Camp usually had one person who could play the bugle or trumpet. In the 1980s, our supply of trumpet players dried up! The Office Manager would have to listen for the sound of the staff’s shoes scraping the parking lot, doing about face to face the flags and the bomb going off, and would then play retreat on the loudspeaker.

1960s Boys’ Inspection

Notice that the girls’ staff is still saluting until the American Flag is down. Campers and CIT’s place their right hand over their heart. “U.S. Flag Code, the American flag must be hoisted first and lowered last when displayed with other flags (such as state, local, or organizational flags) on adjacent staffs. It should always be positioned at the peak or in the center.” (Google).

The Campers walked out solemnly and with no talking. A serious tone was set the moment the first person’s foot hit the Covered Bridge. There was no nonsense allowed. On Sunday a lot was at stake if your unit won inspection – you got your choice of where your unit sat in the Original Dining Hall. Logistics were different then – if a unit won, they would not yell Heepwah! until they hit the Covered Bridge. Remember, the Dining Hall was so close to the Parade Ground that this was a quick walk. The Unit that won, always walked off the Parade Ground first. I can still hear the incredibly loud Heepwah! accentuated with the sound of voices echoing on the bridge. No one talked until the last unit crossed the bridge. Occasionally, staff would be dismissed early because of the heat and the sun directly in their eyes. I think having the staff stay out on the Parade Ground added some solemnity to the service.

Click here to learn more about Camp Ondessonk’s history.