Queen Lili’uokalani, Queen Victoria, Christmas in July, and Other Fun Weekly Special Activities
By Pati Egan
Wednesday lunch was special in the 1970s and 1980s. Staff and campers celebrated a Special Day each week.
It all started with Christmas in July (July 25th). This was celebrated on whatever day July 25th fell on. This event is the oldest event and started in the 1960s. The staff and campers would decorate the Dining Hall complete with decorated trees, Christmas lights, light up reindeer, and anything anyone could find.
Santa made an appearance accompanied by elves and reindeer. Gifts were exchanged, every Camper received at least one Christmas card and a treat – usually ice cream – it was July after all! A special meal was served – in the early 1980s it was usually a full turkey dinner. Christmas Carols were sung and everyone agreed that it was a fantastic time.
Hawaiian Day Was a Highlight of Boys Camp
The Campers and staff would spend Wednesday morning pulling cattails out of the lakes to make their perfect costume. Many of the boys just wore their swimsuits and a towel. Everyone got into this holiday! The girls staff got into the spirit of the holiday. Each unit offered a “tribute” to the King and Queen – usually a song, cheer, or skit. A special themed lunch was served usually featuring pineapple.
Queen Victoria Day
Queen Victoria Day was another fun celebration. The Queen would show up for her royal luncheon and units would present songs or skits in her honor. Rumor has it that the Queen was “not amused.”
Greek Gods and Goddesses Day
Each staff member was assigned a god or goddess to portray. The campers gave loud “Heepwahs” in tribute to the gods and goddesses and to make sure they “protected the campers from any disaster.”
The Fourth of July
A fireworks display on Sunday started July 4th week with a bang!
The staff and Campers thoroughly enjoyed these special events. The creativity the campers and staff showed was amazing! There were no themed weeks, thus Campers did not bring anything from home. Other than Christmas in July, events weren’t planned ahead of time. I’m not sure when Wednesday Special Activities ceased to be a thing. The spontaneity and creativity of these Wednesday lunches would leave me so impressed with what a unit came up with. Who would have thought that cattails in the lake could serve such a useful purpose?
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