The Council Room

[Pat Donovan]

Have I got this name right? This is the way I remember it being said.
I only remember this from the Midget Camp, and I was a Midget 1953-1956 so things may have changed a lot before many of you got to Camp.
We'd be awakened by reveille and encouraged to line up in our PJs and go through various stretches, bends, deep-breathings, etc., etc. before getting dressed and heading to breakfast. I think I speak for every Midget ever when I say I hated this activity. I'm sure quite a few of the councilors weren't thrilled by it either, since it interrupted what little extra sleep they could catch after reveille. I think of Art Sloan in particular in regard to the extra 40 winks.
Anyway, do any of you have any insights about why this was thought to be worthwhile?
_________________
1953-1960
4-year Midget (Dick O'Hara, where are you?)
Gold Honor Camper

[David Bentley]

Okay, Pat, you got me! The answer is (drum roll).... character building and a healthy body(!)(?).

I think this even carried over into the Junior Camp in the early 50s, and I don't know about the Senior Camp.

I agree with you, Pat, 5 minutes of sleep after reveille was just what most of us needed.
_________________
C-1 49 J-7 52 S-3 55 J-10 58
C-7 50 J-7 53 S-2 56 J-8 59
C-8 51 J-4 54 S-7 57 (JA) J-8 60 - 64
1965 - 1968 Military service
Pine Cone 68 - 75 (with wife,Sherry,
and daughter Tracey)
Wolfeboro - full-time since 1997

[Steve Hood]

Not sure I can add much, but here goes !!!
I was a midget in 1951 and a junior in 52 and 53. I do not think we ever had any morning exercises-- I am sure we did not !!!
My next memories are from 1957-1964 as a JA, JC, and Councillor. I am positive we did not have morning exercises ---
AND-- from 1957-64 I was the highly popular morning bugler who tooted reveille woke you all up, so lazy campers and councillors had me to blame!!! I do not remember any warm-up exercise activities....
_________________
1951: C-9. F. Whitemore, P. Durkee.
1952-53: J-11. E. Wilkins.
1957: S-7 D. Irons, JA
1958: J-4 W.Dann JC
1959: J-1 G.Engstrom JC
1960-61-63: J-6. Councillor
1964: JA-2. Councillor

[Pat Donovan]

Hi Steve: I do recall that the exercises were hit-or-miss. Not every day. I don't remember if they were scheduled in any way. I associate them with Mr. Berard, but maybe that was only because he was head councilor in the Midget Camp for a couple of my years.
_________________
1953-1960
4-year Midget (Dick O'Hara, where are you?)
Gold Honor Camper

[Pat Donovan]

Hi Steve, I just noticed that you live in Mobile, and wish I'd known that some years ago. My father, who was a camper at Wyanoke in the 30s, served on the USS Alabama for about 3 years during WW II, and my brother Bill - another camper - and I treated him to a trip to Mobile 12 yrs. ago to tour his old ship. We stayed at the Admiral Semmes downtown, ate some good fish, and revisiting the ship was a real joy for him. Years ago I chatted with Bob Feller at an autograph event. Bob was also on the Alabama, and I mentioned that my father had been Assistant Navigator. He was pleased to tell me that Dad never got them lost. Had we known you were in the area we could have had a Wyanoke-South reunion. Hope all is well.
_________________
1953-1960
4-year Midget (Dick O'Hara, where are you?)
Gold Honor Camper

[Bob Kennington]

I was there the same years, and agree with Steve Hood: "No Recollection".
_________________
Gordon B. (Father) Wyanoke ~1929-1937
Midget C-1 (1952, 53) (Belden, Edwards)
Junior J-7 (1954, 55) (Scheirer)
1967-1971 Military-Naval Security Group
Sister: Winnemont 1955-56

Blue: there's another color?

[Robert Vaughan]

I definitely remember exercises for one or both of the years 1955 and 1956 in Cabintown - I do not remember them in the Junior Camp, where I started in 1958.