THE BABBLE R Fal l 2015

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In the past, we have sent our annual Keep the Campfires Burning campaign letter to you separately requesting monetary support for Ma-He-Tu. In an effort to use our dollars more effectively, we are incorporating our letter with the Fall Babbler. All contributions to KtCB are used to support our annual program. Please consider giving as we anticipate our 80th anniversary. Please keep in mind that donations to KtCB are separate from any donations you may make to the Camp Ma-He-Tu Foundation.

Dear Friend of Ma-He-Tu:

I love looking at Facebook on Thursday. I love to see people’s old pictures. I love to see what people cherish and reminisce about most. Life is fleeting. And as you get older, that only becomes more and more apparent. And people want to remember their happy moments of the past. Luckily, in our house, almost every day since camp ended in August, I get to have a throwback day. You see, both of my daughters attend Camp Ma-He-Tu. It’s the camp I was lucky enough to attend when I was a little girl. And now, I get to relive it again, through their eyes. After I left camp in the early 90s, I never knew what had become of it. There was no Facebook back then, no social media. It wasn’t until about five years ago, when a girlfriend of mine was looking for a sleep-away camp for her daughter, that I found out that Ma-He-Tu was still alive and kicking! I went on Facebook. I found Camp’s Facebook page. I found old friends. I found my camp memories! My friend sent her daughter to Ma-He-Tu. And now I send my daughters. Now I get to hear their stories about camp. About swimming and bracelet making. About counselors and evening program. About the zipline and dance. About Igoe and the dogs. About campfires and songs. Oh the songs! We’ve been singing grace before dinner. Through them I get to remember a little piece of my own camp experience. I’m so happy to have made the reconnection. To think, all these years camp was happening every summer, and I had no idea. How has Ma-He-Tu been able to continue providing amazing and unforgettable summer camp experiences for young girls? Well because of people like you who are reading this Babbler. People like you who love camp. People like you who know that without the donations and support that we have received over the years, Camp Ma He Tu may not have even still been here! Keep the Camp Fires Burning is our annual campaign that reaches out to our Camp Ma He Tu family and friends to donate and support camp. Please visit our website (www.mahetu.org) today and make a donation. Any amount will help and be greatly appreciated. I want Camp Ma He Tu to be here for my daughters’ daughters. And I know everyone reading this does too. I bet you’re thinking about some of your favorite throwback moments! Thank you for your time, and see you at camp. Salima Millott Board of Directors

(The donation form is on the back.)

From our Camp Director, Janet Igoe Paddack Last winter the Camp Ma-He-Tu Board of Directors spent a weekend together immersed in “camp

thoughts.” Many great things came out of that meeting, including the following mission statement

for Camp Ma-He-Tu:

Empower young women to become the best that they can be. Provide them freedom from the daily

pressures of life so they may grow together in a supportive and fun camping community to develop

and embrace their relationship with God, appreciation of others, and their value as individuals.

Energized by this process and the kind of soul searching it takes to clearly and concisely state your

purpose, I asked the staff to engage in the same exercise, to come up with a Mission Statement for the

Ma-He-Tu Staff of 2015. This is the result of their efforts:

By providing an enjoyable, safe, and accepting environment, we challenge campers to be themselves. When they take a

step back from everyday distractions, campers gain independence and individuality through team building and self-

expression. As a result, campers create long-lasting friendships and everlasting memories.

I was, as I hope you are, struck by the parallels in these two statements, written completely independently, by two very

different groups of people. On one hand we had a group ranging in ages from thirty something to sixty something, all

professional, established adults. On the other hand, we had a group ranging in ages from 16 to 21 (with a pair of of 24

year-olds), almost all still in high school or college. And yet, they both expressed the same core principles:

We need to unplug. We need to turn off the noise and turn away

from the pressures that distract and often overwhelm us.

Community is important. And growth happens best in a community

that is safe, accepting, supportive, and fun.

We grow strong when we grow together, when we learn to be a part

of a team. Together we learn to appreciate each other and create

“forever” friendships and memories.

In the midst of all this community and togetherness, we find,

embrace, and nurture our own individuality.

Had the topic been politics, economics, fashion, music, or just about anything else, I wonder if these two groups would

have been so clearly aligned, or aligned at all! But the topic wasn’t any of those things, it was Ma-He-Tu. And when it

comes to talking about our camp, the generation gap just melts away. When we’re in camp mode, we’re all in the same

place. In our minds, in our hearts, we’re back at the waterfront, or sitting around the campfire, or gazing at the stars, and

becoming better people for the experience. And that’s true whether you came to camp in the 1930’s, in 2015, any year

in between, and with our continued efforts, any year in the future.

Yesterday Kinsey, my six year-old granddaughter, informed me that she had 263 days before she could go to camp for

her first summer. Thank you all for the legacy you are leaving her! She, and all of her camp friends, will grow to be

better people because of what we have created and sustained on the shore of Kanawauke. Oh, Kinsey, what absolutely

wonderful adventures are waiting for you!

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From our Board President...

As we transition from fall to winter, the

landscape at K-24 changes dramatically.

The change from brilliant colors to a

feeling of emptiness mirrors what

happens as we leave our beautiful site at

the end of August. The hum in the air of

girls’ voices disappears. The bell’s bellowing is silenced.

Even the stream’s flow is diminished, changing to only a

faint trickle of water.

However, in the spring is the rebirth of nature. This too, is

the time for the Board of Directors and camp leadership to

begin the next camping season. There is much to be done

in the spring.

Theme Weekends at Camp

As a Board, we are looking for rebirth in areas other than

the summer. We would like to be able to use our campsite

for more than the summer program. So, what are we

looking to do? We are hoping to engage you, our friends

and supporters, in this endeavor. At our October Board

meeting, we tossed around the idea of “theme” weekends.

How does a Knitting weekend strike you? Or how about

a Trexler reunion weekend? We are sure that there are

many more ideas out there. We have begun slowly with a

Family Camping weekend for the last two years. Does

that float your boat (or canoe)? What can we do to help

you return to Bear Mountain for a fun weekend in the

spring or the fall? We are entertaining any and all ideas!

If this strikes a chord with you, please e-mail me with your

ideas, ekarl@mahetu.org.

80th Anniversary Planning

On another note – we are beginning to plan for our

upcoming 80th anniversary! Keep up-to-date, and follow us

on Facebook! Many of our new and innovative ideas will

be posted there, as well as on our website. Be sure to book-

mark our website to your favorites!

We give thanks for all of you in the upcoming season of

thanksgiving. You have been our beacon of hope; you help

us celebrate, share, and most importantly, you remember us

with your gifts, whether it is your time, your talent, or your

treasure. We are blessed to have you in the Ma-He-Tu

circle of love!

Ellen Shakespeare Karl President, BoD

2016 Encampment Dates Women in the Woods — July 2-July 6

2nd Encampment — July 10-July 23

3rd Encampment — July 24-August 6

4th Encampent — August 7-August 20

We are so pleased to have 63 campers already signed up for 2016!

Register online —www.mahetu.org

Follow Ma-He-Tu on Social Media

facebook.com/campmahetu

twitter.com/campmahetu

instagram.com/campmahetu

pinterest.com/mahetu

linkedin.com/company/camp-ma-he-tu

google.com/+MaHeTuOrg1937

Christmas in July!

Regatta!

Shrek!

Archery!

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3rd Annual Wager in the Woods March 5, 2016

By Terry Karl

Camp Ma-He-Tu is filled with traditions. We are

pleased that Casino Night or Wager in the Woods is now

an annual tradition for friends to gather during the off

season to socialize, play and raise money to keep the

summer traditions alive and well. Last year 200 people

took part. We are “betting” that even more friends of

Ma-He-Tu will turn out in 2016.

SAVE THE DATE Saturday, March 5, 2016

Upsky Hotel — Smithtown, New York

There will be blackjack, roulette, craps, Texas Hold ‘Em,

raffle baskets, 50/50 chances and more.

You, too, can help make Wager in the Woods ‘16 a

success. Our past grand prizes for winners of casino

“funny money” included a week at the Jersey Shore, a

bed & breakfast ski weekend at Christman’s Windham

House and Opening Day at Yankee Stadium, all of which

were donated by Camp alumnae and supporters.

Do you have access to similar items to donate? The

more attractive the grand prizes, the more gambling

takes place and the more proceeds realized for Camp.

Ticket information will be available on our Facebook

page and on our website after the new year.

Please contact me regarding donations for raffle baskets

or grand prizes. tjk@rkwclaw.com

Camp Ma-He-Tu Foundation

Challenge Grant!

By Claire Chin Morris

Foundation President

As you know, the Camp Ma-He-Tu

Foundation was established a few years

ago to ensure the long-term future of

camp. The Foundation is separate from the Keep the

Campfires Burning annual campaign which supports the

day-to-day running of Ma-He-Tu.

The Foundation has been blessed to receive a $150,000

challenge grant from the JEM Fund. For every dollar

contributed to the Foundation between now and the end of

2016, Ma-He-Tu’s endowment fund will be matched

dollar for dollar up to $150,000.

This is an incredible opportunity to grow Ma-He-Tu’s

endowment by $300,000 in little over a year. We are

grateful to those who have already responded, and hope

that all will find a way to donate and double your money

over the next year. Credit card donations and monthly,

budget-friendly donations are available through our

website, www.mahetufoundation.org. Checks can be

written to Camp Ma-He-Tu Foundation, 810 Powers St.,

Baltimore, MD 21211. A list of our donors is included at

the back of the Babbler.

Thank you for your support.

Alumnae News

We would love to hear news from our alumnae. If you have

an event to share please email rr0992@aol.com.

Here are some of the recent happenings:

Engagements

Kathryn Maykish

Rhiana Swartz

Weddings

Stepheni Baumann

Rene Pena

Babies

Kat Dillon due any day

Emily Shafonda Tyson had a girl

Kristin Muenzen had a boy

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2nd Annual Family Camping Weekend By Helene Wesling

Metropolitan New York Synod Assembly May 29 & May 30, 2015

By Ellen Karl

This past May we had the opportunity, for the second

consecutive year, to participate in the Synod Assembly.

In addition to having a report in their bulletin of reports

outlining our accomplishments in 2014, we sponsored

coffee for participants and also had a booth. Due to our

coffee sponsorship, our booth was located right next to the

coffee – a good place to be! What wonderful days we

had! We were giving out our version of S’mores to go —

a big hit!

On Friday, Terry Karl and I manned the booth. Saturday,

Helene Welsing and I shared the table. We had so many

folks stop by to find out about Ma-He-Tu. Some

reminisced about either attending or having come for a

weekend retreat group. Some wanted to know more about

who we are and about our program. Others allowed us to

make connections to the Synod and their programs.

Our booth was also located next to the Lutheran Schools

Association, an organization that we have connected with

over the past few years. Several of our Board Members

were in attendance at the Assembly; Peter Sharrock,

Pastor Fred Schumacher and Pastor Kimberly Wilson.

It was wonderful to be prayed for in a Moment of Mission,

as well as, connecting with old friends and the hope of

bringing new girls into our program.

The weekend of September 11 brought families,

friends and staff to Camp Ma-He-Tu's second annual

Family Camping Weekend. Our campers ranged in

age from 15 months to 75 years and included old

friends who can remember hoisting tents with "Uncle"

Ernie Schwabe and new friends just meeting camp for

the first time (and loving it!!)

Families met each other around the campfire by the

waterfront on our first night. The next morning we

woke up and warmed up with bacon and eggs expertly

made to order by Al. With a rainy day forecast

families wasted no time visiting the zip line (a week-

end favorite), stone stepping in the stream and

squeezing in a walk around the lake before the rain

came down.

Some ventured further to the Bear Mountain Zoo and

local outlet shopping (there are so many things to do

in the area!!) before returning for an Italian feast and

games and snacks in the Dining Hall by lantern light.

A beautiful sunny day on Sunday brought out the

kayaks, paddle boards and fishing poles before a

hearty lunch sent us all back to our homes, jobs and

“real” lives.

Thanks for a great weekend, Ma-He-Tu, filled with

fun, fellowship, family and new friends!

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2016 Application Women in the Woods Camp Ma-He-Tu Check in begins at 11 AM each day

________________________________________________________ Please indicate the days you will be attending: ADULT NAME ___ Sat. 7/2___ Sun., 7/3

________________________________________________________ __ Mon., 7/4 ___ Tues., 7/5

GIRL’S NAME(S) RELATIONSHIP Final checkout is Weds., July 6 at 11 AM

__________________________________________________ I will be coming for the day __ overnight __ ADDRESS

__________________________________________________ I would prefer to stay in a cabin __ tent __ CITY STATE ZIP no preference __

I would like to share accommodations with: PHONE (day)___________________(evening)___________________e-mail address______________

__________________________________________________ ___________________________________

BIRTHDATES (adult) (children) Make checks or money orders payable to the

Lutheran Girls’ Camp Association-WIW.

I certify that I am in good health, as are the child/children who will be attending WIW with me. I A non-refundable deposit of one day’s fee per understand that my health insurance will act as the primary carrier while I participate in all activities at person is required to insure registration.

Camp Ma-He-Tu. The camp reserves the right to reject any application or to dismiss any camper(s) for

sufficient cause. Mail to: Mrs. Marion Schumacher, Registrar

6 Soundview Drive North

Huntington, NY 11743

SIGNATURE____________________________________________________DATE______________

OR, register online at www.mahetu.org

Rates: Overnight fees—Adults/$90 per day, Girls 7-15 /$60 per day, Girls 2-6/$40 per day. Non-overnight (day) fees—Adults/$65, Girls 7-15/$45, Girls 2-6/$25.

Women in the woods

By Madeline Sharrock

When I was 10, I came to Ma-He-Tu for the first time. I was very afraid of the lake and taking my feet off the bottom of the

crib. It took two years of a very patient waterfront staff to finally convince me that floating, swimming and then jumping

into the Polywogs was a good idea. When I was 10, I also spent part of each summer with my grandparents in Queens and

Brooklyn. One Grandma loved to guide my skills in all the needlework crafts. I could sew and made many doll outfits. She

taught me to embroider and crochet. Then there was knitting. My grandmother had a thing for doing everything perfectly.

Knitting involved two hands, two needles and yarn woven around my fingers in a pattern I cannot even remember now. I just

remember the frustration and the tears.

Fast forward about forty years and I still get to go to Ma-He-Tu every summer. It is wonderful

to come back and renew friendships and to meet new friends. Women-in-the-Woods has allowed

many former campers and staff members to return to camp and awaken friendships, challenge

physical abilities, renew passion for the outdoors and share the love of camp with family and

friends of all ages.

Women-in-the Woods has introduced us to different crafts over the years such as tie-dying,

no-sew blankets, scrapbooking, candle making and Zentangle(R). This year the new activity was

a knitting class. Sisters, Jennifer and Andrea, who have been coming to WIW for several years

with their knitting projects lead a workshop that began on Sunday morning while I was busy

getting organized for the day. I had no intention of joining in as my memories of twisted yarn,

tears and frustration came rushing back at the thought of picking up a pair of needles.

With the same patience of the waterfront counselors who got me to swim 40 years ago, Andrea and Jennifer prodded me to

try again to pick up a pair of knitting needles. The time was right and I enjoyed every moment. Two days later I had suc-

cessfully cast on, knitted and purled and casted off a square washcloth. I am thankful for their patience and the joy with

which they shared their passion with anyone who was willing to pick up a pair of needles. I am filled with joy that an un-

pleasant memory has been replaced with joy. It was another life skill learned at camp!

We never seem to grow old at camp, we just get better. It is my hope that you will join us this coming summer at

Women-in-the-Woods to create new memories and friendships that will enhance your everyday joy.

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Blasts from the Past

Please post your old photos on

Ma-He-Tu’s Facebook page.

Facebook.com/campmahetu

Lost and Found—Friendship Rekindled on Facebook By Tracey Fyfe McGinn

I had the most wonderful visit with an old friend that I unfortunately lost contact with for 38 years. After catching up

on each other’s families, work and life, we settled in as though al of those years apart never mattered!

We both went to Camp Ma-He-Tu. Being with her for the day felt as though she was a sorority sister who I will always

have and can count on. Ma-He-Tu does stay in your heart forever. It enriches your life as it as for both of us. We

agreed that the camp and staff contributed to the women we have become; loving, caring, nurturing, proud and dedi-

cated to whatever we set our minds to!

So, I am so proud to have Linda Mathis back in my life as a “sister” and a forever friend. Here’s to 55 more years of

long talks and new memories to share.