Donor Memories
Cold Water & Candles
Pat Czerny - Then & Now!
“I started there as a camper in 1943 at almost 8 years old - my first time away from home. I continued to go there every summer as a camper until I had my first job there in 1951 working in the kitchen and then as a counselor until 1956. I remember we washed ourselves and our clothes in cold water – the only kind we had. On the last night we each put a candle out on the lake and as they floated away we sang together. There were tears for the wonderful memories we shared.”
– Pat (Blake) Czerny, donor
An Eloquent Endorsement from a Camp Trexler Alum
The Foundation was blessed to receive two sponsorships of $25,000 towards its $150,000 Challenge Grant, one from Peter & Kathy Nurge and the other from the Croyder family.
Peter & Kathy Nurge
Challenge Grant Sponsors
The Foundation was blessed to receive two sponsorships of $25,000 towards its $150,000 Challenge Grant, one from Peter & Kathy Nurge and the other from the Croyder family. Peter Nurge, who attended Camp Trexler with Harry Croyder, wrote the following:
I hope that today’s internet age, plugged-in kids can get beyond their phone screens and experience traditional camping. It was so influential in my life. Counsel fires, buddy checks, singing, elephant walks, yad sdrawkcab (figure it out!), canoe regatta, rappelling, the Trexler Times and the Babbler, cookout nights, CN Day, ghost stories, lanyards and dubious craft projects that only a parent could love. Dare I mention stealing totem poles, playing cards, liberating a pygmy goat or, heaven forbid, skinny dipping?
But, for me, it really came down to the people. Campers and counselors; friends and teachers. Andy Lindgren blowing reveille in a red union suit. Garet Church on the “desert” telling how the loon got its necklace. Nicky Johnson jumping over the counsel fire. Lou Ramey teaching us some interesting songs. Chef Hans’ bread. Writing the Trexler Times and songs for the staff show with Harry Croyder and Conrad Olsen. Mark Bynoe, Henry Florschutz, Aaron Mills, and the Smith, Stuger and Grotheer brothers. Families spanning both Ma-He-Tu and Trexler like the Beckers, Burfeinds, Ludwigs, Chiaravalles, Croyders, Fletchers and mine. Hulk, Tiny, Peanuts, Chuckles, Ma, Chin, Nursie, Rosie, Igoe, Ruthie…people who even today are identifiable by only one name. Like Rock stars!
We had incredible adventures. Enduring friendships. Treasured memories. Trexler’s light still burns brightly for me. We need to keep it burning through and for Ma-He-Tu.
We hope that Ma-He-Tu alumnae feel the same way, and step up to support Ma-He-Tu's endowment fund to maximize our wonderful challenge grant. Camp Trexler is no longer operating... but we can keep its legacy alive along with Ma-He-Tu's!
50 Years!
1972 was a year filled with historic notes that occurred even before camp opened that summer.
Claire Morris
1972 was a year filled with historic notes that occurred even before camp opened that summer. Nixon visited China, the first thaw of the relationship between our two countries in 20 years. The Boston Marathon was open to women for the first time. Five White House operatives were arrested for burglarizing the offices of the Democratic National Committee, marking the beginning of the Watergate Scandal.
And it was the summer of the Grecian Urn* at Camp Ma-He-Tu. An unprecedented nine young women were selected to become Counselors in Training (CITs): Faith Conlon, Page Croyder, Ruth Dyer, Diane Graybosch (Price), Ellen Hoppe (Karl), Janet Klemm (Brozynski), Jennifer Olsen (Russo), Renée Paris, and Peggy Tobin (Lebonitte). It was a program that was still evolving at our camp along Kanawauke’s shores, the 6th summer of its existence. And Claire Chin (Morris) was the 10th Urn, the Head of CITs, her second summer in this position.
This year was the 50th anniversary of that Grecian Urn summer and it was time to remember, reminisce and consider our legacy to our beloved camp. An appeal was made to each of these former CITs with a promise to match any gift made dollar for dollar. We are happy to report that over $5000 was raised for the endowment through generous contributions in honor of that summer.
What is a legacy? According to the dictionary, it is that which is passed on to future generations such as money or property. For many of us, it includes intangible things such as values and experiences that make us better individuals. We are better people and stronger women for having spent summers at Camp Ma-He-Tu. We can make the world a better place by ensuring the financial stability of our camp. Thank you for all you do as we continue to build our endowment so that those who follow us will grow to be Ma-He-Tu STRONG!
*If you are wondering where the Grecian Urn nickname came about, please reference the 1962 classic film “The Music Man” with Robert Preston and Shirley Jones. This summer also saw the creation of the National Ballet Ma-He-Tu (NBM).
— December 2022