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"On the shores of Duck Lake waters, lies Shawondossee,
Nestled in her pines and hemlocks, camp we sing to thee,
Sing to all the friends we've made here, happy hours so free,
May our praises ring forever,
For Shawondossee!"
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On June 17, 2000, 11 staff members of the former Camp Shawondossee gathered to locate the old camp and keep it's memory alive.
Camp Shawondossee was a great camp with a lot of history. It spent it's first two years of existence located between Holland and Grand Haven along Lake Michigan. In 1928 the camp was moved to the North side of Duck Lake in Muskegon County. Among the staff members that first year on Duck Lake was Gerald R. Ford, who would become the 38th President of the United States!
The camp was operated by the Grand Valley Council, headquartered in Grand Rapids. It became part of the West Michigan Shores Council and ceased operation by 1970. The council owned a great deal of camp property after the consolidation with the Timber Trails Council. Since the council did not control all of the area surrounding Duck lake and other considerations, the property was sold and eventually became part of Duck lake State Park.
The camp buildings were torn down, but floors and footings of many of the buildings can still be found. Other areas of the camp can still be identified.
Those of us who made the first gathering are a diverse group of men in their 50's and 60's and are pictured below. I have included a couple of other photos of the old camp. If you have some photos you would be willing to share, please contact me. If you would like to join us, contact Jon Anderson at email: jonhotrod1@yahoo.com.au
We are planning another gathering each June, probably the Saturday prior to Father's Day. We hope to see more of the staff alumni there. Plan on joining us!
IF YOU HAVE ANY PICTURES OF THE CAMP YOU WOULD BE WILLING TO SHARE,
PLEASE CONTACT JON GRASKA AT: jgraska1@charter.net
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Staff alumni members who were at the first gathering in June, 2000 were:
Dr. Jon Andreson, Rev. Fr. Walt Derylo, K. Rand Dykman, Jon Graska, Mike Knowlton, Barry Lewis, Stan Popowich, Rev. Dr. Tom Sagendorf, Bob Schutt, Mike Schutt and Tim Todish.
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A Saturday morning water carnival, circa 1959
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Waterfront and dinning hall, circa 1929
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