Sun, Fun, and Lifelong Bonds: Camp Counselor Memories
We’re celebrating Camp Alice Chester’s 100th birthday by looking back at Girl Scout camp history and the Girl Scouts who shaped it. Do you want to share your favorite camp stories? Fill out this form to share your story with GSWISE today.
Attending summer camp – and working at summer camp – is a strong tradition in southeastern Wisconsin.
Camp Alice Chester alum and former camp counselor Andrea Dernek shares her favorite memories with us.
My mother was a camp counselor at Camp Alice Chester in 1968, and when I was looking for a summer job, my mom suggested being a camp counselor. I was also a camper at Camp Alice Chester and had a great experience in 1989. One of my best memories of being a camper was the counselors! They were the coolest and so fun!
I was a little nervous to be a camp counselor, but we had training before the campers arrived, which was fun! We did team building activities, first aid, and training for working with campers.
Some of my favorite memories as a counselor were riding camp bikes to town and getting ice cream, singing the camp songs, and signing shirts and autographs for campers. I loved playing the all-camp game where counselors hide and campers find us. I remember hiding on the roof of the Lodge one time – that was a great hiding spot!
As I look back at Camp Alice Chester, I remember taking outdoor showers under the stars, comforting little campers who were homesick, and walking through camp while singing repeater songs with the campers. I remember all the camp games like find the counselors, capture the flag, and carnival events. I remember the buddy board and swim caps. I remember having nights off as a counselor and sneaking into the kitchen for some cookies or chocolate. I remember having to use a pay phone to call home when I was a counselor in the 90s. I remember feeling way cool because we got to use walkie-talkies as counselors! I remember enjoying riding in the golf cart. I remember the lifeguards from Australia were the coolest.
During my time as a camp counselor, I met a fellow counselor from England – Lynne. In 1996, Lynne and I decided we wanted to stay in touch after camp – and we are still close friends to this day. We wrote letters and emails, and I went to England to meet her family and visit her country. I went back for her wedding too! She came back to Wisconsin and stayed with my family twice. We’ve also met up in Texas and Australia (where her family immigrated to). When Lynne came back to Wisconsin in 2018 for a visit, we took a ride out to Camp Alice Chester. We asked if we could have a look around for old time’s sake, and staff took us around the camp in a golf cart. It was an amazing visit. I got a little misty-eyed for the years that have gone by and all the memories…and thinking that Lynne and I have been dear friends across miles for nearly thirty years.
Being a camp counselor was a very tough job (maybe the toughest I’ve had), but the memories and the lifelong friends that I have made are worth it. Now, my niece has been going to Camp Alice Chester, and the family tradition continues. When I picked up my niece last summer after her first time at camp, she was so excited to show me around. Listening to her share experiences, I wanted to go back again.
Mmm, I wanna linger…mmm, a little longer…with you…
Celebrate Camp Alice Chester’s past, present, and future with us on Saturday, October 5. Our 100th Anniversary Celebration will feature your favorite camp activities for a fun-filled day with the entire family! Register today and choose your own adventure.
