Camp Chateaugay
Merrill, N.Y.Tuesday evening
Dear Mom and Dad,
If you can type letters, I guess I can too. Sorry I have been so lax about writing but these kids sure keep us busy with their problems. If it is any consolation, I haven't written to anyone else either[.]
Last night was our first overnight hike and it was quite a disappointment. We started out for the base of Panther Mountain, about three miles away, with the intention of camping there and pushing on to the top the next morning or even that afternoon. However, as things turned out the kids moved so slowly that we got only two miles from camp and then had to make camp. The next morning when we would have climbed they took five (count 'em) hours to make breakfast, clean up, and break camp so that we were an hour late getting back to Chateaugay without even getting near the mountain. Needless to say, they got a four star lecture (Aaron, Lil, Pete & Hedy) when they got back. The whole trouble with this group is apathy and we see it in every activity. I'm getting darn sick of trying to talk these kids into everything while they want to just sit in the cabin and read love comics or listen to rock 'n roll records. Everyone says that this is typical of fourteen year old girls but I'm sure we were never this bad at camp. Everyone of these girls has always had all they want handed to them on a silver platter - in short, they're spoiled brats - and they never think of anything but their own immediate desires. They expect the camp staff and all their friends to cater to their every whim but here is one counselor who refuses. Our biggest problem is the fact that we can't discipline them in any way. This summer is proving to be a challenge if nothing else.
Ann Hatch is here in the capacity of assistant to the hikemaster. In fact, she went with us on our overnight last night and I'm darned glad she was there. My co-counselor is a great girl but she hasn't had too much actual camping experience. She's worked mostly in day camps.
Would love to see you in August (6th or 7th) if you can make it. Let me know definitely and I'll get the day off and make arrangements for a place for you to stay if you want me to.
Heard from Edgy and she's having a great summer. She wanted to know whether or not I was definitely
gcoming on the O.C. trip to Mt. Washington. If you have no objections, I'll write her that I'll be there. She wants to know by the end of July.Nothing terribly exciting has happened lately. The kids and their problems are taking up almost every waking moment. In other words I'm earning my money this summer. Last day off - it was Saturday but it seems like months ago - we went in to Malone for the morning and then to Brayton Hollow and cooked supper and swam under the falls. It was a really great day. They should happen more often.
As I haven't written to Aunt Hattie you might send this letter on to her. By the way, what's Tom's address? I'll try to send him a line.
Love,
LizP.S.
It's really a great summer. I'm just tired & discouraged tonight.