THE SUSQUEHANNA

LOOKOUT

The forthcoming November Announcement carries a summary of the 1965 Season, and we hope you will read this over carefully and relive in memory, the many fine experiences we all enjoyed. During the closing days, we tried to see everyone before departing, but in some instances, did miss a few of the boys and some of the staff. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to share your summer, and want to thank you all, for your many contributions to Camp Susquehanna. 1966 promises to be even finer, and we hope you will return and turn Susquehanna back into the normal summer picture of happy shouting, bugle calling, and all the usual activity we know so well. Our best wishes, Ken and Joy Schroder

The team lived in the Senior Camp cabins, supervised by the head coach, Dick Lalla (a former Colgate University star) and his assistant coaches. They carried a very heavy schedule using the Baseball Diamond for tackle practice, scrimmage and calisthenics. The workshop area of the "A" building basement was cleared and set up for a dressing room. Meals were served in the Dining Hall, and it did not take them long to appreciate the fine cooking of Mrs. Lois Schroder and her staff. The Dining Hall was also used for "Skull sessions" and the showing of football movies. It served as an excellent means of further utilization of camp property, with no detractions from the regular season. A few staff members from the summer stayed on to assist in handling the group - it was almost a full time job doing laundry which became essential, because of some muddy playing areas. We all, more or less, suffered exhaustion just watching the ream go through their calisthenics routine, and from this alone we could easily and readily dispute any statement that American youth is in poor physical condition. We know of only one incident when damage was inflicted, and this took place during some punting practice in the Senior Clearing. One of the overhead floodlights was broken. Characteristically, Mr. Schroder asked if it was a good kick, and the reply from Coach Lalla was that is was beautiful - which made it all right. The team returned to Binghamton again by chartered bus on Monday evening, September 6th - hopefully well-conditioned and prepared for an active schedule. The coaches and supervisors felt the camp was most beneficial, providing closer contact and a completely supervised schedule, free from all outside interference. They are looking forward to returning to Susquehanna next year, and in the meantime we wish them all good luck.

Mr. Craig Holden sang the "Lord's Prayer" and Mrs. Lois Schroder and her kitchen staff quickly served a very fine banquet meal comprising tomato juice, pickles and olives, French fries, broiled steak, buttered corn, and whopping portions of apple pie and vanilla ice cream for dessert. Because of program scheduling, the banquet was held at 1pm and during the time lapse between courses, Mr. Holden was prevailed upon to lead in singing some of the camp songs.

Following the fine meal, Mr. Schroder made a few remarks, keeping them brief, and then introduced Mark Bergman - recipient of the Outstanding Intermediate Camper, and Chris McMurray, Outstanding Senior Camper.

When the applause had died down, Mr. Schroder congratulated these boys and then went on to introduce Bob Waters, the head counselor of the Junior Camp, who in turn introduced his staff. These specialty leaders announced the winners of the Oscar awards.
Air Riflery Oscar - David Decker
Archery Oscar - Richard Pease
Athletics Oscar - Richard Pease
And winner of the Warbasse Trophy, a perpetual award going to the boy making the greatest improvement - Jimmy Igner.

Mr. Edward Hull was then introduced and he in turn called upon his specialty counselors and the winners of the Intermediate Division.
Archery Oscar - Gary Nacht
Athletics Oscar - John Todhunter
Dramatics Oscar - Judd Burstein
Riflery Oscar - Doug Cooper
Tennis Oscar - Jules Feuer

Mr. Bill Deakin was then called upon to present his specialty counselors and the winners of the Senior Division.
Archery Oscar - Jules Feuer
Athletics Oscar - Gary Dibble & Chris McMurray
Dramatics Oscar - Tom Martin
Riflery Oscar - Chris McMurray
Tennis Oscar - Steve McBroom

As the Head Riding Instructor, Mr. Jules Quattrocchi was then introduced and called upon to present the Riding Department and Horsemanship awards.
Riding Oscars:
Junior Camp - Michael Wallach
Intermediate Camp - Gary Rappaport
Senior Camp - Ryk McCarty
Horsemen - Robert Filskov
The John Larisch Trophy for interest and care of horses was awarded to Bruce Tucker.
The S.G. Parkinson Trophy for excellence in Horsemanship was awarded to Ned Halle.
Winner of the S.P.C.A. trophy, the Henry Bergh Trophy, as determined at the 1965 PWE Horseshow, and re-introduced - Ned Halle.

Next to be called upon was Mr. George Murphy, Head Waterfront Director, who at once began to announce the winners of the swimming department awards.
Swimming Oscars:
Junior Camp - David Decker
Intermediate Camp - Doug Cooper
Senior Camp - Diego Baptista
The special Deakin Swimming Trophy was awarded to Mark Bergman.

The next trophy, the Coppola Bros. Athletic Award, a perpetual award, was made to Billy Kahn.

The remaining trophy, instituted in 1963 and known as the Fritz Finkler Memorial Award, and awarded annually to the outstanding Counselor-in-Training, was announced as going to John Edwards.

Following these announcements and the actual presentation of the awards, the group Head Counselors distributed Award Receipt Cards to all campers of their respective divisions.

Mr. Schroder then rapped for attention and said that the time had come for some important words. The group quieted right down and listened carefully while he gave a brief history of Camp Susquehanna, starting with the year 1928. He mentioned some of the long search he had made for a suitable camp. He brought his remarks to a close by saying that in the Fall of 1963, he and his wife Joy, made an arrangement with Mr. Smith to take over Camp Susquehanna. As part of this arrangement, they felt it only fitting that an appropriate award be made to Mr. Smith, and a beautiful silver tray was obtained marking Mr. Smith's complete retirement from Camp Susquehanna.

This presentation was greeted by a tremendous round of applause for former director, growing quickly into a standing ovation. It was some minute before Mr. Smith could quiet the group enough to express his thanks to the Schroder, the boys, and to the staff for the fine 1965 camping season, and for the fine memories ha had of Camp Susquehanna.

With the singing of the Camp song, the banquet concluded.

Arrangements were made to secure a block of tickets to accommodate those who wished to attend this event and enjoy the opportunity to see the nation's top riders and their fine horse, in the company of camp friends.

Time was an important factor in making arrangements, partly due to an earlier show date than in 1964, and a brief delay in actual receipt of definite show schedules. Nevertheless, a good representation of Susquehanna staff, campers, and parents were in attendance, joining Mr. & Mrs. Schroder and Mr. Smith, as well as some former campers, and seeing a fast moving show, which was of excellent caliber in riding and horsemanship. We felt it far better than the show of 1964 and look forward to attending that of 1966.

Amongst those in attendance were Judd Burstein, Mark Rea, Chris McMurray, John Levy, John Edwards, David Jones, Mark and Peter Judge, Billy Kahn, Barry Weissglass, John Eisenberg, Joe Fili, and Bob Miller.

Amongst the staff who attended were: Jack O'Connell, Jules Quattrocchi, Larry Mond, Craig Holden, Don Alsted and Bob Pease. There were a number of others in attendance, - former and present campers and staff including: Jerry Fusco, Frank Visceglia, Jeff Altshuler, Steve Palmer and Dr. Bob Rice and Scott Miller.

It was particularly interesting to note, and see, the former campers who took active part in the show and rode, such as John Cali, Matt Collins, Greg Webster and others.

In preparation for the 6 day trip, members of the riding staff placed bales of hay at the various camp sites. In the process the truck became quite disabled and had to be forgotten as far as using it on the trip. As last year, food was prepared at camp and transported to the various sites where it was served, piping hot, by the trip's chef, John Wintersteen. Breakfast was prepared at the camp sites. Bob Pease's "Bluebird" was used by John as the kitchen on wheels and to carry the various items of equipment, replacing the camp truck.

At 8AM on Tuesday, August 24th, boys, horses, and staff members left the home camp site, on the start of what proved to be the most unusual and adventuresome trip in many years. Weather was comfortable and nice - just right for riding.

Mr. Smith, riding his horse "Dusty" for the twentieth consecutive year, led the first group. The first campsite was located on a farm near Melrose, just south of Steven's Point. It was a particularly beautiful campsite, over a creek and in a fine meadow. The creek proved hard for motor vehicles to negotiate and each, in turn, needed assistance to make the crossing. The second night was at Blueberry Lake, near Deposit, New York. And... it was a truly magnificent campsite. The third night, which was to prove the real Waterloo point of the whole trip, was at a small privately owned lake known as Beaver Pond, near the village of Shehawkin. After supper that night, with the camp set up on the east bank of the pond, and the picket line in the midst, on a little use dirt track or road, it began to rain, and before it stopped 6 hours later, over 3 inches of rain had fallen. The force of the storm was so severe, only a few pup tents stayed watertight. As soon as everyone got the least wet, they were quickly moved to a nearby farmer's barn where they remainder of the night was passed sleeping in a hay mow in relative comfort. Ironically, the horses ate more hay that night than on any other night.

The next morning, departure was delayed for a brief time while equipment was dried out. Donning swimming trunks, the boys spent the waiting interval of time damming and otherwise sliding and playing in a flooded creek that cut right through the campsite. Blankets and dry clothing where needed were sent out from camp. At last, the group moved on by an alternate route to the next campsite at Echo Lark Camp on Independence Lake in Wayne County.

It was at Beaver Pond, while trying to pull the GMC out of an axle-deep mud hole that Mike Knapp's Jeep was disabled and transportation became that much more acute.

At Independence Lake, it became necessary to bring out the camp horse trailer and move a couple of the horse to Stearns Lake, which was the fifth campsite. The horses has lost some shoes in the state game lands, part of the route, and could no longer be used without the attention of a blacksmith. He was able to meet the group at Stearns Lake and fix them up so they could be used for the ride back to camp the next day.

The group returned to camp, tired and happy, and strenuously vowing that it was the best Post Season trip ever!