Fun Fact:
JM: Many people do not know that I am actually Apollo, God of the Sun. Back in the day during heavy thunderstorms at the end of a meal when Sandy didn’t want the boys charging down the hill to the store in the barn, he killed time by blaming me for causing the rain and said that we should throw me in the pool. This, of course, usually resulted in a trial.
As Apollo, I pointed out that I was responsible for providing the sun, and it was still shining above the rain clouds. What we really needed to do was to find out who was causing the clouds. We have all heard the adage, “Evil is the root of all rain” and I can’t think of anything more evil than throwing me in the pool. Sometimes the crowd would turn on Sandy, but sometimes I ended up in the pool.
There are many BS alums who know me as Apollo, but most recent ones don’t. Always remember, the sun is shining above the clouds.
What is your first memory at Big Spring?
JM: I arrived early the summer of 1959 and I remember helping to get the tents ready – of course, green paint on floors and frames and then flying the tent on the frame.
That summer there were two new tents being constructed at the top of ABC Ridge. At that time the tents had numbers, not names. Tents 1-7 were on the ridge up from the Lodge, 8-10 above Buckaroo (Big Deal) Hall, 11-12 on MOPQ and 13-14 on STUW. Sandy didn’t want to re-number all the tents, so the new ones became Tents X and Y. As they are today, these were the tents for the leadership program that became the Outbackers.
When we added a fourth tent above Buckaroo Hall, it became Tent 10 1/2. In the late 60s, we decided we should have a name plan that would allow for growth. Starting at the Lodge the tents (and 2 bunkhouses) are named for Fourteeners in Colorado alphabetically Antero through Wetterhorn (at one time there was a Yale).
Favorite camp cookie?
JM: That’s easy – ginger snaps. No, wait – chocolate chip still on the pan out of the oven. No, wait – Rice Krispie treats. No, wait – chocolate/raspberry. I give up.
Favorite or most impactful memory of working at camp?
JM: Seeing the joy, excitement, happiness, anticipation, delight of campers and parents on Opening Day. And ditto as Alums arrive for a camp reunion.