When I was ten years old my mother sent me off to camp for four weeks. She needed a rest more than I did, I fear. How I loved it! I sang camp songs and wrote to my new-found friends all that winter and returned the following summer. As a matter of fact, I returned for six summers. Each camp experience enriched my life and taught me valuable lessons in tolerance and understanding.

              My last year at camp I was a counselor, responsible for several seven year olds. I think I grew up more in those six weeks than I did in two years. Young children are great fun and until you’ve lived with them, night and day, you don’t realize how fascinating they can be.

              Camp Huckins on Ossipee Bay is, to me, one of the most beautiful spots in the world. I’ve loved the beauty of the lake and the sandy shore. I still remember the glory of the nights under the stars. Nothing could possibly equal it.

              One year we climbed Mt. Chocorua and I had my one and only accident. It was the second time I had ever climbed the mountain and we reached the top safe and sound. Just as we were about to start the trek down, clumsy Nancy fell and sprained her ankle. In no time it had swelled out like a baseball and I had visions of spending the rest of my life on the top of Mt. Chocorua! Fortunately, it didn’t begin to pain right away and I reached the bottom with no more mishaps. That night I felt my first pangs of homesickness. Nevertheless, I must admit it was fun being an invalid and have people wait on me hand and foot. Much to my happiness it healed in time for me to participate in the annual water carnival.

              There’s nothing like camp for girls and I will certainly never regret the summers I spent there. The spirit of comradeship and fair play follows every Huckins girl wherever she goes. These qualities are worth preserving!