One of the great things about being a camp director is the constant learning. Over the past few years, I’ve become a certified pool operator and a licensed pesticide applicator. (That test was no joke – seriously.)

I’ve learned how to drive all of the little and major equipment around camp and can (mostly) fix fryers, toilets and even washing machines.

The most recent learning centered around lake management. Did you know that lakes need to be drained every 50 years to maintain their health? I certainly didn’t… until I got a very grumpy letter from the PA Department of Agriculture, who oversees summer camps.

This direct, dare I say ‘rude’, letter included the following:

“Mr. Kelly, you are on record as the owner and manager of the property located at 210 Woods Road in Lakewood. You are also listed as the lake ‘warden’ of Sly Lake as your neighbors, Camp Nesher, are owned by a non-profit. Our records state the last draining of Sly Lake was March 31, 1973. You must rectify before the summer or you may not operate this summer as a camp for children.”

Lost and Found

So… drain the lake we have. And let me tell you: the discoveries have been epic.

Here’s what we’ve found so far:

• Twenty-three walkie talkies. Fourteen had names on them including six from a ‘Luis.’
• Remains of two sunk motor boats. And here I thought Director Kate started the craze in 2016. Turns out, she wasn’t alone in her affinity to sink boats.
• A time capsule. This was intriguing. It was from the early ‘80s and had a note: “I hope they never drain this lake.” Well… I hope these people come back to our Alumni WeeqEnd this summer. We’ll have an interesting talk….
• A hilarious note stuck in a ziplock bag with rocks in it. It read, “Dear Cropsie, would you please return my retainer if you find it? Thanks!”
• The remains of a massive shark. (SEE CAMPERS! I’ve been telling you there’s a shark in the lake for YEARS! Now, I get to say ‘I told you so.’)
• Multiple old canoes and ‘funyacks’ – you can see those in the picture.
• Lots of tie-dye shirts and bell-bottom pants. Hm….
• The last find was incredible: an underwater city for beavers. I feel pretty bad about destroying an entire ‘city’ built over what must have been 50 years. But, the State required it. So… off they go.*

*Don’t worry.  We relocated all of the beavers to a new lake that borders our friends at Camp Starlight. They’ll be so excited to find out their beaver population has tripled over the winter!

Ready for the Summer

We are now in the process of re-filling the lake. Thankfully, there are a number of springs under the lake and the winter melt has increased the flow of water.

We should be totally fine by the time our staff arrive and the fish – who are all safely in tanks throughout CIT bunks 37 and 38 (and Lakeview) – will be happy to return home.

Well – I’m happy we’ll be in compliance for the State and that things will be ready to go for the summer. Hopefully, I’ll be around for the next draining and that it’ll happen on the same day: April 1st.