Michigan Good Sam - Members-At-Large
Annual Campout - 2013
Updated: 08/27/13
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Our chapter campout this year was held at Camp Cadillac in Cadillac, Michigan. We had 31 RVs at the campground. A total of 71 people attended our chapter campout. (60 chapter members, 3 adult guests, 8 grandchildren for a total of 71 people).
CAMPGROUND . . .
We were unable to park all 31 units at the campout together for two reasons - the campground sites with full-hookups were not adjacent to each other and some of the seasonal sites were mixed into our group of sites. Of course, as campers who don't like roughing it, full-hookups are important. Plus, many units are not designed to be used for a week without full-hookups.
We could not have asked for a more accommodating camp management. When we discussed our schedule and our need for the Fox Den pavilion with them, they did not hesitate to change the location of some of their planned weekend activities. Those changes made the Fox Den available for our activities.
NOTE: If you do not find yourself in one of the many photographs below, plan on positioning yourself in front of the camera at next year's campout.
WEDNESDAY
SLOPPY JOE DINNER Plus . . .
While our 'official' campout schedule does not start until Thursday afternoon, Lucy, Cliff, Jim and Nettie provided a multi-course dinner for the members in camp Wednesday.
Paul was NOT helping, he just
wanted to look like a helper
for the
photograph.
Campers usually eat well. We are not exceptions.
It was a great meal. Thanks.
EVENING GATHERING . . .
Our evening gatherings include entertainment provided by members of our chapter willing to share their musical talent.
This year, several of the grandchildren wanted to be part of the entertainment.
Mick is very good with the grandchildren.
We have guests at our gatherings. In addition to Mary Lou and Cliff, this
photograph includes some of the campground's staff enjoying the music.
The
family in the seasonal site behind our 'gathering site' remembered our
gatherings from three years ago. They said they enjoyed them.
Their son sat almost motionless during the entire musical program. Maybe he is a future musician.
Lucy popped the popcorn.
While the popcorn popped, the musicians played and sang . . .
Mick
Terry
Al
Shirley, Terry, Ralph
Al, Ralph, Bob
Mary
Thanks for sharing your talents.
THURSDAY
Let the games begin . . .
BEAN BAG BASEBALL . . .
Bean Bag Baseball is always a favorite game.
LADDER GOLF . . .
Ladder Golf is not as popular but a fun game . . .
Sherry,
does the foot action really help?
HOT DOG DINNER . . .
The traditional hot dog dinner is organized by the Chapter President and his wife (us). It is a very difficult dinner to organize - grill the hot dogs and have everyone else bring a dish to share. Wow, that was easy. Our thanks to everyone who helped make it so easy.
EVENING GATHERING . . .
Our usual evening gathering was enjoyed by all . . .
The
popcorn is popped, we are ready to listen to music.
Looking
around, Fred determined that the group in the 'other full hook-up' area was
missing. We went over and caught them enjoying a campfire without us.
We stayed for a while to let them know they were missed.
Then, we returned to the non-fire/musical group.
FRIDAY
Early in the morning (early for Fred), he stopped by the women working on the Chapter of the Year scrapbook. They were working hard and deserved an early morning photograph. Thanks for your effort on this project.
EUCHRE . . .
A couple years ago, by popular request, we added Euchre to our games.
The players . . .
Judy, the scorer and time keeper . . .
TRACTOR RODEO . . .
Later
Friday afternoon, we headed for the basketball court for our Tractor Rodeo. The
spectators and the competitors were ready for a few laughs (all in good fun) at
the inability of many of us to navigate a toy tractor around orange cones.
It is harder than it looks. Many of us think because the tractor steers with its rear wheels it is more difficult. Floyd and Don brought the tractor again this year to enjoy seeing us struggle.
This is our second year for this game. Many of use have not improved our toy driving kills.
That is as far as I got . . .
The casual approach did not work . . . Which way is it supposed to go ???
Soccer cones are about 6" tall . . .
All
you can do is walk away with a smile.
And,
for the second time in a row . . . the second year in a row . . . the
First Place in the women's division is Mary Lou.
Her success is a mystery. Even Mary Lou does not know how it happened again.
First Place: Dale and Mary Lou
Second Place: George and Nancy
EVENING GATHERING . . . None tonight.
Fred claims nobody told him. But, Mary Lou knew. It seems a lot of people wanted to go out to dinner, do their own thing and the musicians agreed.
Maybe we have started a new tradition - a day off for the musicians.
Saturday
CROQUET . . .
Getting
helpers at our campout is fairly easy. Because of the number of people signed up
for Croquet, the helpers got busy and set up a second court.
Our
games never have a shortage of spectators.
Our
Game Coordinator, Sandy K. (arms crossed), can relax, all is well.
Setting up the teams . . .
The winners are:
Richard, Sandy, Don, Nancy, Jerry
Kathy
giving directions to a golf cart driver who appeared lost.
Our member's grandchildren enjoyed the campground 'train'.
GROUP PHOTOGRAPH . . .
We
gathered for our group photograph
just prior to playing Bingo.
BINGO - White Elephant Bingo . . .
We always have a 'great' selection
of White Elephant prizes. (LOL)
During
Bingo, we had to hold our cards down so they would not blow away. Some people
went to their RV to get a jacket. So, back to the volunteer helpers again. Cliff
had some tarps in his truck we could use as windbreaks,
The tarps made the Fox Den
very comfortable.
POTLUCK . . .
Well, not really a potluck. A few of the women got together and took a poll of the members. The poll asked if a Pizza Party would be preferred to our traditional potluck. The support for a Pizza Party was over-whelming.
So, PIZZA PARTY it was . . .
The pizza delivery person said it the largest order (26 pizzas) he had ever delivered. Probably the largest tip he ever received also. We had six different kinds of pizza from Little Caesars in Cadillac. They arrived on time and hot.
Pizzas were the main course. Some people brought a dish to share. That gave anyone who did not care for pizza something to eat.
As usual, no one went away hungry.
Bob
and Janet, our current Michigan Good Sam King and Queen, seemed to enjoy the
Pizza Party.
It is an honor to have another Michigan King and Queen in our chapter. Bob and Janet deserve the honor.
MINI-BUSINESS MEETING . . .
After the Pizza Party, we had a mini-meeting that included the announcement about next year's campout and presentation of awards for the game winners.
Next year's campout will again be held the first full weekend of August - the first weekend in August with both Saturday and Sunday. Our 2014 campout will be Thursday, July 31 thru Sunday, August 3, 2014. Of course, some members will arrive early and/or stay late. The location is Leisure Lake Family Campground near Sumner, MI.
The presentation of prizes showed the competitive nature of our chapter. The prizes are of such a high value, they are in high demand - the best in the dollar store's inventory.
BEANBAG BASEBALL
The Misfits
Bobby, Al, Irene, Nancy, Floyd, Joan, Kathy, Linda and Jocko
LADDER
GOLF
Terry and Jan
EUCHRE
High Score, Bonnie
Most Loners, Joyce
TRACTOR RODEO
Men: Dale, George
Women: Mary Lou, Nancy
CROQUET
Richard, Sandy, Don, Nancy, Jerry
Our final evening gathering of this year's campout was enjoyed by all. It is at Saturday's evening gathering we say 'goodbye' and wish 'safe travel' to those who will be leaving early Sunday morning. Not too many leave early. That is one nice thing about our campouts, everyone is sort of laid back and relaxed.
We think this is the first campout where:
Our
attendees included two memberships, in separate RVs, from two generations of the
same family.
Larry, Leona and daughter, Kim
Terri
signed for our Hymns.
Our thanks to all those who were
committee leaders and
to their
many volunteer helpers who made our 2013
Michigan Members-At-Large chapter campout a success.
