Michigan Good Sam - Members-At-Large
Annual Campout - 2014
Updated: 08/21/14
Wait for it . . .
We have posted the above photograph for you to view.
If you want to download and/or print a high
resolution group file, right click the link below:
MGS Ch 52 Campout - 2014 Group Photo - LARGE FILE
Select "Print Target".
Then, print as usual using your
printer or photo editing software.
LINK to Campout Days: Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
We had 23 member RVs and one guest RV at our 2014 campout.
Adding members, grandchildren and guests, we reached 54 people.
The schedule provided a good mix of organized activity and free time. Some said it was one of our best campouts.
Our
chapter has fun by just being together. Even if a little rain falls, our spirits
stay dry.
Most of the time the rain started with a few drops as a warning ... then, the buckets of water fell.
It did not interfere much with our schedule of activities. For example, the downpour held off until after a beanbag baseball game ended. We scattered for cover but the entire game was fun until the end.
All in all, the rain was not an issue.
Since our last use of Leisure Lake Family Campground,
the
new owners have made many improvements.
One improvement was very important to us . . .
they more than doubled the
size of the pavilion.
Leisure Lake Family Camp's location was only eight miles from Alma, Michigan. Pathways houses residents who are able to care for themselves to those who need nursing care. As a service project, our chapter members entertained some of the residence of Pathways with music and sat with them as companions.
Mary, Mick, Ralph and Shirley
This
resident had an American flag attached to his wheelchair.
Walt brought his dog Rosebud.
Jerry brought his dog Molly.
Mick
recognized the woman sitting next to Fred. While walking through the audience, he
stopped to talk to her and her husband. She had worked in his local library.
The residents always enjoy the times when musicians come to play for them. When the 'oldies' were played, many of them sang along. The event was a good experience for our chapter members as well.
Five
or six of our members were asked to go upstairs to the Memory Care Area of
Pathways to participate in a 'cheese cake tasting' event.
The staff at Pathways was very attentive and social with the residence.
Today started with a hardy breakfast of biscuits and gravy - good stuff. It was provided by Lucy, Cliff, Kathy, Paul, Dave and Sue Johnson.
Offer food and we will come . . .
One
of Fred's requests is that everyone wear their name tag. He says 'their' name
tag because every Good Sam'er has a name tag. It helps newcomers with names and
helps 'forgetful' members also.
As most of us carry them in our RV, the name tags are always with us. Well, not always. Joan took theirs out of their RV for a Samboree weekend in a motel. They didn't get back in the RV.
So, Joan showed up at breakfast with a 'custom' made name tag. She is so cooperative.
Thanks for the effort.
Instead
of a golf outing with a handful of people, Jim decided to organize a Putt Putt
game. A lot of people could handle a Putt Putt came who would not step foot on a
real golf course.
Chuck took first place.
Jim, in the background, came in second.
Corn hole or bean bag toss was enjoyed as well. They played just for fun.
Beanbag
baseball is the most popular game. It always draws energetic teams and several
spectators.
The spectators sat in various places to watch the combatants 'play' beanbag baseball.
After breakfast, many members had energy enough to play games.
Beanbag baseball is so popular, it is played several times.
It
is questionable if the hat position really helped Myron score.
To break the game tension, some of us were entertained by the activity of a crop duster.
A new 'guessing' game was available for most of the campout. Walt and Linda put 24 small items in a container with salt. As the container was turned and shaken, if you were lucky, an item would be exposed. You listed the items you found on the game form and placed it in the entry box.
Dinner was a hot dog potluck . . . Fred and Mary Lou provided the hot dogs, buns and fixings. Other people brought delicious 'go withs'.
Evening gathering . . . Mick provided the musical entertainment.
All we had to do was show up and enjoy.
Thursday came to an end . . .
Friday morning started early for the people putting together our scrapbook for a run as Chapter of the year. They were busy printing photographs and adding text about the photographs.
Euchre was added to our schedule a couple years ago by request.
And, the winners are . . .
Then, more beanbag baseball . . .
Even
Molly is a fan of beanbag baseball.
Last year, the chapter decided to have a pizza party instead of our
Saturday night potluck. This year, the members voted to have the potluck.
Because of the results of the vote, Walt and Linda decided they would add a pizza party to their 50th Anniversary celebration.
Walt
and Linda asked Fred to include time on the Friday schedule for them to
celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Friday was the actual day of their
anniversary. So, 7:00pm prior to the evening gathering was scheduled.
Walt and Linda provided the cake, ice cream and the 'gold' plastic and paper products.
They enjoyed the planning, preparation and sharing of their celebration with our chapter members.
The celebration was enjoyed by all.
Some of our members gave them anniversary cards . . .
Sometimes the evening gathering becomes a little personal.
Fortunately,
they are married.
Children never see sand or dirt that they do not like, almost looks like a "club meeting".
Croquet is another very popular game.
A compliment of spectators . . .
Fred
often wondered why the players never drove their opponent to
'never-to-return-land' during our campouts. That was part of the game when he
played as a kid. Well, Jan introduced 'driving' to the chapter game this year.
Several times she drove her opponent's ball out of contention.
The finalists from the three games . . .
Mick, Jan and Sherry
The
playoff game was fun to watch because the finalist were very entertaining.
But, in the end, Sherry was victorious.
Bingo . . .
Jim
conducted our White Elephant Bingo game.
Due to the assortment of desirable prizes, Jim said all winners HAD to take a prize - no exceptions.
Bob
won the grand prize - a 'throw' made by Lucy. She makes one each year for the
winner of the 'cover all'.
The Saturday potluck . . .
Are
we eating again! Yes, we are. After Bingo, everyone had to prepare for our
Saturday potluck.
We never run out of food. Our chapter members make sure of that.
After
the potluck, Lucy announced the winners of the various games.
She had mystery bags of prizes this year.
Fred was not as able to make photographs of the winners this year. The awards were moving fast and he was basically confined to his chair due to his bad hip. If the list of winners is found, we will post the list here.
Walt
announced a three way tie for the Guessing Game. Kathy, Judy and Mick all found
19 of the 24 items in the container.
As only two prizes were available, the three drew names to select the two people who received a prize.
By luck of the draw, Kathy and Judy won.
Mary joined Mick for our evening musical entertainment.
Judy and Joan had a good time.
A few took advantage to dance . . .
Kathy and Paul . . .
Bonnie and Bud . . .
Mick
put a clip on his nose to sound like Willie Nelson.
And with that, our 2014 Chapter Campout ended.
Thank you to all who assisted in any and many ways to contribute to another successful Chapter 52 campout.
