Billy the Brown Bat

Shorty’s Memorial at CTC

Oct. 9, 2010

Dear campers,

Yes it’s me, Billy the Brown Bat still here in the bell tower and keeping tabs on all of you.

I’m delighted to see so many of you here this weekend, but like everyone, simply heart broken at the reason why. The news of Shorty’s passing put me in a sad and melancholy mood for many a day.

However…I remembered that Shorty was nothing if not optimistic and full of life. She greeted every day as a Million Dollar Morning. And thus, I decided that I should follow suit.

So I fired up the iPhone and logged on to Facebook to find that in less than 24 hours after the sad news broke, you CTC gals had a memorial weekend plottted out.

Thanks to Deb Bryan and Gail Herndon this weekend is something special. You gotta love a memorial that starts with a Happy Hour!

Speaking of Happy Hour, I’ve often wondered what those Bug Juice machines would be stocked with today if there was such a thing as Chippewa Trail Camp for Women who Want to Revisit Their Youth. Bloody Marys? Long Island Iced Teas? Metamucil?

And just think of the fun you broads would have if we assigned you to your old cabins. How many of you former top-bunk only types would claw your best friend’s eyes out to nab a bottom bunk this time around?

And even if you snagged a coveted lower berth, your back wouldn’t be in any better shape thanks to those wafer thin yet remarkably lumpy mattresses. The cubbies would overflow with advil, ben gay and resuable ice packs.

And who here would really sign up for horseback riding again? Granted, many of you are remarkably well preserved and would look swell in jodhpurs. But remember, there’s no courtesy shuttle to the stables. And no, there isn’t a cute little stepladder to help you get on the horse.

Those of you who’ve been through knee or hip replacement could probably still sign up for tennis, though I’d shy away from those ‘rush the net’ drills if I were you.

Down at the waterfront, general swims would be interesting. Can you imagine the traffic jam at the buddy board as all of you far-sighted soaking wet swimmers tried to find your tag? Like you could read your teeny time name without your glasses? Not to mention being able to remember your number?

Gymnastics just seems like a trip to the emergency room waiting to happen.

And wouldn’t mail call be strange if the only thing in your box was the AARP magazine? Oh, hey! I got a package! It’s … my prescriptions in bulk from the pharmacy.

My guess is Arts and Crafts would be the most popular activity this time around. It speaks to our inner desire to create. To communicate. And to remain seated.

As for Indian Council…do you think there’s a traditional Chippewa dance that dramatizes the role of the elders in the tribe? Perhaps the Motorized Mobility Scooter dance? I wonder what would happen if you took certain liberties and modified the steps for your current strengths and abilities … for example The ‘I could do 12 if I really wanted to but how about only 9’ step?

OK…so maybe you can’t go back again. Camp was a brief moment in time and captured your imagination when you were young. Shorty understood this.

She knew that if she put all the pieces in place…if she had the most lovely spot on Elk Lake, if she hired fun and talented staff, if she continued all these wonderful traditions, that Chippewa would be so much more than just a camp for all of you.

She always said that the reason she had the best camp was because she had the best campers.

Her legacy lives within all of you.

Each time that you teach your kids or your grandkids the words to I’m Up Here in the Nuthouse, or say ‘ Shootman!’ rather than another colorful expression, or pick up a wrench and fix that leaky faucet yourself – you honor Shorty.

Each time you grab a tennis racket, a golf club or a deck of cards and play your personal best…or until your husband begs you for mercy – you honor her.

And when you dip a canoe paddle into a river, or hoist a sail, or light a campfire, or draw a picture, or write a poem, you honor Marion Simpler.

Each time you challenge yourself to try something new, to do just a little bit more, to take just one more step – you will honor Shorty and her life’s mission.

Someday, there will be only one Chippewa Trail Camper left on this earth. And then on another day, there will be none.

But I know the heart of Chippewa Trail Camp for Girls will live on long beyond us all if we share the love of camping with our families and our friends. I believe that children will always want to go to summer camp, and sleep under the stars and make friendships that last a lifetime.

Shorty believed it too.

Be of good cheer my friends and remember to celebrate each and every one of your Million Dollar Mornings.

Your friend,

—Billy the Brown Bat