Birocapedia - User contributions [en]

Beach Day

2009-01-09T19:50:55Z

Seth w:

Beach day was the brilliant idea of one of Birch Rock's best modern day heroes, one [[Peter Haas]]. In summer of '76, Pete proposed an all camp trip to the beach, which was of course huge hit. When they first arrived at the beach, Pete drew a long line in the sand with his foot and called the entire camp to the line. Then on the count of three it was a mass rush for the water. Usually there was some feeling of glory if you were one of the first guys in.

There were and always will be the sand castle building, Frisbee and football and strolls on the beach, but back then Pete had organized events. One of the most memorable was the storming of Normandy. Pete would organize the campers into two groups the Germans and Americans. He would then give the Germans time to dig and build bunkers and arm themselves with sticks and driftwood. The Americans would also gather sticks (guns) and would usually help the Germans with bunker building. Once they were ready, the Americans would go out into the water and "storm Normandy". It was all about imagination and fun.

==Pictures==
<gallery>
Image:Beach1.jpg|Line-up and Run
Image:Beach2.jpg|Getting some shade
Image:Beach3.jpg|Beach Volleyball
Image:Beach4.jpg|Sand Castle construction
</gallery>

==Strut Contest==
Another tradition that Pete can claim that is closely linked to Beach Day is the Strut Contest. Pete's plan was that there would be a mass camp general swim when we returned to camp from Beach Day, primarily to get all the sand and such off the campers without having to do showers. Pete planned a contest of the campers each individually strutting down the catwalks and ending in a funky jump or dive. The boys each get a nickname of sorts written on their fingers during dinner. In earlier years, nicknames were given out on the bus on the way to the beach. After dinner it was down to the waterfront for the Strut Contest. They each individually step onto the main dock with their nickname showing. The staff would chant their name while they strut down the catwalks in a way that usually pertains to their nickname. Often in the past there are attempts to push staff members in, who are lined up on either side of the catwalks to make a tunnel.

==Pictures==
<gallery>
Image:Strut1.jpg|Andrew bikes in
Image:Strut2.jpg|Yippee!
Image:Strut3.jpg|Backscratchin' Jack
Image:Strut4.jpg|Brady's brochure leap
Image:Strut5.jpg|Patrick, Patrick Bobatrick
Image:Strut6.jpg|Kickin' Flavor
Image:Strut7.jpg|Majestic Plunge
</gallery>
[[Category:Swimming]]

Pete's Palace

2009-01-09T19:50:09Z

Seth w:

Pete's Palace is a [[camper cabin]] in [[upper camp]] for the oldest campers at camp, the [[senior camper|senior campers]]. It was built in 1982 in honor of [[Peter Haas]], a counselor who died in a helicopter crash. Originally it was a cabin for [[CIT|CITs]] and is still where the CIT plaques are put up. The cabin has a screened in porch where the counselor sleeps and a main room for the campers. It is the second newest cabin at camp, Owl's Perch was built after it.

The first group of CITs to occupy Pete's Palace were required to work on construction of the building during camp in 1982. Heading the construction effort was Omar Moxie, a resident of East Waterford and one of the men who helped Chief Brewster build the original camp facilities in the mid-1920's. Pete's Palace was Omar's last major construction project prior to his death a few years later.

The first group of CITs moved into the new cabin approximately two weeks after camp started. Until then, they were placed in different cabins to sleep and their belongings were stored in the Lower Shop, which used to be located under the Lodge.

Pete's Palace

2009-01-09T19:47:07Z

Seth w:

Pete's Palace is a [[camper cabin]] in [[upper camp]] for the oldest campers at camp, the [[senior camper|senior campers]]. It was built in 1982 in honor of [[[[Pete Haas]]]], a counselor who died in a helicopter crash. Originally it was a cabin for [[CIT|CITs]] and is still where the CIT plaques are put up. The cabin has a screened in porch where the counselor sleeps and a main room for the campers. It is the second newest cabin at camp, Owl's Perch was built after it.

The first group of CITs to occupy Pete's Palace were required to work on construction of the building during camp in 1982. Heading the construction effort was Omar Moxie, a resident of East Waterford and one of the men who helped Chief Brewster build the original camp facilities in the mid-1920's. Pete's Palace was Omar's last major construction project prior to his death a few years later.

The first group of CITs moved into the new cabin approximately two weeks after camp started. Until then, they were placed in different cabins to sleep and their belongings were stored in the Lower Shop, which used to be located under the Lodge.

Peter Haas

2009-01-09T19:36:54Z

Seth w: New page: 1st Lt. Peter B. Haas (USMC) was a longtime camper and counselor who was noted for his energy and love of Birch Rock, his family and country. Much of the ethos and many of the traditions t...

1st Lt. Peter B. Haas (USMC) was a longtime camper and counselor who was noted for his energy and love of Birch Rock, his family and country. Much of the ethos and many of the traditions that pervade camp today can be traced back to him.

Pete was a fixture on the waterfront, serving as Waterfront Director for several years. He was well-known for his high-energy calesthenics and his ability to get each camper, regardless of their swimming ability, to believe in themselves and give their all.

After graduating from Thiel College in Pennsylvania, Pete enlisted in the United State Marine Corps. While on active duty and training to be a helicopter pilot, Pete couldn't attend the full 8-week Birch Rock season. However, he would take every opportunity, including all of his available vacation, to pay long visits. His triumphant arrivals were the highlights of the summer.

While visiting, Pete made sure to give every camper a tee shirt. It was a good way for him to spend at least a little time with each boy. Pete brought the esprit de corps of the Marine Corps to Birch Rock with him each summer and could often be heard leading calesthenics at the waterfront, "1-2-3-4, United States Marine Corps!"

Tragically, Pete died when the Marine helicopter he was piloting crashed into mountains during routine maneuvers in South Korea in 1982. His spirit is immortalized at camp, not only by the construction of [[Pete's Palace]], but in the people who knew him.

Pete's Palace

2009-01-09T16:56:04Z

Seth w:

Pete's Palace is a [[camper cabin]] in [[upper camp]] for the oldest campers at camp, the [[senior camper|senior campers]]. It was built in 1982 in honor of [[Pete Haas]], a counselor who died in a helicopter crash. Originally it was a cabin for [[CIT|CITs]] and is still where the CIT plaques are put up. The cabin has a screened in porch where the counselor sleeps and a main room for the campers. It is the second newest cabin at camp, Owl's Perch was built after it.

The first group of CITs to occupy Pete's Palace were required to work on construction of the building during camp in 1982. Heading the construction effort was Omar Moxie, a resident of East Waterford and one of the men who helped Chief Brewster build the original camp facilities in the mid-1920's. Pete's Palace was Omar's last major construction project prior to his death a few years later.

The first group of CITs moved into the new cabin approximately two weeks after camp started. Until then, they were placed in different cabins to sleep and their belongings were stored in the Lower Shop, which used to be located under the Lodge.

Cabin 8

2009-01-09T16:46:19Z

Seth w:

Cabin 8 is the last cabin in lower camp. It is usually occupied by the oldest campers in [[lower camp]] but it sometimes holds senior campers where there are too many for just [[Pete's Palace]] to hold. In fact, it was built as the original [[senior camper]] cabin before [[Pete's Palace]] was turned into the senior camper cabin. It is the closest cabin to the waterfront so the counselor in cabin 8 is usually the [[waterfront director]]. Something that distinguishes the cabin from the rest of the cabins in lower camp is that it has a porch on the side of it facing the water.

One of the enduring features of Cabin 8 used to be the large white pine tree that was located approximately 10 feet outside the front of the cabin. Because of the long walk to the lower wash house, the tree was affectionately dubbed "pee tree" and was used accordingly. Pee tree, perhaps because of its years of use as an ad hoc latrine, developed an alarming lean that threatened to fell it directly on Cabin 8. "Pee Tree's Revenge" was a growing concern until the tree was taken down in the 1990's.

In the 1980's campers in Cabin 8 teamed up with fellow campers from Cabin 7 to create a miniature golf course that ran parallel to and then across the small brook that flows down the hill past the two cabins and into Lake McWain.

Beach Day

2009-01-09T16:29:13Z

Seth w:

Beach day was the brilliant idea of one of Birch Rock's best modern day heroes, one [[Pete Haas]]. In summer of '76, Pete proposed an all camp trip to the beach, which was of course huge hit. When they first arrived at the beach, Pete drew a long line in the sand with his foot and called the entire camp to the line. Then on the count of three it was a mass rush for the water. Usually there was some feeling of glory if you were one of the first guys in.

There were and always will be the sand castle building, Frisbee and football and strolls on the beach, but back then Pete had organized events. One of the most memorable was the storming of Normandy. Pete would organize the campers into two groups the Germans and Americans. He would then give the Germans time to dig and build bunkers and arm themselves with sticks and driftwood. The Americans would also gather sticks (guns) and would usually help the Germans with bunker building. Once they were ready, the Americans would go out into the water and "storm Normandy". It was all about imagination and fun.

==Pictures==
<gallery>
Image:Beach1.jpg|Line-up and Run
Image:Beach2.jpg|Getting some shade
Image:Beach3.jpg|Beach Volleyball
Image:Beach4.jpg|Sand Castle construction
</gallery>

==Strut Contest==
Another tradition that Pete can claim that is closely linked to Beach Day is the Strut Contest. Pete's plan was that there would be a mass camp general swim when we returned to camp from Beach Day, primarily to get all the sand and such off the campers without having to do showers. Pete planned a contest of the campers each individually strutting down the catwalks and ending in a funky jump or dive. The boys each get a nickname of sorts written on their fingers during dinner. In earlier years, nicknames were given out on the bus on the way to the beach. After dinner it was down to the waterfront for the Strut Contest. They each individually step onto the main dock with their nickname showing. The staff would chant their name while they strut down the catwalks in a way that usually pertains to their nickname. Often in the past there are attempts to push staff members in, who are lined up on either side of the catwalks to make a tunnel.

==Pictures==
<gallery>
Image:Strut1.jpg|Andrew bikes in
Image:Strut2.jpg|Yippee!
Image:Strut3.jpg|Backscratchin' Jack
Image:Strut4.jpg|Brady's brochure leap
Image:Strut5.jpg|Patrick, Patrick Bobatrick
Image:Strut6.jpg|Kickin' Flavor
Image:Strut7.jpg|Majestic Plunge
</gallery>
[[Category:Swimming]]