SUMMERS AGO/ CHURCH CAMP

     I grew up attending the Methodist Church in Laurel, Iowa and also belonged to a youth group affiliated to the church-Methodist Youth Fellowship. It seemed like there was always about a dozen of us that belonged and we met once a week, usually Sunday nights at the Church.

      In turn, every summer some or most all would attend Church Camp held at the Methodist Church Camp on the south shore at Clear Lake, Iowa. The camp had buildings such as an auditorium for rallies and the like`, a mess hall and dining room and several cabins I presume were built by various sponsoring towns and/or churches. Although, Laurel didn't have their own cabin, we always had a cabin just for our group somehow. Usually boys were on one side with girls on the other and each cabin had a kitchen where we could do our own cooking if needed. 

       The trip from Laurel to Clear Lake always`seemed like quite a journey because there  was no interstate at the time that went north through the state. Generally, we would make our way over to Highway 65. We usually left to go up on a Sunday morning. The trip would take 3 to 4 hours but, always seemed longer. Back then going that far from our home seemed like a big deal-it was. Sometimes along the way we would stop and have an early lunch be``fore reaching th`e sign that said "Swaledale" for our shortcut over the straight up to the south shore of Clear Lake. 

       For that week that  we were there, it was like time stood still. When you were a kid from a small town like Laurel and a farm kid to boot, it was a big deal.The lake was big,well maybe not as big as Lake Superior but, light years ahead of our farm ponds. 

--------------------to be continued!!