Camp Traditions: Log Books

One of the many traditions at camp is to keep a Log Book. Most of the camps I’ve been to for this film have a Log Book, full of stories and notes starting from when the camps were built. It is tradition at my family camp, Woodtick Camp, to write in it every time you are there. I always write the date, temperature and a few lines about what we did while at camp and anything out of the ordinary. Guests who have never been to camp before are especially encouraged to write in it. People who stop in to use the camp when the owners aren’t home also write a note to thank the owner for the hospitality. Some camps require you to write an entry before you leave. It was mandatory that I write in the Log Book at Dan Yaklovich’s camp which is located above Victoria Dam.

 A few weeks back I stopped at the Twin Pines Camp on the South Branch of the Ontonagon River. Sadly the camp leaseholder couldn’t find the log book that contained the entry from a Boy Scout Troop who stumbled upon his camp during a storm and were able to take shelter. I’m hoping he can find it so I can add it to the film. The entries from young children are fun to read. I like to look back at my little kid handwriting from time to time and see what my dad and I were up to.

Log Books are a way for these camps to preserve memories. Reading through them brings both laughter and tears. This film will serve as a visual log book to add to the writings and photographs. I’ve videotaped most of the camp’s log books but now I think I need to capture them all!