50 Years!
Claire Morris
1972 was a year filled with historic notes that occurred even before camp opened that summer. Nixon visited China, the first thaw of the relationship between our two countries in 20 years. The Boston Marathon was open to women for the first time. Five White House operatives were arrested for burglarizing the offices of the Democratic National Committee, marking the beginning of the Watergate Scandal.
And it was the summer of the Grecian Urn* at Camp Ma-He-Tu. An unprecedented nine young women were selected to become Counselors in Training (CITs): Faith Conlon, Page Croyder, Ruth Dyer, Diane Graybosch (Price), Ellen Hoppe (Karl), Janet Klemm (Brozynski), Jennifer Olsen (Russo), Renée Paris, and Peggy Tobin (Lebonitte). It was a program that was still evolving at our camp along Kanawauke’s shores, the 6th summer of its existence. And Claire Chin (Morris) was the 10th Urn, the Head of CITs, her second summer in this position.
This year was the 50th anniversary of that Grecian Urn summer and it was time to remember, reminisce and consider our legacy to our beloved camp. An appeal was made to each of these former CITs with a promise to match any gift made dollar for dollar. We are happy to report that over $5000 was raised for the endowment through generous contributions in honor of that summer.
What is a legacy? According to the dictionary, it is that which is passed on to future generations such as money or property. For many of us, it includes intangible things such as values and experiences that make us better individuals. We are better people and stronger women for having spent summers at Camp Ma-He-Tu. We can make the world a better place by ensuring the financial stability of our camp. Thank you for all you do as we continue to build our endowment so that those who follow us will grow to be Ma-He-Tu STRONG!
*If you are wondering where the Grecian Urn nickname came about, please reference the 1962 classic film “The Music Man” with Robert Preston and Shirley Jones. This summer also saw the creation of the National Ballet Ma-He-Tu (NBM).
— December 2022
