Camping isn’t just for kids: just ask the women of Homemakers!

  • by Jennifer Kneuss
  • August 6, 2012
  • 336
                        
Summary: For dozens of women from Tuscarawas and adjoining counties, the yearly Homemakers Camp at Camp Piedmont is a highlight of their year, providing a time to catch up with old friends and have a big helping of good, old fashioned good times! Recipe for wonderful memories: Take several dozen women, many of whom have been friends for years. Place in the wooded setting of Camp Piedmont; sprinkle liberally with craft sessions, music, boat rides, swimming, good food, and late night fun. Simmer gently for two nights and three days. Result? A weekend of fun and good times that the women attending the 2012 Homemakers’ Camp will not soon forget! The camp, held Sat. July 28 through Mon. the 15, is an annual tradition that has been continuing for decades. Women of all ages from a multi county area attend the three day camp each year as part of their membership in Homemakers clubs. Homemakers, a program associated with the Ohio State Extension offices, has long drawn these women together through small groups primarily scattered through rural locations throughout the state. Although the number of groups has dwindled over the years, the Homemakers remain a solid and viable organization for women. Many of those attending the camp, which was originally scheduled for late June but had to be rescheduled due to terrible high wind damage during early summer storms, first attended the camp as young mothers, and are now grand or great grandmothers. In fact, there were multiple mother-daughter groups attending, with the oldest camper being in her mid ‘80s. For many, they were first encouraged to become part of Homemakers year around and also part of the summer camping experience by women who, although now passed on, strongly influenced their lives. “My aunt, Thelma Huff, loved Homemakers and Homemakers Camp,” explained Mary Jo Amistadi of New Philadelphia. “She just kept encouraging me to take the time out to come, and I’m so glad I finally did. I’ve been coming for years now, and I absolutely love it. I look forward to this all year around, and I wouldn’t miss camp for the world!” Camp Piedmont is usually occupied by throngs of children and teenagers throughout the summer months, but for these few days, the campers, although older, have just as much fun as the younger set. The ladies are notorious for the numerous typical camp pranks they play on each other throughout the weekend, particularly during the night hours, when mysterious and humorous happenings often occurred. In the daylight hours, jokes and funny stories were peppered throughout the program. Campers, like those of any age, had plenty of opportunities to express their artistic side by creating crafts under the tutelage of experienced teachers. There was even a pampering corner, where luxurious foot massages were offered. Opportunities to swim and take a spin around Lake Piedmont on the camp’s pontoon boat were also offered during activity periods, although it was not uncommon for many of the women to simply sit, visit, and catch up on each others’ lives during their free time. Lucille Steele of Dover says she has been coming to camp “forever”. Steele, well-known in the area for her musical abilities, led the group in enthusiastic singing, particularly of songs from long ago, as the weekend’s theme revolved around childhood memories. Members decorated the camp lodge with antique toys, games, books, and other items from the ‘30s through the ‘70s, and shared their memories of those favorite old playthings. It was not unusual to hear the exclamation, ‘why, I had one of those when I was a little girl!’ as campers roamed around the displays. Other highlights were the traditional purse auction, where bidders compete for purses with unknown contents, bingo with mystery prizes, raffles, and the much anticipated White Elephant Auction, where one person’s discards quickly became another’s treasures. “I just like the people here,” noted Kathy Buchanan, who was this year’s director. “I have met such wonderful women through Homemakers and camp. They’ve been there for me through so many of life’s journeys.” She paused, a smile lighting her face. “Plus, we just have the most fun together!”


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