Past Campers Memories

Name: Year(s) at Camp: Live Now: Email Address:
My Camp Memories:

Tom Barte             2005-present             Olympia, WA            tpbarte@hctc.com
      Panhandle 4-H Camp recently hosted its 60th Birthday celebration. In attendance were several past campers and founding leaders of the camp. Among those in attendance: Jim Wyrick, Randy Lindel, Lois and Carol Meers, Dick Doak, Dennis Loertscher, Bob Trenckmann, Gary Thomas, Richard Sharer, Guy Lusignan, Beulah Muller, Gene Chaunaird, Clara Hippe, and many others. All in all it was a great day!

     Below view memory picture's ... click image for enlargement ... then click on backward arrow

April Ritter 1990-1999 McCleary, WA apeshua@yahoo.com
I have many fond memories of being at 4-H Camp, from being a camper and a counselor as a teen. Some of my favorites were "Wild Men of the Alders", the troop in black, the polar bear swim, but my all time favorite times would have to be singing camp songs. I still sing them to my kids, who aren't quite old enough to attend camp yet.. I remember when Craig Fauber sang "Shameless" in the talent show, and dedicated it to me! =) I remember practicing the Macarena for hours on the basketball court.. One of my favorite parts of camp was getting there the first day and setting up decorations for our cabin, and seeing the finished product of what we had worked hard to complete in the weeks before hand. I remember the talent show when John Wieser and Jake Karl danced their hearts out and Josh Terry was their spinning dj... I remember my first "camp kiss" was Luke Unis, behind cabin # 9.. =) I remember the MANY dances where my mom would bust out and do the Macarena. the electric slide, the "train".. and so many others... I remember when a few of us played some pranks, and one of them was putting wet spaghetti noodles in the bottom of Tom Gwin's sleeping bag in the dorms.. yes Tom, I'm apologizing now! =) I remember the frogs in the showers.. I remember playing Wild Men of the Alders and Kelly White got me and threw me over his shoulders and threw me in the lake.. I remember the excitement of seeing all my camp friends that first day, and the sadness that came with leaving them on the last... My mom was the director for a while, so I got to experience certain aspects of preparing for camp that not many others did. I love that place, and it will always hold a warm spot in my heart!!

Cindy Lindel Chandler 1960-1968 Gaylord Michigan chandler6@chartermi.net
4-H camp was a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. My whole family was involved in the building of club cabins, the one for the Peppy Pine Cones, and my club way back in the woods, the 4Rs.I loved the rustic cabins where we stayed with our whole club and brothers and sister. Swimming was always a highlight for me. In my high school years I was a lifeguard under longtime waterfront director Arlene Nelson. Not only were we at the water all day, Arlene always volunteered the lifeguards to wash dishes after every meal ! The skits and cabin decorations we worked so hard on were always so exciting. The fact that we had to prepare before we came to camp taught us so much. I loved that we brought something to camp, not just attending a camp where everything was prepared for us. I think my very favorite thing was the square dancing with Mary Carpenter as patient teacher. We had so much fun and the record player was always on during free time. Older and younger campers joined together enjoying the same activity. Age didn't matter, we all came together with Oh Johnny Oh !! I will always remember Panhandle as one of the hightlights of my growing up years.

Rich Kapatsos 19 fun filled summers Hoquiam, WA kapatsos@hotmail.com
I can still remember the first time i went to 4-H camp..I went with my brother Mike and I was in the 3rd grade. I was even in 4-H at the time, I knew one of the counselors so my brother and I got an invite. what i thought was going to be so boring ended up being a huge event in my life at the time, so much so that i would go on to spend 19 summers at camp..from a camper, counselor and then as staff...will spill a few memories soon...

Annie Colley 1995-2001 Elma, WA annalisacolley@hotmail.com
My years at Panhandle were the best ever! Being a counselor at Panhandle helped me to break out of my shell and learn to have fun! April's pranks (in the early years) were definitely an experience. One of my favorite memories is of playing Wild Men of the Alders...especially the leeches from the creek....ewwwww! Running around covered in mud hugging campers is super fun, everyone should get to cover themselves in mud!

I hope all future campers and counselors get to have the same wonderful experiences at Panhandle that I did! Special thanks to Mike and Rhonda who made it all happen for me!!!!

Corey Whiteman 1992 to present Olympia, WA c_whiteman@yahoo.com
Wow there are too many to remember... from my first year as a young camper, asking my counselor Jeannie King, where the "electrical outlet" was in my cabin, and her replying "Corey, here at camp we call it a plug in... and we don't have any", and also staying the final night on the lodge yard (because the rumors of an escapee at the prison)... going to sleep at the top of the hill, waking up at the bottom... Getting into trouble with AC Strickland and almost being booted from our table group (I love ya Jeremy).

The too many memories of being a counselor: Wearing the dress in the counselor room, dancing around in front of everyone, and having Darlene walk in (the look on her face.. and mine, was priceless). Getting lost on our way to Lost Lake... Playing "mission impossible" on our way to Lost Lake (part two)... seeing Jake Yancey oh, so far up in that tree....

Darlene Ritter Henson two many to recall Shelton, WA muppetlady48@comcast.net
I was shocked and yet pleased at the same time to find my daughter April and some of the other kids that I had the pleasure of working with in my many years at 4-H Camp writing about their memories of camp. I started attending camp when I was in 4th grade, age 10, as a 4-Her in Montesano Washington. I spent my pre-teen years there and then when my oldest daughter April was at the age where she could attend, I went as a chaperon for her club. April always seemed to love the camp atmosphere, bonded with the kids and grew up to be involved as a teen counselor. Her sister Lisa, also went to camp, and I believe at the ripe "old age" of 6, she swam across the lake and back with many campers, as canoers followed. Both girls seemed to love camp, but it was April that brought alot of good ideas, as well as pranks to camp. I also remember "Wildman of the Alders". I recall a 4-H agent named Dave being duck taped to his bunk, Freddy Kruger, hanging in the old bathhouse scaring Tom to death. I remember knowing every path, knook and cranny without a flashlight! My first year as "Assistant Director" turned into Director when the director became ill. I also remember the helicopters flying over in the middle of the night with their lights on, supposedly "looking" for someone from the prison. I remember the "Man in White" as well. The Mattress on the Cabin Roof all made for someone to sleep in was a sight as well. I will never forget the kids or the adults that I had the pleasure of working with during my 8-9 years as Director. I thank Mike Pauley, Cindy Pauley, Tina Butterfield, Davona Gwin, and the many others that helped to make those two weeks in the summer fun for me and also fun for my children. Who knows, maybe I will soon be involved again as my granddaughter is now 7 and of 4-H age? Oh, and Josh Terry......I will NEVER forget you wearing the dress, nor your cousin JT lighting the firecracker under the cabin that ended up sending him HOME.......Too many stories, not enough space......

Michael Pauley 1979-2004 Aberdeen, WA mlpauley@comcast.net
Where to start, I have many more memories from being a camper, counselor, and chaperone, Assistant Director, Director, and Panhandle 4-H Association Board Member. I can remember coming to camp to see my brothers on visitor’s day, and getting a BIG chocolate chip cookie from the kitchen. Riding up with the family for cleanup day, and working on our cabin (Wishkah Superstars). Spending my birthday from 1979-2004 at 4-H camp. I can remember being out late with the other teens when I was a counselor. Staying out late, making SURE that the teens stayed in the cabins. Being able to know where to look when someone went missing......we never did lose a camper!!! All though I can verify that, I got all of the counselors lost on a hike trying to find Camp Bishop during training. Having my kids attend camp from the time they started walking until 2004, when I retired from the 4-H program, and having them feel as if they where cared for by all who entered their lives, 4-H is a great family to be involved with. Having worked with many people, the ones that impacted my life the most, I would have to say are Darlene, Rhonda, Tom, Phil, Cindy, the teen counselors and campers that I had the privilege to work with and many others who have had an impact on my life, more than words can explain. My family and I have been blessed to be part of Panhandle 4-H Camp. It is wonderful to know that Panhandle has impacted so many lives throughout the past 60 years. THANK YOU PANHANDLE 4-H CAMP

Cherie (Kidd) Fetters 5 years Aberdeen, WA cfettersand3@yahoo.com
I started at Panhandle before I was in 4H. My mom and dad were camp directors one year, camp cooks, Dad was camp nurse. Camp was always a wonderful and memorable experience. I went with my 4H group as I got older and enjoyed every year that I was able to go! I will never forget the counselor hunts, swimming in the lake, the camp out after our hike and cooking on the fire. It was so much fun and I wish I could share it all with my kids!

Brett Scott 4 years Elma, WA brettcscott@hotmail.com
one of my camp memories was the polar dive wooo bur that lake was cold(:

Carlos Santini 92-98 Vancouver, WA thegreatsantinis@hotmail.com
Well I remember having lots of fun at 4-H camp and having the opportunity to help out with canoeing. I remember that being allot of fun. Its really hard for me to remember details from the past even from high school because I have PTSD from serving in the military. So if there are any of you out there that remember me or have a story about me please email them to me. I would love to hear from you. Anyone of you can call me anytime also I am always up for a conversation. GOD BLESS AND GOOD DAY.

Payton Dineen 4 years Elma, WA dineen_322@hotmail.com
I had so much fun at this camp. One of my best memories was when my counselor Cassie was trying to put her sweats on and she didn't realize she put both legs in one pant leg and she got stuck and rolled off the top bunk! It was so funny! Also for our cabin skit we wrote a song and we got to wa\ear cool star shades. It was fun! :-)

Morgan Jump 5 years Elma, WA bunny_moe@hotmail.com
This year was awesome i love it so much.... one of my favorite memory was when we thought two of our counselors were dating and we might be right..and this year i didn't have to run once!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i am amazing lol

Kattie Ziara Nepper 89-93 (I think?) Washington kttzia@aol.com
Panhandle 4-H Camp… and the memories! WOW great idea to put this together! It’s sad to say I don’t have ANY photos to share, since I went well before digital cameras were owned by anyone other then a Professional Photographer (hee-hee). I had so much fun every year I attended camp. I remember when I first started to go; I couldn’t wait to be a Camp Counselor, when I got old enough of course. I loved decorating our cabins the first day, which was always so much fun… For some reason I remember the chicks doing most of the work and boys messing around? The camp songs we all gathered around to sing every night is a really great memory too. The popsicle stick arts and crafts we all did at camp… and we all entered in the Fair (ha-ha). April, I’m right there with you… it was ALWAYS so exciting to see everyone the first day, and ALWAYS so sad when it was time to go home. Camp skits, boy that was so terrifying yet so fun! I had so much fun at camp and one day I would really like to send my daughter there… she’s (2) so we’ll have to wait a while. I’d really like to connect with some of my old friends, so if you have minute, catch me on Facebook. Until then Happy Trails, and watch out for the wild men of the alders.

Lori (Engebretson) Evans late 1960s Olympia, WA lorirevans@comcast.net
4-H camp at Pandhandle Lake was always something to look forward to even though I was not far from my Shelton home. I still have my sleeping bag mom gave me for my birthday. I also remember the skits....dancing to the latest 45s....a crush on Greg Pavel.....my friend Rene Gates......the polar bear swims which I never did....singing around the campfire....the rustic cabins.....getting to use a flashlight at night.....cabin decorations and competition....mealtimes..and cleanup. Good times.

Taylor Sample 9 years Elma, WA NO email address giving
I really love camp, every year around april i start thinking of camp. i have been a counselor for three years including this one. I have made tons of lifelong friends at camp. I cant wait till another amazing camp this year!!!!

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