HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-08-20, Page 6PAGE 6—GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 1986
Featur,T,
"Boom's" p1.;.I.n and simple
camp cele rates anniversary
BY MIKE FERGUSON
Kids really haven't changed much in the
last quarter of a century, but their parents
sure have. That's the opinion of Don
"Boom" Qravett, director of Boom's Camp
for Kids, celebrating its 25th anniversary
this year at Camp Menesetung.
Currently Hanover's Recreation Director,
Gravett relays some interesting perceptions
in his camping "career," starting in 1961 at
Exeter. Gravett was dubbed the nickname
of "Boom" while playing for the Junior A
Kitchener Rangers in the late '40s. While
never quite making -it to the NHL, his fellow -
players,noted his booming slapshot.
Gravett estimates he's dealt with almost
4,000 kids over the years who have attended
his camp. "We don't do any advertising, it's
all word of mouth," he says. Children have
come from as far away as London, England,
Detroit, and Hamilton, to towns nearby like
Grand Bend, Exeter, Durham and
Goderich.
"I just enjoy it so • much," .remarks
Gravett. "Just seeing the looks on their
faces is so'heartwarming."
Boom's Camp had 113 children for the
week-long stay at Camp Menesetung last
week. Aged eight to 15 years old, the non-
profit camp is helped by counsellors who
were likely campers themselves five or six,
years ago at his camp.
"I didn't really get a chance to camp when
I was kid," offers Gravett, "and I saw a
need 25 years ago," leading him to develop
his unique camp. As he ponders the past,
Gravett labels his experiences
"refreshing."
"Kids call me years later and say the
camping was one of the best times of their
life," he says, adding "it's certainly gratify-
ing." Camping is a learning experience"
where young people may be away from
home for the first time. "It's a stepping
stone in life," notes Gravett.
Joe Snider turns 90 years old in two weeks,
and was presented with a chair from Zilliax
by Don Gravett, head of Boom's Camp
at Camp Menesetung. Snider has been
manager of Camp Menesetung since 1931,
and the chair also commemorates Boom
Camp's 25th anniversary. (photo by Mike
Ferguson)
• In addition, "we haven't changed our pro-
gram even five percent," says Gravett.
"It's just plain, simple and honest down-to-
earth activities."
The camp director reveals his thoughts on
today's "high-tech kids."
It's supposedly the space age, but Gravett
indicates it's still very worthwhile for
children, especially from the city, to see
green grass "live and in person. The city
kids marvel at the chipmunks and squirrels-
-little things like that are important."
The camp spirit and atmosphere "can't be
bought in any. store. I've seen the hard-core
tough kids fit right in. The social agency
always phones at the start of the week to
predict their referral won't last the week.
But this kid, who may have just been kicked
out of school, can't do enough for you. All
they want is some 'attention, loving, and
responsibility," says Gravett. Making him
or her responsible for gathering wood for
the camp is an example.
In his 25 years, he has had only one child
go home because of homesickness. I
always consider it a personal defeat," he
adds.
Gravett notes that from 1961 to 1986, each
group of kids "really haven't changed
much." They still have the same fears–
being popular, having friends–and the same
desires for attention and love.
One perhaps negative thing Gravett
points 1 out is today's "open society.
Nowadays, it seems like the parents don't
have much to do with their kids."
"No wonder we have problem kids," says
Gravett, adding with the fact of so many
women now in the workforce, "they just
don't know their kids. With all the millions,
they want to spend on daycare centres, I
wish the government would say to mothers:
I'll give you $10,000 to stay at home and
raise your kids."
Last week was also an anniversary of
sorts for Joe Snider of Goderich, Manager of
Camp Menesetung since 1931. Snider will be
celebrating his 90th birthday on September
2, and was given a chair. by Boom''s Camp to
commemorate his involvement.
Still looking for volunteers
for new Advisory Board
The staff at The Goderich Signal -Star is
still looking for interested persons to
volunteer for the newpaper's new Advisory
Board that is currently being formed..
' "We're hoping to have the first meeting of
the Board in late September or early Oc-
tober," says Shirley J. Keller, general
manager of The Signal -Star.
So 'far, four people have consented to
serve on the Board. About 12 or 15 persons
are required to give a good cross-section of
community opinion.
"The whole idea is to develop a sounding
board to help us keep The Signal Ster on
track with con'ununity needs, says - Mrs.
Keller. "We need to understand the folks
who read our paper so we can provide the in-
formation they look for each week.
The board should consist of people having
' a wide variety of interests - from sports
through the arts; from church groups
through service clubs; from schools through
hospitals; from business through industry;
„, from farming through fishing; from
children through senior citizens.
A community is made up• of all kinds of
different people with all sorts of different
needs," ,says Mrs. Keller. "We try to serve
them all through our newspaper so we need
to understand them all."
.If you think you can bring freshideasa d
valid opinions to the attentionof the staff at
The Goderich Signal -Star. "you should
volunteer to serve" on the new Advisory
Board.
"It won't be time consuming," promises
Mrs. Keller. "There's nothing to do, but ex-
press your thoughts about what The
Goderich Signal -Star should be to the
citizens who live and work and play in
Goderil:h and area."
"And there will be plenty of opportunity to
learn about prodkicing . "a -community
newspaper," she adds. "You'll discover how
things are done - and why."
To volunteer your time and best ideas,
.ca11POW today. Ask for Shirley J. Keller
and feel free to i iisciias your concerns with •
At Boom's Camp at Menesetung, swimming is Included in the host of activities planned for
kids. The "plain and simple" camp celebrated its 25th anniversary last week, with Director
Don "Boom" Gravett having seen over 4,000 kids in his career. Above, taking a jump into
the pool are Bryce Hann, seven and a half, Gavin Poole, eight, and Devon Algoe, also eight.
(photo by Mike Ferguson)
At Boom's Camp at Menesetung, pillow fights are one of many fun activities planned for
"Boom".
children. The "plain and simple." camp celebrated its 25th anniversary last week, with
Director :Don Gravett having sen over 4,000 kids in his career. .The -two -young4irls..,
h t b
d Mike F
:e en . er uson)
her. battle it otit, with the victor being the one left standing at ti (py g
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