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Camp Namanu memories
How amazing it is to think back to my days at Namanu...I'm singin in my head right now...I agree that there are way too many memories to pick just
one, but it amazes me that I can close my eyes and still see every inch of camp just the way it was my last day on the grounds. For years I have
wanted to go back as a camper or staff, but high school and college activities were abundant. Now that I have graduated college and am entering
the "real-world" I am sure to continue following the ideals that I learned under the pines and around the camp-fire. I'm going to go sing some
songs now. Love to all!
Samantha Schilling Recorded January 11, 2006
AWWW! yeh! I'm almost crying! I get so emotional everytime I think about Camp Namanu. It is a very special and sacred place for me
since I was a wee spark! :) I too can't pick just one. I have many memories from sliding rock, stargazing, wishing rock, the creek hike,
singing the song about getting your elbow off the table, council fires in the woods with the heartbeat of the drum echoing through the
trees, the long hike from the bus to the meadow, making paper in the arts and crafts cabin, and polar bear swimming! yeh! I also went back
my senior year of high school when Namanu was added to the list for the first time as an ODS camp. I was an ODS counselor that year, and
got to see the camp still alive and well with all it's beauty. I hope to go back sometime soon. I will definitely join the alumni
association. Much love to all my fellow campers! "Camp Namanu's sure to shine, all of the time!" :) Love,
Annie (Amity) Recorded December 14, 2005
The best time of your life
Maddy Meyers Recorded November 11, 2005
I went to Camp Namanu from 1986-1994, through every unit. I often think about my experiences there, and how they helped develop who I am today.
I was a third generation Namanuer, as my grandmother went to Camp Namanu when she was a young girl, and I plan on sending my children there as well.
I have so many memories of friends, counselors, and events. I think my most memorable year was when I was in Robinhill 1988, and I think that was
the first year they did "Biffer Games." How chaotic!! I think I ran out every inch of energy running from Dribble (one of the counselors) with a sock
filled with flour! I am so happy to find out there is an alumni association! Hopefully someday I will be able to share all of my experiences with my children.
Brooke Emmarson Recorded August 26, 2005
Wow! What a surprise to read the article in the Oregonian this morning about Camp Namanu! I think of it often, such great memories. I share many of them,
as well as the songs I learned, with my three young boys. I remember the camp fires, swimming in the pool, rowing on the pond, stream hiking and sliding
down sliding rock, and taking care of my own horse at horse camp. I am happy to learn that Camp Namanu is still available to young children. I will certainly
become an Alumni Member and offer my support so it can hopefully continue for many years:).
Kris Hurley Recorded August 25, 2005
My favorite memory of camp would have to be the secret balagan hand-shake!
Stacey Recorded August 9, 2005
It is very difficult to list only ONE of my favorite memories of Namanu as I spent every summer of my childhood there. I think my favorite
year was at Kiwanas - 6th grade. There I learned so many skills, met so many wonderful friends and enjoyed the outdoors so very much. I just
adored the songs and remember singing after meals at Raker Lodge. Those are some of the many memories that make Namanu close to my heart!
Samantha Shriver Recorded June 20, 2005
I remember leaving and crying whe i hugged my sl Topaz and I kept crying on the ride to school. I miss namanu.
Megan Bruun Recorded May 13, 2005
I'll never forget the three weeks of my last visit to Camp Namanu. I was in a week of ranch camp and then 2 weeks of silver spoons.
During the two weeks of silver spoons my fellow workers and I pulled some of the most funnist pranks ever. We put our guides
sleeping bag on the flag pole in the middle of the night so the next morning during flag the whole camp saw his sleeping bag
hanging from the pole. And the last day of camp we put all of the boys beds and sleeping bags and basicly all their gear in their
canoes and put them in the duck pond while the whole camp went down to the final camp fire. It was great.
Lorenzo Azure Recorded March 27, 2005
I have too many amazing memories to choose just one! The songs, the camp fires, star gazing, sliding rock (I wonder if
that is still there?), The sound of the river, all the friends I made over the years, spiders in the showers, the phenominal
counselors, pancake flipping & eating contest(now that is a great memory!), watching our counselor swim across the mucky
duck pond to win a bet with another counselor...Good Times! When I think of my childhood I think of Summer camp and all of
the great times spent at Namanu!! I am another camper who moved out of state and I haven't been back since the Summer before
the 8th grade; I am so excited to find this website and to see that Namanu is alive and well!
Brenda Montgomery Recorded March 21, 2005
I loved being a Left Over and being able to stay in the Namanu jail. From the time I could remember summer after summer
I always wanted to know what the upstairs of the main lodge looked like. I finally got my wish. Working for a free week
of camp was so rewarding. Thanks.
Julie Scheckla Recorded March 16, 2005
I used to look forward each summer to my week at Camp Namanu. I started at Blue Wing, then Sherwood ... and only
got as far as Robin Hill. How desperately I wished for Ranch, LOL! Unfortunately, we moved to a new location that
had no Camp Fire group, and that was the end of Namanu for me. Breakfast at Raker Lodge, the hike from the bus
to the Great Meadow ... all of it comes back in a moment.
Sharon Cathcart Recorded October 12, 2004
Summer of 2004--what a memory this will be for me! Thank you everyone; and special thanks to the Alumni for all
your energy, hard work and for keeping Namanu alive as I remember it from long ago! WoHeLo,
Tina Ramsby "Chai" Recorded August 31, 2004
Hello! I am so excited to find your site and will soon become an alumni member. I have MANY fond memories of
spending summers at Camp Namanu as a camper from Robin Hill, Kiwanis, Pioneer, Balagan and as a CIT. I have often
wondered if the camp is still there. I know how much my time spent there has meant to me and hope the traditions
continue for others. I can still hear the Sandy River flowing underneath my bunk in the treehouse at Balagan,
remember the many nights of star gazing in the meadow, boating in the duck pond and singing all the wonderful camp
songs. I would love to try and attend an event at Camp Namanu sometime in the future!
Beverly Mason-Shantz "Manuka" Recorded August 15, 2004
Well my favorite memory of camp namanu was meeting new people it was very strange for me but but then in a couple
of minutes they were like a family to me. It was very hard to leave them behind,I will never forget Camp Namanu!
Stephanie Recorded July 6, 2004
My last year at Camp Namanu was over 7 years ago. I started when I was first able to and ended just before sixth
grade. I had great times there, and I think my most favorite thing was when we would make the little log boat
things for each camp group and sail them off on the river. I also liked just being able to go on hikes and play
tons of games with other campers. Camp Namanu is the best! And the songs rock!
Cheri Curl Recorded June 30, 2004
When summer came I could not wait to go to camp. It was a little scary meeting new people but it did not take
long to feel comfortable. Large eating areas, 'no elbows on the the table because we would squish the pixies
that were there'. The songs 'yawning in the morning when Namanus bugle blows - ' the campfire setting and badges
and honors that were earned was very solumn but very pivate - like a rite of passage. These memories will last
forever and now I have been asked to speak to children about campfires,plant identification, animal tracking,
etc. And because of Camp Namanu and the people that spoke into my life, the tradition and culture move along.
Diane (Miller) Soucie Recorded May 12, 2004
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