Mark Herrlinger - 04/08/99 19:44:52
My URL:http://www.herrlinger.net
My Email:mark@herrlinger.net
When were you at Camp Wonposet, and in what capacity?: 1988: Camping Counselor and Maintenance. 1990: Director of the Outdoor Living Skills Program. 1991: Director of t e Outdoor Living Skills Program and Director of Alumni Affairs.
Favorite Activities: Hanging out in the air conditioned office on hot summer days answering the phone.
Favorite camp story or memory: I once faked drowning for a missing swimmer drill. When the bell was rung I jumped in the water and held my breath at the bottom of swimming area. Fortunately I was found within a minute. I was strapped to a backboard and carried ashore. I spent the rest of the day calming scared young campers who thought that there was a real emergency.
Humerous camp story: I counselored an overnight camping trip with cabin one and a CBS News film crew of four. We had been told by the news crew that we would hardly know that they were there and to just go about our activities as we normally would. We ended up spending two days working with them to set up shots and perform retakes. "We would really like to get a shot of you all walking by a lake at sunset singing the camp song." So we would load up the van with seven year olds and search out a place only to be told that there were too many clouds. The kids were real troopers. The film crew complained the whole time about the bugs.
What did news of the Camp Wonposet closing mean to you?: I was very surprised. I had just sent a small donation to the camp.
Did your time Camp Wonposet have any lasting affects on your life?: It was my first real job. It still sits proudly at the bottom of my resume.

Chris Fitzsimmons - 04/08/99 19:01:41
My Email:cfitzsimmons@scigen.co.uk or cfitzsimmons@laptop46.freeserve.com
When were you at Camp Wonposet, and in what capacity?: 1985- 1987 Sailing Counselor
Favorite Activities: Sailing, ping pong, The Bantam Pub
Favorite camp story or memory: Convincing Tony Wright that the National Cabin Scores Inspectors were coming to see him
What did news of the Camp Wonposet closing mean to you?: Flipping shock
Did your time Camp Wonposet have any lasting affects on your life?: Wompa reallyh was one of the happiest times of my life

Charlie Fischer - 03/11/99 19:51:22
My Email:fischerc@panasonic.com
When were you at Camp Wonposet, and in what capacity?: Mid 40's to Mid 50's Camper/waiter/Jr.Counselor/Counselor
Favorite Activities: To follow at a later date
Favorite camp story or memory: To follow at a later date
Humerous camp story: To follow at a later date
What did news of the Camp Wonposet closing mean to you?: Although my wife (Kathy) and I had predicted it at the time of R.Mark Davis's "Old Boy Reunion", it was sad to learn recently from Dave Anderson what had happened, and now, reading the articl s on your delightful site, it is even sadder in the hearing of the details - a wonderful tradition as been lost.
Did your time Camp Wonposet have any lasting affects on your life?: To follow at a later date

Simon McCool - 02/23/99 23:17:04
My Email:simon@aquaregen.co
When were you at Camp Wonposet, and in what capacity?: 1989-1995 Waterfront.Head Counsellor. Assistant Director.
Favorite Activities: Hanging with JR in the kitchen getting the best food and drinking the cooking sherry after taps. That was in my first year, the subsequent years saw JR furnish the walk-in cooler with decent liquor. I also loved to go sailing, but sinking became a habit that got me very wet. The A-Field was another place I would sometimes frequent, but I could not seem to get any further than baseball, with great counsellors such as Tom Seaman and Doug Adams running regular ball games, how could I resist? There were also big camper counsello games, which saw guest appearances from the renowned and respected John McKenna as umpire. This added to the competitive nature of all concerned. To me this demonstrated the ethos of Wonposet, the very appearance from John confirmed that to be part of Wo poset is not an overnight stay. I thought about going to Archery once or twice and I think I actually made it, but I will have to consult the figurehead of Wonposet; George, who is having dinner with Lisa and I tonight. (2/19/99) I also liked riflry, which is until Lisa came up one day and made me look like a blind man shooting through fog wearing sunglasses. Her shooting was very impressive, and as you can imagine I have never done anything to upset Lisa in the ten years I have k own her; just in case. Let’s talk alternate activities: Paddle ball sucked, even the 300lb JR had enough skill to put me into a sweating frenzy as he stood still and returned my lame shots with one hand and drank a soda with the other. Basketball presented the same challenges as above, except the competitors were lighter and faster. We can leave Soccer to the Venezuelans, and as for Tetherball, I still feel guilty about beating that kid from cabin 5.
Favorite camp story or memory: I made a very close friend this day, and almost 10 years later George is having dinner with me in my home, another complement to Wonposet. The day started out windy and only got worse. I had cabin 13, luckily for me, and it was my first year as a counsellor. My early weeks at camp were fraught, I had to deal with some very anti-social behaviour from indigenous counsellors who felt that the international staff had taken over. It was not until many years later that I also considered camp as my own and resented the fact that if you were new then you may be a threat……………..I forgave them. The wind picked up, and during rest hour we all closed the side of our cabins. The rest is history. One of my campers Dave Leman, was determined to watch the whole thing from the front doors of the cabin. I on the other hand was attempting to close the hooks on the cabin sides, I managed one side during the whole of the Tornado. Dave slammed the cabi doors shut after a fish from the lake struck the side of the cabin! That is how the story goes, unconfirmed, but JR did serve up cold food that night for obvious reasons, and one of the dishes was sushi. I saved George from the wrath of the wind, as I as in cabin 13, and we struck up our first real conversation not long after the trees stopped swaying.
Humerous camp story: Swimming was my all time favourite activity, and swimming across the Lake with Sean Wardle and Betsy in the early morning has a long lasting memory. We planned to get up at 6am, before any wind picked up and before any boats go out on the lake. We had some security in the form of Vite Sobolckic (Vic) who followed us in the putt-putt to make sure that we did not drown or go astray. The thought was there, but our security blanket fell asleep whilst running the putt-putt at low s eed and subsequently headed North up the lake as we swam West across the lake. It was only the screams from Sean that brought Vic back to his senses. Sean had had the most personal acquaintance with a cold-blooded scaly predator of the lake, (and this ti e it was not Mark) the nipple biting fish. Vic realised there was a problem and tried to turn the boat around towards Sean, but in his panic he only managed to stall the engine, and by the time Vic was of rescue calibre we were all waiting on Follies Poin for a lift back to breakfast.
What did news of the Camp Wonposet closing mean to you?: The closing of camp did not come as a shock to me. I was part of an administration, that had to make decisions from daily events to yearly plans. I did not however have any influences over t e running of the company. The closing of camp affects all concerned in different ways, from devastation of a way of life to the loss of a summer job, I know it is not as simplistic as that but that is the extremities. Human nature guides us towards scape oats to protect us, Wonposet guides us towards compassion. Take it from the Directors perspective and consider the life you still have after camp, and the life Mark and Betsy may have now!
Did your time Camp Wonposet have any lasting affects on your life?: Yes. What I am now reflects my years at camp. As Lisa mentioned, we have two wonderful children who have had an opportunity to visit camp wonposet and feel for themselves. Friends of my family like George, JR, Andy, Lorna, Colin, Mark, Betsy, Sally, Tom, Danny, Pic, Ron, Vic, Gordy, Doug, Graig, Bill I could go on and on, but you get the picture.

Cyrus Ashbrook - 02/13/99 16:29:35
My Email:psychoschematic@yahoo.com
When were you at Camp Wonposet, and in what capacity?: Summers of 95 Dishwasher Summer of 96 Junior Counselor
Favorite Activities: Theatrical and Dance studies Quality time with the campers Fireside songs and stories with Mark
Favorite camp story or memory: I used to sit out by Bantam Lake or up on the front porch, trying to draw in my sketch pad the sun as it slowly sank into the horizon. The mixture of the cool summer air, the brilliance of the sunset, and the various sounds of campers preparing for taps, made me feel like I was home.
Humerous camp story: There are too many to count, but I'll always remember the footlocker stories... the one on the highdive in the storm; and then there's the one lashed up high between the trees
What did news of the Camp Wonposet closing mean to you?: I had lost a refuge from societal discriminations and I lost a home.
Did your time Camp Wonposet have any lasting affects on your life?: I'll have memories that will keep me smiling for a lifetime.

Eric Bedell - 02/10/99 06:02:49
My URL:http://www.thingworld.com
My Email:ebedell@thingworld.com
When were you at Camp Wonposet, and in what capacity?: Counselor - Summers of 1979 / 1981
Favorite Activities: Waterfront
Favorite camp story or memory: So many memories - Dave W., Carl H., Mack, Guterball, Veal - and so many others!!!
What did news of the Camp Wonposet closing mean to you?: Very disappointing. This is the first I have heard about its closing.
Did your time Camp Wonposet have any lasting affects on your life?: Very much so. It's hard to describe to others who did not have the experience.

Richard Polt - 12/18/98 19:29:01
My URL:http://www.warschawskipr.com
My Email:richp@warschawskipr.com
When were you at Camp Wonposet, and in what capacity?: I was a camper for 5 consecutive years -- 1982-1986
Favorite Activities: Taking out the Sunfish, Teatherball, Archery/Riflery, Paddle Tennis
Favorite camp story or memory: 1) Jon Goldberg's slide shows at the end of the year. 2) Gus and the boys playing "Van Wompa" during the talent show 3) That British Nurse we had in '95 or '96.
What did news of the Camp Wonposet closing mean to you?: Very dissapointing -- part of my past that no one else can experience.
Did your time Camp Wonposet have any lasting affects on your life?: Taught me alot about self-confidence

john mckenna jr. - 11/27/98 18:53:58
My Email:baseball@A-field.com
When were you at Camp Wonposet, and in what capacity?: camper, 1970-1979, dishwasher, 1980, junior counselor/counselor 1981-87.Baseball counselor
Favorite Activities: Weekend baseball games, eating Willie's meals, drinking with Dave Goldberg and Gus.
Favorite camp story or memory: The night we took Andy Dorfman to the Bantam Pub and got him bombed and then took his car into Chinqueka and later through a hayfield at White Memorial.Moving Gus's car across the parking lot at T.Fabs without him kno ing it.Stealing Gus's cooler full of beer during a party on Folly's Point.
Humerous camp story: The inspection conspiracy of 1985, when Tony Wright and Mac were told they had to submit their inspection results to the state of Connecticut Department of Health. And then, on the final night of camp, the burning of the inspe tion results on the beach.
What did news of the Camp Wonposet closing mean to you?: Relief. I no longer have to see Mark Davis in Litchfield.Seriously, I was sad about it. But something good will come out of it, I'm sure.
Did your time Camp Wonposet have any lasting affects on your life?: Of course. A number of lifetime friends.

Duncan - 10/14/98 00:08:26
My Email:duncan@bitz.net
When were you at Camp Wonposet, and in what capacity?: I was there. When is not important.
Favorite Activities: Not relevant to this post.
Favorite camp story or memory: When I first went to Camp Wonposet I was a boy. One who thought the world to be a good place where people always had the best intentions in mind for everyone else. Many of us know that feeling when we are young. Some of us do not remember it however. I remember it very clearly.

Eric Gross - 10/10/98 17:41:06
My URL:http://ww.njmedicine.com/
My Email:e@njmedicine.com
When were you at Camp Wonposet, and in what capacity?: Eightys.. 9 consecutive years..
Favorite Activities: Sailing. :-)
Favorite camp story or memory: Sailing on a blue calm day when suddenly the sky turned grey and the lake got mean looking. Knowing something was up I returned to shore and the havoc which followed was tremendous.
Humerous camp story: Bill Walker could tell 'em, I can't even remember..
What did news of the Camp Wonposet closing mean to you?: I didn't even know until I read the question! That sucks!
Did your time Camp Wonposet have any lasting affects on your life?: Sure did, I still remember so many faces...

Fred "Moose" Anderson - 09/27/98 01:28:51
My Email:FEA0824@eudoramail.com
When were you at Camp Wonposet, and in what capacity?: 1955-1971 Camper,Waiter, Dishwasher, Counselor, Cousin to Royalty
Favorite Activities: Baseball, "Court Sports", and listening to "Veal's" announcements "Pioneering Stinks"
Favorite camp story or memory: Friday days off, especially events involving "Gutterball"
Humerous camp story: Somehow, on a Friday day off, we wound up going across the Tapenzee Bridge in the wrong direction. The only one who realized it, believe it or not, was the Gutterball. Chas's acted-out rendition of "Poison Ivy". Carl trashing my cabin, etc, etc.
What did news of the Camp Wonposet closing mean to you?: Disbelief- How could Wonposet close and Awosting go on as a vastly inferior camp? - (w/ apologies to Jerry Fleck)
Did your time Camp Wonposet have any lasting affects on your life?: I look at sunsets in an entirely different "light".

Larry Seiden - 09/18/98 20:25:09
My Email:lseiden@pa.hodes.com
When were you at Camp Wonposet, and in what capacity?: 1962-1963
Favorite Activities: Archery, color war,

Jerry Janofsky - 09/13/98 14:54:36
My Email:JJanofsky@aol.com
When were you at Camp Wonposet, and in what capacity?: 1968-1971 (Camper); 1972 (Waiter); 1973 (Dishwasher); 1974 (Junior Counselor); 1975-1976 (Counselor); 1981 (Visited C mp for one week and helped out in various activities and cabins)
Favorite Activities:
1. Playing baseball with Mac
2. Basketball on the new courts on the lower A Field
3. Riflery
4. Waterskiing
5. Fishing
6. Paddle-tennis
7. Teatherball
8. Woodshop

jon mellor - 09/12/98 10:26:05
My URL:http://st christophers school.batelco.bahrain
When were you at Camp Wonposet, and in what capacity?: Summer 1996 as a soccer councellor
Favorite Activities: Soccer, archery, baseball
Favorite camp story or memory: My favourite memeories of camp are not specific to the camp, they are of the people I had the pleasure of working with. Several names to mention would be Gordon, Nick, Sally, Dan, Vic, Sana, and Elki who have shared any a happy time with me in camp (and Dianes Bar).
Humerous camp story: In 1996 we had a visitation from the world peace orgaisation who delivered a white stick (aka peace pole) the whole camp were made to stand round and chant and sing to this pole. It was a very surreal experience - many of the c uncellors were holding back tears and on several occasions the odd explosion on laughter could be heard.
What did news of the Camp Wonposet closing mean to you?: I am staggered, I thought about returning last summer (1998) and having just found out I dont know what to say.
Did your time Camp Wonposet have any lasting affects on your life?: Well I am a school teacher in Bahrain (an island off the coast of Saudi Arabia) I myself am English, and working at Wonposet gave me the idea that working with children from many d fferent parts of the world was what I wanted to do in life.

Dan Deutschendorf - 09/11/98 17:36:10
My Email:dadst49@pitt.edu
When were you at Camp Wonposet, and in what capacity?: camper, waiter, dishwasher, J.C., counselor 1988-1997
Favorite Activities: waterfront, baseball
What did news of the Camp Wonposet closing mean to you?: The closing of camp was very upsetting to me. It is an important part of who I am today, and I will always remember it

Andrew Gilman - 08/27/98 04:43:00
My Email:ahg203@is7.nyu.edu
When were you at Camp Wonposet, and in what capacity?: 1988-1993 : Camper to Junior Counselor

hal Schlenger - 08/20/98 07:26:06
My Email:tvchayim@aol.com
When were you at Camp Wonposet, and in what capacity?: camper '67 - '70? dishwasher '71?
Favorite Activities: sailing, archery, woodshop
What did news of the Camp Wonposet closing mean to you?: That my son would only know Wonposet from the one-day reunion in 1996. Time marches on and progress is wonderful -- most of the time. This is one cause were tradition is favored.
Did your time Camp Wonposet have any lasting affects on your life?: I learned to take turns, be appreciative of others and enjoy quiet times by the lake as well as the noisey times in the dinning hall and on the A-field.

B.T. gilligan - 08/15/98 04:05:17
My URL:http://www.angelfire.com/pa/miscell
My Email:btsplat@yahoo.com
When were you at Camp Wonposet, and in what capacity?: 1993-1997
Favorite Activities: actually I am signing this a second time to say that if any one out there has icq my number is 15222661

Jody Mindell - 08/11/98 17:58:06
My Email:jodymindell@mortgagesvcs.com
When were you at Camp Wonposet, and in what capacity?: 1960 - 1966. Began in Cabin 5 with Ted Fleck. I think I was 6 years old. Attended camp with y two older brothers, Bill and Paul.
Favorite Activities: archery, of course!
Favorite camp story or memory: Color Wars, carnival
What did news of the Camp Wonposet closing mean to you?: Vert upset. I was hoping to send my 9 year old to camp next year. I can only imagine how Dave Andersen feels.
Did your time Camp Wonposet have any lasting affects on your life?: Yes

Edward A. Cutler (Veal) - 07/30/98 01:43:30
My URL:http://www.angelfire.com/oh/wonposet
My Email:Wonposet@aol.com
When were you at Camp Wonposet, and in what capacity?: Camper 1960-1963, waiter 1964, dishwasher 1965, counsellor 1966-1981, waterfront director 1967-1981
Favorite Activities:
(1)The Church in the WIldwood (Sunday night campfires)
(2)Daily swimming lessons
(3)Flag raising and lowering
(4)Cabin cleanup
(5)Sailing in the Diamonds, the Chris, the AquaCat, the minifish
(6)Canoe trips to Little Pond
(7)Boxing in the Rec Hall
(8)Talent shows
(9)The Cowboy and Indian Game
(10)The Rocket Crash at the Peanut Carnival (everyone was a winner except the losers).
(11)Advanced swimming and lifesaving
(12)5 AM swims across the lake
(13)Sitting up all night in the lodge or by the coal stove in the kitchen eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, playing setback and listening to Mac, Wilkie, Tom Glennon, George, Terry Martinson, and others tell stories about years past.
(14)Pizza with Hank Havel and Jeff Janofsky at Holiday Pizza. We always ordered "extra regular onions," (extra onions at the regular price).
(15)Eric Bedell's slide shows (I wish we could add them to this website with the music on Crescendo). I have two of the shows and would be glad to share them.
(16) Talent shows with Charlie Plagainos, the Art Carney of the early 1960's
(17)Trying to beat Mr. Gartley in a game of chess.
(18)The rowboating, canoeing, seaman's and skipper's tests
(19)Enjoying meals with my cabin (cabin 3)
(20)Nights we got to sit where we wanted
Favorite camp story or memory:
(1)The Three Headed-Gronk
(2)Taking Don Vitale and others to see a total eclipse of the stars
(3)Tony Wright playing the bagpipes and leading the camp singing
"Alice," "There once was a woman who swallowed a fly," and "John Brown's Model T."
(4)Wilkie leading the camp in Alouette
(5)Andy (E. Herman Anderson) visiting prospective campers. There never was a more honest man.
(6)Mrs. E. H. Anderson treating common ailments in the old fashioned way.
(7)Ted Fleck teaching me to dive off the high dive
(8)John Lowenberg teaching Gutterball to swim
(9)Swen Peterson trying to teach me to swim
(10)Days off with Hank Havel driving Biff Chieco's car
(11)Trips of visit Robert Desme (the eminent photographer--master of Bromoil Transfer). He tried to teach Jeff Janofsky and Hank Havel and me something about photography and gardening.
(12)Cabin 12 tying Linwood Hurd to his bed and extorting cigarettes from him. It was still politically correct to smoke in those days
(13)George Walsh writing thousands of letters to everybody
(14)Mac playing pepper
(15)Mac and Wilkie trying to teach me to play baseball
(16)My home-run in the camper-counsellor game (if you don't believe it, I have it on film
(17)The Wild Man of Borneo administering Junior Lifesaving and Senior Lifesaving final exams underwater
(18)Ricky Runquist and I taking a canoe trip during a lightning storm on our day off when we were dishwashers
(19)Carl Hostnik telling the story of the Golden Windows.
(20)Other chapel stories: Echo Valley, Peter Porkington's Pink Potion, The Stonecutter
(21)Charley Hostnik nearly drowning the wild man of borneo
(22)Mrs. Hostnik cleaning bat droppings off the silverware every morning and doing the work the waiters failed to do
(23)Mr. Brundage telling us how he cleared the A-field of trees with a team of three horses
(24)Don Wood dressed up as the Cyclops
(25)Finding arrowheads everywhere
(26)Rainy Days
(27)The rainy season of 1969--a small taste of the flood of 1955 or of 1929
(28)Dave and Marylyn Anderson teaching campers and counsellors alike respect and dignity. I remember a year when 85% of the campers returned and when the average counsellor had been working at Wonposet for 8 years
(29)Carl Hostnik befriending Billy Strieder and many others
(30)Moooooooooooose
(31)Fred Eric's father doing carpentry and visiting the camp often with his wife
(32)Mrs. Anderson's parents, the Nelsons, also frequent visitors
(33)Peter Fein's elaborate shop projects
(34)A waterfront unsurpassed anywhere: Charley Hostnik, Ritchie Ritorto, Chris Gennino, Joe Geyer, Ira Plattus, Jeff Janofsky, Hank Havel, Dave Chamberlain, to name just a few.
(35)Bob Judd teaching Don Vitale to become a navy frogman
(36)Tom Glennon teaching the Labriolas
(37)Boxing Yves Bizien
(38)Candy store
(39)Soda call (10 cent sodas)
The list goes on and on and on
Humerous camp story: Mr. Romul, a chef from the early 60's. He once chased the Swift's meat man with a butcher knife when he delivered half a cow instead of many roast beefs. Gutterball and I were working in the kitchen with Rick Runquist when Gu terball got a shock from the milk machine and thought he was struck by lightning.
What did news of the Camp Wonposet closing mean to you?: "When in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes, I all alone beweep my outcast state, and trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries and look upon myself and curse my fate.... ...for thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings, that then I scorn to change my state with kings).
Did your time Camp Wonposet have any lasting affects on your life?: I am a pediatrician practicing in the area of Columbus, Ohio known as the Bottoms. It is the poorest part of town, and no other physician dares to live or even practice in this ne ghborhood. I run my office as much like Wonposet as I can, and never a day goes by that I do not think of the camp and use some skill I acquired there.

Christopher Jaubert - 07/25/98 21:39:33
When were you at Camp Wonposet, and in what capacity?: I was a camper for three years, one year a waiter, one year a dishwasher, for a total of five years.
Favorite Activities: My favorite activities were sailing, archery and riflery.
Favorite camp story or memory: The three finger Willy story.
What did news of the Camp Wonposet closing mean to you?: I feel sad because it was for me just like a big family, and I miss all the good friends I made there.
Did your time Camp Wonposet have any lasting affects on your life?: I've grown a lot in my mind. Every time I was going there I was learning a lot about every thing.

David Strouse - 07/23/98 12:10:27
My Email:DavidS@CRCRealty.com
When were you at Camp Wonposet, and in what capacity?: Camper, Waiter, Dishwasher, JC, Counselor
Favorite Activities: Waterfront
Favorite camp story or memory: I'll get back to you
What did news of the Camp Wonposet closing mean to you?: Disappointing but not totally suprising. I wish it were still open .

Trippy Burgunder - 07/22/98 22:44:28
My Email:hburgunderiii@kg-law.com
When were you at Camp Wonposet, and in what capacity?: Camper, waiter, dishwasher, junior counselor (1976-1985).
Favorite Activities: Baseball, swimming, ultimate frisby, paddle tennis.
Favorite camp story or memory: Anything having to do with Alex Kaufman. Alex, who I saw a few days ago, was a camper that became part of camp lore long after he stopped coming to camp. A new sub-waiter or waiter would be sent from table to table ith an extra dessert for Alex and each counselor knew to send the unsuspecting sole to another table. One year, Alex won a couple of baseball players of the week award and many other camp accolades.
Humerous camp story: As an alumnus of Veal's advanced swimming program, I spent several summers as a number zero swimmer. This "high" honor went to those who were willing to be subjected to attempted drownings by Veal under the guise of teaching u water safety. "Buckle down winsocky (sp?), buckle down. You can win winsocky, if you buckle down." Veal always told us to go limp if we felt we were drowning. Good advice!
What did news of the Camp Wonposet closing mean to you?: I was sad to hear the news. I still have my trunk from camp days with all of the stickers inside; I was ready to go back if the opportunity arose.

Brad Burgunder - 07/22/98 21:50:03
My Email:aekdbks@erols,com
When were you at Camp Wonposet, and in what capacity?: 1981-87, 89 camper, waiter, dishwasher, counselor
Favorite Activities: baseball, basketball, sailing, rest hour, campfires
Favorite camp story or memory: So many playing basketball with John McKenna, Jr and Gus. Gus was always so competitive. I was covering him (too closely) and he kept on elbowing me back. That served him right, he was not paying attention and ended u twisiting his ankle (that was easy to do) and having to leave the game. Mark Zimmerman and I were the Maloutchy Crunch!!
Humerous camp story: The story about Willy the cook. It goes something like...On parents weekend a kid brought his parents up to Willy and said "Willy the beef stew was great." To which Willy said, "It's so good because I shit in it." True or not, t's funny....
What did news of the Camp Wonposet closing mean to you?: sad, but knew it was coming
Did your time Camp Wonposet have any lasting affects on your life?: Definitely..Many great memories and thoughts. Friends made for life

Bill Slocum - 07/18/98 06:17:45
My Email:SLOKE@aol.com
When were you at Camp Wonposet, and in what capacity?: 1979, second half. Camper in Cabin 14.
Favorite Activities: Eating beef jerky. Reading Conan comic books. Unintentionally annoying cabin mates like fellow cabin-mate and Geyer-web respondent Jonny Goldberg.
Favorite camp story or memory: Coming back 17 years after taking up space at Cabin 14 to win my first and only Wonposet medal, a yeoman-level archery prize from George Walsh, who suggested I pay a return visit to the camp after I had written up a n wspaper article about the camp alumni program the previous winter. He had kept meticulous records of all his archers through the years, and told me I stopped a round back in 1979 with two more sets of arrows left and only 12 points to earn. So in 1996 I r turned to finish what I started and did, earning the cheers of fellow campers a generation younger than me, but feeling great about it all the same.
Humerous camp story: I guess my only serious pop at a baseball back in 1979, which people told me flew to the edge of the left-field fenceline of the lower field (nearest the archery stand) but was caught in a wonderous diving grab by one of the on y campers regarded as more of a lost cause than me. Still, I seem to recall getting more back claps for my drive than that kid got for his catch, which really was the play of the day. Offense was more prized than defense at Wonposet back in 1979.
What did news of the Camp Wonposet closing mean to you?: It was devastating. Wonposet's story truly deserved to go on, but I felt its greatest days were behind it, as an all-boys, all-residential camp. Even though I was the last kid who fit into th t scheme while it was around, it saddens me all the same to see it go. The real end of an era.
Did your time Camp Wonposet have any lasting affects on your life?: Teaching me to adapt better to unexpected situations. Introducing me (belatedly) to George Walsh, who is really one of life's great teachers.

Ted Ciuzio - 07/15/98 17:57:39
My Email:tciuzio@the imagebank.com
When were you at Camp Wonposet, and in what capacity?: 1965 - 1970
Favorite Activities: Archery,Tennis and Baseball
Favorite camp story or memory: My favorite memories always include the extraordinary counselors we had at Wonposet. George Walsh, Terry Martinson, Mac McKenna, sons Gary and Robby, "Veal" Cutler, "Moose" Anderson, "Gutterball", Carl and Dave, so m ny fine role models that influenced my life. Little things like the sound of the waves gently pounding Bantam Lake's shores, as we lined up for the lowering of the flag, still stay with me. The light that time of day...so golden. Wasn't winning the extra ice cream and the honor of coveting the flag for Inspection excellence the biggest thrill?!? I also remember the great pride I felt when I won the Swimming, Tennis and Archery rophies in three consecutive summers. But it was only Wonposet that could bring those skills out of a young boy from Brooklyn.
Humerous camp story: Here's a story that only recently has come to light. George Walsh loved to play his musical soundtrack albums in his Cabin 16. I, too, loved this music and ended up performing in high scool and college shows, earning an MBA in heater Arts. Well, as a Birthday suprise, we got him the soundtrack to "Promises, Promises". We thought we really hit it right with this one! He was very appreciative and played the record often. Only recently, from a correspondance from George, did I learn that he really wasn't crazy about the musical or the music...initially!! BUT, it did grow on him. It was so like George to go along and be polite, knowing how happy it made us.
What did news of the Camp Wonposet closing mean to you?: It made me sad and reflective, but also made me realize that Wonposet's run was really quite remarkable. I only wish my 3-month old son, Justin Thomas, could have experienced all the wonders f Wonposet some day.
Did your time Camp Wonposet have any lasting affects on your life?: I took with me the confidence that I could play any sport well. I learned about teamwork, the importance of patience and compassion and an appreciation of folk music (Peter, Paul nd Mary from Terry!) and musicals from George!