As I reflect on my years as a “Hagan Hag,” I realize how fortunate I was that my parents saw fit to send me, an only child, to Hagan. I may be wrong, but I believe I may be the oldest living former camper!
I was a first time camper at Hagan in 1938, the second year the camp was in existence. (Incidentally, at that time camp cost $10.00 for Lutherans and $12.00 for non-Lutherans.) At that time campers could stay in one week segments or could “piggy back” more weeks together. Since it was my first experience away from home for an extended period of time, my folks registered me for a two-week stay. When they came to pick me up after two weeks I cried, begged, etc. for them to let me stay longer. My parents talked with my counselor and together they made a trip to the “Rat Trap” and my wish became reality – I WAS IN FOR ANOTHER WEEK! Thus began my deep love for Camp Hagan and all it had to offer young girls.
After my first year at Hagan, I started saving my money so I could go back for longer camping periods. And after the first of any year, I started counting how many days left until I would be going back to camp! Mom and Dad began registering me for at least the last two weeks of the season (they weren’t taking any chances on repeat performances).
As I tried to piece together exact years of being at Shawnee-on-the-Delaware, exact years are a bit hazy – but I well remember holding up both hands with fingers parted (10) when singing “Everybody Take Your Hats Off To Hagan.” I know Hagan was for me, and in my years there I was a camper, C.I.T., Counselor and Jr. Unit Head. I remember entering the Delaware River as a red cap (beginner) and in the ensuing years reaching the status of a Jr. Life Saver. How proud I was to earn those ties – red, green, blue and white.
Don’t know how many alumni of Hagan or Miller saw fit to see that any of their off-spring had the experience of those wonderful camps. I know I felt I owed it to my folks to give my children the same opportunity they gave me. I don’t know if their experiences affected them as deeply as mine did me, but then they grew up in a different time/world than I grew up in. But I’m glad I sent them camping!