Camp Zoe Memories
Comments, Letters, & Memories
Send me your comments, suggestions, and Camp Zoe memories. I'll post them here or visit the Camp Zoe Message Board.
8/11/07Loved your website... I have many fond memories of Camp Zoe. I attended in the early Fifties. It was a two day trip for us from Olney, Illinois, but my parents wanted me to have the experience of camp.
We used to sing a song about the States.
What did Delaware boys, what did Delaware? She wore a New Jersey.
Where has Oregon? She's gone to Oklahoma.
How did Wisconsin sin? She stole a "new brass key"
How did "Flora die"? She died of "misery"
I remember making lanyards and bracelets out of boondoggle and the competitions to have the cleanest cabins. But most of all I remember the songs.
Annie (Vaughn) Cravens
Springfield, IL
6/27/06
Oh boy, is this a day of nostalgia, or what? I went to Zoe, my first camping experience, in 1958-1960ish. I loved it so! I share with Cerie Steinhauer Ellis the memories of the burros: Poncho and Marietta were their names. The incredible velvet feel of the baby burros nose changed my life, I am sure. Looked all my life for something as wonderful to touch. I also remember the bat in the cabin incident. For some reason, I was in charge of my cabin, in some way. I remember the pressure of feeling I had to "save" my cabinmates from the bat. I grabbed my tennis racquet and was able to move it out the door, using the racquet and the screens to sneak up on it. My first "executive decision"? I also remember the early morning rides. They assigned me a large, gentle horse named "Chubb." He had a bad habit on laying down and rolling over on his rider. They told me how to prevent this, and figured I was large and strong enough to give him a good strong pull on the reins if and when he started this nonsense...I was. I loved the place so, but remember the Current River removing my keds, at one time.
I later went on to attend Camp Lakewood in Potosi, and become a CIT. Camping has been a huge part of my life, thanks to the early expericenses. I am currently, (and have been for 11 years) the manager of a lovely RV park in San Diego, California, where the camping never stops. The only campers I remember from that time were Betty Littge (sp?) and Jane Livingston, both from Ferguson. I visited them both after camp a few times. One of them had a fabulous house and a swimming pool, and it was like going to another town to have my parents drive me all the way from Webster to Ladue, or where ever it was. So many Zoe memories...but I certainly remember the Peanut butter and honey blend.
More later,
Kate Minteer Szabo
1958-60
6/15/06
I was so excited when my sister Sonia, who still lives in St. Louis, shared with me that there was an article written about Camp Zoe in the St. Louis Post Dispatch. I have lived in Tampa, Florida for 23 years and still through such incredible memories feel as though it was just yesterday that I was packing up my trunk with all of the essentials and heading to camp for the summer. It didn't take long for me to beg my mother to stay longer than two weeks. At the time I was thrilled to be free for a month in the summer. It wasn't until I became a parent myself that I realized that my parents were probably having quite a party while I was gone. As I pile the essentials on the table for my boys to attend their first year of sleep away camp, all of those terrific memories came pouring in and my hopes are that my boys have similar experiences that they can someday share with their children.
After high school my family moved to Orlando, Florida to escape the cold and snowy winters. I attended the University of Tampa and taught elementary school for 7 years. I married a wonderful man, Doug Kole, and have been married for 13 years. We have two boys, ages 11 1/2 and 10. When they were 3 and 4 1/2, I went back to school and attended a design school in Tampa. I have since had my own interior design firm JK Designs. An additional cap that I wear occasionally is that of inventor. I have a few patents and are currently working on selling them so that I can move onto other ideas. I spend my free time enjoying our boys and also get lost in my thoughts while running. My memories of Camp Zoe are plentiful. I always knew that we had arrived as our car braced for the rocky road up the hill to Zoe. My first year in Cabin I we celebrated Christmas in July...I thought that was so clever. The dances on the tennis courts, studying for my horse test, over nights with the horses, spooky overnights in the church, snack shack in the evenings, trying to catch that greased pig, delivering mail by horseback, waiting to eat in the cafeteria by the water pump with friends, forced to eat that lima bean on my plate...YUK!, loving that Cathy was as petite as I was, cleaning the cabin to perfection, trying to hold that darm bow and arrow so that I could at least shoot it, BB practice, and lastly the feeling of being able to make my own choices and being independent. What a wonderful feeling! So, as I wave to my boys as they attend a sports camp in Maine, I know that they will miss me, but will be so happy for the experiences that will be before them. Thank you Fowler for this wonderful platform to share...you were always such a great guy! I have loved reading messages filled with names that I haven't heard in so many years! It brings such a smile to my face!
Joann Sirota Kole
Thanks for writing Joann. I remember you were in the Mac's cabin/New Cabin overnight trip to the old schoolhouse in 1975. What fun. By the way, do you still have your Dorothy Hamill wedge? Say yes!
6/14/06
I was at Zoe with my older brother Bud for two summers (1964 and 1965). The first summer I was 7 and so homesick I cried. By the second summer I was loving it. I wanted to go back a third summer, but my folks decided to send us to a "sports-oriented" camp on the Lake of the Ozarks, Camp Olympic. However, it was at Zoe that I learned to love the outdoors, canoeing, camping, etc. After 2 years at Olympic I was in Boy Scouts and went to Scout Camp (Camp Sakima at S-F Scout Ranch) every year with my troop.
My favorite Zoe memories are of the Capture the Flag game played by the whole camp, including counselors, at the end of each session with the great pre-game buildup between the opposing sides. I also loved playing "Army" with my buddies on the way back to the cabin while listening to "Tattoo" (bugle call before "Taps"). I was also a history buff, at age 8 (imagine that!), and played history trivia (especially Civil War) with my buddies, trying to stump each other.
I remember overnight horse-rides, bedding down with a bed-roll in an old abandoned church out in the country, with counselors telling ghost stories. I remember being to young to dance but loved hanging out listening to the music. "Secret Agent Man" by Johnny Rivers was a big hit record I still have a vivid memory of listening to while the big kids danced.
I heard that Zoe was revived for a short time in the 90's for family camping but fell on hard times. Glad to hear that the Schwag is making good use of it and that semi-public events can be staged there. Sorry I just missed the 2006 Zoe reunion. When is the next one?!
Oh, you want a bio? Long story short, grew up in St. Louis County (Parkway West-1974), attended UM-Rolla (BS Engineering Mgt. 1981) while serving part-time in the Air Force Reserve as a medic on the C-9 hospital plane out of Scott AFB, IL. Lived in Arkansas 4 years, but happy to return to St. Louis with new job. Various engineering jobs since then, now mostly Mechanical Design using AutoCAD and Solidworks. MBA in 2002 from Lindenwood U. (nights). Married since 1993, two boys born 1995 and 1998, adopted baby girl from Guatemala in 2004. Kids are my life now! Assistant Cubmaster and now Pack Committee Chair for Cub Scouts. Going to Scout Camp this year with my older boy! Hobbies include Ham Radio (General Class FCC license) and Art Glass collecting.
Don Reader
1964-1965
06/13/2006
I was at Zoe for 2 weeks in '48, 4 in "49, and 6 in '50. Frankly I only remember the names of one of two campers and no counselors other than "Winkie" Winkelmeyer, the Macs and Painter. But I have many other fond memories plus a few songs that were not on the song list. I enjoyed the Post article and seeing this website. I have seen the camp several times in the past few years as I go to another nearby spot on Sinkin' Creek and have driven over, before it was a Schwag place and since.
No one mentioned: watermelons chilling in the spring behind the dining hall, the rows of metal cups on pegs outside the dining hall and near the pump (I broke a tooth on that pump handle but that's another story), hiking to Round Spring to play on their "beach", having to spend ten minutes in the creek and 10 out due to the polio scare and the conviction of the adults that getting chilled made polio more likely, 6 week campers going to Emminence on a bus to see a movie and to see hogs on the courthouse lawn in town, climbing Shannondale fire tower, playing jacks on the smooth wood of the outhouse - between the holes occupied by you and a friend until others demanded that you get out! Sleeping in jungle hammocks left over from WWII on sleepovers down by the creek near Painter's old house, and washing dishes at the end of your cabin's table (did they really get clean??)
I looked throiugh the song lyrics and did not find my children's favorite, "Cocaine Bill and Morphine Sue", which they still howl over and swear no camp could have taught their mother, as well as "Oh You Can't Get to Heaven". I would be happy to send the verses if anyone wants them.
After my time at Zoe I went to an 8 week camp in WI for 9 years as a camper and counselor, which is why, I suspect, I do not remember many names from this time. Thanks for your efforts to create and maintain this site,
Judy Lorenz Tisdale
1948-1950
06/10/2006
My name is Susie St. Cyr Ott. My cousins Kathy St. Cyr, Christine St. Cyr and my brother were all campers then later became counselors. My brother, Steve St. Cyr attended the grounds and the infamous burrows that used to bite me when I visited them.
My mom sent me the article that appeared in the St. Louis Post Dispatch, and so I had to respond after reading it. I especially loved the picture of Ellie. I remember Ellie and my cousin Christine lathering up many times, skinny dipping with us (they said the boys were all the way up on the tennis courts). I even remember the time that the water moccassin bit Christine on the thumb and hung there!
I also remember the car ride and getting horribly car sick every time we dropped them off. I couldn't wait, however to be a camper.
I was lucky enough to have Ellie Hirsch as my counselor and my cousin Christine. The cabin nights were a blast, and I remember having my hair ironed, rolled up with orange juice cans, and sipping Wyler's lemonade while someone pierced my ears on the picnic tables. My parents were not pleased, but I still have my ears pierced!
The horseback overnights, canoe overnights, and stories that were told while we paddled sinking creek. Ellie and Christine told us during one memorable canoe trip that little fairies lived in the woods and lowered the tower as we approached. I think I actually bought that story.
I also remember the dances on the tennis courts. Dancing to "Brown Sugar" and learning all the line dances. It just couldn't get any better. I also remember dancing with Tino Trova to one of the slow songs, think it might have been "Rocket Man" by Elton John.
I have so many memories, the lanyards, watching that stupid movie on poisonous snakes and spiders, archery and tennis!
Many memories were from the songs and guitars. I used to sing harmony with Amy Butler and Julie Cabler to " Barges"
Out of my windowLooking in the night
I can see the barges flickering light
Starboard shines green and port is glowing red
I can see the barges straight ahead
Chorus
Barges I would like to go with you
I would like to sail the ocean Blue.
Barges, Have you treasure in your hold
Do you fight with pirates
Brave and Bold.
Out of my window
Looking in the night
I can see the barges flickering light.
On an aside, my cousin Chrisine St. Cyr Mallory passed away over 10 years ago. Kathy is living in Texas, my brother Steve resides in Webster Groves, MO, and I live with my husband and 3 children in Windermere, FL.
Sure do miss those simple summers at Zoe!
Susie St. Cyr Ott
06/07/2006
I attended Camp Zoe in the mid to late 1970's along with my sisters. I was recently made aware of this web site via an article in the Post Dispatch newspaper. I love re-living the stories, and hope to make it for a future reunion. My best story was from one of our overnight camping trips when I fell off an overturned tree while breaking branches for the fire. I fell throught the tree branches over a creek bed until my leg became impaled on a broken sharp branch. I still have the scar to this day. :) I just wish they had remembered the first aid kit on that trip. :)
Rob McDonald
06/06/2006
I went to camp for six years in the late 50's early 60's, and my favorite things to do were horseback riding, arts,& crafts, and archery. I really liked "Painter" the leader of the trail rides. He was a really nice man. I also remember the contests for naming a new baby burros. They all had Spanish names. One time there was a bat in our cabin and all the girls screamed.
Cherie Steinhauer Ellis
06/06/2006
I was so excited to read the article in the Post Dispatch about camp Zoe. I went there in the mid to late 50s. I loved it and have great memories of my time there. I remember a nice girl named Libby who was a counselor and a real cute boy named Bartholomew, a counselor all the girls, including me, had a crush on. My favorite activity was the early morning before breakfast horseback rides. I always wanted to go extra early and get the favorite horse. I forgot the name of the horse but it seemed huge and it would go into a gallop easily and not bounce you as the others did when they trotted. I still like to get up a daybreak to ride my "iron horse". I also loved the canoe trips. I wish I had known about the reunion trip earlier. I would sure like to visit the grounds and see if it looked as big as it did to me as a child. I will have to hunt up some pictures I might have taken while there. I lived in Rock Hill, Mo. (a part of the Webster Groves School District) I am now a retired school teacher/librarian. Thank you for this web site, it brings back so many good memories.
Luanne (Pilgrim) Dennison
06/05/2006
Grew up in North St. Louis County, before current Interstate Highways, took 5 hours to get to Zoe. Does anyone remember the Wagon Wheel Restaurant & Motel on old Hwy 66 (awesome Lemon meringue pie)! Many fond Camp Zoe memories, a special place where children could be children, try new things & participate in organized adventures. A wonderfully simpler time. The cabins, the kids, horseback rides, canoeing, friendly competition (remember capture-the-flag), skits, crafts, and the dances on the tennis courts (I discovered Girls, so much for fishing!) I am grateful that my parents gave me this opportunity...and that a place like Camp Zoe existed.
Scott Huchingson
1966-1969
06/04/2006
I loved every summer at Camp Zoe. As the article in the St. Louis paper stated, most campers were from the St. Louis area. I was an exception, being from Cairo Illinois. I made many friends and a few of us still keep in touch. I still remember tuna wiggle and peanut butter mixed with honey. And Winkie, of course.
Susan Haslauer Bryant
1949-1956
06/04/2006
I was thrilled to see the article in the St. Louis Post Dispatch, I'm sure many others will respond. I know I have Camp Zoe pictures somewhere, but right now all I can find are my canoeing and horseback riding awards. I'll email them to you. What wonderful memories!!! Because of Camp Zoe I made sure my children were able to experience camp as I did (at Camp Lakewood in Potosi, MO). Please keep up the website. How about a memorial t-shirt for alumnae?
Meg O'Neill
1964-1966
04/07/2006
I was just sharing some wonderful memories of my daughter, Kelly E. Miller, with other parents about the couple of years she went to Camp Zoe in the early 1980's when I decided to search the web to see if it was still in existence when I found your wonderful website!
Boy visiting your website brought back warm memories of packing my daughter off for 2 weeks at Camp Zoe and the long notes and phone calls I would get from her which mostly said "SEND FOOD"! I sent a care package of her favorite snacks and junk food every few days!
At that time we didn't know Kelly had Juvenile Huntington's Disease, an inherited degenerative brain disease. Sadly she passed away November 1998 a few months shy of her 31st birthday. I found it kind of ironic today, when going through your website, to learn that one of the early owners of Camp Zoe were Richard and Karen Huntington!
Thank you for this website and for the precious memories of my daughter in happier times!
Jean E. Miller
Clearwater, Florida
04/01/2006
My Mother is an alumni from Camp Zoe. She was born in 1932 and went sometime during her childhood, although I do not know what year. She now has Alzheimer's so I can't ask her. Sure wish I could. I attended Camp Zoe for three years in the 1960's. I am a bit sketchy, but I believe it was 1967, 1968, and 1969, for two weeks each time. (One year, California Dreamin' was the most popular song at the dance. That was the year that I stayed in the "Lodge".) What a wonderful experience!
One of my most vivid memories, was of chasing and riding the burros. Every evening, they were corralled and after we ate, we would go to the corral and chase them around and hop on for a really wild ride. Once, while horseback riding, we had to cross a creek, and my horse decided to go for a swim. It was deep! I remember being worried about the horse being able to stay afloat with me on its back. Obviously, we both survived.
My friend Lee Ann went to camp with me one year. She wasn't too crazy about it. We camped by the creek one night and as we were swimming in the creek, she acquired a hitchhiker (a leach. That pretty much did it for her. Personally, I thought it was extremely funny...
BTW - When I went to Camp Zoe, we bathed in the creek - not the showers. Now THAT was a novelty! I don't think I really "bathed" for the entire two weeks I was there. I bet the ride home in the car was rough on my parents.
Does anyone remember making Lanyards and things out of leather? (Wallets, etc.) I remember working furiously on a lanyard every year. I still remember how to do a "box stitch", if that's what it's called, but I don't remember the others that we did, and I certainly can't remember how to make everything fit together so that you can attach a whistle to it.
I also still have one of my footlockers. It has been fumigated and decontaminated several times - otherwise a bio-hazard team would likely have to come in with bleach and respirators to save the world from WMD.
In 1971, we moved to Hot Springs, AR, and lived there on Lake Hamilton for 5 years. No more Camp Zoe, but every day was a day at camp living on the lake in Hot Springs.
I really did enjoy my camp experience. It wasn't "Camp Lite" like you get these days.
In fact, I found your site while trying to see if Camp Zoe was still in business. I have a daughter now, and would like to have seen her go to camp there.
Jane Ray Cook
See the letters from 2005