Camping Mamas have always been in my wheelhouse. I grew up under the tutelage of my own camping mama—Dorothy. She and my dad built Keen Lake stone by stone, electric pedestal by electric pedestal. Our family—eventually 7 daughters—were part of the work required to build the park. We ironed more bed linens for cottages, cleaned more bathhouses and picked more stones out of fields than we liked. However, we clamored for our mom’s buttery potatoes wrapped in aluminum foil and baked in pits created by our removing the largest stones in those fields. Our mom always managed to manifest moments that were satisfying or delightful and which balanced out those challenging chores. As I age, I find great contentment in calling upon those memories that allow me to remember my mother with joy.
Creating a special day for moms at the lake has been one of my honors each year. I’ve again called upon my mother as my muse. She enjoyed being pampered with a massage and always joined us whenever a Paint and Sip was on the agenda. The image we chose this year (see above) was a reminder of my mother, who loved the outdoors, the water, and above all being able to cast a line. She loved homemade cards and gifts and watching her children and grandchildren play. We look forward to welcoming all the camping mamas who will join us this weekend and send warm hugs to those who will be elsewhere.
–Jan Keen
Click here to check out our activity schedule for this weekend!