Back in the early 1980s, kids didn’t have cell phones, nor did they have access to anything that would allow them to “instantly” communicate with any other humans outside the radius of a can with a string or dialing a rotary phone. Or possibly walkie-talkies (which were SUPER fun, BTW, my brother and I had lots of fun with those)!

If you went to summer camp? You had only ONE way of communicating with the outside world, besides setting the whole camp on fire – and that meant letters. My mom kept all of the letters exchanged between me and the family while I attended Camp ‘O Fair Winds Girl Scout camp in the summers of 1981, 1982, and 1983. The camp was located about 25 miles northeast of Flint, MI, and is now closed. The letters have proven to be kind of a neat time capsule! You get to read ALL of these letters in their entirety (starting with 1981)! You might want to save this for when you have trouble getting to sleep at night (LOL), they’re sure to be so boring you’ll drop off instantly with ennui!

Monday, June 21, 1981 (From my mother)

Hi Heather! It’s a little wet out tonight. I bet it’s neat being in a tent in the rain. Sylvester (our black and white cat) came in soaking wet a while ago. That’s nothing new though, he loves to get wet.

This isn’t the best photo in the world, but here’s a pic of Sylvester the cat, circa 1979-1980

I noticed you took the wrong mechanical pencil, the one you have must have no lead. Oh well, you have others.

Don’t forget to get your vitamins from the nurse either after lunch or breakfast.

It sure seems wierd (sic) not having you here, but I know you are having a lot of fun.

Edward Burzyck was here swimming today with Blain’s babysitter. Grandma, (Aunt) Ginny, and (cousin) Clarissa were here too. Grandma brought you a Chinese yo-yo.

Daddy is in bed and (brother) Mikie is watching a dumb movie on TV called Bite The Bullet.

Poster from the 1975 western film Bite The Bullet. Can you name the 1992 Western film for which Gene Hackman won an Oscar?

I’m writing a letter to you because I miss you.

Love, Mother

P.S. Have fun and don’t forget to write!

Love again,

Mother

Monday, June 21, 1981 (from my mother)

Hi Heather

How are you after your first night in a tent? It must have been great. Did it rain there? It rained here all night.

How is the food so far? I hope you are eating enough. I don’t want you to get skinny.

Grandma just called, she doesn’t get out of the hospital today, maybe she will tomorrow.

It looks like the sun is going to shine pretty soon. I hope we don’t get any more rain for a while. Mike sure is lazy, I just told him to pick up the junk in the living room and he’s playing with his Chinese yo-yo. He will write you a note soon.

Bye for now,
Love Mom

P.S. DKASR (Don’t Kiss Any Strange Raccoons)

Tuesday, june 23, 1981 (from me)

Today I did archery. and went swimming in a lake. This camp is nice. I am getting enough sleep and rest. Love Heather.

Tuesday, June 23, 1981 (from my mother)

Hello Heather,

How are you doing today? What kind of things are you doing at camp? Have you seen any kids you know?

Grandma is supposed to get out of the hospital today. She’s going to call me when the doctor gets to the hospital and writes out her forms, and I’ll call to get her.

I hope you are warm enough at night, it was kind of cold last night. Michael (brother) is meowing like a cat to make me think its George, but I can tell a real cat meow. He’s a little bored and lonely without you here to play with.

Don’t forget to get a T-shirt that’s got a little extra room in it and a patch. Oh yeah, and unit pictures too. Also don’t forget we all love you very much. Have fun.

Wednesday, June 24, 1981 (from me)

Hi! I got your letter. Today I went to nature. I am a hopper. I went boating today. Love, Heather.

P.S. I’ll write again soon.

saturday, June 27, 1981 (from me)

Dear Grandma, How are you? I am fine. I got your letter. How are things at home? I wish I was home. Love again, Heather.

saturday, June 27 1981 (from me to my brother)

Hi! Have you got any of my letters yet? I got six letters from you already. Almost everybody in my unit hurt their ankles. I’m glad I didn’t and hope I never will.

Everybody has a cookout every Thursday. Last night we had “Buffalo Burgers.”

One of the councilors (sp) “Chips” tore a muscle in her leg. She has a cast and is walking on crutches.

Today I am going boating. The people who work in the boathouse are “Sarge” and “Koogle.”

Well, I better go now. Love Heather.

P.S. Please write more when you can.

Photo evidence that I did what mom said! I am second from left in the rear in my “roomy” T-shirt! This is the “Sunny Ridge” unit, which was where they generally put camping “newbies,” since it was close to the common area with the pool, dining hall.

Love, Mother

P.S. Alice, George, Sly (Sylvester) and Tom say “meow,” which means Hi Heather.

Undated letter (from me)

Dear Mother,

I know its really about time I answer the questions you asked in my letters. Here they are.

#1 I am doing fine

Oh oh! There was only one! Well most of other girls went to church. But I decided not to go because I wanted to write more letters.

Have you noticed that I always write “ME” for my return address?

Love, Heather

P.S. Sorry its all wrinkled (my letter)

monday, June 29 1981 (from me to my brother)

Hi Mike! How are you? I am doing archery at camp. I got 3 arrows on the white part. Mike, I got your letter. Does Blain (neighbor boy) miss me? Tell Blain I said hi!

Love, Heather.

monday, june 29, 1981 (from me)

Dear Gramma, Today we had Halloween at camp. Do you feel any better now that you are out of the hospital? I am having a good time, with much love, Heather.

Monday, June 29, 1981 (from my mother)

Hello Heather,

Hope you are fine today, we all are.

Yesterday we went to Mickey’s (cousin) open house. There were a lot of my aunts and uncles there. 3 aunts and 2 uncles.

Editor’s note: Mickey’s granddaughter Marisa just graduated from high school with a 4.0 grade point average and will be attending the University of Michigan this fall. She earned a full ride scholarship for room and board.

My Aunt Anne says her granddaughter is at Camp ‘O Fair Winds now too. She is in one of the back units. her name is Susan Thomas and she is your cousin.

Editor’s Note: I did wind up tracking down where Susan was camped, she was staying in the “Pines” unit, which were made up of log cabin buildings. The other campers and I joked that only the real “sissy” girls camped in those instead of tents (lol), though I am sure we were secretly just jealous of their “cushy” accommodations. I am unsure whether I actually made any contact with Susan while at camp, but we are now friends on Facebook.

I have take mother to get her stitches out today at the doctor. She will be glad to have them out, they feel kind of uncomfortable.

Its going to be hot today, it’s only a quarter to 10 and I can feel it already. I am going to get hot mowing the lawn.

Well I have to go now, take care and don’t forget we love you.

Love, Mother XXX

tuesday, June 30, 1981 (from me)

Hi Mike (my older brother)! How are you? I am having. What have you been doing while I was gone? Does Blain (little boy living next door) miss me? I wish I was hoe. I miss you. Love, Heather.

wednesday, July 1, 1981 (from me)

Dear Mom and Dad, please pick me up at 9:00 a.m. sharp on Saturday morn. Today we walked 2.5 miles and back to Moore’s Market on Millville Road. With much love, Heather.

Wednesday, July 1, 1981 (from my mother)

Hello Heather! We got two post cards from you yesterday. Grandma (paternal) got hers too. Don’t forget (maternal grandmother), just write (her name) and our address on the front.

I’m glad you like camp. Make sure that nasty old monster Greta (fabled McKeen Lake monster) doesn’t get you!

Tiger (stray cat whom would be later adopted by my family) was here last night. George (cat) was trying to pick a fight with him out front last night, so I brought George in and took some food out for TIger.

The cats and dogs are all fine, except they miss you! Of course, we all miss you but we’re glad you are at cap having an experience you’ll never forget. I hope the nice weather holds out for another week for you. It’s been really nice, not too hot in the days and not too cold at night.

Well I guess I’ll close for now. I have to get Mike (older brother) up so he can help with the housework!

All my love, Mother

P.S. Don’t forget to brush your teeth and take your vitamins!

P.S.S. Wy did someone scribble out the ER in your name and put in a CLIF on your post card? Have you changed your name to Heathcliff?

Editor’s note: Heathcliff was the other girls’ attempt to create a camp nickname for me. I resisted greatly, and it did not subsequently stick. I do not know which girl “edited” my postcard after I’d written it, but Becky Gilbert is a top suspect! 

Wednesday, July 1, 1981 (from my mother)

Dear Heather,

Well sweetie, only a few more days and I’ll get to see you again. I miss you a lot, but I’m glad you are at camp learning a lot of new things.

Nothing much has been going on around here, so there isn’t much to write about.

Maybe after you come home, we can go see the new Muppet Movie, its called The Great Muppet Caper.

The Great Muppet Caper grossed about $31 million domestically and was nominated for one Oscar for best original song, The First Time It Happens. 

Well bye for now,

Hugs & kisses,

Mother