Mike Euer – “General” of the Office (Y'all come in a sit a spell)

Mike came to Camp Waupaca with a lot of energy and ideas. He started out as the Waterfront Director. By the time Mike got there, the beach needed a lot of repairs. The wall that held back the cliff was falling apart. The old swimming docks with metal frames and wooden decks needed replacing. With plywood, posts, hooks and paint he constructed a buddy board. There had never been one there. Mike sunk a boat and put other things in the first under water museum. It was made for the snorkel divers class to explore. In fact, it was also the first real snorkel program. Years before, Chuck Cooper gave lessons in scuba diving to a few campers. The waterfront programs were never before as exciting or safe. One failing he had was taken care of by his replacement, Warren Metzdorff. As you may have heard Warren qualified more swimmers than any other Red Cross Swimming Instructor – World Wide! Who says so? Warren.

When Mike became the Assistant Camp Director he took over the camp office. His first accomplishment was to find the combination to the camp safe. He told me that how he had worked it out was a trade secret. Also, the office was kept in very good order for the first time. Piles of lost clothing that used to pile up for distribution at the end of the week were handed back more frequently.

Along with the office, Mike also inherited the camp public address system. It was a handy communication system. As the office was always open if anyone wanted anyone else they could walk in and announce. So, the air around Camp Waupaca was filled with sound. “The nurse is leaving for the doctor, Jeff Smuts and Brian Stays come to the office”. “Erv, the ski instructors need the key for the gas tank. Please send the key to the office”. “The bus will be leaving for tonight’s camp out in ten minutes. Campers from Cabin 15 and 16 report to the Trip Shack.” On and on, all day long from morning to lights out. Lake neighbors complained and the number of announcements did become fewer.

Camera in hand, Mike made sure that he had pictures of every camper having fun. “Smile for the camera” was almost used as much as “You never had it so good.” There were hundreds of pictures showing all of the camp's programs. So, on Parent's Day the bulletin at the office was filled with smiling faces. Parents were invited to take the pictures of their son’s home as souvenirs.

Counselors were “encouraged” to send “Happy Grams” to parents of the campers in their care. These were to tell how much they enjoyed working with their sons. “Name something that the boy is doing well, enjoys, is getting along so well with his cabin mates, or anything else a parent would like to hear, I am not asking you to lie, just make the Happy Grams all positive.” Mike told counselors at the orientation meeting for ALL counselors. Mike read all of the Happy Grams before they were sent out, that's why they were post cards. Also, if a counselor missed a camper in his cabin he was called in and coached.

One of Mike's talents was to be an advocate for campers that were having a bad time adjusting to camp life or just having a bad day. As I remember, there were several campers that came to Mike to help solve a perceived problem that left the office situation resolved. If the problem was the need of a canteen treat, the treat could be arranged if the camper gave Mike a back rub.

How many tee shirts were printed by silk screen in the office for the special events and just for laughs. Mike was the one who instigated this practice. He taught how to make the stencils and stretch the shirts. Yes, he had a lot of help to get them done, but without his ambition, this part of camp would not have happened.

Mike made it clear that he was not the camp disciplinarian. Counselors who came to Mike to solve problems between campers and counselors got no sympathy: “Skin your own skunks” was always the answer, although he often gave advise on how to do the skinning.

Clearly Mike was a great part of the camp experience for many campers and counselors. Camp would not have been the same without him. His teaching skills were outstanding. An example was when he taught Wayne how to use his Apple IIc computer. Anyone who could do that has to be a great educator.