Beatles and Family Camp

It was the summer of 1964 and I had just finished 3rd grade. Our family of 7 was crammed together in our minus-seat-belts station wagon heading up to Dinkey Creek for the 3rd annual Family Camp. 

All the way up that long and winding mountain my Dad sang the new Beatles song, "I Want To Hold Your Hand." over and over. To this day, 48 years later (did I just say 48 years??) I can't hear that song without seeing my 34 year old Dad singing and driving us all up to camp. 


What rebels they were.



 So yes, to me, Family Camp and the Beatles go hand in hand. I can't think of one without thinking of the other.

(Just as a side note however, I don't think my son McKay and his wife McKenna are thinking of Family Camp when they hear this song.)


We went every year since 1961. Most of my siblings carried on the Family Camp tradition with their children, and are still carrying it on. This week marks the 50th anniversary. Amazing!

 Here's Family Camp 1965. My mom had just given birth to twins.
(These are all my siblings except for the red head on the back row and the very blond girl in the front.)



I found this one recently with my Mom's things. 
I think it was Family Camp 2000? 

I'm hoping someone up there this week will bring me some Family Camp 2011 pictures!!!
Happy 50th to everyone up there!

10 comments:

Susan Anderson said...

What a neat tradition. I think I would like Family Camp very much!

=)

Anonymous said...

I was in high school when that song came out. My first memories of it was hearing it on Ed Sullivan, and then singing it on the bus coming home from school. The bus driver would turn it up loud on the radio, and all the kids would sing at the top of their voices while laughing. It's a good memory.
Is this family camp just for your family, or is it a church camp, or what? Looks like so much fun!
darlene

Nate and Julie said...

I can't believe it's been 50 years!!! Every year I get a little depressed when I know everyone is at Family Camp and I'm not there, but sooner or later we're going to make it back to camp Nate and the kids need to experience it and know what it's all about. Thanks for all the awesome photos!
P.S. I would agree that that last picture is 2000, judging by the size of Alex. He was born October 1998 and he looks almost 2 in the picture.

Richard said...

The extra kids in the picture, I'm sure you know, were Ray Wardell, home phone AXminster 1-7508 (or, to you analogs 291-7508) and Gina Morrison.

Darlene said...

I used to love the Beatles. Actually, I still do.

As for your camp, I think that is just wonderful that you have contined this tradition for so long. I was never a good camper. I can only think of a couple of times I tried it, and the memories were not that great. I guess I like my creature comforts a little too much.

The pictures are great too!! Priceless, really. It is always great when families get together, whether it be at the beach, up in the mountains, or at home. The last time all my family was together was on my 80th birthday, four years ago. We've gotten together, some of us, since then, but one family is always missing. It is hard to get all five of my children and their families together. A lot of them will be coming to Lake Tahoe next month for my one and only son's wedding to a great girl that we all love. I hope they all make it there and believe me, I will get pictures!

Karen Mortensen said...

I love these pictures. I can't believe you guys have been doing that for 50 years. It is a great thing. I know my "kids" love going there.

grandmapeg said...

I remember too when that Beatles' song came out. It was my favorite. That is such a great family tradition for your family to go to camp. And as a side note, I remember the first time I came to visit you and McKay wore that SPAM shirt :-)

Scrapally said...

That is a very fun tradition! Love the pic of you and your siblings...I know all of them except your oldest brother and the twin babies...so cool that I know most of your family!

Connie said...

What wonderful memories you must have of camp Dinkey Creek!
Oh, how I loved the Beatles!

Grandma Honey said...

Oh, and no Darlene, it's not a church camp. Just a combination of 12-15 (?) families who hire a cook and rent out the space together each summer. The families vary through the years but the Roziers (my family) have been there since the beginning...1961.

Look what happened last night

  Just a little pre-graduating gathering for our DIL Amy.... Not everyday a Mom of 7 and a Grandma of 7, graduates from college. It was not ...