Humidity Flashback

Walked out to the dumpster this morning, and came back soaked. Geez, it feels just like Camp Kiwanis near Milford, Nebraska, in June. That would be just after the flood waters of the Big Blue River receded enough for the Camp Fire Girls of 1964 to hike out on the penninsula to the swinging bridge, swatting at the enormous mosquitoes and horseflies as they walked.



Camp Fire Girls hiked in their little baby blue Keds and white anklets with their names written in Rub-a-Dub laundry marker. They wore navy shorts, white blouses, and hats to protect them from ticks. They coated any bare skin with a 6-12 brand insect repellent stick that looked like an art room glue stick and felt about the same, if you've ever drawn on yourself with glue stick the way my students often do. Smelled lots worse though.

The Kiwanis Club of Lincoln owned and maintained Camp Kiwanis from the 1920's until 1983 when it was sold to Easter Seals. For fifty years the camp was used by the Camp Fire Girl's Council. Originally six acres in size, it grew over the years to sixty-three acres bounded by the Big Blue River and the Chicago Burlington railroad tracks.

Being a camper on the Big Blue River penninsula, and much later visiting the Lied Jungle at Omaha's fantastic Henry Doorly Zoo are the closest I've ever been to the Amazon rain forest. If I ever went there, I would be sure to write my name on my socks!