I went back the next summer, but it was different, because I was moved to a part of the resort where the children were older. It seemed a bit scary at first. I recall my sister was staying there, too, but being a teenager, she and her friends ignored me completely. I did ok, though. There was more than enough excitement to keep me happy. I would describe the resort as very health and wellness focused. Upon being woken up by our activity director, we were forced into a robust morning fitness regime. This included a considerable morning run, followed by calisthenics outside on the basketball court or the track field. Once we had jogged back to our cabin, we washed up and proceeded in a very disciplined, orderly manner (shortest child in front, tallest in the back) to hike to the formal flag raising, led by a drum major in the front. The flag was dutifully raised, accompanied by everyone singing a national anthem. Only now could we all proceed to the dining hall to be served breakfast. You might say this sounds like an overly severe resort for kids, but there were pleasant surprises.
Certainly, meal time was pretty loose. Cereals were generally the good kind, such as sugary Frosted Flakes. Best of all was that the jam jars, honey, and syrup were left on the table for us to take as much as we liked. Even if breakfast was a healthy oatmeal or cream of wheat, my friend took liberal amounts of raspberry jam, so that his bowl was pink, if not fully red-coloured. Orange juice was Tang juice mix—take as much as you want! Once in a while, we got pancakes. And the mornings when you could smell bacon from a mile away, you knew you were going to have an awesome start to the day.
After breakfast, we returned to our cabins to tidy up for inspection. Up to this point in the morning, I would happily give this resort a five-star rating, but things unfortunately deteriorate from here on. The cabin does not come with cleaning services, so along with having to make our own beds, we also took turns with general cleaning, including sweeping and mopping the floor and scrubbing the sinks and toilets. Once we had passed the morning inspection, it was fun and games. A lot of focus was placed on sports, which included volleyball, dodgeball, king’s court ball, basketball, and occasionally soccer and baseball. A lot of time was spent on track and field. Of course, sports don’t appeal to every kid, but hopefully there was enough variety for everyone to enjoy something. Even though I wasn’t remotely athletic, I did like shot-put, discus, and javelin. Archery (with real steel pointed arrows) was interesting, but too hard for younger kids. Running hurdles was fun, but I didn’t care for long jump and high jump, likely because I was short and only started to get my height when I turned 16. Some of the activities have changed over the years or have been removed, I’m sure. There was a very large trampoline over a deep pit. The surprising aspect of the trampoline is that the large steel coiled springs and five-inch steel tube frame was entirely exposed! I found jumping on the trampoline to be a lot of fun, but I was very afraid of somehow getting pinched between the steel springs. Fortunately, I never heard of this happening. As much fun as it was to just jump around, it was equally fun to see one of your friends perform acrobatic flips and somersaults. When I reflect upon the trampoline, I do wonder if any regulatory inspectors visited that area of the resort? Maybe it works like the ones in Cuba, where the inspector just has a grand meal in the buffet hall, gives the resort the green checkmark and goes on his way to his next inspection.
After enough physical activity, we were all more than ready for swimming. Thankfully, swim time was free play, so it was a great relief to just cool down and play with your friends. The pool was actually a pond, so for younger kids, it was great for hunting frogs, or to look for minnows and play along the shoreline.
The situation was hopelessly out of control and the authorities had no option but to wait for us to run out of ammunition. Now that I reflect on this, I wonder, why didn’t the directors send us outside to eat the watermelon?
Lunchtime was next. If we were lucky, one of the kid favourites was served, such as hamburgers or hot dogs with potato chips and coleslaw (Five Stars, for sure!). And for added fun, once in a while they would have a hot dog eating contest between the two leading contenders—one very tall counsellor, the other a heftier guy. I don’t remember who won, but I know the winner consumed an impressive nine hot dogs.
Lunchtime dessert was basic, but still good, because it was sugary. Jell-O or pudding was a frequent favourite. Watermelon was double-good, because the only watermelon back then came with seeds—and hundreds of them. Naturally, we were all engaged in copious flicking and spitting of seeds, which infuriated our directors and especially the kitchen boy. Despite every kind of threat and intimidation to make us stop, it never worked. The situation was hopelessly out of control and the authorities had no option but to wait for us to run out of ammunition. Now that I reflect on this, I wonder, why didn’t the directors send us outside to eat the watermelon? Especially when this occurred year after year.
After lunch was a personal favourite activity of mine, which is simply free time. My friend and I would lay on our cots and read comic books and MAD magazines, or even take our sleeping bags up to the roof of our cabin to read or chat there. I challenge anyone to find that at another competing resort destination!
