Give and Take

Camp Loll is blessed with a host of hard working, self sacrificing, true charity motivated friends. Their gifts of time and substance to Loll make all the efforts of the council and staff possible. They help keep our campers safe and happy, and give the staff the example and the support that make there experience at Loll possible.

Our first week of the summer, Dr. Steve Johnson provided Camp Loll with a gift of this shade structure. This is the third such gift from Dr. Johnson; he also provided us with the shade structure in camp Washaki and our very much used camp supply tent. Dr. Johnson's visit to Loll was cut short, as he needed to return home to be with his 100 year old father. Dr. Johnson was on staff at Loll its first summer, in 1959!!!


The new shelter is in Camp Yakima.

It is a great improvement on the old and weather damaged tarp that has been there for many years.

Thanks Steve.

Some storms bring destruction, but Ann and Fred Hansen are a hurricane of help for Camp Loll. They arrived Tuesday morning and didn't stop working in the service of our camp and all of us, until their lamented departure Saturday morning. Fred was still hanging doors at midnight on Friday night, and Ann was at his side.

Usually, my biggest challenge is finding enough to keep the Hansens busy. This time I had a list ready, they would go far beyond it.


The first project I requested was some kind of dishwater strainer. Fred designed this wonder. Here he is with Ann and their son, Justin. Fred produced 25 of these beauties.


Jody took charge of staining them and the troops will have this safe way to easily deal with a dangerous bear hazard. No more burning dish water!

Another problem here at Loll has been our ugly bulletin boards. Here are the old ones - accumulated from years of scraps. This mess, piled together by the staff is on its way to campfires across the camp.


Teddy Stronk gave us a good deal on some plywood, we dug some ruff cut out of the wood pile, and Fred was on his way.


Ann is there to help, when she isn't helping elsewhere with cleaning or washing the windows.


Loll now has twenty four beautiful, matching boards.


Beautiful and functional.


While waiting for the paint to dry, Fred wired lights under the stairs.


Teddy Stronk sold us five solid wood doors at $10.00 each. Fred set about fitting them to the lodge. Each door had to be cut to size and hing points routed out. Fred is always willing to teach. Here Wes masters the tools of the trade.


The last door - hung by midnight.

Thank you Fred and Ann.

There are other gifts to Loll, they are not as easy to touch, they are not crafted by hands, but they too will out last the years. Long ago, a boy named Jeff Wilcox worked with me at Camp Treasure Mountain. His father, Jim Wilcox, is one of America's greatest artists. Jeff directs his families wonderful gallery in Jackson Hole. For the second year, Jeff offered to take the entire Camp Loll Staff on a rafting trip down the Snake River. He provides the rafts, their transport, and his invaluable expertise on the river. After some basic training, they're on their way.'


Here the crew attempts to navigate Lunch Counter. Jeff steers the lead boat.


Under his strong hand, it's through the rapids with the joyful crew.


Not so lucky for the second boat.


Only Matt keeps his place. But, for a bunch of Lake of the Woods swimmers, the Snake River is just so much fun.

After taking half the day's crew through in the first two boat loads, Jeff returns to West Table Creek to pick up the rest.

'
Friends we are and friends we'll ever be.


The next batch hits Lunch Counter.


The second boat loses its Nate.



Jeff brings all to safe harbor.


Here is Jeff with Jackson. Jackson's dad worked at Treasure Mt. with Jeff back in 1982 and 1983.

Thanks Jeff.

One of the great friends of Camp Loll over the years has been Donna Hutchins. Last winter I was contacted by her son Rod, who worked at Loll back in the 70's. Rod offered to give a gift to Loll in her memoriam. A gift from Donna's family. After some consultation a fireplace insert to replace the fireplace that was destroyed years ago when the room collapsed was decided upon.



This is how it has looked for nearly eight years.

Once more Loll was blessed. Brian Preece of Gas Products-Boise worked at Loll back in the early 90's. He agreed to donate his labor to install the beautiful gift the Hutchins have given. Brian arrived early Saturday morning; having spent the night in Idaho Falls. He and his crew went right to work. They were still at it the next morning.


They made the hole to fit. They were extremely careful not to make a mess.


The insert is a big one. They were not even available in this size until this spring.


Brian puts in the switches.


Brian measures for the trim, and will have ready to install at the Alumni Reunion this August.


Our generous friends and helpers bask in the warmth of the new fire, and of our gratitude.

Thank you Donna, Rod and family. And thanks to Brian and his crew.