TBT: The Alleghany Rattler, August 1963: What Alleghany Means to Me

Editor’s Note:  As part of our year-long celebration of our 100th Year Anniversary (1922-2022), we’ll post a Throwback Thursday edition of our Alleghany Rattler Newspaper to give you a peek into life at camp across those 100 summers!

What does Alleghany mean to you? Marian Fisher writes about her experiences at Alleghany while reminiscing about her favorite activities and memories.

What Alleghany Means to Me

“We sing at Alleghany for everything we do”

Alleghany means much to each camper and counselor here. Perhaps this list will bring memories of happy occasions to all campers & to 80 years old.

“Loyalty and friendship surround us here at camp,” greeting old friends, making new friends, comradeship around campfire, songs in the dining hall, “I like bananas, coconuts, and grapes” in assembly, Uncle Bill’s, Gussie’s, Keimie’s, “Old Gray Mare,” Dottie’s Marian’s, Nancy’s, Emma Sue’s, at Vespers, “I go to the hills for the sound of music,” at campfire, “Here’s a Health,”  “Taps,” skills: new ones learned; polishing others -all with people who like to do what you do, overnights, _ hmmmm John Raids- hmmm, hmmm good food, the nightly visits of the skunks who come to see what food is left in the tents, Blue-Gray matches, rifle, tennis, whites on Sunday, visits from Mom and Dad, “Tent Inspection Blues,” Pixies, Greenbrier Dances with BOYS!!! the before and after chimes tent discussions with your counselor, the organization required for a trip to the showers, “The Lanterns Gleam” at dusk when you return to the tent to get ready for bed, milk and crackers, and like a goodnight prayer Chimes

No girl who has been a part of Alleghany, no matter how long, can ever forget these things and fail to be  a better person for having known them.  This spirit of Alleghany is what keeps girls eager to return to camp year after year. 

– Written by Marian Fisher