Revisit Camp-O-Ramas Past!

1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 |1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000
| 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008

2009 | 2010

The Dutch Oven King

 June 18-20, 1993

 River Ranch, Nashua, IA

The first - perhaps the best. Who cares if it was the beginning of what is
now known as "The Flood of '93?". Paul even attended - we have pictures to prove it. The owner's daughter was observed getting her secret cigarette stash from the rafters in the bathhouse when she
was 'cleaning up'.

Amenities: Paddle boats/bumper boats, pinball, Hayrides, petting zoo & sauna.

 July 15-17, 1994

 Elkader City Park, Elkader, IA
Amenities: Swimming pool , tennis, horseshoes, volleyball, trails,
plenty of firewood, farmer's market (no sweet corn!) & Osborne Nature Center.

 1995:The Year Without a Camp-O-Rama :(

 July 11-15, 1996

 Back to River Ranch , Nashua, IA

Remember? The bees in the trees, the sand in the sauna and
the bumps in the hayride? Some future archeological dig will uncover Elling's lost glasses
from the paddle boat pond. The late night malts made things interesting.

And. . . the stories they told!

 July 10-14, 1997

 Camp At the Woods - Rock Falls, IA

Amenities: Swimming pool, game room, tubing, the"Tree", horseshoes, playground and fishing

Welcome to Elijah & Lauren for their first Camp-O-Rama!
Stormy Weather & High Water
Keg 'O Root Beer & Grilled Ostrich

 July 30- August 2, 1998

 Split Rock Park - Fredericksburg, IA

Amenities: Lake, Laughs, Buffalo Ranch

Ye Olde Rubber Raft Resurfaces . . . and. . . Still Holds Air!

Group Photo shows this was this year Sandii was on crutches and Saråh
sported a cast.

 June 17 -20, 1999

 Lake Hendricks - Riceville, Iowa

Happy Bithday Maggie!
Happy Father's Day!
Happy Anniversary Paula & Scott!

Amenities: Lake, Wild Banshees, Water Balloons (brrrrrr), no bugs, Butterfly garden,
Wapsi-Great Western Bike Trail & Maggie's 10th Birthday Party.

 June 15-16-17-18, 2000

 Cedar View Campground - Nashua, IA

River Ranch was totally flooded. Plan B called for the nearby city campground. Once scouters camp was set up Thurs. pm the tornado sirens went off in Nashua at 7:55pm followed by rain/rainbow/wind. After that all blew over it was c-c-c-ool. Things improved from there. The Dutch Oven beans were tasty but loud. There was corn but Mark missed it. Lots of card games goin' on. Mike and Deb took the kids swimming in Charles City. New bikes were properly broken in. We sang "Happy Birthday to Maggie" early. Camp-O-rama firsts: Ezra's first Camp-O-Rama, Microwave & Dutch Oven cooking at the campsite & Camp-O-Rama Car sales.

 June 14-15-16-17, 2001

 Lake Hendricks, Riceville, Iowa

Almost everyone missed the wicked weather & fantastic fish fry as they happened when base camp
was being set up. A wind tunnel did come through Saturday night just so everyone could get a taste, however. First Camp-O-Rama where Krispy Kreme doughnuts were served (Thanks, Glo!). Paula's Baby Shower.
 

 Amenities were in short supply so it was a bit more like 'roughin' it' than usual. Can we get a park ranger that
isn't tryin' to please the good ol' boys????

BECKY WE DON'T FORGIVE YOU!
(In fact, this link is for you)

 June 14-15-16, 2002

 Hickory Hills, LaPorte City, Iowa

Campfires - Playgrounds - Lake Access
Hiking Trails - Swimming Beach -
Fishing - Eating - Critters

Just remember:
Do NOT Drive on the Grass!

Click Here to See 2002 Photos!

The advantage of cool (cold?) weather and wind is No Bugs! The downside is that Kym probably wasn't real impressed on her first visit to camp. This was Maelyn's First Camp-O-Rama and Deb's first time commuting to Camp-O-Rama. Larry took the long route to camp as did Maggie to the pop machine. We celebrated Lauren's birthday with a Pinata and Princess party and pushed Deb "Over-The-Hill". Eric, Sarah and Laura had other sleepovers so they joined us Saturday.

All in all things worked out in spite of not being able to drive on the grass to load and unload.
Elling and Mark shared wood to make new friends.

 

 2003

We shared camp with the Moto-guzzi Rally again. Kids enjoyed late night swimming. Maggie was observed wearing turtle necks. The huge wood pile got smaller by the time we left.

Elkader, Iowa

 2004

 Rockwell, Iowa

 2005

The frogs 'sang' almost every night. Elijah, Ezra, Glo and Miranda came to visit. Joe's first Camp-O-Rama. Another glasses disaster in the swim pond - this time Laura's.

 Charles City, Iowa

 2006

Mike should not wander into the woods alone. He's likely to need to go get new glasses if he does. Pickles came to camp. Last camp-o-rama that provided showers at mom's house. Her oven worked well to deliver fresh, hot sweet rolls in the morning.

Riverside Park – Stacyville, Iowa

 2007

Camp was pretty muddy when we arrived but got better as things went on. Maggie and Joe were chaufeurred to camp by Jaqi. Luke & Miranda were sidelined by camp rangers that were big on rules enforcement. Some of us attended the awesome Fish Fry and Corn Feed potluck put on by the rangers - Flathead catfish is the best!

Black Hawk County Park – Cedar Falls, Iowa

 2008

We decided it was a good year to camp at a lake rather than a river with so many campgrounds flooded from the Flood of '08.

Lake Hendricks – Riceville, Iowa

CORN! CORN! CORN! Thanks to Scott & the Amish boys. Chops from the Locker made Sat. meal tasty. Mark bails on bringing butter, however. We need a guest book - lots of 'visitors' this year: Sarah (from Camp T) & Friend, Jake and owners. The weather was all around us but somehow we escaped it.

It was much quieter than earlier Riceville camp - by the time the rain came through Sat. pm we were the only survivors besides one camper in the upper level. The lower level has separate access due to damaged bridge. Sandii, Paula, Mike K. & the girls visited the library. Maelyn's #7 (x3=21 according to Mike H.) was Friday. Mike & Dar broke in their new Coleman tent.

Pie-iron burritos premiered on the menu.

 2009

Back to: Lake Hendricks – Riceville, Iowa

Broke the tradition of 'never the same place 2 years in a row' but it all worked out. The upper campgroup back corner is perfect for this gathering. Skirted the weather again for the most part.

Firsts this year: Stephanie and Duane Michael Kelly's inaugural Camp-o-rama. After the weather Thursday, I'm not sure Stephanie is game for this arrangement again. Alli visited with Eric and Tiffany, Ryan and Mark came for several feedings. This was also first camp for Gabe, Ryan and Jon. Daisy made a brief visit. We missed Jaci this year ;-(
although thought of her with camp shirts premiering. Concept by Maggie and Jaci; design by Stephanie.

Now here's a group of "Happy Campers" - well maybe once the tarp replaced the forgotten rain fly for the tent, the rain and thunder subsided and Duane got settled into camp and a little sleep deprivation:

Camp can be dangerous place. There weren't any bites or poison ivy this year but a dangerous accident occurred. This large tree branch fell on Sandii as she headed to the restrooms Sat. night.

It was some time before anyone came to her rescue or to administer first aide. The branch fell inexplicably. Campers in the surrounding area heard the limb crack and fall but assumed some kid was climbing where he shouldn't be.

Fishing wasn't great this year. Deb and Larry came Saturday and spent night at Mike's house in Osage (since no one was home). From there they met up with Ann and Vernal to celebrate their 25th anniversary.

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