What's In A Name?

Gleanings from reading old Millwheel newsletters, written by Lynn Richardson:

In January of 1958, the Millwheel printed this happy announcement: " 93 more! " "A big 93 acres has been added to Camp Julia Crowell. It includes the rest of our lovely Lake Linnea which was named for our own Linnea Friede ( Mrs. Henry Friede) and has two very usable dwellings on the shores of the lake. We are looking to the future to meet our camping needs. We will all need to work doubly hard on the cookie sale this year.."

In early November of that year , a camping leadership program was held at "South House" (now Amity) on the "new West Richfield property".  By January of 1959, troop camping reservations were being accepted for North House.  In descriptions of summer camp, the new and old acreage together were simply called "Camp Julia Crowell."

The Jan/Feb 1960 issue featured an entry form to "Help name the West Richfield Property " with the hint: "Some have suggested an international name would be good".  The May/June 1960 issue was printed in green ink to acknowledge the dedication of the newly named Camp Hilaka.  No mention is made of the origin of the name. In the September /October issue, the answer to the mystery is buried on page 7 in a one-time column called "The Question Box": 

"Q. What is the correct pronunciation of our new camp “Hilaka”? Is the “a” long or short?

A. The “a” is long. Think of the HIGH LAKE ( higher than the adjoining lake at Camp Julia Crowell) then add an “UH” for good measure! The Board of Directors made the final selection of the name from the many sent in. Congratulations to Mrs. Edwin H. Smith of the Camping Committee who suggested “Hilaka” - Lydia Jackson ( Mrs. Wm. D ) Chairman, screening committee"

Use of the new name was very fluid.  The names "Camp Hilaka" and "Camp Linnea" are used to mean either the land itself or a particular resident camp program in both The Millwheel and in resident camp director reports.  Frequently, the full 350 acres was still collectively called Camp Julia Crowell.  The 1964 summer camp notice states there are four camps available to Lake Erie Girl Scouts:  Camp Ruth Weigand, Camp Margaret Bates, Camp Linnea, and Camp Julia Crowell. Another announcement in this same issue refers to a meeting in Amity House at Hilaka!

The original northern boundary of CJC is indistinct. The border of the former Kirby estate ran through the upper lake, but even the description on the deed is difficult to interpret because it's measured in chain lengths and there are no landmarks listed.  The Gas Cut, which became a functional boundary between Crowell and Hilaka, was NOT the edge of any property.  In the March/April 1966 issue, there is a photo of a donor presenting a check for the pool to be built at Julia Crowell.  Following issues locate the pool in Hilaka. By 1969, program announcements were consistent in naming two dististinct camps.  By 1982, the property was being called by the single name:  "Crowell/ Hilaka".

Change is in the very nature of language. But change happens for reasons.  I am especially intrigued by the early discrepency in the name of the north 93 acres:  sometimes Hilaka, sometimes Linnea, sometimes nothing at all - just part of CJC. Was there some hidden power struggle going on?  Between who?  and why?  We may never know.

Names can be a powerful way to influence thinking.  I'll be the first to admit that the "hypenated" name of Crowell/Hilaka is slightly awkward.  It would have been much simpler if they has just enlarged CJC in 1958 without trying to re-name a piece of it.  But since they attached this second name, to drop either one is to diminish its importance.  I've heard comments like this: "if it wasn't for the water treatment being on the Crowell side, they'd have sold that part off long ago".  As if the "Crowell side" was nothing but a treatment plant.  As if High Lea shelter, the swinging bridge, the valley, the waterfall, Kirby House, Hilltop, Garfield, Cricket's Corners, the barn, the Oxbow, the mill, and all the beauty of the land were not worth keeping.

On the other hand, I would not object to a full re-naming. Since Crowell/Hilaka encompasses so much more than what is traditionally thought of as a camp, a unique designation would be appropriate.  One that reflected a retreat, a safe fortress, or a realm of the imagination.  Maybe just "The Realm".  Maybe with a donor's name attached. How does " The Realm Shaquille" strike you?