CALLING page 16

Right Chuck and Marlene
Toby: A camping spirit.

a.

Below: A Shalom Campers
dinner table, circa 1970
extends to the horizon.

out. He had to break in to the

grounds. Some of those kids I
knew better than my own rela-
tives."
A quarter-century and a life-
time of memories later, the group
will gather for a 25th reunion on
Sunday, Aug. 3. The event, which

will feature a kosher dinner,
is planned for 2 p.m. at the
Sylvan Lake Community
Center. Current and former
campers from all around the
country are expected to at-
tend.
In addition to the usual
Shalom Campers feast,
games and movies, plenty of
memories will be on tap.
'We started out friends and be-
came like a family," Marlene
Toby said of the tightly knit com-
munity. "Many of us are still very
close."
Marlene started Shalom

Campers to provide a healthy
Jewish social setting for her four
children. According to her daugh-
ter, Sheryl Toby, the plan
worked.
"When I first heard about it, I
said, 'You've got to be kidding.
You want to do what?' But after
a while, I didn't want to miss
even one."
Once the trips got under way,
Sheryl and her new friends
quickly bonded and spent
much of their time playing vol-
leyball, swimming and singing
songs around a campfire. They
started thinking of themselves as

a club within a club and adopted
a niclmame: the Schlepp Alongs.
The Schlepp Alongs held a re-
union of their own earlier this
year. For many, it was the first
time they had seen their old
friends in nearly two decades.
Enthusiasm for Shalom
Campers hit a peak in those ear-
ly years, and it wasn't long before
two offshoot organizations, the
Chai Campers (1973) and the
Mazel Campers (1974), were
founded. Many members be-
longed to more than one group at
the same time.
As the activities had broad ap-
peal and the expenses associat-
ed with the trips were minimal,
the club drew participants from
all economic and professional
backgrounds. Orthodox, Conser-
vative and Reform Jews ate to-
gether at the long, winding
tables. Families provided their
own main dishes and brought
plates to pass.
"If there was one thing the
Shalom Campers did, it was eat
well," Marlene Toby said.
Outings to the Irish Hills,
Faulkwood Lake, Groveland
Oaks and areas near Brighton,
Monroe and Frankenmuth gen-
erated large turnouts. Families
came in mobile homes, trailers,
pop-up campers and other recre-
ational vehicles.

Sack races, corn roasts, rock
hunts, sing-alongs, pot-luck din- )
ners and Shabbat observances —\
kept interest high. During the
club's first 10 years, there was
virtually no noticeable fall-off in
participation.
Off-season events, such as an
annual election of officers and
installation dinner, Chanukah
parties and fund-raisers, also
tended to keep the group close.
As time went on, though,
some members moved away or ' 1.=\
retired, and the children grew
up and got busy starting their
own careers and families. As a
result, membership declined to
a smaller, but still energetic, fol-
lowing.
Now that the children of the
second generation of campers
are past the diaper-wearing
stage, Marlene Toby is hoping
the younger adults will contin-
ue the traditions of the Shalom
Campers.
"We want to see some young
Turks come in here," she said. "I
think, more than ever, children
need those types of family ac-
tivities."

June Cigars of theMOilth

WEINMAUB

J EWELERS

Closed Mondays for
June, July, and August
Open Tuesday — Saturday 10-5

announces...

Summer Hours 29536 Northwestern • 3574000

SEIKO
Citizen

Noblia
LaSalle

■■ •

Give them

/

-

Macanudo . and
Partagas . Samplers

HI MUM: W3UN for Father's Day. $4$.35
ado El

Michigan's Most Complete Tobacconist

JEWELERS
EINTRAUB
In Store Specials Everyday

Sunset Strip 29536 North-western Hwy.
Southfield • (248) 357-4000

'Touts: Tues.-Sat 10-5

illimidor One

20000 W. TEN MILE ROAD • SOUTHFIELD, MI 48075
(NW Corner of Evergreen/Ten Mile Rd., off the Lodge Freeway or 1-696)
Phone 248-356-4725 • 248-356-4600 • Fax 248-356-4726

