Camp Owatonna Glossary

Camp Owatonna Glossary

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Allagash River	A river and large wilderness area located nearly five hours northeast of Camp Owatonna near Baxter State Park. A popular site for the annual CIT overnight trip. The Allagash winds through several lakes and contains some exciting stretches of white water.
Beach Trail	The rockier of the two trails which lead from the lower end of the grove to the Owatonna Beach.
Birches, The	A cabin located near the Director's Cottage where the Christian Science Nurse is on duty. A warm, inviting place to have some quiet time.
Bridgton	A small Maine town located on the other side of Long Lake from Camp Owatonna. Bridgton is home to Four on the Fourth, Highland Lake, and the Magic Lantern movie theater.
Bug Juice	The beverage of choice. Any powder based flavored drink qualifies (e.g. Kool-Aid; Flavor-Aid; Wylers).
Cabin Night	A popular evening activity where each Cabin does its own activity. Popular Cabin Nights have involved canoeing into Harrison, a small hike (e.g. Bear or Pleasant Mountain), Biking, the Rope Swing, or Tubing.
Capture the Flag	One of the most popular evening activities. The campers are split into two teams. The dividing line has historically been from the corner of the Rec Hall up to Cabin Zero. Safety Zones are located near the former clay tennis court and on the football field. The flags are usually located on the pitcher's mound of the baseball field and near or on the basketball court. Jails have been located near the former Riflery Range and the Martin House.
Cherry Island	A small island one eighth of a mile from the Owatonna Beach. The Cherry Island Swim Test involves swimming from the Owatonna Beach to a large rock just short of the island and then back to the beach. In order for Owatonna Braves to participate in water sports such as Water Skiing and Wind Surfing, they must pass this test. The island was home to an A-Frame tent platform which burned in the 1980s.
Chocorua	Also known as Mount Chocorua. This peak is about 10 miles west of Center Conway, New Hampshire. Mount Chocorua is the home of the Grand Shaman, who travels quite a distance to meet each week with the Braves of Owatonna.
Congo Bars	A favorite camp dessert which is essentially a variation on the traditional Toll House pan cookie bar. The recipe is supposedly locked away in secrecy. All campers usually must prepare an original chant or song to receive the prized dessert first.
Council Fire	Weekly gathering of Owatonna Braves. See Council Fire Page.
Council Ring	The primary location for Saturday Evening Council Fire. The entrance to the Ring is located off of the Beach Trail just behind the Lighthouse. The entrance is lined with painted rocks representing former campers and counselors.
Counselor's Cabin	The large cabin located on the road to Newfound contains a large living room, kitchen, and upstairs. Maintenance uses the basement as their headquarters. Used as a Winter storage facility for much of the camping and sporting gear. Also, a retreat for counselors on their day off. Rumoured to be a popular site for secret rendezvous.
Crescent Beach	Crescent Beach State Park is located in Cape Elizabeth just about eight (8) miles south of Portland. It has been a popular spot in recent years for the camp day trip to the ocean, often occurring during changeover weekend.
Dairy Queen	Affectionately known as "DQ". Once a popular off-camp destination usually reserved for rewarding the end of a successful trip or inter-camp sporting contest. The nearest DQ is now located in North Windham. Other DQs in Bridgton and North Conway closed in the 1980s.
Dreamland	A small cabin located behind the Arts & Crafts shop. Formerly a small outhouse.
Excellent	Receiving a score of 8 or higher in the daily cabin inspection. Not to be confused with "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure".
Evening Activity	An all-camp activity which occurs after dinner. Some of the popular evening activities have been Capture the Flag; Battleship; Gitchee-Goomee (counselor hunt); and Clubs. Wednesday evenings are usually testimony meetings and Friday evenings are social events with Camp Newfound.
Flagpole	Large rock cropping by the lodge where cabins assemble for the raising and lowering of the flag before Breakfast and Dinner respectively.
Four on the Floor	The common bathroom attached to the north end of the Lodge. Not to be confused with Four on the Fourth.
Four on the Fourth	An annual four mile race in Bridgton to celebrate the Fourth of July. First run in 1976. Not to be confused with Four on the Floor.
Freeport	A popular destination for Staff days off. This Maine town is north of Portland and about one hour from Camp Owatonna. Freeport is home to numerous outlet shops and the home of the L.L. Bean Retail Store.
Fryeburg	A small Maine town west of Bridgton near the New Hampshire state line. Home to the nearest Christian Science church, the State Fair grounds, the Fryeburg Fair, and the usual start of the Saco River Trip at the Swans Falls Campground.
Great Race, The	A large relay race encompassing the entire camp grounds. Part of the Saturday team competition. First run in 1979. The race was originally run on the Saturday afternoon of the sixth weekend as part of Team Competition. In recent year, the Great Race is held on the morning of the Banquet (usually Thursday) as one of the final events to earn team points.
Grove, The	The common area in front of the Braves, Warriors, and Chiefs cabins. Just north of the Lodge.
Hairbrush Island	A small island (larger than Cherry) located off the Newfound point. A sandbar links Newfound to the island. Hairbrush has generally been the site of the Owatonna water skiing program. Two lean-tos are located on the island for camping.
Harrison	The town that Camp Owatonna is located in. The small town center consists of a post office, Market Basket (general store), gas station, and a few boating supply stores. Every July, Harrison is home to "Old Home Days", local fair featuring a midway of thrill rides.
Headquarters	The cabin where the Head Counselor resides during the camp season.
Hydrodyne	The staple of the Owatonna Water Skiing program for nearly 20 years. The fiberglass competition boat was introduced in 1976 (Newfound obtained one in 1978) and outlasted at least three outboard engines before being retired in the early 1990s.
Inspection	A required morning activity where campers (and counselors, too) clean up the cabin. The actual inspection occurs while campers attend the Morning Meeting. The inspection is conducted and evaluated against the highest standards. All cabins start with a score of 10, and points are deducted for deficiencies in many categories including: clothesline, cobwebs, floor, bunks, shoes, and waste basket.
Junior Division	Collective grouping of Scouts and Braves.
Kathadin	The highest point in Maine. Located nearly five hours northeast of Camp in the secluded wilderness of Baxter State Park, this jagged peak rises over 5200 feet above sea level. Kathadin is the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail and has been home to many exciting overnight camp trips.
Kerosene	Substance used to turn the Council Fire into a sweat producing inferno.

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