Memories of Sweyolakan, 1954-1955


1st break 1955, near McDonald Point
Camp Sweyolakan on Coeur d'Alene Lake, Idaho, as it was 65 years ago.

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From album of
Sylvia Engdahl
Unit Director,
1954-1955


2nd break 1955, at Powder Horn Point

Winter may come upon us
But memories linger yet.
The gypsy trail will never fail,
Nor gypsy hearts forget.

Most of these pictures are from counselor trips during the breaks between camp sessions.

Paddles away, my girls, paddles away!
Climb into your canoe and glide across the bay
Stroke, stroke, stroke!
We won't be back tonight, we'll camp on a far-off shore.
Sweyolaken, we'll return to you as gypsies forevermore.
We rove in gypsy bands, our home is on Mica Bay,
And we won't be back in camp again
Until that banquet day.
So carry on, fellow gypsies brave
Until we return once more,
And we'll all be back to camp next year
For the fun that we have in store.


2nd break 1954, south of Windy Bay


Gypsy Week 1954, near East Point


2nd break 1955, the 'P.D.' canoe
Vivian Allgaier, right


2nd break 1955, on the Coeur d'Alene river


1st break 1954, Sylvia Engdahl at Black Rock
2nd break 1955, camping at Powder Horn Point


2nd break 1955, Viv gathering firewood


2nd break 1955, campfire cooking


Gypsy Week 1954, in sleeping bags
2nd break 1954, at Chatcolet Lake


2nd break 1955, on the beach at Harrison



Our paddles flash o'er shimmering waters
Far away from Mica Bay,
Gypsies hear Sweyolakan calling, return, hmmm.
A-roll, arollaree, return to Sweyolakan,
A-roll, arollaree, back home to Sweyolakan.

Our gypsy spirits ever rising.
Floating down the open river,
Out across the far horizon we roam, on home.
A-roll, arollaree, return to Sweyolakan,
A-roll, arollaree, back home to Sweyolakan.
(Tune: "Across the Wide Missouri")

Gypsy Week 1955, Driftwood Point

2nd break 1955, paddling across the channel There are a lot
more pictures!

Camp life

Counselors

Downloadable PDF album