The Torch is passed - July 11, 1968  

      A single torch burned silently as the Kawaga Nation assembled in special council last night.  All was quiet as Lou entered the Council Ring, took the torch in hand, and lit the sacred fire, which waited to receive the flame from the perpetual Kawaga Torch.  As the flames grew in intensity, the Kawaga Nation broke into song, as the familiar strains of "Round the Campfire" filled the dimly lighted Council Ring.  A line from that song, "We have met in comradeship tonight," seemed to describe the general aura which the ceremony was taking on.

     A brief silence was broken by the letter "K," followed by the letter "A," and so it continued until "Kawaga" had been spelled out in a locomotive rhythm .

     "Show me the Scotchman who doesn't love the thistle.  Show me the Englishman who doesn't love the rose. Show me the true heart--son of Kawaga who doesn't love the spot where Kawaguesaga flows."  As these well known lyrics resounded in the night, the Kawaga Nation joined in the singing, exhibiting the pride one feels in being associated with Kawaga.

     Following the singing of  "Now Camping Men," Lou addressed the Kawaga Nation with a short history of camp, describing his early days at Kawaga as a ten year old camper, and his subsequent career at Kawaga.  Lou closed his speech by saying:

     "Time hurried along and in 1940, Doc E retired and I became Director.
     Success of Kawaga depends on not one individual, but is a combination
     of loyal alumni, campers, Parents, and Staff.  As Director I can only set
     the tempo and I am eternally grateful to the hundreds of Kawagians for
     your devotion for these many years.

     " Kawaga is not just another camp-Kawaga is a heritage and a way of
     life.  "As God Gave us the Fire, So Gave He Us the Warmth of Friendship,'
     I am sure is as deeply engraved in your hearts as well as mine, This devotion,
    this Love-was inherited by me from Doc E, and it has been my proud privilege
     to carry on and not only perpetuate, but to add to and increase.

     "God blessed me with two wonderful daughters-though I was not fortunate
     enough to have a Son, which of itself has complicated the problem of carrying
     on all that Kawaga has stood for."

     "There is always a solution to every problem-the Life and Continuance of
     Kawaga-with all that it means-has of the past few years been of concern
      of  both Dag and me.

     "Both Dag and I know that you will be proud of our choice of a man and
     his wife who will carry on, enlarge, and elaborate on all that Kawaga means.
     A man well endowed mentally and physically-I am proud to announce to
     you the future Director of Kawaga for the season of 1969-and know that
     your loyalty of Kawaga will be transferred to him."

     "Dag and I will remain as consultant Directors-so, proudly, and with a
     prayer for guidance from the GREAT SPIRIT to their success, I present
     to you, Ron and Liz, the Perpetual Torch of Kawaga."

    As Lou passed the torch to Ron, there were tears in the eyes of many-not tears of
Sadness, but tears of joy in knowing that Dag and Lou, putting Kawaga first, had chosen
"a man and his wife" who would carry on the ideals of Kawaga.  As he accepted the torch
for the season of 1969, Ron mad the following speech:

    "As you can well imagine, this is a wonderful evening for Liz and me, 
    for Lou's announcement means that a life-long dream has come true for both of us.  
    I hope that some day you will all know the mixture of emotions that we feel tonight; 
    how proud we are to be associated with Kawaga; how grateful we are to Lou and Dag
    for their willingness to act as consultants in the future.

    "Lou and Dag have given of themselves to build a camp, 
    and the spirit of Kawaga reflects the quality of their devotion.  
    This is what makes Kawaga so much more than a collection of 
    tennis courts and motorboats and baseball bats.  It is based on a proud tradition, 
    which is nourished each year by the occupants of Bide-A-Wee.  
    It is this spirit which we will accept in trust from Lou and Dag, 
    so that they may be confident that, like our campfire blazing here, 
    we will rekindle the fires of Kawaga's spirit each summer.

    "Yes, Lou and Dag have built more than a camp, for "Kawaga" is really a way of life.  
    Tonight I pledge myself to those principles and goals begun by Doc E 
    and enlarged and improved upon by Lou, so that they will continue to live
    in the minds and hearts of loyal Kawaga men.

    " Men of Kawaga, I speak to you who are assembled here tonight 
    and to all those who are here in spirit when I say: 
    With your help and loyalty we can see to it that 1969 Kawaga remains Kawaga, 
    a new captain at the helm but with course unaltered."

     As "the curtain of night" were being pinned back by the stars, 
the Kawaga Nation again broke into song with:

    When the curtains of night
    Are pinned back by the stars
   And the beautiful moon leaps the sky
   I'll remember you , Kawaga, in my prayers.

Following the "Curtains of Night, " Lou led the Kawaga Nation in the singing of Kawaga's challenge song, "Comrades-Kinsmen."  Then, the assembled braves, realizing that Camp Kawaga is but a minute part of a complex society, sang: 
    "Peace I Ask of Thee O River, Peace, Peace, Peace.  
    From the hills I gather courage, visions of the days to be.
    Peace I Ask Of Thee O River, Peace, Peace, Peace."

     Tom Jaggers, who has been associated with Kawaga for 9 years, stepped forward and sang the very beautiful "Kawaga" to the tune of "Edelweiss," a song which Tom wrote a few years ago for one of our Counselor Plays.

    The special ceremony was nearly ended, and Gene Farrell, Kawaga's Head Counselor gave his thoughts on his association with Lou, Dag, and Kawaga.

    "It was a cold, wintry day when Lou introduced himself to me, 
    but the warmth of his handshake and hearty greeting was the beginning of a glowing friendship 
    for Lou, Dag, and Kawaga-a friendship that I know will continue to endure.

     "He spoke of the campers first and foremost, next the camp, then of his helpmate, Dag.  
     Little note was made of his personal attributes,
     and only after close association does one understand the loves of his life: 
    The campers, the camp, a continuing tribute to his hopes and purpose for you, the youth of Kawaga.  
    It is with this in mind that Dag and Lou personally selected Liz and Ron to continue 
    the purpose and aspirations that are Kawaga.

    " From the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi:

    Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console:
    To be understood and to understand
    For it is in giving that we receive.

    " With this thought we extend our heartfelt thanks to Lou and Dag for 
    the opportunity to be a part of the Kawaga Nation.

    " And now that the Torch has passed for the season of 1969, our best wishes go to 
    Ron and Liz for success, and the Kawaga tradition; and may the fire continue to
    BURN BRIGHTLY, BURN WARMLY, BURN CHEERFULLY, and BURN STRONGLY."

     The ceremony closed with the singing of our Camp Prayer Song, "Marchetta," which ends, "Great Spirit of Camping, we pray, " and the singing of Taps.