May 27, 2018. As we approach the one year anniversary since a number of us met in Burgdorf for a very special Camp Ohio reunion, a few people have commented on how nice it would be if we could have another reunion, but this time in North America. Some of the participants who were in Burgdorf wondered if a reunion held in North America in 2019 would be of interest to people, particularly those who were unable to come to Germany in 2017.
Here is what Marilyn Berezowsky, who was in Burgdorf last year with her husband Roman, had to say about her experience: “Last year my husband, Roman and I were fortunate to attend a Camp Ohio ‘reunion’ in Burgdorf, Germany. My husband, as a young child with his parents, lived in the camp for three years following the end of WWII. Up until our trip to Burgdorf, he had not told me very much about those early years of his life experience. Once we arrived at the train station, we were greeted by a volunteer who took us under his wing and drove us to our hotel, where we met other visitors and volunteers. We were quickly made to feel ‘at home’. It was such a privilege for me to witness the entire event from start to finish. I equate the experience to a family reunion, where there are mixed emotions and shared stories. It was a life changing experience for my husband as well as me. Forgotten memories flowed back to my husband and he began to talk positively about his experience living in Camp Ohio. In the brief time we were guests of the town of Burgdorf, friendships were forged. We appreciate all the hard work and long hours of planning and organization that went into this very successful event.”
Pieter and I also had very positive memories of the event, and were awed at the number of volunteers who helped make it such a success.
While we can’t hope to recreate such an event as was held in Burgdorf, we are willing to consider a reunion in 2019 in Prince Edward Island (on the east coast of Canada) if there is sufficient interest. It would be a chance to meet up with old friends, make new ones, share memories and photos. And, if you’ve never been to Prince Edward Island, you’re in for a treat: See https://www.tourismpei.com/
Here is a survey of interest that we hope you will be willing to fill out (even if the answer is ‘not interested’), which will help in deciding if a North America reunion is feasible, and to have an idea of what participants would like to do during a reunion: Preliminary Inquiry re Interest in a Camp Ohio Reunion
Please return this survey by July 15, 2018. If there is support for a reunion, this will give us time to organize and plan.
Do you have any anecdotes to share about Camp Ohio? Comments can be made on this blog or by sending an email to dariadv@yahoo.ca. Don’t forget to check out the photos on our website at http://www.dpcamps.org/burgdorf.html.
© Daria Valkenburg
Camp Ohio Research Project 