Emeritus Director's Blog
May 2010
2010 Flood of the Century
Forty days and forty nights? No, only two days of constant pouring rain and Noah's ark was almost needed at Whippoorwill Farm Day Camp.
How do you accomplish a water rescue for a pig? The flood approached Milo's house on Sunday morning. Miss Duck was floating happily outside his door. As I looked in Milo's house, water surrounded my ankles. It would be impossible to get Milo out of his house. I watched awhile longer, hoping that I wouldn't have to put a chain on Milo's house and haul it up the hill. Luckily, the flood never went into Milo's house and the waters began to recede.
As for the other animals . . . the horses were in the high meadow; Buddy's goat house was high and dry; and the bunnies, chickens, and ducks were fine. As soon as the flood was over Milo was out surveying his pig paddock.
The next big question to answer was what had happened to the camp structures and campground. Once the water receded, we saw that the buildings were intact and undamaged. Even the potatoes, onions, and snow peas in the camp garden survived the deluge!
We have a great deal of clean-up ahead of us, but we will be ready for camp to open on June 1.
We lost half of the Billy Goat Gruff bridge, and most of the fencing in the field. The camp roads and parking lots are being put back together.
Many thanks to our friends and staff members who are helping us with repairs and clean up. We have a positive attitude and are looking forward to opening day for a fun-filled summer at Whippoorwill.
- Sidney