Summer camp, in general, is full of tradition and legacy. It’s one of the many things that makes camp such an incredible experience. Whether it’s a unique location, a storied leader, the beginnings of Christmas in July, or historic structures on the National Register, tradition and legacies help tell each camp’s story. While there are many traditions here at Keystone Camp that have shaped us over the past 110 years, there is one figure in particular who left an indelible legacy.
Ms. Bertha was a legend. For 44 summers, she ran the Keystone kitchen and served up some of the best food I have ever eaten in my life. She was a grandmotherly figure in my life from the very beginning. When I was a kid, I hated breakfast, but I ate her scrambled eggs like they were going out of style. She made the very best fried chicken, chicken salad, and banana pudding that you could imagine. She was even the one who could get my brother to try a green vegetable.
Before my family moved to Brevard, we commuted with Ms. Bertha up from Jacksonville, Florida. We’d make a mandatory stop at Maurices Piggie Park in Columbia, SC, before heading up the mountain to Brevard, where she would live in the house beside the dining hall all summer. I’d often sit with her on her porch at the end of the night and she would tell me stories about my mom when she was little. She’d talk about my grandparents and share memories from the days when my grandfather ran the show.
Her grandmotherly presence didn’t stop at me and my family. She exuded warmth and comfort to whoever passed through the kitchen. Campers and counselors alike came and sat next to her in the kitchen where she’d share advice and comfort. Many alums would come back year after year and always pop in to say hello.
Ms. Bertha would get to the kitchen at 5:30 in the morning to make her famous french toast or pancakes. As she got older, she’d sit in her chair as she got older and did prep work from a strategic spot next to the prep table. She had an eye on everything, and she had an eye for what worked and what didn’t in the kitchen. She would hand bread and fry every single piece of chicken on Sundays. She meant more to camp than words can describe, and when I close my eyes I can see her in her chair, breading chicken or taste testing a recipe.
We lost Ms. Bertha just before summer 2020. The pandemic was in full swing, and we had managed to work out how to get camp open for the summer. It was an incredibly uncertain time, but camp managed to pull through. In the years since, the loss of Ms. Bertha has been felt immensely. It’s a bit like a gear that can’t seem to go one full rotation without skipping a notch. The food has been inconsistent, underwhelming, and unappealing. We’ve gotten a lot of feedback that you need more from us, and we hear you.
The dining hall, center of the universe and home to all things flavor and fuel, is getting a new team. Kandle is a certified woman-owned food service company we are proud to partner with this summer. They have a successful history of working with summer camps to create incredible menus that appeal to many different palates. And, they understand how summer camps function. From our initial conversation to our meetings this winter, their knowledgeable team has taken a lot of time to get to know Keystone and our many dining hall traditions. Fried chicken and cookies and cream ice cream on Sunday? Absolutely. Spaghetti on the first night? You bet. A full salad bar with all the fixings? Wouldn’t even dream of leaving that out. And we can’t forget the peanut butter squares!
This transition brings up a lot of feelings for me, including how much I miss Ms. Bertha. When I needed a hug, she was always there. Sometimes I wonder what she would think of all this, but knowing how fiercely she loved camp, I know she would be happy about us working with such a professional team to bring the very best food to the dining hall.
You can read more about Kandle here. And, if you’re the parent of a camper with a food allergy, you’ll hear from us soon with a separate form to complete specifically for Kandle. Summer 110 is going to be the best yet, and I can’t wait to see what it has in store for us. T minus 33 days!
Love, Catherine
