This is
"Nick."
Ray "Nick" Nicholson was the owner/operator of Camp
Manitou. During one of the camp's famous canoe trips, the F.B.I.
was waiting for "Nick" in Indian River, Michigan!
It seems as though someone alleged that "Nick" was much
more interested in the
campers (young boys) than a camper director ought to be...in
August of 1962,
such allegations could result in federal charges....hence, the
F.B.I.
They took "Nick" away. Stunned counselors were left with rounding up the campers, storing all the camp property, and closing the place up! Horrified parents broke world-land speed records driving to the Douglas Lake campsite to pick up their sons! Other campers were driven to Detroit by counselors to catch trains back to their hometowns.
To this day, no one that I know knows for certain whatever happened to "Nick." During an excursion to the old campsite circa 1980, I took many of the photographs you see on the Camp Manitou HomePage. The old campsite was still there, but in the process of being parceled and sold as very expensive lots for summer homes. The development is called "Manitou Shores." I spoke with a couple who were in the process of building their vacation home about where the "Wonder Bar" stood. They had heard bits and pieces of the Camp Manitou story, but seemed genuinely interested in having me fill in the "gaps" for them! The original Camp Manitou caretaker was still living in a cabin at the far end of the campsite. My wife and I talked with him at length about old Camp Manitou.
Then we drove around the area, and I managed to find the 1961 "Honor Board" sitting in an antique shop in the area! I almost flipped, and, of course, bought the thing immediately. Also found some original Camp Manitou T-Shirts and shorts, and bought those too!
"Manitou Builds Men"
(well...sort of!)
Click HERE to return to the Camp Manitou HomePage!