Manchester girl working to help Camp Talahi

Annie Tamagne (left), with her fellow campers in her first year at Camp Talahi in 2008. Also pictured from Manchester are Rebecca Allen, Hannah Sucha, and Brooke Primeau, who lived in Manchester at the time but has since moved.

Many Manchester youth have attended Camp Talahi, located near Howell, over the years. For decades, the camp was owned and exclusively supported by the United Church of Christ (UCC), but since 2012 has been its own, separate 501(c)3, now known as The Camp Talahi Retreat and Nature Center.

Annie Tamagne, who grew up in Manchester and graduated in 2015, has been part of the Camp Talahi Community since her first year of camp experience in 2008. It has become her "second home" and she returns each year to give back some of what she received as a young camper.

As a Counselor In Training (CIT) for four years, Annie connected with dozens of younger campers and says her experiences there helped influence her decision to become a teacher, a goal she is pursuing by studying Comprehensive Language Arts at Eastern Michigan University. Now in her fourth year at EMU, she's eager to continue her studies and edging closer to that goal. Even so, she continues to give her time and talents to Camp Talahi as a counselor and a volunteer for the past six years.

"It has helped me get out of my comfort zone," she says.

Camp Talahi is open to all youth--regardless of religious affiliation (or lack thereof)--and is inclusive to all. There is even a retreat offered for transgender youth and their families. Camp Talahi offers children with a safe place to explore nature and outdoor experiences in a small group setting. Its traditional Summer Camp program is available for children in grades K-9. Camp sessions are held weekly, according to age group and interests; typically running five nights, but they also offer a shorter 3-night “mini camp” option for the youngest campers. Traditional activities include sitting around a campfire telling ghost stories, singing songs, and making s'mores; playing games, and opportunities for boating, swimming, horseback riding, and much more.

Annie's favorite, however, is Adventure Camp, which she says is "super popular" with most of the kids who come to Talahi. This camp, for older campers, focuses on learning more advanced skills, including canoe trips, activities with horses, talent shows, an adventure course, and much more.

With almost 100 years of camping history, there are of course scores of stories about camp. Annie calls the Camp Talahi Community a "family," and she means that in both the literal and figurative sense. "There are couples who trace their relationship to meeting at camp years ago," she adds. "Generations of kids have come to camp; and I even found out when manning a booth at the Summer Festival, that Dianne Schwab, who lives in Manchester, attended Camp Talahi when she was younger."

Campers stay in one of two large dorm-style buildings, Ridgeview or Lakeview. Each cabin has two large sleeping areas and a common area. Bathrooms are attached and have multiple stalls and private showers. Meals are served three times a day in the main Lodge. Evening snacks are served and campers always have a chance to grab a bite at the Camp Store. Camperships are available for those who need financial assistance. No one should miss out on camp due to the cost! For more information about camping scholarships, contact info@camptalahi.org.

Now, after nearly a century, the UCC would like to sell the property to the Camp's own non-profit entity to help lower its costs, and other long-term obligations. So, Camp Talahi Retreat and Nature Center is trying to raise funds to make this purchase, along with a reserve for ongoing stewardship and maintenance of the property and to keep camp a viable reality for kids throughout Michigan and across the United States. The total amount that is being sought is $1 million.

"(Camp Talahi) is such an amazing sanctuary for youth," Annie says. "But the camp community consists largely of young adult campers, volunteers, and board members. So we need to look beyond our small group and gain support from a wider community."

A series of different GoFundMe drives have been organized over the past several months by members of the camp community. Annie herself plans to "donate her birthday" on Facebook to raise funds for Camp Talahi  as part of her own effort to help raise awareness for this large scale fund-raiser.

Annie emphasizes that the camp is not "endangered," but to keep it running now and for years to come, the current board and community wish to ensure its future by raising this large endowment. Manchester is always good at rising to the occasion when there is a need. Consider making an investment in the future of our youth and others from around the state.

For more information on donating directly to Camp Talahi, go to http://camptalahi.org/make-a-donation/; "friend" Annie on Facebook to be able to make a donation through her personal fund-raiser; or mail a check payable to "Camp Talahi Retreat and Nature Center" to 6458 Richardson Road, Howell, MI 48843. 

Canoeing at Adventure Camp

A group of Talahi campers in 2015. Annie Tamagne is pictured in front on the right.

"Hungry, hungry Humans" is one of the fun camp games enjoyed at Adventure camp.

Water sports are always part of the fun at camp.

The lodge at Camp Talahi

A group of campers at Camp Talahi in the 1950s

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.