Smith-Walbridge Camp was founded in 1949 in Syracuse, Indiana. It was the first camp of its kind to host a variety of clinics related to high school and collegiate bands. This included camps for cheerleaders, baton twirlers, drum majors, color guards and marching and concert bands. Original amenities included a recreation center, camp cabins and parade grounds.
The camp is still in operation today and provides high energy activities related primarily to marching bands. This includes drum major, color guard and mace and signal baton instruction and training.
Rights Statement for the photos below for which copyright is undetermined.
Smith-Walbridge Twirling Camp,1950
Front Row: Rexalie Westhouser (Sawger, Michigan), Connie Norlin (Holland, Michigan). Second Row: Nancy Taher (Middleville, Michigan), Karla Kenney (Muskegon, Michigan), Carolyn Brumett (New Carlisle, Indiana), Eileen Claeys (South Bend, Indiana), Barbara Eherhort (New Carlisle, Indiana), Gary Smith (Syracuse, Indiana), Ann Rita Ekstrone (New Carlisle, Indiana). Back Row: Sharon O’Connor (Grand Rapids, Michigan), Diane Hunt (Indianapolis, Indiana).
1953
Hilda Mauldin (North Carolina), Ruth Eichsledt (Wisconsin), Donna Zierks (Dundee, Illinois), Billie Thompson (North Carolina), Darlene Morrow (Lapaz, Indiana), Ley Ann Van Sickle (Lebanon, Indiana), Marlene Redmier (Dundee, Illinois), and Majorie Kaiser (Edon, Ohio).
Smith-Walbridge Twirling Camp, 964
Drum majors and a twirler pose for a photo at Camp Smith-Walbridge, 1964 Source: Gary Ringler; Copyright Undetermined.
1960s
Parade Grounds at Camp Smith-Walbridge. Source: Gary Ringler. Copyright Undetermined.
Date Unknown
Color Guard at Smith-Walbridge Camp
Date Unknown
Recreation Hall at Smith-Walbridge Camp
Date Unknown
This is a postcard of a cabin at Smith-Walbridge Camp.