Things to Take Home from Camp

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Tahoe’s deep blue sparkle

The moonlight’s silver shine

Friendship’s golden promise

The grandeur of the pine.

The little lovely feeling

The campfire brings to you

The knowledge always present

Of hearts that are kind and true.

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Written by Wilma “Birch” McFarland​

Wilma (Birch) was born in Iowa, one of five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Daniel McFarland, farmers living in a small town. Her Uncle, Dr. James Helms,  started the Goodwill Industries.

 

Birch moved with her family to Grant’s Pass, Oregon in the early 1900’s. She enrolled in Oregon State College to complete her teaching degree. Attending Washington State College, San Jose State and Columbia University, she completed her graduate work in teaching.

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While on a visit to see her sister, she decided to relocate to Modesto. She was hired to teach at Modesto High School, and shortly thereafter, asked to be the Chairman of the Domestic Science Department. In 1926, she was solicited to be the Chairman of the Domestic Science Department at Modesto Junior College. She accepted the position and was instrumental in the planning of new classes, the using of teaching methods based on the interests of students, and in going beyond the call of duty to assist young people to progress on to earn higher degrees. Colleagues at Modesto Junior College said, as reported in the September 26,1952 college newspaper, The Collegian, “She was a devoted teacher, and her sole concern was the students.”

 

Wilma McFarland established the first Girl Scout troop in Stanislaus County. 

 

Her interest in working with girls led her to open her own camp in 1932. Camp Talawanda, located at Lake Tahoe, became the place where campers and counselors, for eight weeks during the summer, could live, learn and enjoy nature together. She continued to be the director of the camp, enriching the lives of one hundred or more girls each summer until she retired after the summer of 1966. 

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A reunion of girls attending Camp Talawanda during those thirty-six years was held in January of 1979. At least seventy people attended the special event, many coming from across the country to pay tribute to Birch. Others sent flowers, telegrams and letters to her to express their appreciation and love for her.

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Her brother, Jim McFarland, sent the following letter:

“I have often thought what a lot of influence you have been in the life of so many girls!

 I am sure that I don’t know anywhere that girls could go to get that same quality of influence.

 I don’t suppose the girls themselves realize what they are getting out of camp

 and contact with you, but they will probably look back at it after the years of 

understanding arrive and say, “God Bless you, Birch.” (2)

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When retiring from Modesto Junior College n 1952, after twenty-six years of service, Wilma McFarland continued down the path of assisting others. She became even more active in civic groups and Methodist Church activities. She purchased a cattle ranch in Placerville and went into the business of cattle raising with her adopted son, James Helms. She became a realtor in Placerville and Modesto. She built houses in Modesto including her own. She passed her broker’s test with high honors, as she did the Justice of the Peace examinations.

 

In 1941, she was recognized as an outstanding woman in Modesto’s business and professional by the Modesto Tribune Newspaper. “She takes matters in her own hands and stands up and does things,” said the article.  Forty-one years later this was still true of Wilma McFarland. Her strength and vision were a comfort to all who knew her. Her energy and enthusiasm for living was a model for all who came in contact with her. The Tribune article closed with, “If the recording angel is taking notes, he will say to the traveler who reaches the gates simultaneously with Miss McFarland, “You go on, travel some more, it will be awfully dull for you here, but she is different. We need people like her to cheer and comfort the other angels.”

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Wilma “Birch” McFarland died June 1, 1982, leaving family and friends a legacy of strength, generosity, enthusiasm and concern for all people, especially the young. (1)

 

(1). Article taken from a letter written in 1982 by Carla Crippen, a camper and counselor at Camp Talawanda. Carla nominated Birch for Pioneer Woman of the year. 

 

(2) Letter written in 1948 from Jim McFarland to his sister, Wilma McFarland.