Ogichi's 'Dirty Dogs' Learn New Tricks

By Kathy Dix

A smiling pack of Dirty Dogs carries firewood down from Bart’s maintenance shop last summer. (Liz Hattemer)

On any given day at Ogichi, you might spot a pack of Dirty Dogs roving the campus, doing all sorts of extra community service. Sometimes, they travel in packs of eight, all the same age. Other times, they move in larger groups made up of various ages. You might see them singing or laughing as they work—even dancing. Occasionally, their outlook isn’t so rosy.

So what’s behind their temporary title? A poor showing during a cabin inspection.

The members of each “porch”—there are two porches, or sides, to an Ogichi cabin—have a job to do together each morning before heading off to their activities. Beds must be made, shoes lined up, clothes tucked away in drawers, floor swept, bathrooms cleaned, wet clothes hung to dry and the light (if they have one) turned off.

The eight campers and two staff women in each porch are expected to do their share of the work. A cabin inspector then rewards the members of each porch with the designation of Clean Cats or the temporarily dishonorable title of Dirty Dogs.

No fear: The Dirty Dogs are given many more opportunities to learn how to clean better. Practice makes perfect, and they are quick learners.

This article was originally published in the Spring 2020 issue of Songs of the Paddle.