Softly sung songs and a fleet of small candles floated on the dark waters of Lower Togue Pond at Camp Natarswi during a special “wishing boat” ceremony Saturday night in celebration of the Abnaki Girl Scout camp’s 65th birthday.

When the beach emptied, staff members hopped into the shallow water to gather up the boats and lights, packing them away for another evening.

Jo Stevens, executive director of Abnaki Council, explained how one camper wanted to hide her candle until she was assured that they would be retrieved, because “she didn’t want to get wax in the pond.”

Such “leave no trace” sentiments about preserving the pristine environment around the camp are important ones for campers, who decades ago recall bathing, shampooing and washing in the clear waters of the pond. Such bathing is forbidden now, and with plenty of hot water in the indoor shower houses, unnecessary.

Mary (Weymouth) Stevens of Holden was a camper in 1936 and is still delighted by the shower houses – and the foam mattresses. “It’s not at all different, which is great. Oh, except the mattresses!” she said, smiling. “We had straw tick.”

Most campers spent the weekend on cots and mattresses in platform tents, which were somewhat soggy on Friday night when light but pervasive rain and damp forced the scheduled campfire into the dining hall fireplace.

Campers from each decade introduced themselves, sharing songs and stories such as seeing the first walk on the moon on a television in the dining hall. Others recalled dancing, singing and shouting after hearing of the end of World War II. Memoirs were recorded on audiocassette throughout the weekend, as were many nearly forgotten songs.

Swimming, rock climbing, mountain biking, archery, and trips into Baxter State Park filled out the weekend of special events. A series of “Then and Now” activities and displays included a tent outfitted half in modern style and half as though a Girl Scout through the 1950s, complete with a dented bugle for taps, may have slept in it.

On Sunday, a dedication ceremony was held for the newest camping unit, which was completed earlier this year. Several tidy Adirondack lean-to shelters were created by two Girl Scouts as a project for their Gold Award, the highest award a Scout can earn. The unit was named “Wanderer” and was dedicated to the “wandering spirits of all Girl Scouts.”

About 110 alumni and friends were gathered at the site for the celebration and reunion, according to Bobbie Smart, director of camping services. “What I really sense with them is that they are really grateful to be here,” she said.