by: Rev. Robert R. Smyrl, October 1982
edited and updated by: David Starzer, 1999
Table of Contents:
Philosophy of Camp
The primary responsibility for the Christian education of boys and
girls belongs to the home. In baptism parents "promise to instruct
their children in the principles of our holy religion, as contained
in the Scriptures, to pray with them and for them, and to bring them
up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." In more modern terms,
this statement is directed to parents, "In presenting your child
for baptism, you announce your faith in Jesus Christ, and show that
you want your child to study him, know him, love him, and serve him
as his chosen disciple."
In various ways through the years the Church has sought to assist parents
in the training of boys and girls "in the principles of our holy
religion." Catechetical or communicant training, Sunday or Church
school, Young People's groups, Weekday released time, and Vacation Bible
School are some of the major efforts of the Church to assist boys and
girls "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour,
Jesus Christ."
Another very interesting instrument used by the Church for the Christian
growth of boys and girls is the summer conference or camp. In God's
great out-of-doors in a wooded-setting on a mountain side, beside a
sunlit lake, or on a grassy, tree-covered school campus surrounded by
the glories of nature, God's handiwork in the out-of-doors seems to
draw us closer to our Creator. The great messages of the hymns of the
Church and the age-old fun and folk songs seem to become more meaningful
under a canopy of blue sky or under a bright moon looking down from
a sky filled with twinkling stars. In the great out-of-doors, away from
the latest news or hit song, these words become more meaningful--
"This is my Father's world, and to my listening ears,
All nature sings and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; His hand the wonders wrought."
--Rev. Maltbie D. Babcock, 1901
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Pre-Camp Programs
In the summer of 1908, the Young People's Department of the Publication
and Sabbath Work Committee of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. sponsored
a conference for young people at Winona Lake, Indiana. That same summer
or the next, additional young people's summer conferences were held
at Ursinus College, Collegeville, Pennsylvania and at Lebanon, Tennessee.
All were successful even beyond expectation. Later the Ursinus Conference
was transferred to Pocono Pines, PA.
In the years that followed, summer conferences for young people and
camp programs for younger boys and girls grew by leaps and bounds. A
report given to the General Assembly indicates that in 1953 there were
120 Junior Camps with 9600 campers, 197 Junior High Camps with 16,000
campers, and 146 Senior High Conferences with 12,000 young people.
We do not know how many young people from the Presbytery of Lackawanna
were able to attend these summer conferences in the early years. In
1924, the Committee on Young People's Work of the Presbytery reported
as follows, "This committee feels that it is a pity that greater
effort is not made to send young people to the Summer Conference, only
11 out of 92 churches were represented at the Blairstown (NJ) Conference
in 1923."
A survey of the Presbytery minutes during the 1920's reveals no promotion
of summer conferences at Presbytery meetings; for that matter there
is hardly any reference in the minutes to any Presbytery sponsored activities
for young people. Very often it seemed that the Women's Missionary Society
of the Presbytery (Presbyterial) through their Area Young People's Secretaries
took the initiative in planning and supporting activities for the youth.
Early in 1936, the Young People's Work Committee of the Presbytery
took under consideration the idea of setting up a summer conference
within Presbytery bounds. Keystone Junior College at LaPlume offered
to put its facilities at the disposal of the committee - dormitories,
classrooms, gymnasium, tennis courts, and grounds. The cost for registration
and board was $12.00 with the conference running from Monday afternoon
to Monday morning. Eighty-seven young people took part in that first
conference.
Much of the credit for the success of the first summer conferences
at Keystone Junior College goes to the Rev. Harry L. Somers, the first
Presbytery Executive who began his work in the Presbytery in 1935. It
has been reported that "Uncle Harry", as he was known by many,
did almost everything for a summer conference. In his report to Presbytery
in 1937 he wrote, "I acted as registrar and business manager of
the Abington Hills Conference and taught a course. I taught two courses
in the First Blairstown Conference."
With the Senior High Conference well-established, the Young People's
Work Committee recommended the establishment of an Intermediate Camp.
In 1940, in conjunction with Northumberland Presbytery, Camp Lackwanorum
was held at Central Oak Heights for boys and girls ages 12 to 15.
In 1946, the Presbytery decided to venture out on its own in conducting
a Junior High Camp, and the first one was held at the beautiful Scranton
Council Girl Scout Camp Archbald on Lake Ely near Brooklyn, PA. The
Rev. William A. Parsons was chairperson of the committee planning this
first Junior High event. Junior High camps at Camp Archbald proved very
successful and some years two separate camps were conducted. In later
years as the Girl Scout camping program expanded, it was necessary to
leave Camp Archbald. The Presbytery will always be grateful to the Girl
Scout officials for their kindness and cooperation during the years
it used the camp. Remembered with gratitude are the Scout Executives,
Mrs. Stanley Williams and Miss Jeanne Gordon, and the very helpful caretaker,
Mr. Niles Travis. In this connection, it is interesting to note that
since 1976, the Scranton Girl Scouts have been using Camp Lackawanna
for day camping for young girls.
Senior High attendance probably reached its peak in 1947 when two conferences
were held with an attendance of 158 young people. Our relationship with
Keystone Junior College came to an end early in the 1960's when the
college decided to institute its own summer program. We give thanks
to God for the privileges we enjoyed on that campus for many years,
it will hold wonderful memories for many. Three moderators of the Presbytery
of Lackawanna, the Rev. Donald Roth and Elders Ralymond Crisci and Lynda
Ardan are among the many remembered as "Conference kids".
A special word of appreciation should be recorded for the business manager
of the college, Donald Foster, who was so ready to give assistance.
In 1959, Lackawanna and Lehigh Presbyteries began a cooperative camp-conference
program that was to last for ten years. Both Keystone Junior College
and Lehigh's conference center, Brainerd, near Stroudsburg, were used.
Many of our Junior High boys and girls fell in love with Brainerd (and
its swimming pool).
The men and women involved in the planning and preparation of these
summer activities seldom received proper recognition because they worked
behind the scenes. We remember gratefully the years of service provided
by our registrars, the Evans sisters of Moosic, Nellie and Blodwyn,
and Mrs. Richard Willis of Bethlehem. The late Elder Robert West of
Wilkes-Barre served as our treasurer for many years. The many volunteer
leaders, both pastors and laypersons who served as counselors, not for
one year, but year after year, will be remembered in the hearts of hundreds
of young people -- names like Banks, Register, Parsons, Wells, Moffett,
MacAskill, Andrews, Pickett, Condro, Farr, Frazer, Reed and so many
others -- these were the early pioneers.
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Our Own Camp
Many dreamed about the possibility of the Presbytery having its own
camp, but then we realized that it was really easier using someone else's
property. We did not have to worry about pipes freezing in the winter
or high winds tearing off part of a roof. But then when we faced the
realization that we could not count on using Camp Archbald and the Keystone
campus forever, we started to think more seriously about our own property.
In 1957, the Presbytery of Lackawanna appointed a committee to consider
the possibility and merits of securing a camp site of our own. The Camp
Site Committee consisted of the following: Miss Louise Malkames of Kingston,
Mrs. John Parsons of Troy, Wright Giffin of Rushville, Dr. A.B. Davenport
of Tunkhannock, Dr. Charles Reif of Wilkes-Barre, Dr. E.H. Preston of
Honesdale, Walter Mohr of Scranton, Lou Jordan of Peckville, Donald
Cahoon Jr. of Scranton, Rev. George Andrews, Rev. Herbert Pickett, Rev.
William Gray, Fred Kehrli of Scranton, Mrs. James Turrell of Tunkhannock,
Bruce Skivington of Scranton, and Rev. Robert R. Smyrl.
The committee moved slowly for we recognized that it was a tremendous
undertaking. From time to time the committee members investigated various
suggested potential sites, some potential sites on the edges of the
Presbytery were suggested. The committee decided that if at all possible
a property rather centrally located in the bounds of the Presbytery
should be sought. Finally in 1962, the Presbytery had the opportunity
to purchase the old Pittston Y.M.C.A. Camp on the Susquehanna River
near Vosburg in Wyoming County, about ten miles from Tunkhannock.
The Pittston Y.M.C.A. bought the George Place farm near Vosburg in
1927 and began developing the property as a camp site. In its 23 years
of active operation, the Y camp served thousands of boys and young men
as well as hundreds of girls and young women from throughout the greater
Pittston area. Because of prevailing economic conditions the Pittston
Y.M.C.A. had to discontinue its camping program in 1951. In the following
years the camp site was used only occasionally and some deterioration
began to set in.
On July 12, 1961, the Board of Trustees of the Pittston Y.M.C.A. offered
the 197 acre camp property to the Presbytery of Lackawanna for a sum
of $15,000. In this connection it is interesting to note that shortly
after this, the Proctor and Gamble Co. built a huge plant a few miles
up the river from the camp site and immediately land prices in Wyoming
County jumped as high as $1,000 to $1,500 an acre.
During the days that followed the offer of the Pittston Y.M.C.A, when
the Camp Site Committee was investigating the property, a great deal
of help was given by Reginald Ellis of West Pittston who had worked
at the camp for many years. Mr. Ellis knew more about the camp site
and the past history of the camp than anyone else and in the years that
followed Rege Ellis gave us much valuable information about the property.
His widow, Mrs. Elsie Ellis, is still deeply interested in Camp Lackawanna.
In September a survey team of the Eastern Area of the Synod Camp Committee
visited that proposed camp site. The team was accompanied by the Rev.
Maurice D. Bone, Counselor in Campsite Development of the United Presbyterian
Church. They gave us some helpful suggestions.
On September 26, 1961, the Presbytery of Lackawanna, meeting in the
Green Ridge Church of Scranton, voted to purchase the camp site.
The Presbytery was very fortunate in that the Women's Presbyterial
Society had funds available from the rental and sale of the Dupont Community
Center which they gave to the Presbytery to purchase the camp. Thus
the investment of the good women of the Presbytery in providing a ministry
to the youth of the Dupont area became a larger investment for a ministry
to the youth and adults of the whole Presbytery.
At the same meeting of Presbytery, the members voted to add fifty cents
to the per capita assessment for a one-year period, the extra funds
to be used for the renovation of the camp, so from the very beginning,
every member of every church in the Presbytery had a small part in the
camp and in the work done to make it more usable.
There was very little discussion as to what the name of the camp should
be. Though there was never any official Presbytery action giving the
camp a name, everyone started calling it "Camp Lackawanna"
and thus it has remained.
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Early Years of Development
Adjoining our new camp site was Camp Sterrett, a camp of a little less
than one hundred acres, owned and operated by the Episcopal Diocese
of Bethlehem, a camp formerly owned by the St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
of Wilkes-Barre. The Episcopalians were very pleased at the prospect
of having the United Presbyterians as neighbors. Archdeacon Stevenson
of the Diocese of Bethlehem and other members of the Camp Sterrett Board
of Directors talked with us about various possible cooperative ventures
in both property and program. The Rev. Edward W. Stiess, Director of
Christian Education for the Diocese of Bethlehem, was in charge of Camp
Sterrett. He proved to be a very cooperative friend and neighbor in
the early days of Camp Lackawanna.
Perhaps the first gift for the new camp came from Mrs. Leona VanLuvender
of Moosic who gave $1,000 as a memorial gift in memory of her husband,
Deacon William H. VanLuvender. Elder Wright Giffin of Rushville gave
a used truck to the camp (affectionately referred to as 'the green truck'),
and through the years he often sent some of his heavy construction equipment
into the camp to assist in various building projects. Another early
benefactor of the camp was Elder Elmer Nordahl of Nicholson who gave
generous financial assistance to the camp committee in all building
projects. Elmer, who was also Mayor of Nicholson, wrote on the first
bill "You don't have to pay all of this if funds are low".
The first organized Presbytery activity at the camp was a Senior High
Work Camp, June 18 to 23, 1962. The adults present were Rev. Herbert
Pickett Jr., Rev. John and Mary Bartholemew, Rev. William Frazer, Rev.
Kenneth Matthews, Rev. George G. Andrews Jr., and Elder Harry Merrill
of Stevensville; the following young people participated: Sarah Bobo
of Dallas, Karen Bryson of Forty Fort, Cheryll and Sharon Norton of
Nicholson, John A. Baxter of Sayre, Roy R. Coglazier of Wyalusing, Neil
S. Frazer of Moosic, Edward St. Hart of Scranton and Richard S. Wood
of Wilkes-Barre. The meals for the work camp participants were served
at Camp Sterrett. During the week, a new roof was put on the lodge.
At a meeting of the camp committee on February 9, 1963, in the "Executive
Mansion" in Tunkhannock, the committee voted to proceed with plans
for an addition to the lodge to provide and adequate kitchen, flush
toilets, office and storage space; also to drill a well to provide an
adequate water supply. Elder Harry Merrill was engaged to do this work
with the assistance of volunteers. Beginning July 1, 1963 Harry Merrill
was paid $75 a week.
The development of Camp Lackawanna began on July 15, 1963 with delivery
of 300 twelve-inch cinder blocks which provided the foundation for the
addition to the lodge. The total cost of the addition was about $3,300.
The digging and drilling for the well and the well house took place
in the summer of 1963. Two 800-gallon septic tanks were placed outside
the lodge toward the road. The well provided good, sweet water at 200
feet with a flow of about 60 gallons per minute. We were fortunate in
the regard, for the Episcopalians had dug a well a few years earlier
and got sulfur water. We were able to run a water line down to Camp
Sterrett and assist them in the water needs.
In September of 1663 Dr. L.B. Sharp, Executive Director of the Outdoor
Education Association and a nationally recognized camping authority,
made a three-day study of the camp property. It was our hope that he
would provide expert guidance for our long-range planning in camp development.
Unfortunately Dr. Sharp died suddenly a short time later before ever
completing a report on his visit to Camp Lackawanna. We never did get
a satisfactory report from those who tried to prepare a report from
the notes Dr. Sharp had made while visiting our site.
In the early years the task of developing the camp site by a committee
of twelve, with advice and suggestions from various sources, was an
interesting process. Some seemed to want to develop the property into
a country club with well-manicured lawns everywhere, whereas others
did not want a bush, scrub, or tree disturbed. It was not possible to
keep everyone happy all the time, but with the size of the property
we were able to steer a middle course and try to provide for all types
of needs and programs.
The Episcopalians allowed Harry Merrill to live in the Director's Cottage
on Camp Sterrett which also made it possible for us to have the use
of a telephone. Everyone realized that Harry was living in inadequate
quarters and that it was not possible for his family to be with him,
so a decision was made to build a house for the camp caretaker. Funds
were received from Presbytery and Presbyterial and some funds were borrowed
from the Trustees of Presbytery. The house was completed by the end
of 1964 at a cost of a little over $12,000. Mrs. Phyliss Merrill and
daughter, Sonya, joined Harry as full time residents of Camp Lackawanna.
During 1965 a wash house with a septic tank of 800 gallons was erected
by Harry Merrill. About this time, the Rev. J.B. Adams supervised the
moving of a building from near the lodge; this building continues to
be used as an Arts and Crafts Cabin.
In June of 1965, a group of sixteen young people from the First Presbyterian
Church of Hannibal, Missouri, with their pastor, the Rev. A. Willard
Heimback, and some adult leaders came to Camp Lackawanna for a work
camp experience with a group of our young people under the leadership
of the Rev. Kenneth Matthews of Stevensville. After the group returned
to Missouri, Mr. Heimback wrote, "It's all over except the impact
the camp had on our young people. The work camp was so successful from
their standpoint that they sang 'Lord we want to go back' as they got
off the bus in Hannibal. There were tears in the eyes of a number of
them as the left the camp, so despite the weather and their apprehension
as they arrived, Ken and his staff did an excellent job with them and
I hope the work we began can continue in some other way or form."
Later Dr. Heimback wrote, "One is always interested in the delayed
reaction of people, and I think that the highest compliment that can
be paid to you and those who worked in the work camp is the general
feeling of our young people that we would like to do the same kind of
thing we did at Camp Lackawanna, but we are afraid to go back there
because we do not think it would be the same and the same people would
not be there."
In the spring of 1966, the Camp Committee purchased six canoes, a trailer
and a rowboat. A trip down the river in a canoe has been a popular part
of almost every camp week. In addition many church groups in our Presbytery
and beyond the Presbytery have enjoyed a canoe trip down the Susquehanna
River through the beautiful Endless Mountains. In July of 1966 the Rev.
William F. Skinner of Philadelphia conducted a Canoe Conference on the
Susquehanna River for eighteen people. Later Bill wrote, "You have
no idea of the assistance that Harry Merrill was throughout our whole
week. I frankly don't know what we would have done without him and he
deserves a great deal of commendation for the concern he has for Lackawanna
camping and the love he shows for your camp site."
In the late 60's the Presbytery of Lackawanna participated in the Fifty
Million Fund of the national church with 10% of all funds raised to
go to the camp. Through this campaign Camp Lackawanna received about
$40,000. It enabled the committee to purchase new kitchen equipment
and utensils, build a garage and maintenance building, a picnic pavilion,
a new truck, canoes, trailer, a rowboat, etc. It also made it possible
to repay money borrowed from Presbytery. The swimming pool was secured
just before Fifty Million Funds became available. The swimming pool
has provided many headaches and has been costly to maintain; we always
dream about someone giving the camp a gift of a more adequate pool.
The minutes of the Camp Committee in early 1967 indicate that "three
chicken coops" have been skidded to their new positions in the
woods. When we secured the camp, some folks wanted to tear down the
"chicken coop" cabins, but others insisted that we had to
keep them and use them until we had something better. Through the years
these so-called cabins have almost been rebuilt and we have had our
"money's worth" out of them. Many a prank and many a prayer
-- and some sleep -- has occurred in these "chicken coops."
One of the most attractive features of the lodge was the huge fire
place, yet many a group using the lodge in late September or early October
found that the fireplace did not do too much to keep the room warm.
It was possible to keep your front or your back warm, but not both at
the same time. During 1967 a heating system was installed in the lodge.
Insulation and paneling was put on the walls and ceiling and storm windows
placed on all the windows. The lodge was now ready to be used year-round.
The securing of staff for conferences and camps was never an easy task,
and for many years the responsibility seemed to fall on the Presbytery
Executive because "you know so many people". In earlier years,
we got most of our help from the preachers and their spouses and a few
dedicated lay persons. Sometimes we came down to the last few days before
a camp or conference was to begin before we got the last staff person,
in fact one year an older sister who brought a younger sister to a Keystone
conference was persuaded to stay because we needed one more woman. One
year the Presbytery Executive had to have a dormitory group of girls
because of a shortage of women counselors. In 1969, for the first time,
we began paying our counselors, usually college students. Since that
time we have had some wonderful young men and women serve as counselors
for our boys and girls, and through the experience these counselors
have often confessed that they received more than they gave.
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Expanding Our Borders
In the spring of 1971, the Presbytery of Lackawanna decided to purchase
the Camp Sterrett property from the Diocese of Bethlehem of the Episcopal
Church. This property consisting of about 125 acres lies between Camp
Lackawanna and the Susquehanna River. It had a large lodge, a cottage,
a wash house, several cabins, a barn and a few other buildings plus
an attractive outdoor chapel.
The Rev. Henry Pease, the former Assistant Pastor of the St. Stephens
Episcopal Church in Wilkes-Barre and now pastor of the St. Pauls Episcopal
Church in Montrose, provided us with some interesting history of Camp
Sterrett.
The first summer camp for the choir boys of the St. Stephens Church
was held in July of 1907; Judge Frank Woodruff Wheaton offered his summer
camp on the Susquehanna near Vosburg with full equipment and camp cook
for the first year. During subsequent years, when the parish allotment
ranged from $250 to $344, various camp sites were tried in a an attempt
to find the most suitable place to establish a permanent summer camp.
There is an interesting account in the parish history of how during
the war year of 1918, the boys walked the 42 miles to the camp!
In 1924, St. Stephens rented a site on the farm of a Mr. Seymour I.
Treible at Vosburg for $10. In 1925, money was raised to buy the property
for $2,000. Through the 1930's the camp was operated by St. Stephens
Church and used by children from throughout the diocese. In 1937 the
cost of the camp was $13 for a two week period.
In 1957, Camp Great Neck, as it was called by St. Stephens, was offered
to the Diocese of Bethlehem as a gift. In 1959 the camp was accepted
by the Bishop of the Diocese of Bethlehem and the camp has been operated
by the Diocese since 1959.
After the purchase of Camp Sterrett, the following note was sent to
the Rt. Rev. Frederick J. Warnecke, Bishop of the Diocese of Bethlehem
-- "The members of the Presbytery of Lackawanna are grateful to
you for your assistance in making it possible for us to secure the Camp
Sterrett property. It will be our desire to hod and use this property
for all God's children. Since we do not know the future of our church
structures it might be that some day both camp properties will be 'our'
property." Something interesting to note here is that in recent
years the Episcopalians have been using the former Camp Sterrett property
for some of their camps and conferences.
Immediately after the purchase of Camp Sterrett, the Presbytery set
in motion a financial campaign for $50,000 to pay for the property and
to make some needed repairs on the buildings. With the help of an anonymous
gift of $10,000 we quickly raised a little more than the needed $50,000.
Since we had been able to borrow from various Presbytery funds we did
not have to pay one cent of interest.
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Camp Spared Disaster and Ends an Era
In October of 1971 Camp Lackawanna lost a great friend and supporter
in the death of the Rev. Donald MacMillan of West Pittston at the age
of 34. Don had directed camps at Camp Lackawanna and had done a fine
job in directing the wind-up of the Fifty Million Fund, providing funds
which enabled the camp committee to make many important improvements
and additions.
Hurricane Agnes visited northeastern Pennsylvania in June of 1972 dumping
a tremendous amount of rain on the area which resulted in severe flooding
along the Susquehanna River. About thirty of our Presbyterian church
buildings and manses had damage, some rather severe damage. Over 1500
Presbyterian homes had flood damage, many with second floor destruction.
Camp Lackawanna was very fortunate, even though the flood waters reached
the rafters in the picnic pavilion and the steps of the Sterrett Lodge,
there was not too much damage. Only a trailer owned by a camp committee
member was lost.
There were two groups of campers in the camp at the time of the flood,
a Senior High Work Camp with the Rev. Harry McElroy in charge and a
Junior Camp with the Rev. Jack Wise as director. The boys and girls
were supposed to leave camp on Saturday morning but they did not get
out until Tuesday as a result of the flooding. The marooned kids were
excited to see an Army helicopter drop in with some extra food. It was
necessary to cancel the next scheduled camp week and many individual
registrations for the rest of the camping season were canceled. Our
diligent Camp Registrar, Mrs. Earl Lorah of Tunkhannock, was kept extra
busy making refunds and changing registrations.
Because of failing health it was necessary for Phyliss and Harry Merrill
to leave their home in their beloved Camp Lackawanna late in 1974. After
twelve years as caretaker, Harry retired on December 31, 1974. A sum
of nearly $5,000 was contributed by the churches and individuals in
the Presbytery to assist the Merrills in the expenses resulting from
their illness.
Death came to Phyliss Merrill on February 13, 1975. Many boys and girls
will remember Phyliss as the little woman at the house who could always
give them change for the coke machine, change kept in a jar in the refrigerator;
mothers will remember her as the one they called to inquire about things
their children had left at the camp; some will remember the cheerful
voice on the phone making reservations for the use of the camp; ministers
will remember her as the one who wanted them to offer a word of prayer;
and many will remember her complete dedication to her husband and children
and as one who loved Camp Lackawanna.
A few months later, on August 12, 1975, death came to Harry Merrill.
Harry began to work at the camp shortly after we purchased it and in
the early days he "roughed it" living in makeshift quarters
until the house was completed. He built the addition to the lodge, the
wash-house, the well-house, and supervised the construction and erection
of the other buildings. Perhaps Harry was our best "public relations"
man. Hundreds of people around the Presbytery received their introduction
to Camp Lackawanna through Harry, for he developed a great love for
the camp property and loved to show visitors around our beautiful camp
site, climbing to the high places and down to the old canal bed and
river. Hundreds of boys and girls will remember Harry and his dog, Sally,
and his "Hagie Mary" ghost stories.
Through the years Harry served as an elder in the Stevensville Church
and later as an elder in the Tunkhannock Church. In some respects, the
death of the Merrills marked the end of an era in the life of Camp Lackawanna.
For a brief period of time David R. Kopetchny, a member of the First
Welsh Presbyterian Church of Wilkes-Barre served as caretaker at the
camp.
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The New Era
In September 1975, the Camp Committee decided to build a 30 x 40 foot
porch on the east side of the lodge. It was also decided to name the
lodge "The Merrill Lodge" in gratitude to God for the service
and ministry of Harry and Phyliss Merrill. The Rev. Harry L. Ferguson
of Wysox, a faithful camp director and camp committee member, was in
charge of the addition of the porch. After long delays, the porch was
completed in the summer of 1978 in time for the wedding reception for
Marieann Smyrl and Stephen Cahoon whose romance began while they served
as counselors at Camp Lackawanna. Another camp romance resulted in the
marriage of Judith DeWitt and Stephen Davenport at Towanda, both having
served as counselors at camp.
Late in 1976 Don Kocher was hired as the camp manager. Don had worked
with his father in the construction business in the Back Mountain area
of Luzerne County for several years, and had helped install the paneling
to the walls and ceiling of Merrill Lodge ten years before. He and his
family were active in the Trinity United Presbyterian Church of Dallas.
Don and his wife, Alice, with their two children, Carle and Carrie,
moved into the camp early in 1977.
During the years that have followed, Don, a "jack of all trades"
has done an excellent job in taking care of the buildings and grounds.
In a quiet way he has served Camp Lackawanna and the Presbytery in a
fine manner. His wife, Alice, has made a real contribution to the life
and work of the camp; on the telephone taking reservations for camp
or canoe use, on the tractor mowing grass, in the Merrill Lodge kitchen
helping groups "leave the kitchen as they found it"; and serving
as Camp Registrar handling all the problems and complications of camp
enrollment. Carle and Carrie have the unique opportunity of being a
part of, or on the edge of, all kinds of groups and activities at the
camp. Often they run errands or carry messages between their parents
and the groups in various places in the camp. The whole Kocher family
has been active in all phases of the life and work of the Tunkhannock
United Presbyterian Church where Alice has served as an elder.
At a meeting of the Presbytery of Lackawanna on May 2, 1978 it was
voted to accept a goal of $325,000 in the Major Mission Fund of the
United Presbyterian Church which had a goal of $60,000,000. 90% of the
funds raised in the Presbytery would go to national and synod causes,
10% of the funds raised in the Presbytery would be used to convert the
former Camp Sterrett Lodge into an Adult Conference Center, to be called
"The Robert R. Smyrl Lodge".
The contributions of the members of our churches in recent years to
the Major Mission Fund has enabled our national church and Synod to
fulfill many mission needs and opportunities at home and abroad. The
funds for the Presbytery from the Major Mission Fund has enabled a group
of dedicated men to convert the old lodge building into an attractive
Conference Center. Thus an old building hallowed by years of sacred
memories has become a new structure which will provide countless opportunities
for study and fellowship for years to come. The Presbytery owes a real
debt of gratitude to the small group of men who gave hours and hours
of volunteer labor to transform the building. The Smyrl Lodge was dedicated
to the glory of God in April 1983.
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The Present Days
Camp life and attendance continued to improve and increase since 1983.
Work Project Weekends, held every few years, brought together many people
who volunteered their time and talents to build, fix, renovate, and
rebuild the buildings now standing on the camp grounds. One of these
projects in the mid 1980's was the renovation of the Administrator's
cabin. This provided better living and working spaces for both the Summer
Administrator and for the Camp Nurse. In the 1990's, this work included
a new roof over the picnic pavilion cooking area, a renovation of the
Staff House, and the building of a Canteen shed behind Merrill Lodge.
As camp attendance grew, so did the programs being offered. In 1988,
Camp Lackawanna started running a Music, Arts, and Drama Camp, for campers
who wanted to spend more time glorifying God with Music, Art and Drama
during the week, and in 1996, Soccer Camp was introduced so campers
could improve those abilities while praising God with other normal church
camp activities.
In 1992 or 1993, Alice Kocher retired from the registrars position
and running the canteen, which she did from her front porch for so many
years. She still helps her husband, Don, with cutting the grass and
other jobs that keep the camp running smoothly year round. Canteen is
now run by an Operations Staff Member in the Canteen Shed built during
one of the Work Weekends.
In 1995, Lorrie Loughney took the position of the Presbytery's Associate
for Camp and Christian Education. In this position, she is in charge
of finding volunteer directors and hiring counselors and operations
staff. She has done an excellent job, and is always willing to help
out and join in the fun.
In the past few years, two new off-site camps were introduced. Junior
High and Senior High Wilderness Camps. These camps spend 4 to 7 days
backpacking on various trails in this part of the state. These camps
carry to the extreme the philosophy set out in the beginning of this
history that being in "God's handiwork in the out-of-doors seems
to draw us closer to our Creator." These words are not more true,
than when you are hiking in the wilderness with only God and a backpack
to get you through the week.
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Camp Committee and Funding
It is important to recognize that behind the present appearance of
the camp grounds and buildings and behind the present program of activities
for our young people are hours and hours of volunteer labor and time
on the part of those who have are are serving on the Camp Committee.
So often it seemed that those members of the committee who were the
most active and those who served as chairpersons came from the edges
of the Presbytery. Invariable camp meetings ran late which meant long,
lonely drives home to face late dinners and upset families. Sometimes
it even meant facing irritated elders because a Session meeting started
late.
With the risk of missing someone, it seems important to record the
names of those who have served on the committee since we secured Camp
Lackawanna: the following lay persons have served; Donald Cahoon Jr.,
Harry Merrill, James Spann, Earl Lorah, Dr. A.B. Davenport, Wright Giffin,
Dr. Charles Rief, Thomas Shuptar, Walter Mohr, Robert West, Gerald Nelson,
Mrs. Evelyn Stevens Hitchcock, Richard Martiny, John Kneller, Herman
Shiplett, Josef Reese, Mrs. David (Marion) Turner, Richard Blanchard,
Robert Sliker, Paul Gravell, Mrs. Douglas (Anna) Melhuish, Charles Baughton,
Edward Marionni, and Paul Szychowski. The following ministers have served:
Fred Price, John Bartholomew, David Kennedy, Elwood Schall, Jack Wise,
Herbert Pickett, Roland Catterall, Harry Ferguson, J.B. Adams, Andrew
Pillarella, Robert Criswell, Leonard Bergman, Eric Fagans, Reginald
McInroy, Earl Ferguson, Robert Hoag, Thomas MacAdam, Harry McElroy,
Brian Butler, John Earl, George Johnson, Richard McClain, Carl Batzel,
Robert Craig, John Dabback, and Kenneth Lynde.
A brief word about the way in which Camp Lackawanna has been financed
in recent years. There are four major sources of income: a sum is placed
in the per capita assessment which all churches pay based on their membership,
this amounts to about 49 cents per member per year; a sum is received
from the General Mission fund which most churches contribute toward
through their mission giving, this amounts to about 52 cents per member
per year; funds are received from the modest fees charged for the use
of the camp and its facilities; and finally funds are received from
an endowment fund, the Logan Memorial Trust Fund for Camp Lackawanna.
Usually the weekly fees that are charged the young campers are designed
to cover the cost of the week's camp, some years there is a small balance
and some years there is a small deficit.
The Logan Memorial Presbyterian Church located in Throop was destroyed
by fire several years ago. Later the members of the church united with
the Providence United Presbyterian Church of Scranton. It was decided
that the insurance money which the congregation received after the fire,
a little over $25,000 would be given to the Presbytery to establish
and endowment fund, the Logan Memorial Trust Fund for Camp Lackawanna,
the annual income from the trust to be used for the maintenance of Camp
Lackawanna.
Through the years, other churches and individuals through bequests
and gifts have added to the Logan Memorial Trust Fund for Camp Lackawanna
so that today the endowment fund contains about $75,000.
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Thoughts About Camp Lackawanna
What has been said of Camp Lackawanna and a camping experience?
One of our ministers said, "It is difficult to imagine a more
picturesque setting for our camp than the Great Neck of the Susquehanna
River as it treads its way through the Endless Mountains. What a spot
to meet Christ in a spot fashioned by God Himself".
A mother comments on camping, "It enables the children to meet
and make friends with other children living in the different communities
and to find out what goes on in other churches. I am sure some lasting
friendships are made".
A young camper writes, "I like the activities, especially the
canoe trip, and when we make our home in the woods. Next year I hope
I get the same counselor and two of the very good friends I made".
Another young camper writes, "I like to meet new kids. I like
to go camping and get away from home for awhile. I enjoy the hike and
the canoe trips. I enjoy the whole camp experience very much".
A mother writes, "All young people have a need to congregate with
others of the same age. What better place to do this than in a church-oriented,
properly supervised group? Church camping is a good way for them to
get together, have fun, and do something constructive. I also feel that
it is good for all of us to commune with nature and learn about God
in everyday life. It is a natural thing and should be shown to children
that God is connected with us in our day-to-day living -- not just one
hour on Sunday."
Another minister wrote, "Away from the closer restrictions of
home, or town, the more liberating disciplines of a camp setting can
be an inspiration unsurpassed as a 'break' in the daily round and common
task. The warm fellowship of our members with members of other churches
-- and of other children -- a 'MUST' in the life of a church which is
seeking to know more of the Lord God 'who made it -- and us -- all'
".
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A Look To The Future
We now come to today, 2001, forty years after Camp Lackawanna was born
it has reached full maturity. What does the future hold for us at camp?
Only God knows, but even the shortest look through Camp Lackawanna's
history shows that God will be with us as He has in the past. He will
continue to change each and every person who steps foot on Camp's ground.
He will continue to cause us to grow, and mature, and improve as long
as our focus remains on Him, and all He has done and created.
Just as past generations gave what they could to the camp and were
given much more in return, our generation and future generations must
continue to give freely of what God has given us. We will surely leave
with much more than we have given.
How can we best use these three hundred acres of green space: sunny
fields and shaded woods; this winding river, sometimes high and sometimes
low; and these buildings, some old and some new? How can we best use
these God-given blessings today and preserve them for those who will
follow us? With the help of the Creator and Sustainer of all life and
by His Spirit we can be enabled to be good stewards preserving His majestic
creation for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ.
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