The "Hey, They Named A Camp After Him: Part II" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Just turned left off of SR272 North and headed back Schoeneck Road to try and find Camp Rodgers.  My brother lives nearby and he gave be directions to the camp after I called him a few hours ago.  

Found Camp Rodgers close to the intersection of Camp
Rodgers road and Indiantown Road.

Camp Rodgers is the church choir camp that opened in 1911 at a small town known as Pequea along the Susque- hanna River in Pennsyl- vania.  It was a place that St. James Episcopal Church organist and choirmaster George B. Rodgers started to reward his choir members with a summer outing along the river.  Before long it was moved to Schelle Island, a small island in the middle of the Susquehanna River and given the name of Camp Rodgers after the founder. 

Entrance to Camp Rodgers as it appeared in 1957.

In 1956 a fired destroyed the main building and the church bought property in Schoeneck to replace the camp on the river.  The new camp was dedicated on June 9, 1957 and welcomed visitors for the first time.  One of those campers was a young boy named Larry, better known to you as LDub.  I spent three years at the camp, loving every minute of the experience.  The property was 18 acres in size which included 3 acres of woodland and a pond of considerable size, which we called Indian Lake as well as a farmhouse and six small cottages where the campers stayed.  

The new entrance bridge over the stream that carries
water from the lake.  In the right background can be
seen a white house.  The same house that appears on
the previous photo to the left.  

I also remember a rather large pavilion where we played ping-pong and board games on days it might have been raining.  Close-by was a really neat waterfall that stood perhaps 10 feet tall, at least to a young boy it seemed that big, that was a picture of rare beauty.  I have fond memories of fishing most every day in the little area under the waterfall as well as the lake above the falls.  

Indian Lake was drained when the stone dam broke years
ago.  This photo shows the area where the lake used to be.

Indian Lake was used for boating with lessons in handling of boats and canoes as well as fishing, but swimming was limited due to the muddy bottom.  In 1959 a swimming pool measuring 20X50 feet was built to allow lessons in all aquatic skills including swimming and diving.  The camp also offered hand crafts, horseback riding and athletics.  Oh yeah, they had daily flag-raising ceremonies as well as a daily church service.  Everyone was responsible for making their bed for cabin inspections before we ate breakfast as well as KP duty a few times a week.  

Morning pledge to the flag during camp week.

I can remember a candy table that you could partake of if your parents had placed any money in an account for you.  I do remember most campers sharing their candy with those whose parents couldn't afford an account for them.  I can remember two different camp directors during the years I went to camp; a Mr. Thompson and a Mr. Breitigan who were both teachers during the school year at Edward Hand Junior High School in Lancaster.  

Boating on Indian Lake.

For choir members, camp was free and in 1969 scholarships were awarded for under- privileged children in Lancaster.  Eventually the camp was opened to a few other churches in the community.  For those who had to pay, the fee was $22.50 a week for St. James members and $24.50 a week for non-members.  This included camp activities, meals, lodging as well as health and medical insurance.  

The swimming pool at Camp Rodgers.

An allowance fee was required for everyone which covered items bought at the camp store, craft materials and incidentals.  They urged that no child be provided more than $2.00 a week.  Eventually camp enrollment declined and finally at the end of 1969 the camp was placed up  for sale.  My trip today was to find the camp once again and take a few photos.  After locating the camp I was greeted with a NO TRESPASSING sign.  Took a few photos from the road and headed for a visit with my brother who lives close by.  We talked about my visit and then Steve told me he was a camp counselor for two years when he was in high school.  Reminded me that one of my fellow teachers as well as the Godfather of my daughter, Mr. Jack Newell, was the camp director when he was a counselor.  Ah, the memories continued as we talked a few hours.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Camp church service held every day.

One of the 6 bunkhouses at Camp Rodgers.  I am the boy on the top right bunk. 

Ping-pong time.

KP (kitchen patrol or food prep) duty in the kitchen.