{"id":3108,"date":"2024-09-23T16:04:49","date_gmt":"2024-09-23T21:04:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/campdeerpark.org\/?post_type=encyclopedia&p=3108"},"modified":"2024-09-24T19:35:29","modified_gmt":"2024-09-25T00:35:29","slug":"served-on-the-first-board","status":"publish","type":"encyclopedia","link":"https:\/\/campdeerpark.org\/es\/kb\/served-on-the-first-board\/","title":{"rendered":"Served on the First Board"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"\"<\/a>
1974 Board Members (left to right) John Buckwalter, Ray Pacheco, Gene Shelly, Caeser Richards, Dale Stoltzfus, Camp Administrator; Demaris Lugo, and Carl Metzler.
<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

On a Sunday afternoon in the early spring of 1969, Glenn and Florence Zeager took Mim and I to Westbrookville, New York to see the camp property. We traveled in the 1948 Packard that Glenn had recently bought from our neighbor, Mr. Davis. I was very excited about the plan to buy camp. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I thought it was a beautiful setting with a nice amount of open grass space and plenty of woodland. Having been a country club, it was available with dishes, silverware, napkins, brooms and many other positive features to start a summer camp on a “shoe string” budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I enjoyed working in a variety of roles for Camp Deerpark<\/a>. Mim and I frequently helped in the kitchen during church retreats. I served on the first board and was board secretary for a number of years. As a board member, I was always aware of tight budget hardships. I became chairman of the camp projects committee, and in order to raise funds, we started having camp auctions. For a number of years an annual auction was held at various locations in Lancaster County. The auctions usually netted $10,000 to$12,000 and also served as a great reunion of camp staff, camp supporters and friends. It was hard work, but gratifying and fun to see people pull together to make the auctions happen.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"\"<\/a>
Mennonite Action Program<\/a> Board Members (left to right) Nelson Kauffman,
Ron Collins, Aurelio Rodriquez, Glenn Zeager, John Buckwalter, Gene Shelly,
Carl Metzler, and Dale Stoltzfus.
<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

We would travel to camp about once a month in those early years with our three boys, Rick, Tim and Bob. One of my fondest memories is inner tubing with the kids on the sledding slope. I remember the long walk up the steep hill, several of us piling on a sled or an inner tube, and the wind whipping at our faces as we flew down the hill. We felt a sense of accomplishment if we made it to the bottom without hitting a bump and falling off. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first summer, when children’s camp began in 1969, camp did not own a bus. I used our station wagon—a maroon 1966 Dodge Coronet—to transport campers. I remember arriving at the very first camp with the first load of kids. I drove about six kids from Good Shepherd Mennonite Church. They were very excited about going to a new camp in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the earliest goals of camp was to serve as a leadership training ground for city youth. I can’t say it is a surprise to me that this goal continues to be met. I am thankful that the goal and vision have never been lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

—Written by Donna Stoltzfus, former camper and staff. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

John Buckwalter, volunteer and board member, attended Good Shepherd Mennonite Church in the Bronx.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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