50 Years of Camp Deerpark Directors

Dale Stoltzfus

1969–1977

“As the first director I always wanted other leaders to emerge. When Jerry and Leonor Kennell came to camp in 1975 they had the gifts needed to provide leadership. Since I was involved in some other activities in the city, I recommended to the board of directors that the Kennells begin to move toward directing the camp program. 

“A challenge was to have the congregations in New York City grow into their awareness of their ownership of the camp and the camp program. A large majority of the campers came from the Mennonite congregations and about half of the staff was from a Mennonite congregation in the city.“

Another major challenge was growing a financial base; we provided a program and staffing without a financial base to count on.  However, we were able to pay our bills, including payment on our loans. We dreamed of a new children’s camp facility but needed to find funds to improve the existing facilities. During the early years we did build a new swimming pool and two new cabins on the hill.  

“I always lived in the Bronx during this time and never served more than half-time; the office was at my home in the city.

“The camp and its ministry were a blessing to me and my family. My wife, Doris, also spent many days serving in the ministry, and my children grew up in the Bronx and at camp. Camp gave us a balance between city life and the country. I am thankful to God and the Mennonite churches in the city for the opportunity to serve at Camp Deerpark.” 

Jerry and Leonor Kennell

1977–1979

Jerry and Leonor were the first directors to live at camp. They joined Camp Deerpark staff as co-assistant directors in late April 1975. In1977 they became co-directors. In 1979 they again transitioned when Jerry became director and Leonor taught school in the area. These were extremely lean years for Camp Deerpark financially and for a period of time the Kennells worked at McDonald’s to pay themselves.

“Perhaps the most memorable staff times were living with Lowell Jantzi, Isaac Grable, Frank Freeman and Maynard Shirk,” the Kennells noted. “Frank was always cold and wanted to turn up the heat. Isaac kept us all laughing, especially with his adorable dog, Jantzi. And Lowell had that unforgettable laugh, curling his hair over his forehead with his fingers when he was deep in thought. Maynard welded big stuff together.”

Miriam Cruz

1979–1982

Miriam served as director from her home office in the Bronx throughout the year. During the summer she moved to camp with her young son, Daniel, and lived in motel #1 named Kindness. Camp had a very small staff on the grounds during those years and securing the summer camp nurse and lifeguard as well as volunteer cooks for weekend retreats was Miriam’s biggest challenge.

“I feel I was basically an ‘interim’ director, helping to keep camp going,” she said. “Because of being a new mother and living in New York City, and being inexperienced, I don’t feel like I made any major contributions. But I did help maintain it.

“I had so many good days at camp. I can’t imagine not having had camp in my life. It holds a very special place in my heart.”

Jim Baer

1982–1983

Jim arrived at camp in February 1981 as on-site manager and assumed the director position in the fall of 1982, soon after Miriam Cruz’s second child, Christina, was born. That fall there was a stack of $28,000 in bills in the drawer and no money in the checkbook. The board treasurer, Carl Metzler, encouraged Jim to write small checks to all of the creditors to show them we were trying. While facility improvements were limited in those years, under Jim’s leadership camp was able to build a barn and install the wood boiler, which heats Spruce Lodge. Through hard work and frugal spending, Jim was able to lead camp in a significant financial turnaround. When the Baers left on New Year’s Day, 1984, all of the bills were paid and roughly $30,000 was in the bank.

“I have many fond memories—too many to pick a favorite,” Jim said. “It was a place where I learned many skills that I still rely on. Sometimes I feel like the biggest contribution I made to Camp Deerpark was encouraging my son Kenton to serve there when he was 18.”

Dale Stoltzfus

1984–1986 (part-time)

In 1984 Dale and Doris were living in Westbrookville and Dale was earning a Doctor of Ministry degree at New York Theological Seminary. Doris worked as a school psychologist for the Pine Bush School District, about 15 miles from camp. Dale agreed to step in part time at camp while the board worked toward long-term direction.

Jay Sauder

1986–1990

Jay, along with his wife, Joyce, and their two sons, Ryan and Curt, moved to camp in March of 1986. Their fondest memories are of the many people they learned to know. During Jay’s tenure the director’s residence was constructed, which began a move toward adequate staff housing. Joyce established the newsletter in its current format. The Sauders placed a renewed emphasis on hospitality, administrative accountability and a deep commitment to the spiritual aspect of camp ministry.

“Aside from the ongoing shortage of funds, which I guess has always been there, and the ongoing challenges of finding dedicated and qualified staff, I would say our greatest challenge was trying to preserve and manage ever scarce resources to provide effective, eternally significant services,” Jay said.

Marian Sauder Egli

1990–1995

Marian moved to camp in March of 1990. As with the directors before her, she found the lack of finances to be one of her biggest challenges and was grateful for the contributions of volunteer services and donations. Marian was great at adding a personal touch to hospitality. Guests enjoyed her homemade dinner rolls and the fresh cut wildflowers on the mantle. One winter retreat she got up early and made homemade doughnuts for all of the youth.

“When I heard the bus come groaning up the hill, whether filled with campers or a church group, and then saw it round the corner, I never got over choking up a little with tears, knowing this was a holy opportunity,” Marian said. “Tears almost came again as the bus left camp and rounded the corner, going down the hill to return campers to their homes. I had experienced holy moments: face to face conversations with so many people of differing cultures. And there were the sounds and sights of people worshiping, relaxing and playing in a nature setting, splashing in the pool.” 

Orville Egli came to camp from Illinois, in October of 1993, and served as director of maintenance. “Orv and I worked well together,” Marian said. “We listened to our hearts, and were married on April 29, 1995.” 

Ken Bontrager

1995–present.

Ken and Deborah Bontrager arrived at Camp Deerpark in early November with two little boys. Four more children and 22 years later they are back to two children at home. “It has been an amazing blessing to raise our family here at Camp Deerpark,” Ken said.

Ken’s office has always looked out onto the front lawn. He has loved the ability to look outside and watch the children play while working.

The Bontragers’ longevity has provided some of the stability required for recent capital improvements. Ken has found his greatest challenge to be striking the balance between the way things are and the way they should be—often at Camp Deerpark there is a huge chasm between the two. The challenge for Ken has been keeping both in perspective while putting energy toward what can be done today.

“My greatest joy at Camp Deerpark is watching young people move through stages of leadership development and training,” he said, “emerging as talented and committed leaders.”

—Written by Ken Bontrager, current director.

Related Entries

• 50 Years of Camp Deerpark Buildings
• A Beautiful Scene
• A Conscious Decision
• A Place on the Hill
• A Special Creation of God