Land and Buildings
Camp Deerpark sits on 277 acres in the Catskill mountains in Westbrookville, New York. The farm that would eventually become the site of Camp Deerpark was settled in the early 1800s. Around 1935 the owners began taking in guests, mostly city folks wanting to experience country life. Such “farm resorts” were common in the area,…
Read MoreLocal Community
As Anabaptists, we take seriously Jesus’ teachings from the Sermon on the Mount about being the salt of the earth and the light of the world. One of our stated core values at Camp Deerpark is to express the love of Jesus by having integrity in all dealings with our vendors, our neighbors on Brandt…
Read MoreMade in the Image of God
Ken BontragerOctober 2, 2020Fourth of Four / 2020 Essays on Race and Diversity Camp Deerpark, from the beginning in 1969, has been a place where people of all cultures have come together to break down barriers. In June, Kevin Smith shared his perspective on race relations and diversity. Following is the fourth and final short…
Read MoreMission Statement
The mission statement adopted by the board in February, 2006 says: Camp Deerpark is a ministry of the New York City Mennonite Churches—a community of Christ where children, youth, and families from all cultures are welcomed to fellowship together in the serenity of God’s creation.
Read MoreNo Other Foundation
For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.—I Corinthians 3:11 (NIV) An audience of hundreds of millions of people watched in awe in the summer of 1969 as American astronauts traveled to make history. On July 20, with fuel running low and computer alarms adding to…
Read MoreOne Family’s Memories
I loved being at camp. It was a magical place for me. I loved going to camp-fires and going for walks. As a country girl living in New York City for 22 years, camp made it easier for me to stay in the city. Without camp to go to, I would have struggled more. It…
Read MoreOur Close Neighbor
When the owner of a house on Brandt Road discovered his new neighbors were running a summer camp for children from New York City, he put his house on the market. The prospective buyers, Walter and Jacqueline Mehr, drove from New York City to see the property around Labor Day in 1969. They drove past…
Read MorePeter and Matthew
Ken BontragerSeptember 4, 2020Third of Four / 2020 Essays on Race and Diversity Camp Deerpark, from the beginning in 1969, has been a place where people of all cultures have come together to break down barriers. In June Kevin Smith shared his perspective on race relations and diversity. Following is the third of four short…
Read MoreReflecting on the Past and Vision for the Future
As the Camp Deerpark board and leadership looks toward the next fifty years of ministry we will hold precious the collection of stories compiled in the previous pages. We will not forget where and how God has led us to this point. We will look back to learn and look forward with renewed faith. We…
Read MoreReflections on First Mennonite Gathering at Camp after 9/11
The September 2001 convention of New York City Mennonite churches at Camp Deerpark happened less than two weeks after the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. As we drove up the long hill to camp, we saw the familiar greens and golds and reds of changing leaves emerging from the fog, which had obscured…
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