Served on the First Board

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.

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.

I enjoyed working in a variety of roles for Camp Deerpark. 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.

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.

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.

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.

—Written by Donna Stoltzfus, former camper and staff.

John Buckwalter, volunteer and board member, attended Good Shepherd Mennonite Church in the Bronx.

Related Entries

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