The Gettysburg Times from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania • Page 13

THE GETTYSBURG TIMES, SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 1948 PAGE SEVEN First Visitors' Day At Camp Nawakwa Is Told By Former Director; Lauds Many Friends By MISS LAVENE GROVE Former Director, Camp Nawakwa. VERY day is visitors' day at Nawakwa in the event that some interested friend of the camp or a fond parent of a camper desires to see the campers in action and the camp program in operation. It is customary to find visitors at the hillside services, on the athletic field, at the swimming pool, in the assembly hall, or near the mess hall at any time during the camp period. In order that guests may be received cordially and directed to interesting places and Jnto various activities without interfering with the campers' participation in the camp program, a committee of hostesses serves in the various camps throughout the summer. Memorable Dates Naturally special events bring ex-, tra visitors.

Throughout the twenty years of Nawakwa's history there have been many red letter days when important occasions and special speakers attracted great crowds to share in the program of the -day. Some of these important occasions with their corresponding days were: Dedication of the'Camp on June 2, 1929; Dedication of the Library, June 2, 1936; Tenth Anniversary of Nawakwa, July 31, 1938; Ground Breaking for Dr. M. Hadwin Fischer CROWDED MESS HALL. AT CAMP NAWAKWA many churches in many comhiuni- tles had the privilege or attending camp and hadn't been present to the cerempny and then talk about It to their friends, I felt that on this great Twentieth Anniversary Day, the campers, their friends and relatives, and even the should know about this unique occasion.

It was this: After the Camp Committee appointed by the Parish and Church School Board on May 7, 1927. spent almost a 'year looking around for a suitable camp site, and then finally decided upon the Adams County site April 11, 1928, it wasn't long until the construction of some of the camp buildings begain In June, 1928. Invites Inspection Several weeks later in this same summer with one cabin completed and part of assembly building and mess hall started, Dr. M. Had- win Fischer, the founder' of Camp Nawakwa, felt that since the camp was of the church, for the church, and by the church, the church should be, in on the secrets and proceedings of the camp committee, so he conceived the idea of having a Visitors' Day when all the Lutherans, pastors and laymen, with their friends would be privileged to visit the new camp site: In short Dedication of the Altar of Fischer' Memorial Chapel, August 20, 1939.

Since all of the above special events took place after the camp had been organized and officially opened in 1829, they are wen known and usually remembered as important historical occasions in the life of Nawakwa. Campers and visitors who were present on these occasions were deeply impressed by what they saw and heard, and refer to these incidents as high mountain top experiences ever to be cherished and long remembered. "Unique Occasion" But the Visitors' Day which I specifically wish to describe unusual is one which took place in the summer of 1928, one year before the camp was dedicated and opened to receive campers. No buildings had been erected except one lone cabin-cabin No. 11.

The cement foundation posts for the assembly building and the mess hall had been placed into position. The name Nawakwa had not yet been given to this new child of the church, but all the work was proceeding under the name of Leadership School Corporation." To me this visitors' day was unique and? "thrilling; tedk place before young people from CAMP NAWAKWA 1928 A A I 0 Ploqnes Awards Tee-Shirts Emblems Pennants Banners J. CM1TW JONES rad ASSOCIATES PQiNSYLVANIA to the pastors within a large radius of the camp--invitations welcoming everyone to a delightful experience on the mountain top and containing also explicit directions as to how to get to this mountain top. The great day arrived and was one of the warmest days of the summer of 1928 with the thermometer at ninety-some in the mountains. Automobiles were wending their way on roads not as smooth as the ones today, but they, got there just the same, in groups, by the dozen, until the woods was swarming with folks, and the scene resembled a real country picnic.

A rather large group of young people and their leader! came from the Summer Assembly at Gettysburg Seminary. Visit Camp Site Upon arrival the guests were cor- dially greeted by Dr. Fischer who chatted informally about his plans for the camp until a group of fifteen or twenty had gathered and then a personally conducted tour of the camp site began. On "this tour the group inspected i the cement posts for supporting the mess hall and were informed that these foundation posts had to be very strong so that they would sup- -portihefloor whefl the campers were; having fun and frolic at their meals, The foundation posts of the building were also, inspected andj were described as being extra strong also in order to bear the weight of many campers in action. The lone completed cabin, No.

11, was visited and approved by the group. It was explained that a cabin constructed and fitted out with eight! beds one of which was to be a double decker would three dollars and that any church church group that so desired was in-1 vited to donate a cabin to the camp. By the following summer it was observed that a few churches responded generously to this invitation. Find Ten Springs" As various sections of the camp site were" visited, Dr. Fischer explained how the abundance of beau-; tiful white flint which was lying in huge piles here and there would be used for constructing fire places, a spring and a fountain.

It was learned that day that approximately ten springs had been discovered on the grounds. It was suggested that several of them be tested, developed and protected to serve the camp. Everywhere around what is' now cabin row were beautiful ferns and emerald green moss. It was brought to the attention of the group that a few weeks earlier in the season the climb to the hin top had been glorious because the trail had, been adorned by pink azaleas, and that at the same time, in practically every part of the camp pink laurel Pennsylvania's state flower, had bloomed forth in aD its beauty. Before dismissing.a group of visitors, Dr, Fischer would bring out ttoe blueprints of the camp, showing the plans of building not yet started, the reservoir, the sewage system, the swimming the; and the septic tank.

Tie. clothe all these of the camp in flesh and blood', having them speak in their own way of the great part they would play in making the future campers happy. Hear "Pep" Talk As soon as one group completed Its sight-seeing tour, it was directed to a grassy spot under the trees where it was privileged to hear from Dr. Fisher's'helper, who had counseled and taught in several Church Camps, a pep talk about the value of camp training. This particular leader was absolutely sold on Christian Leadership Camps because she had observed first-hand just what camping did for boys and girls, so she spoke with the courage of her convictions giving many reasons why churches should be interested in sending young people to camp.

While the touring and talking INSPIRING AT LUTHER AN CAMP By MISS HELEN KONHAUS Year Book Editor The first law of the Council Circle is, "Silence." Trie second "law is, "Never pass between the Great Chief without asking per- arid 'had i Council'Fires. ihe'tribes met for-fun and Campers could be seen trudging up the bill carrying blankets, brooms, buckets, chairs, basins, cots, carving knives, and tubs--all of which lost their identity as such when used in the stunts. There were other campers, scarcely recognizable in costumes procured from the costume box behind the door in Miss Grove's cabin. Each tribe hoped that theirs would be the best and get the I most points. Who doesn't remember (the lighthouse stuntAthe ladies aid societies, little red schoolhouse, when desiring to speak." With the! solemn repetition of these npers of each tribe were ad- to the Council Only of the whippoorwttl interrupted the silence that 1 followed'as campers waited in breathless anticipation of what would happen next.

meetings of the Council Circk with I The population of Liberia In West- the singing of hymns and insplra- Africa Includes about 13.000 de- tlonal songs such as "Tell Me Why" and "Nawakwa." Everybody remembers the lighting of the flre hearing Marshall read John Oxenham's- "Kneel always light a flre Kneel reverently and thankful be For God's unfailing And on the ascending Inspire A little prayer, that shali upbear The incense of your thankfulness For this sweet grace' of warmth andlightl For here again is sacrifice For your delight. Kneel always when you light a flre! Kneel reverently and thankful be For God's unfailing charity." Fellowship Service The most beautiful of all cere-; monies was the Fellowship service, Around the Council Fre, over hundred people have become "followers of the their beliefs, have been consecrated and have dedicated their Hves to tog in the steps of Him who went about doing good. i Final Council Circle was the ell-j max to every camp. The night wheh I all those who succeeded in living Up to the ideals of the camp were given an award. Better still than the award was the realization that through camp experiences they had gained strides in Christian living arid they had made decisions.

-At testimonial; time there was the sharing these! experiences and high resolves. I' haps the most memorable of all was the closing with Dr. Fischefi ac-, count of the writing of "Iset The Lower Lights Be Burning," the ing of that final hymn and the glow, of the flashlights'through" the As the campers wend their wayl slowly down the hill, each carried a i prayer in his heart that his light might be kept burning- Sveden it 990 long and baa an average width of WO milM. total OUR SINCERE CONGRATULATIONS -and WISHES, to CAMP On Its Anniversary croin tea S. GUMPERT Inc.

Pure Food Products For Hotels and Restaurants Institutions, Bakers and Ice Cream Manufacturers there were those never-to-be-forgotten stories, sbngs and: antics iflf the faculty and counsellors. Occasionally was night" and imaginations worked overtime to spin enjoyed by all, another real treat Of a different nature'was awaiting the guests. In vicinity of where cabin 11 now stands there were several picnic tables laden with stacks and stacks of sandwiches, tubs of ice cold lem- onade, and freezers of ice creem. After visitors had seen all they wanted and had. heard all they wanted" to listen to, they could eat all they wanted to mean that they didn't eat only one sandwich and drink only one glass of lemonade, but they could have seconds and thirds.

What a day! What a treat! Til never forget it. I can still taste that refreshing lemonade, so cooling with the thermometer at 90 or above. Many Friends Cooperate Now this treat wasn't wonderful only because it was needed, and appreciated, and enjoyed, but be- Fischer, as he explained the meaning of the Circle. He told of Indians that once lived jhfee; serious PHOTOGRAPHS All photograplis, the Fischer Memorial CRapei; this. ty'sburg.

cause iw Was Collated and carried out by the good folks of the community and the fine citizens of Adams County, regardless of their church -affiliations. These good neighbors and fine friends had so much faith in this new camp and its founder that they wanted-to share in so. noble, a project. May the kindness and generosity of these 'Adams County friends of Na-; wakwa be remembered bn this oc-j casion, the Twentieth AnniversSryj of Nawakwa, and may: the Visitors'-' Day to which they contributed so much to make be remembered as an important-event in the history of theiutheran Leadership Training Camp. 5 1 CAMP NAWAKWA'S 20th Anniversary.

Is Proof of Leadership COAL DEALER We are Proud to have Participated in the furnishing of Direct From Coal Mines GEO. W. WEAVER ASPERS, PA. SMELSER REPAIB SHOP ArendtsviHe Extends Best Wishes Camp Nawakwa Their 28th C. L.

EICHOLTZ New Oxford, Pa. Extends Congratulations To CAMP NAWAKWA On Its 20th Anniversary The Camp Officers Are Supplied with Royal Typewriters and Supplies HOTEL Extends BEST WISHES CAMP ARENDTSVttLE. PA; The Rev. George H. Berkheimer, Wredor 5 1 5 192-1948 UFON ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY AND BIDS IT 't Many More Prbiperbus Years CETTIER'S BREAD--- The Choice at Camp Nawakwa for the Boys and Girls We Extend Our Congratulations To CAMP NAWAKWA On Bs 20lh Anniversary GETTIER'S BAKERY Pa.

To Our Friends in We join you on this occasion, your 20th year of training young people. Our sincere good wishes for the continued progress and genuine good work accomplished our congratulations to the officers, committees and personnel. We Are Proud To Hove Installed THE PUMP TUBBOfE In This Youth Center JOSEPH A. BRENNER 234 Centennial Avenue HANOVER. PA.

(Official Jeweler For Nawakwa) North thil 3 ('. i Extends i i io CAMP NAWAKWA i i on iis 20th ANNIVERSARY SlEWS.PA.PE.Rr.