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Camp Council St Johns Church Camp By Gary Rebok “St John’s acquires Camp site” was the start of an article found from May 1949. A call went out to all able-bodied men and youth to set aside Wednesday evenings to help ready St. John’s Camp site. The vision was to prepare the site not only for regular summer camping, but also for individual and class picnics. “You will like the place when you see it,” the article continued. All of us are deeply indebted to Mr. Charles Karper who made the contact which resulted in an agreement to purchase the 33 acres from D.M. Bream, who was willing to sell the land only after he learned for what purposes St John’s desired to use it. Had Mr. Bream wished, he could have sold it to private parties for several times the sum he asked us to pay. Today volunteers continue the work that was a vision 56 years ago to maintain St. John’s Camp amidst its splendid beauty. St. John’s Camp is nestled along the east side of the Tuscarora Mountain just off Route 75, north of Fort Loudon. Three summer camps are run each year: Camp Noah, Camp Kum-Ba-Yah and Camp River Wild. St. John’s camp is also available for rent from mid May to October and is used by many return renters. Another yearly event the Camp Council holds is the Father and Child Breakfast. This year the Camp Council is holding an Old-Fashioned Pig Roast and Ice Cream Social, with Vespers capping off the evening in the Wildwood Chapel. Camp Council is always looking for new members. If you are interested and would like to help in any manner, please contact any Camp Council member or the church office.  About St. John's Camp... St John's camp is wholly owned and operated by St. John's United Church of Christ. St. John's first camping season was held in rented facilities during the summer of 1944. The present camp in Fort Loudon, Pennsylvania was purchased in 1949 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the organization of St. John's. Since the purchase, thousands of children from the congregation and the wider community have enjoyed a unique experience at St. John's Camp. What does St. John's Camp offer... St. John's Camp offers many opportunities for children, youth, and adults to enjoy nature, realize heightened awareness of our relationship with the Creator God, and experience Christian Faith and love within the context of a community based on helpfulness, understanding, good humor, and compassion. St. John's camp facility includes a modern kitchen and dining room, cabins, outdoor chapel, nature center, open-air pavilion, bath-house with hot showers, basketball and volleyball courts, and a baseball field. Sponsor A Camper... YOU can help provide a week of summer camp for a child from our church community who is financially unable to attend camp. Contributions should be clearly marked or use the pew envelopes and indicate "Sponsor a Camper". Where is St. John's camp... St. John's camp in nestled along the east side of the Tuscarora Mountain just off Route 75, north of Fort Loudon, Pennsylvania. From Route 30, turn north on route 75. Continuing on Route 75, approximately two miles past the sign to Cowan's Gap State Park, turn left on Stumpy Lane. St John's Camp is located one mile on the left. The camp address is: St. John's camp. 17436 Stumpy Lane, Fort Loudon, PA 17224. The telephone number is (717) 369-4431. To Register... Print out & fill out the registration form & mail to St. John's at 1811 LWE, Chambersburg, PA 17201 St. John's 2008 Camp Program ~ Camp brochures are now available in the church office CAMP CLEAN UP ~ April 26, 2008 ~ 8:00 AM - Noon. FATHER & CHILD BREAKFAST ~ May 4, 2008 ~ 9 -11:00 AM - Adults - $5; Children 12 & under - $3. Come back to Camp for an old-fashioned Father and Child Breakfast. A breakfast of ham, eggs, and potatoes will be served at 9:00 AM, followed by a brief worship service. The gentlemen will leave Camp at 11:00 AM, just in time to return to the Church Parking Lot by the end of morning Worship. Come and share fellowship in the great outdoors and praise God for God’s wonderful gift of creation. Tickets are available in April. FOURTH ANNUAL PIG ROAST ~ May 31, 2008 ~ 3:30 PM - Come for an afternoon of games, music, a pig roast and ice cream social. Join us for grass court volleyball, horse shoes, basketball. Not into sports? Relax in the dining area, visit with friends, or just stroll the grounds. We will conclude the evening with Vespers in the Wildwood Chapel. Just bring your favorite covered dish and dress for some outside fun. The main course of roast pig along with ice cream and all of the toppings, plates, utensils, cups and drink will be provided. CREATIONFEST '08 ~ June 23-29, 2008 ~ (All ages / overnight camp) Agape Farm, Mount Union, PA. Christians from all over the world gather to listen to top Christian recording artists and speakers. It is a wonderful time to renew and refresh our Christian faith. CAMP RIVER WILD ~ June 29 - July 4, 2008 ~ (Youth completing grades 6-8 / overnight camp). STAFF: Cindy Kinzey, Pastor Mark Ruzicka, Andy Harrison and others. Registrations accepted through: Sunday, June 15th, 2008.CAMP NOAH ~ July 7-11, 2008 ~ (Youth completing Kindergarten, Grades 1 & 2 / Day Camp, w/optional overnight Wednesday). STAFF: Cindy Kinzey, Pastor Mark Ruzicka, Program Coordinator: Renee Byers and others. Registrations accepted through: Sunday, June 22nd, 2008. CAMP KUM-BA-YAH ~ July 13-19, 2008 ~ (Youth completing Grades 3-5 / Overnight camp). STAFF: Cindy Kinzey, Pastor Mark Ruzicka, Andy Harrison and others. Registrations accepted through: Sunday, June 29th, 2008. Sign up for a truly unforgettable experience. Church Camp is always in need of cooks, counselors, kitchen helpers and laborers. Please volunteer to make this a great camp year and to help lighten the load of the few who do so much behind-the-scenes work. All of us need to help take care of this true “diamond in the rough.” REMEMBER ~ St. John’s Camp is available May through October for daily or weekly rental. If you’re looking for a site for a weekend get-away, family reunion or other event, call the church office for details. For more information, e-mail us at: office@stjohnschambersburg.org |