A History
This information come from two sources – the first part was written in 1960 by an unknown author and was provide by Nelson Clements, the second part of the history beginning with construction of the pool, was added in 1987 by members of the Camp Staff reunion committee
(John Penns Creek)
Named by Dr. Lewis E. Thesiss
The first camp site of the Boy Scouts was in tents in Strickler’s Woods, just across the street from the present camp. The council included the area north of Sunbury and covered the territory of upper Northumberland and all Union and Snyder counties. The Scout Executive then was Mr. Taylor and the President was Robert N Thompson of Lewisburg.
In 1928 Dr Lewis E. Theiss of Lewisburg took donations and purchased the present camp site, consisting of 72 acres, from William Libby who was the father-in-law of Jacob H. Lamey. There was only one open space, which was the field where the camp fires are now held. The balance of the flat was dense brush and rattlesnakes, copperheads and various animals were abundant.
Money was solicited and nine building erected at the cost of $50.00 each. The buildings had solid roofs, screened sides with an inside canvas drop to keep out the rain and wind.
In 1932 Dr. L.E. Theiss became President, Dr F.B. Hitchcock of Lewisburg became Camp Chairman and George M Hosterman, Scout Executive.
The Old trading post between the road and the creek was then headquarters. A dining hall about 50 feet long was erected and was later extended to twice its length by members of the Order of the Arrow. A short time later a fireplace was erected at the east end of the dining hall by the Lewisburg Rotary Club. Brush was cleared off the flat and tree planted at the east end camp by the same boys. A well, 28 feet was dug at the dining hall by Silas Zimmerman of West Milton at a cost $28.00. William J Busser of Lewisburg donated a one-third horsepower pump.
About 1935 a new headquarters building, now known as Lamey Lodge, was erected by Ellsworth Snook, New Berlin, John L. Williams, Milton, Edward Burrows, Milton, and Thomas Beggs, then Field Scout Executive.
Dr. Carl L. Millward become President, William J Busser, Jr., Chairman of the Camping Committee, and George Hosterman, Scout Executive. At this period the Black Diamond area was added by order of the National Council and the Susuquehanna Valley Area Council came into being.
In 1938 a topographical survey was made of our land by John L. Williams, then a Junior at Penn State, assisted by various Boy Scouts. J.C. Williams, member of the Camp Committee raised $200.00 and purchased an additional two acres of land where the pond is located.
Telephone service was needed. The Camp Committee secured the right-of-way over the Pennsylvania Railroad for the telephone line across the tracks. The matter was taken up with Mr. James McClure of Lewisburg, a member of the Executive Board, who was attorney for the Buffalo Valley Telephone Company. Through his effort the Telephone Company placed a private phone in the Camp at no cost to Scouting . It did cause the Telephone Company to erect eighteen poles to give this service.
In the late ‘30’s CCC camps went out of existence. The Camp Committee purchased one building 20 feet by 110 feet, for $220.00. Seven other buildings were given to the Scouts. John C. Williams was appointed to move the knocked-down buildings to our camp site and was placed in charge of construction.
Mr. Ray Rugh came in as Scout Executive and George Hosterman was transferred to Washington, Pennsylvania.
At a meeting of the Camp Committee, Jacob H. Lamey was given the job of going to various CCC sites, raising the buildings, and moving them to the Camp and erecting them there. Mr. Lamey completed this project with his men at a cost of sixty-five and seventy-five cents per hour for expert carpenters.
A drive was instituted for funds on a basis of $300.00 per building with the names of the donors placed thereon. Ten sleeping buildings (nine on the old sites) and three main camp buildings were erected – Indian 4, Nature 4, Pioneer 4, Outpost 1. Additional Lumber needed was cut from, our camp by Jacob Lamey, dried and sawed at a cost of $15.00 per M Bd. Ft.
The next dream was a new dining hall. The location was selected and all Boy Scouts helped get out stone ( approximately 260 tons) which was hauled to the site. Mr. Lamey cut more lumber to be held for the new Building.
Mr. Ray Rugh died suddenly.
At a meeting of the Camp Committee it was decided that if and when the dining hall was finished it should be named “Ray Rugh Memorial” because of his untiring devotion to Scouting and the Camp.
Harry Porter came in as Scout Executive. He served only a short time and contributed very little to the area.
Donald R. Gay followed as Scout Executive and John C. Williams as Camp Chairman.
Plans were drawn for the new dining hall and taken to Harrisburg for approval. John C and John L. Williams were put in charge of construction with Jacob Lamey and helpers to do the construction.
The foundation was laid and money was depleted. The foundation laid for two years.
Two things were necessary before actual construction – a new road from the main road to the shale bank (at the shooting range) and the electric transformer moved from beside Lamey Lodge to the dining hall site.
Mr. Lamey with son-in-law, Oley Boop, constructed the road at the cost $675.00.
After several contacts the Pennsylvania Power and Light Company enter into a contract with the Boy Scouts (cost $1.00) to cut a 30-foot right-of way, erect poles and place the transformer in its present position; a wonderful tribute to the Pennsylvania Power and Light Company.
In the spring of 1951, with $1000.00 cash, J.C. Williams instructed Mr. Lamey to proceed with the laying of stone, the idea being to stop when our funds were depleted.
Contributions began coming in. The day before work was started, Dave Broscious of Sunbury sent a truckload of lime, cement and drain tile, Before the job was completed Mr. Broscious with brothers and father contributed in excess of $9000.00 in materials and labor. Mr. and Mrs. Marlin Shauda of Shamokin contributed and applied the roof, 67 squares; William Bussar, Jr., Lewisburg cash, pump, ventilator fan; Wilfred Watts, Milton, installed all wiring; Robert Berkheimer, all the 4 ft. lamps for the main dining hall; Daubert Plumbing of Lewisburg, materials and labor – just to name a few. A few hundred letters were sent to various donors of labor and material. Mr. Lamey and associates worked for $1.50 per hour, holding up jobs, which they had contracted for $3.50 per hour. Donald Gay, Scout Executive, was untiring in his efforts, soliciting material and cash. Steel sash and glass were secured at factory price from a friend of John L. Williams. Scouts and Scouters spent days puttying in the glass. Two Zimmerman boys, West Milton, dug the well 82 feet deep, at a cost of $87.00.
We were near the end of the job but about $3000.00 short. Raymond Broscious loaned this amount to the area at 3% interest. At this writing (1960) the loan has been repaid.
The Ray Rugh Memorial Dining Hall was dedicated October 25, 1953, with Mr. Clarence Erffer, Regional Scout Executive, and George Hosterman, former Scout Executive, present. The Council was headed by Judge William I. Troutman, President.
Camp Committee: J.C. Williams, Chairman
James Morrison
Ray Reichenbach
Benjamin Thomas
Joseph Tuckey
Donald Walther
John L. Williams
William J. Busser, Jr.
Raymond Winter
Donald R. Gay, Scout Executive
Lester M. Auchmoody, Field Scout Executive
Stanley C. Rogers, Field Scout Executive
The next building needed was a home for the cooks. Again through contributions and labor by Lamey, the building was completed, two sleeping rooms and a combination living and dining room; equipped with shower, toilet, electric stove, etc.
The members of the Order of the Arrow constructed a stone entrance at the east end of Camp.
The bridge contractor (without charge) at the suggestion of Ronald Dommermuth, Field Executive, moved the trading post to its present location, where it was rebuilt by Broscious men under David Broscious, Jr. Twenty-for men worked on the project without charge.
Raymond Broscious, Sunbury, became Camp Chairman.
Many improvements were made – a new hospital erected by Broscious men; a walk-in refrigerator by Weis Stores for the dining hall; sufficient slate surfaced shingles secured by Broscious Lumber Company to re-rood all buildings except the dining hall, hospital, and trading post.
As of now, March 1961 – all new beads secured from army surplus; and 1000-foot plastic water pipe, a gift of the White Deer Mountain Water Company. Mr. David Brouscious has contributed $5000.00 toward the erection of a swimming pool.
(This is were the narrative is continued by the Camp Staff Reunion Committee)
In the mid 60’s the Camp could no longer use Penns Creek for swimming. To continue the quality program, funds were raised and swimming pool was constructed to provide a safe swimming area.
Also, in the mid 60’s the Camp was in need of an upgraded maintenance facility. A new shop was constructed near the site of the original camp dining hall.
In 1970 the chapel area of camp was relocated from just north of the dining hall to an area in the forest near the entrance to camp. The chapel was constructed with an outdoor stage area for services with an attached apartment for the use of the summer camp chaplains and staff.
With the merger of the West Branch and the Susquehanna Valley Area Councils in 1974, several new campsites were established and several old campsites were revitalized and reopened to accommodate the additional troops. Much of this work was done by the Order of the Arrow, with some to work being completed by the Summer Camp staff just prior to the opening of the camping season.
Also in 1974 the Ranger’s home was destroyed by fire. Through a fund-raising effort a new home was constructed that same year.
In 1975 the camp director Rich Nornhold, undertook a project to carve a totem pole of the camp history of Camp Karoondinha. He completed much of the history and the pole was erected near the entrance to camp.
During 1977, the council was able to finally purchase the property surrounding Camp Karoondinha know for years as the Tressler Trac. This purchase greatly increased the size of camp. To finance this much-needed purchase, Camp Nik-o-mahs was sold and much of the camp property was timbered.
In 1978 Faylor Middlecreek Construction Company rebuilt the camp road adding a additional layer of shale to build up the camp road.
Beginning in 1976 many of the old CCC camp cabins started to show signs of their age and one collapsed in a snowstorm. Council properties chairman John Fogarty led a project to build new staff and winter cabins. Kirby and Harris cabins were constructed in the spring of 1978 and dedicated during that summer.
Mr. Fogarty continued this project and in 1979 he built an additional cabin to be used for the camp handicraft lodge and as a winter cabin.
The old CCC cabins, having served the camp for more than forty years, were torn down during the period of 1976 through 1981.
In 1978 the rifle range was rebuilt.
In 1980 an addition to the dining hall was begun to house the walk-in refrigerator and freezer. This addition was completed and in use for the 1981 camping session, was paid for by the Order of the Arrow.
The council, working with Susquehanna University, developed the George Hebner Ecology Center, which opened in 1981. This Building provides a field research station for the University and the council with an outstanding nature center for the summer camp program.
1983 was a year of many changes at Camp Karoondinha. A lake was constructed by Faylor- Middlecreek Construction in memory of their owner. The lake has improved the camp waterfront area and the counseling of merit badges.
Also in 1983, the kitchen area of the dining hall was remolded to enable the camp to be served cafeteria style.
Seven new campsites were opened in 1983 and four additional new sites were developed for the 1984 season.
1n 1985, though the generosity of Mr. Mrs. Richard Sanders, a new shower house was constructed near the new campsites.
In 1987 the shower house area of the pool was rebuilt by Ron Kobel.
Also, in 1987, Paul John and the employees of Ritz-Craft Homes, constructed four family tebins to be used to provide housing for older camp staff members and their families. During the summer the tebin area was dedicated as the Ritz-Craft Family Tebin Area and the tebins named for four gentlemen that have been very devoted to Scouting – Dr. Richard Klintob, Arthur J. May, Herb Enck and Howard Ensinger.
(The Following is from the original 1960 narrative.)
Before the Boy Scout Camp was in existence, a wooden bridge was constructed across the Penns Creek to serve the two farmers and lumber interests. The pilings were logs filled with stone. As time went on, the log piling and the timber at the ends of the bridge rotted.
At one time the south end of the bridge became unsafe. A new abutment was built. Steel girders were secured by Mr. George Rockwell from the Selinsgrove bridge, which was being replaced. This held for a time.
Later a lumber truck crashed through the north end of the bridge. While the Boy Scouts did not own it the insurance company awarded $1200 to the Boy Scouts and the north end was rebuilt.
It kept getting worse and worse. Enough cannot be said about the aid given us by Mr. Jacob Lamey who came close to losing his life propping up the bridge.
When the bridge was dedicated a Glen Iron, application was made to the state engineers to replace it. Figures were presented showing more traffic in a year’s period that the combined traffic over the Glen Iron and Weikert bridges. Assistance was refused.
Applications was made to the Union County Commissioners and refused.
A new election came up in Union County. Miss Thelma Showalter, a friend of Scouting, was elected County Commissioner. At her second meeting she proposed the erection of a bridge. Plans were drawn, bids taken and the contract awarded for $37000.00 for a concrete bridge across the creek.
Upon completion we found that if the creek were high, water would back into our land. Mr. Stan Boop at a cost of $47.00 took his bulldozer into the creek and threw up a bank of stone west of the bridge.
The bridge was dedicated in September 1957 with Commissioners, Township Supervisors, Judge William Troutman, President, Donald R. Gay, Scout Executive, J.C. Williams, Camp Chairman, present.
Years of headache are behind us. Access to our Camp is over a very fine and safe bridge. The Boy Scouts owe the County Commissioners of Union County, especially Miss Thelma Showalter, a lasting debt of gratitude.