Bowman Park Youth Camp

The Bowman Park Youth Camp is held during campmeeting each year. To qualify as a full-time camper, the individual must be registered at the the first day of camp and continue to the close of the camp. The cost of camp includes: meals, lodging, camp insurance, and the camp newspaper. Donations to the Patron Fund help pay the campers' fees; this keeps the cost within reach of most campers. Campers will need some additional monies for offerings for the services, the snack bar, and some recreational activities. Any youth registering for part-time participation will be charged the daily rate or twice the daily rate for either weekend. Registrations received after the June 30 deadline will be charged an additional fee of $2.00. All reservations are to be sent to the Youth Camp Director, Barry Wanamaker, at 458 Seventh Street, Slatington, PA 18080. Many of the counselors at Youth Camp are former campers and alumni of Bowman Park.

History of the Bowman Park Youth Camp

When the outlook for Bowman Park Campmeeting's future was dim in the early 1950's, the innovation of a Youth Camp Program was a saving factor in the progress and outreach of Bowman Park. Much credit is due to the Rev. A. M. Herman for his foresight in promoting the youth work at Bowman Park. The following paragraphs quoted from a report of the first Director of Youth Work, The Reverend A. M. Herman, to the Campmeeting Association in 1960 tells the story of the beginning of this work:

"One may say that the Youth Work of the Campmeeting had its start in a fulfillment of one of the old and often sung songs of the Campmeeting: 'There Shall Be Showers of Blessing.' It was during the 60th Anniversary of the Camp in 1951, when a group of young people from Ebenezer Church, Allentown, were literally 'rained out' of the Seybert Building, that the thought was born of having a program that would be emphasizing a greater appeal to the youth that would come to the Camp. During subsequent years, this work was brought about. In 1952 when a new Board of Directors was elected by the Stockholders, and some new faces came into the Camp in the office of Trustees, there was a new outlook for a greater and enlarged ministry of the Campmeeting. Two of these men during the session of the Camp, in the persons of Harvey Gildner and Mr. Charles Andrews, approached Dr. 0. A. Hyden and Rev. A. M. Herman to discuss the possibility of a Youth Work in conjunction with the Campmeeting. The discussion centered around the building of a new dormitory to house young people if this program was to be established. The older dorms had been set up as family units, and seemed to these men to be unfit for the purpose they had in mind."

The result of these discussions was the appointment of Rev. A. M. Herman as Youth Director. He, in cooperation with Dr. 0. A. Hyden, established a program of interest to get the people to understand the need for a Youth

program and also the desire to finance it. A Youth Rally was held on September 13, 1952 to stimulate interest in the Youth Work. According to the record, 239 persons registered for his Rally, showing a great interest for a Youth Camp.

The Board of Directors considered the problem of housing the youth and, in order to provide this need, the double dwelling east of the Dining Hall was torn down to build the present Fellowship Hall, under the direction of Mr. Charles Andrews, a member of the Board serving as the builder.

Another quote from the report that Rev. Herman submitted to the Board of Directors in 1956, "In the spring of the year (1953) the double dwelling on the camp was demolished to make room for Fellowship Hall through the combined efforts of the members of the Board and the Pastors of the area. A fine building of modern styling was erected at the cost of $12,689.78. Architects and builders of the vicinity indicated the value of the building to approximate $25,000." Quoting now from the 1960 report of the Rev. Herman, another descriptive paragraph. "It (referring to Fellowship Hall) makes possible the housing of 72 persons in 12 rooms, with a draw curtain dividing the main Hall. Wash rooms with modern plumbing, three wash bowls, two showers, and three toilet bowls in each end of the building provide ample facilities for cleanliness. The central lounge is used for visiting, games, and group studies and just plain friendliness."

Fellowship Hall, so named by Dr. 0. A. Hyden, was dedicated June 20, 1953, with most appropriate ceremonies. Dr. 0. A. Hyden, Dr. C. E. Kachel, Superintendents of our Conference, along with the Honorable R. W. Stemler, Chief Burgess of Bowmanstown, had a part in the Dedication Service.

The first Youth Camp at Bowman Park was held July 10-19, 1953. The cost of camping was set at $18.50 for the ten day period. Dr. 0. A. Hyden was Spiritual Director of the Campmeeting, Rev. A. M. Herman was the Youth Director, Mrs. A. M. Herman served as Registrar, Rev. Nevin Snyder was the Secretary and bookkeeper, Mrs. Nevin Snyder was the Camp Nurse, Mr. Charles Simpson was the Chorister, Rev. P. A. Gottschalk was the Bible Teacher, while Rev. E. C. Minnich taught a course in Church History. Rev. E. L. Heisler was in charge of the Morning Watch period. In addition to those already named, the following supplemented the staff as Counselors: Rev. W. P. Mohr, Miss Marilyn Derk, and Miss Janet Shelly. The first Camp was attended by 35 young people from Allentown, Bangor, Barnesville, Bowmanstown, Delano, Easton, Kunkletown, Mauch Chunk, Lehighton, Pen Argyl, and Shamokin.

The 1954 Camp listed 50 full-time campers and an additional 11 part-time campers. Salem Church, Bangor, had 22 persons in the Camp. Campers came from a number of churches not represented the first year: Bethlehem, St. John; Danielsville; Emerald; Nazareth; and Slatedale. New staff members were Mrs. G. A. Oswald from Palmerton, Miss Alice Miller and Mrs. Betty Pritchard from Bangor, Miss Christa Helt of Bethlehem, and Rev. A. M. Gottschalk and Rev. G. N. Klinger.

A very important event of 1954 was the initiation of the Scholarship Fund by Dr. 0. A. Hyden. Dr. and Mrs. Hyden gave the first Memorial Scholarship in memory of their son, Warren Teel Hyden. This fund has proven to be a great

asset to the work of the Youth Camp; many young people have enjoyed a week at Camp who otherwise would have been denied the privilege due to financial problems. The Fund has been continued each year since that time.

In 1957 it was decided to have a Camp emblem. Five individuals submitted various designs; Miss Lorraine Lightcap of Bangor entered the one that was selected. It contains a large "B" with the words Youth above it and Camp beneath the letter surrounded by a circle and the words Bowman Park in an outer circle and the words Evangelical United Brethren at the bottom of the outer circle. The background is white with red letters. The emblem is still used.

The 1958 Camp had the highest total registrations. While there were 74 registered, only 62 were full-time campers. The Rev. L. E. Rau was responsible for bringing 26 young people to camp, six from the Wiconisco-Williamstown Charge he was leaving that year, and 20 from the Slatedale-Emerald Charge to which he was appointed. The staff numbered 15 that year, the highest to that date. Counselors and staff members who served so able in those years included Rev. and Mrs. M. A. Masteller, Mrs. E. C. Minnich, Rev. and Mrs. Donald R. Repsher, Miss Sue Wiley, Miss Carolyn LaBar, Mrs. Ne11ie Nicholas, Rev. L. E. Rau, Rev. J. P. Reside, Miss Lorraine Lightcap, Mr. James McDonald, Miss Thelma Doverspike, Rev. R. C. Voight, Rev. C. W. Matz, Rev. S. A. Fake, Mrs. Charles Rehrig, Mrs. Merritt Dieter, Rev. and Mrs. W. R. Kunz, Rev. and Mrs. D. L. Burkhart, Miss Phyllis Bennett and Miss Linda Roberts.

Rev. A. M. Herman served as Youth Director for 10 years, along with his wife as Registrar and Dean of Women. When he was appointed to serve St. John's Church in Pawtucket, Rhode Island in 1962, he felt the distance was too great to continue as Director and so submitted his resignation. Rev. L. E. Rau was elected to serve as Youth Director in 1963 and served through 1975, when Rev. Harold M. Young of Lititz became Youth Director for one year. The year 1977 saw another new face in this position, the son of Rev. and Mrs. L. E. Rau, Paul D. Rau, who served through 1982.

Our present Youth Director is Barry Wanamaker, who has served in this position since 1983. Many former campers have returned and served on the youth camp staff, including (at the risk of missing someone!) Linda (Snyder) Brady, Barbara (Serfass) Harder, Joan (Rau) Rehrig, Merlin Repsher, Mary Ann (Leibenguth) Repsher, Maynard Keilman, Edward Guldner, Gale (Branch) Burns, Nancy (Leibenguth) Embrey, Thomas Dorward, Linda (Sterner) Searfass, Darlene (Rau) Krome, John Rau, Brian Beidleman, Linda (Beidleman) Rau, Jerry Snyder, Beverly (Wentz) Zipp, Sherry Branch, Janet Ketchledge, Donna Edelman, June Becker, Laura Cebrosky, Michael Hamm, Tracey Markell, Troy Markell, Tim Markell, Bqcky Rehrig, Leroy Latshaw, Robin (Ash) Latshaw, Shelly Hamm, Chris Mikovitch, Christina Haupt, Jennifer Lakey.

A second generation of youth campers is appearing from some of the above counselors, a factor which we are justly proud.

Over the years, changes have been made to the Fellowship Hall, including repainting with bright colors to make the atmosphere more cheerful, adding of an additional shower on the girl's side and more bunks in several of the rooms, and most recently, changing the dimensions of the rooms near the partition.

For several years, enrollment in the Youth Camp program was down, but thanks to the efforts of Barry Wanamaker and his staff, enrollment has been on the upswing the last several years. The Youth Camp has been a real asset to the total Campmeeting program, and we look forward to the future when the Youth Camp will celebrate its 55th Anniversary in 2007. Many, many people have donated many, many hours of labor and concern to make the youth camp what it is today. Appreciated also is the fine support of area pastors throughout the years and also Sunday Schools and Youth Fellowships for sending their youth to Bowman Park.

To reach the campmeeting officers, send e-mail to Pastor Wilcock.

To reach the camping staff, send email to Michelle Newton

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