Summit Grove Camp

After a short stop at home following our September project, we headed north to Summit Grove Camp located in New Freedom PA, arriving on October 3rd.  New Freedom is located just 3 miles north of the MD line just below York.

The rail line that goes through town carried President Lincoln to Gettysburg for his historic address.
There is a historic steam train that offers a nostalgic ride to Glen Rock on those same tracks.

The train heading north from Baltimore and south from Harrisburg had a stop located on the edge of town, just across from the entrance to the camp.  Families would come for a summer vacation staying in hundreds of canvas tents setup in rows designated by the various districts that the campers came from.  

The campers would enjoy great fellowship and listen to famous speakers of the day in the grand tabernacle, which has been enlarged over the years to seat 1500 people.  The 42 acre campus was acquired in the 1930's by the Christian and Missionary Alliance church which have used it for Denominational use up until a couple of years ago.  It now has it's own non-denominational governing board and continues to be used of the Lord as a Christian camp in the summer and has facilities for winter use as well by various ministries.

The playground next to the Light House

There are about 40 cottages on the property that are privately owned, a throwback to the days when families would spend the whole summer here at the camp.  Folks still stay from spring to fall.

October is definitely not pool weather!

Major League ball field, or well small league

Beautiful country side in Pennsylvania

The colors began to burst soon after our arrival

These trees came to full vibrancy and were shedding their leaves as we ended our stay

The dining hall was built in the 40's and still serves the campers

The RV/tent area is on the back side of the property 

We enjoyed a great view out of our living room window.  I know, "suffering servants" :)

Our Sower teammates this month were Mary and Jeff Peace from Dallas Texas.  They were here in September as well and are heading back south to Texas for their next project.

The guys tackled a shed that is used to dispense all of the balls, yard games, archery equipment, etc. that are used by the campers in the recreational programs.  The shed was in desperate need of repair with the lower part of the siding rotted, along with the fascia and sofits.  

We cut off the old siding around the bottom and replaced it with new wood, replaced the fascia and sofits and gave it a fresh coat of paint.  It should serve the campers for many years to come.

The day camp has closed for the season but the Lodge is used for retreats throughout the winter

The ladies spent time helping out in the laundry at the Lodge and helping in the camp office.  Jane organized the supply closet and cleaned the laundry room.  She loves to tackle jobs that most others shy away from.  It gives her a great sense of joy to see the end result, clean orderly spaces to work from.

The camp has twelve "A-tels", bunk houses that are about 18' x 22'.  

In September, Jeff and John began to spruce up the trim and front doors of seven Atels with a fresh coat of paint and replacing rotted wood in the door frames. Jeff and I finished the remaining ones this month. 

Each Atel has a different name.  Jane and Mary repainted the signs

Jeff and I rehung the signs in the rain on the Wednesday before we left

This was Jeff and Mary's first Sower project as Group Leaders

 and they did a great job keeping us busy

We sure enjoyed the changing of the season

With the cooler temps and rain it feels too much like winter for us.

Hitched up an ready to move "South"

Summit Grove is a great project to serve.  The Cross of Jesus remains the center of the vision of this Camp after 150 years.  I trust that Jesus is at the center of your life as well!

We will spend November and December in Summerville, then move on to Florida for the winter season.  Our 40th wedding anniversary is in March and we will celebrate with a cruise to the Panama Canal.

We may return to Summit Grove in April to see the spring leaves pop out.

Till next post, Godspeed dear ones!

        Glenn and Jane