Volume 5: Issue 4-5 | June 2022
Celebrating White Lake Covenanter Camp's 100th Year
White Lake Covenanter Camp: Cots, Cows, Camaraderie
White Lake Covenanter Camp. What a great name. It might be the last organization in the Reformed Presbyterian orbit to retain Covenanter in its official name.
I belong to the vast diaspora of White Lake campers. Sprinkled across the Reformed Presbyterian Church, we attend other presbytery camps with a pitying attitude toward those who never experienced the absolute best camp in the church.
My White Lake experience began before the days of running hot water or showers. We took a cake of soap down to the lake for our weekly bath, and we slept on canvas cots in Army surplus tents. The Pritchard house still had a cistern, a large basin where rainwater sat to get warm in the sun. I vaguely remember rinsing clothes in it and hanging them to dry in the small laundry building to which it was attached. Bill Ramsey from Cambridge led our earliest camps and gave them a scouting flavor. He had my brother, Donald McBurney, play Taps and Reveille. We also saluted the flag before breakfast. My sister-in-law, Joan McBurney, still has an application blank. It boasted: 10 days for $15. Most of us earned that money through memory work in Sabbath School. We took along $2 to buy a coupon book which became cash at the candy store. It opened right after lunch, and we were allowed to spend 20 cents a day. On Saturday we could spend 40 cents since the candy store was closed on Sabbath—our practical lesson on manna in the Wilderness.
Junior campers started at age 8, quite young to be without one’s mother for ten days. But camp was organized in a homelike manner. Cabins were by age and led by counselors who kept everyone together from breakfast to bedtime. Meals were served family style. There was always a loaf of bread and jar of peanut butter in the middle of the table for little ones who could not eat unless mother had prepared their meal. By the end of camp everyone was best friends. What at first loomed as a vast period of time away from home was quickly over, and we promised one another to return next year.
Our ten days at junior camp spanned two Sabbaths, which were strictly observed following earlier customs. We dressed as carefully as if we were attending church at home. We girls wore dresses and walked down the dusty road to church in our white polished shoes. Sabbath afternoon was a psalm sing which was held back in the woods where a curved outcropping of large rocks formed an amphitheater overlooking a meadow. Invariably, cows gathered below, drawn by the sound of our voices. We could hear them quietly lowing along with us. (That spot is now overgrown.)
Weekday mornings were spent in talks followed by group studies broken down by age. On sunny days we had our classes in circles out on the grass. Afternoons started with nap time followed by sports. All ages played together, but the taller boys elbowed us girls out of the way in volleyball. A grudge that I bear to this day. I liked softball better since all players had their turns at bat and were given space in the field.
Except for rain, the weather was always perfect. Never too hot in the day and pleasantly cool at night. First timers from sweltering New York City were shocked to learn that they really did need to bring blankets. A trunk of quilts in the Pritchard house was kept for them. A few times we actually woke to frost on Labor Day Weekend. Rainy days meant hours in the dining hall with crafts to the sound of “Heart and Soul” and “Chopsticks” pounded out on the old piano.
Every evening we had a program—skits, games, or a movie—and, as dusk fell, a campfire. Of all my memories, campfires are the sweetest. We called them campfires, but they were really bonfires. The boys’ cabins took turns building them, and competition to see who could build the biggest was fierce. It wasn’t unusual to have to quickly move to avoid sparks from a collapsing log or two. But it wasn’t just the fire; it was the entire experience. First, lying flat on our backs to see the magnificent stars. For many it was the first time to see the Milky Way without city lights. Then the singing started. Who can forget hearing Ken Smith with his guitar singing “Ghost Riders in the Sky.” Secular songs gave way to psalms and then testimonies and devotions. At the last, we stood in a circle holding hands and singing Psalm 4. “I will both lay me down in peace . . .” Following that we would head to the dining hall for a cup of cocoa and then off to bed. A perfect evening.
Psalm Sing Rock, the natural amphitheater where generations of campers sang and cows listened. Head Counselor Bob Edgar assists a young precentor.
Once we outgrew junior camp, we were admitted to senior camp and the fun grew exponentially as did the spiritual impact. Belonging as we did to a very small congregation {Montclair, NJ –ed.} with few other young people, White Lake exposed to us a wide circle of wonderful Christians. Most are long gone, but they each had an impact. I remember overhearing Rev. Bob Edgar in conversation with another adult saying calmly that he did not have long to live. There was Bill Price, the pastor from Third Philadelphia, whose energetic leadership inspired us kids. Genial Rev. Chuck Sterrett was camp manager for years. Dr. Bruce Stewart, a whistle hanging around neck, directed our sports. Mrs. Norris from White Lake Church fed us. Mrs. Corrine Patterson followed her. I remember seeing her with aching legs propped up for a brief rest between meals, always cheerful, always friendly. It might have been rustic, but it belonged to us. Sense of ownership affected everything. There was no hired help to repair or clean the buildings. Our cooks might be paid but they were members of the church who were working out of love and surely not paid what their labor was worth. Camp managers were adults and worked from dawn to dusk purchasing food, fixing the plumbing, and nailing down shingles. My father, Edwin McBurney, was camp manager for several years. His Volvo was a giant tool box. Having grown up on a farm, he could repair anything. He loved shopping for the meals. Woodstock happened the year after he retired so he missed that excitement.
In a way that has long passed, the senior camp program belonged to the youth. On the last Saturday morning of camp there was a business meeting where we elected officers for the following year. We also elected Camp Father and Camp Mother—older adults to be our chaperones. I was secretary the year Jack White was president. It was the responsibility of the officers to meet during the year to plan the program, secure speakers, precentor, and counselors. During camp they kept things organized. Somewhere in the background there was a board of trustees who handled the legal issues, camp facilities, and money. At the final Sabbath evening worship service down in the church, the youth presided and took part in the all facets of the service except for preaching.
Being an old White Laker means membership in an exclusive club. As soon as you find out someone went there, you bond instantly. Differing positions on the fine points of Calvinism or current politics melt away in the assurance that you have found someone who remembers when.
– Faith Martin
Notes
1. The Rev. Robert Edgar was the pastor of the NYC church in the Bronx and the founder of White Lake Junior Camp after World War II. He is the father of Bill Edgar.
2. Chuck (Charles) Sterrett was the pastor of the Newburgh Covenanter Church. His daughter Beth married Mike Tabon from the Bronx, and they effectively ran White Lake for many years after 1980.
3. The Woodstock music festival took place less than five miles from the camp in 1969, though it felt much closer as all the roads were utterly packed with thousands of people.
4. Third Philadelphia is now Elkins Park RPC.
We now present to you an array of past advertisements, reviews, and memories of White Lake Camp. Since this is the 100th anniversary issue, we especially document the camp's founding. Read the following and you will see where the camp came from, how it developed over time, its twists and turns, as found in printed sources and in the memories of many who have served the camp through the decades.
The Campground for One Hundred Years
"One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh:
but the earth abideth forever."
– Ecclesiastes 1:4
Creation to 1922
When God created the earth, the hills rose and the valleys sank. And where God made a beautiful lake in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains, he put a beautiful hill above it. Mr. John Henderson Pritchard, pastor of the White Lake Covenanter Church 1900 - 1932, built his house on the top of that hill. New York Presbytery held several summer youth camps in Bovina, NY for several years right after the Great War. Mr. Pritchard thought the hill where his house was would be ideal for the camp, and his presbytery agreed with him. A dues-paying corporation made up of interested church members in St. Lawrence, New York, and Philadelphia Presbyteries bought land adjacent to Mr. Pritchard’s house and barn for the camp. Young people raised money for tents and beds. So, in 1922, the first White Lake Encampment was held on the hill. They pitched tents for sleeping, with meetings and meals in the White Lake Church building at the bottom of the hill.
1937
On Christmas Day, 1932, Mr. Pritchard died unexpectedly. His three children discussed what to do with the house and the barn, each on its own parcel of land. On February 16, 1937, Mr. John Paul Pritchard wrote:
To the White Lake Camp:
My sisters and I are offering our father’s property at White Lake, N.Y., for sale upon the following terms: three thousand dollars ($3000.00 in cash) or Thirty-five hundred dollars ($3500.00) of which two thousand dollars ($2000.00) shall be in cash, and the balance on a mortgage at six per cent. This price is the lowest figure we can offer, and does not include the furniture. We would like to see the camp the owner of the property, not only from our own personal desires, but because we feel that it would be father’s and mother’s wish. Trusting to hear from you, and with best wishes for a successful reunion. I am
Sincerely yours,
John Paul Pritchard
A later letter dated 14 September 1937 showed that a deal had been struck.
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Geddes {members of one of the two NYC churches},
Your very welcome letter arrived on Saturday morning with the offer by the camp of two thousand dollars for father’s property at White Lake. The offer is acceptable to me… As I understand it, the camp will pay cash, and the furniture is not included at that price. I should be much obliged if the sale can be completed early in October, if possible; our mortgage to the Sullivan County National Bank falls due about October 7, and it will be a saving to us if we can pay it in full upon its maturity and not need to renew it. … I can’t tell you how pleased I am that the camp is to have the property. We had decided that, although we might get more money from another purchaser, if the camp should make us any reasonable off, we should accept it.
Yours sincerely,
John Paul Pritchard
(Note: Thanks to David Weir for finding these letters in the James Beatty Papers at the RP Archives.)
1937-1945
After a hurricane showed the limitations of tents, the Camp began soliciting money to build cabins in 1936. They went up one after the other for the next five years. Then in 1945 the Dining Hall (first Memorial Hall for WWII veterans, then the Mess Hall) went up. At the same time Junior Camp began, the idea coming from Frank Lathom of Walton and Bob Edgar of New York.
1950-1970
For over the next two decades the camp schedule was ten days of junior camp (ages 8 – 13, with attendance reaching 90) followed immediately by 10 days of senior camp, ending on Labor Day. Many people came just for that last Labor Day weekend and filled the White Lake Church on the Sabbath Day for worship. By 1960 very few adults attended the camp. And for a time there was an intermediate aged camp called Prep Camp for 13-16 year olds. There was more building, beginning with the Don Beattie Memorial Recreation Hall (the Rec Hall).
1970s
The years 1970’s were turbulent ones for the camp (see elsewhere for 1969-72 years). There were large camps in 1971 and 1972, but by 1975 the junior camp had disappeared. A small senior camp was a week in early August. There were laments that the campgrounds were getting so little use. About this time the falling down old barn was fully taken down.
1980 – Present
Charles and Beth McBurney retired to the Camp in the early 1980s and lived in a mobile home between the Dining Hall and the Rec Hall. The small candy store shack was moved to the end of the Boys Cabins. A half-court basketball court was built.
Beginning about 1980 David Coon, new pastor of White Lake Church, and then even more Mike Tabon, first of Coldenham-Newburgh and then White Lake, began a new version of Camp for youth. For a time it included significant canoeing and hiking trips away from the campgrounds. Doug Chamberlain from Lisbon and Brian Murtaugh from Broomall had a lot to do with these trips. A new building for showers and toilets was built. Then came the infirmary put up by Ed Robson's sons. At the same time, Family Camp fully replaced Senior Camp, even though young people’s officers were continued. For several summers attendance maxed out the Camp’s capacity so that people had to eat on the porch of the Dining Hall. Two bouts of intestinal illness that spread through the Camp, however, reduced the Camp attendance after the biggest Camps. Oddly, for several decades, many campers went back to sleeping in tents, as in the beginning, but they brought their own tents rather than use the Camp’s antique ones.
Before and after the intestinal illness, state regulations of summer camps got more and more exacting. The water supply is tested every year; Greg Moberg of Rochester does mighty work keeping the three wells operational and safe. The raw milk provided by local farmers in the White Lake congregation that was still delivered to the Camp in the early 1950s has long since disappeared. No longer is food placed through the window from the kitchen for camper-waiters to ferry to the tables to be served family style. Food now gets served individually by the kitchen staff wearing gloves, cafeteria-style. The kitchen facilities in the Dining Hall has been hugely improved over its early days; the togetherness of the dining experience, perhaps not so much.
Sadness! The farmer below the camp leased land for a communications tower and the Camp lost access to the beloved Psalm Sing Rock. Quite recently the camp bought another parcel of land further back on the hill, thus protecting it from development by someone else and making to available for further Camp activities such as archery and soccer.
In 2004, Peter Robson from Rochester took over the Teen Camp, oversaw building little cabins back in the woods for families to use during Family Camp, and wooden bunk beds in the Girls and Boys cabins. More roads were cleared and graveled to allow access to the new small cabins. Several areas are set aside for RV use with electrical hookups. Finally, a refurbished cabin was dedicated for one of the managers or directors to use. In 2005 Bob Allmond from Elkins Park took over the Kids Camp from Mike Tabon and then added Teen Camp to his responsibilities in 2008.
Long before 2022 the dues-paying corporation had disappeared, replaced by members in good standing of the sponsoring presbyteries making up the corporation. The Board of Directors still chooses the Camp Director, the Head Cook, and the Camp Manager. In 1953 Synod ruled that New York Presbytery had charge of the Camp. In 1961 Synod reversed that ruling and made St. Lawrence and New York Presbyteries responsible for the Camp. Synod rearranged Presbyteries, putting New York and Philadelphia Presbyteries into the present Atlantic Presbytery. In 1972 a Bi-Presbytery Commission of four pastors/elders was established to replace the New York Presbytery Youth Director as having spiritual oversight of the Camp.
The Camp is now being used for congregational retreats, pastor retreats, fall youth retreats, and, of course, Kids and Teens Camp and then Family Camp. It has changed from having only the Pritchard house and a barn to having many more permanent structures. Land has been added to the original campground. The program has changed from a Senior Camp to Family Camp, and for many years since 1945 there has been a separate camp for children, with the exception of the 1970s.
What has kept this amateurish Camp going for one hundred years? One can point to certain strong leaders, a lot of devoted campers, many spiritual benefits, more than a few marriages with their beginning in Camp romances, the strength that comes from knowing that we own the Camp’s land and structures, but most of all to God’s providential love and care for the people who have gathered at the Camp.
"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing,
whether it be good or whether it be evil."
– Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
– Bill Edgar
TRI-PRESBYTERIAL CAMP
The 1922 Tri-Presbyterial (New York, Philadelphia, and Rochester Presbyteries) was held as a ten-day camp instead of a three-day convention. The experiment was eminently successful.
The site chosen for the camp was at White Lake, N.Y. The location is a hilltop, several acres in extent, one hundred and fifty feet above the lake and quite removed from the main travelled roads. The camp was sheltered from the northwest winds by a grove of hemlocks. From the hilltop the view extends for miles. Three mountain ranges are visible: to the northeast, the Catskills; to the southeast, the Shawangunks; to the southwest, the Blue Ridge. The view embraces parts of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. A fairer spot could scarce be found. The red slate soil is ideal for a camp, as it never becomes muddy and is quickly dry after rain.
The campers were housed in ten large tents, 16 x 21 feet, with 5 sidewalls and 10-foot ridge. Six tents were occupied by girls and four by boys. These tents were pitched on platforms that afforded firm and dry flooring. Twelve beds of home manufacture were paced in each tent; consequently, the camp could accommodate one hundred and twenty people. Instead of a mess tent, the basement of the church was used as a dining room. There was ample room for all to eat together and it was far cooler than a tent. The camp also had the use of a large and well-equipped kitchen in the basement. The cooking, in charge of Mrs. Will Millen of White Lake, and Mrs. Paul Christner of Montclair, is one of the pleasantest memories of camp, and the campers will not soon forget it.
The first meal was served on Friday, August 4, and about sixty were present. The first session was held that evening. William Lynn, President of the White Lake C.Y.P.U. welcomed the delegates…. There were those who averred that the bottom fell out of the thermometer that night….
Between ninety and one hundred persons stayed for the ten days. As we had twelve ministers present at various times, there was no lack of speakers….
-- Paul Pritchard
Christian Nation, 9/13/1922 p 8
WHAT IMPRESSED ME AT WHITE LAKE
First and foremost of all, it was the ideal collection of young people. Keen, alert, enthusiastic, brimming over with good humor, sincerely religious, interested in the maintenance of good order in the camp, zealous for the success of the Conference – they were all of this and more, if more could be asked. Not that everyone was present to hear every part of the programme, for there were some absences; too many indeed. The trouble, however, was due for the most part to the programme. It was a little too lengthy. The young people went to White Lake for a vacation. But for a person who has been sitting in an office about eight hours a day for eleven and a half months in the year to be asked to sit in a continuous meeting from two and a half hours to three hours each morning during vacation is not fair. Of course, it was the young people themselves that drew up the programme, and it is in their power to improve on it for the coming year, as they no doubt will. If they do, it will serve to make the attendance at the meetings even better than it was this year, when the absences, heavy and all as the programme was, were only exceptional. The young people of the Tri-Presbyterial seem to me to have the correct idea, namely, that this institution is their own possession, that they are responsible for its success, and that they must conduct themselves in such a way as to make it a power in the church for good. For my own part, I came home from the Encampment – and this is no exaggeration – with a feeling of ecstasy. I was proud of our young people.
Another thing. Not taking into account the conducting of the prayer meetings, which were all conducted by the young people, and well conducted; thirty-two subjects on the programme were handled by the young people themselves. To this also should be added the four contestants on the “Four Hundred Questions.” And there was not a performance in the lot that was not first-class. Twenty-one essays were read on “The Studies In Revelation” and really as I sat and listened to them it puzzled me to see how they could have been bettered….
-- W.J. McKnight
Christian Nation, 9/19/1923 p 3
EXPLANATORY NOTES CONCERNING THE 1924 WHITE LAKE CAMP PROGRAM
1. The date will remain unchanged, August 9th to 23rd inclusive.
2. The Family Worship period immediately follows breakfast each morning and will be about ten minutes in length. The leader is to announce and read the Psalm he wishes to be sung and the campers are to sing the selection read. Then the leader will read a portion of Scripture and offer up a short prayer.
3. Dr. W.J. Coleman expects to explain our distinctive principles from an historical setting. Can any camper afford to miss any of these important lectures?
4. One hour is allotted to those who wish to take a dip in the lake before the noonday meal on days on which the morning sessions fall.
5. Take notice that the meetings call for less than two hours each day and extensive sports are being planned for the rest of the day, which, include camp fires in the evenings. Are we going to have good meetings and good times? Without a doubt.
6. Don’t forget to send in the name of your members who are to be responsible for the duties assigned your society. Do it now!
7. The program will need to be in the hands of the printer by July 19th, so please send in all the information requested immediately. Don’t wait.
-- Christian Nation, 9/3/1924 p 10
Notes:
1. The 1924 camp program responded to the criticisms of the Boston RP pastor, W.J. McKnight. His reference to people who sit all day in an office did not apply to farmers.
2. There was tension between the city and rural congregations: the city folk wanted to be outdoors, not sitting in meetings, while the farmers looked forward to time not on their feet and instead learning about Bible matters. This tension lasted a long time.
3. The young people’s societies, known as the Covenanter Young People’s Societies (C.Y.P.U.), were highly organized by 1922 and were quite active in congregations where there were enough people of the right age to fill them. They played a major role in planning and executing the presbytery camps around the country and the first national convention, held in 1926 at Winona Lake in Iowa, the headquarters of the American evangelist Billy Sunday.
WHITE LAKE
August 28 – September 7
TRI-PRESBYTERIAL CAMP, AUGUST 8TH to 22ND, 1924
By Miss Lucy Franke, Sec’y
(From Secretary’s Minutes.)
“K.K.K. News”
After a delightful auto trip from New York we arrived at White Lake Friday afternoon, August 8th, at 4 o’clock. Being the first arrivals, we were met on the top of the hill with open arms. It was a great relief to be able to sleep with blankets that night after a week of intense heat in the city.
We enjoyed our first swim Saturday afternoon and were loath to leave the water. It was heaps of fun greeting all the folks as they came into camp, especially after our having been cooled off in the briny deep. The tent names which we had printed by a special force of workmen were greeted with great acclimation. Ramble-By was a great favorite, as that was inhabited by the famous New York beauties. Dew-Drop Inn was the most inviting, as well as Stumble’s Inn. The inmates of Sing Sing were always getting in and out of trouble and the folks of Sleepy Hollow, way at the end of the line, always came in late to breakfast.
The interior decorations, consisting of blue and gold crepe paper gave our dining room quite a festive air, but the crepe paper didn’t stay crepy very long after one of White Lake’s damp nights, and all our efforts to keep the place gay with our camp colors were all in vain.
Our first hike “in the gloaming” under the able leadership of Captain George O. Pritchard proved an hilarious event. When we started we did not know all the hikers, but we were a happy family and well acquainted with one another on our return.
Our first meeting Saturday night was opened by a song service, lead by Rev. A.A. Wylie, of Syracuse. The devotions were lead by James A. Beatty, our president, of Third New York. After singing the 100th Psalm, he spoke on the camp text: “Endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” II Timothy 2:3
The words of welcome were given by William S. Tacey of White Lake. Our White Lake friends always make us feel at home, and after our year’s absence we feel somehow as if it were but yesterday that we had said good-bye. Miss Lucy V. Franke, of Second New York, gave the response.
Rev. J.H. Pritchard, of White Lake, gave an address.
“We are here to serve. The Christian is a fountain of living water, not a sponge.” We must pray that God will use us. The Christian is urged to do three things: 1, organize; 2, vitalize; 3, evangelize.
After the meeting we all went up the hill and gathered around our first campfire. Need we say that we were glad that we were here? Our hearts were full of joy to be able to greet so many of our old camp friends, and to meet and welcome the new ones.
Sabbath, August 10th
This was the day for the New York girls to wait on the tables. Margaret Pritchard always picks out the best ones first.
Family worship directly after breakfast was conducted by Rev. W.J. McKnight, of First Boston. (Family worship was conducted at this time each day of camp.)
11 A.M. – Morning worship in charge of Dr. J.H. Pritchard. Explanation of Psalm 27 given by Dr. R.J.G. McKnight. “One thing have I desired of the Lord and that will I seek after.”
Sermon by Dr. R.J.G. McKnight.
Text found in II Chron. 12:9-10
“Shall we abandon Christianity for skepticism? When you take away any part of your system you destroy the system. Where is the church today which has not had its foundation in Christianity? It has been fostered by Christianity. They have all had their roots in Christianity.
“To whom shall we go? Shall we exchange the gold of precious heritage for that which is worthless?”
4:30 P.M. – A Nature Song Service in the woods. After such a service, conducted by Rev. A.A. Wylie, one cannot help but love the Psalms more and more.
The Sabbath evening services were opened by 15 minutes of song service under the leadership of Rev. A.A. Wylie.
Sermon by Dr. M.M. Pearce, president of Geneva College.
Text, Psalm 68:28. “Thy God hath commanded thy strength.”
1. Physical strength - “God does not ask for our weakness. He asks for our strength.”
2. Mental strength - “God has commanded mental strength.”
3. Spiritual strength - “Maybe the Lord is laying before you the opportunity and privilege for the finest, highest, and best service in this world and if you respond, ‘Here am I,” you may discover that power of life that will lead you on to the highest pleasures.”
Monday, August 11th
Organization day for sports. Miss Morton had some very interesting and fun-getting games planned for the girls in the morning. These were very enjoyable, but after awhile we got tired of playing by ourselves, so, answering the call of the band leader, Sandy McTavish, we got together with our kazoos, marched around the campus and then escorted the ball players to the ball field. The game was between the singles and the married men. For some strange and unknown reason the married men won the game.
7:30 P.M. – Young People’s prayer meeting
Subject: “Mountain Top Experiences.” ….
(Campfire was R.J.G. McKnight telling stories about his years at Geneva. Mornings were “History and the Distinctive Principles of the Covenanter Church” by W.J. Coleman. Tuesday evening was Stunt Night. Wednesday was a business meeting, with a prayer meeting in the evening. Account continued in next issue.) (Continued in next issue)
Christian Nation 10/1/1924 pp. 11-12
Four of our brave New York men challenged four other men from any other state in the Union to a game of volleyball that afternoon. The challenge was accepted and the game was played. The first game was won by New York, the second by the challenged players and the third by New York, which made them the victor. Who said New York wasn’t the Empire State? …
In the afternoon, about 2:30, we started on our six-mile hike to Silver Lake. The country we went through was beautiful and we enjoyed our walk as the afternoon was just cool enough to be pleasant for walking. Some of the braver ones who were not tired out from the hike donned their bathing suits and went swimming. Others just took their shoes and stockings off and went in wading. …
In the afternoon we started on our seven-mile hike to Bill Tacey’s farm…. After arriving at the farm we went on an exploring trip. We sampled some of the apples in the orchard, helped milk the cows in the barn, kept shy of the big starry-eyed bull tied up at the post, and then took our lives in our hands by riding Bill’s wild broncos. Many of the younger ones piled on an old hayrack, which was drawn by some of the men led by Dr. Greer. The men wanted to show the ladies how strong they were so the married men had a tug of war against the singles. The married men won in spite of all the support given the singles by their lady loves cheering them and urging them on.
The moon came up in all its glory and our hayride home was grand and glorious. We really are grateful to the White Lake folks for their great kindness in helping to make our stay at White Lake so enjoyable….
In the afternoon we all went for a boat ride to Amber Lake, some went in canoes, some went in rowboats. After the ride, we came back to the Laurel House dock and enjoyed our last swim.
7:30 P.M. – Young People’s Prayer Meeting. Subject: “Night Scenes.” Essay written by Bovina, N.Y., on “The Resurrection Morning.”
Talk by Dr. J.M. Coleman. “How can the various races and peoples of the world be brought together in one Church of God.” The Racial Question….
Our last camp fire on the hill. Our fun was tinged with sadness for we knew we would leave camp on the morrow to go back to our homes, our schools, our work. After reading the camp paper, all the folks were asked to tell what kind of work they did while at home, and it was very interesting to hear of the different fields of work the folks were engaged in. Then we had a last good “Sing” before going to the tents.
Our camp paper, Kovenanter Kountry Klub News, added greatly to the fun, and Miss Callie Morton, who originated the idea, and the editors, were to be congratulated.
-- Christian Nation 10/8/1924 pp. 11-12
Notes:
1. The startling name K.K.K. News is explained at the end of the report. In later years the K.K.K. was explained as standing for “Kisses, Kisses, Kisses,” and became a campfire highlight of gossip, with the juiciest bits being who was seen with whom. This camp newsletter, soon mostly oral, died out in the 1950s. (It is surprising that “KKK” did not seem to have evoked the Ku Klux Klan in the minds of the campers in 1924. The Covenanter Church denounced the new Klan founded in 1915 in Atlanta in the strongest terms.)
2. Silver Lake is now inaccessible, having been taken over with its surroundings by an astonishingly opulent summer camp for children of astonishingly wealthy parents.
3. The Tacey family moved to Florida around 1960. Dairy farming was no longer economically feasible. “Tacey” is the name of a road past their old farm.
4. The speakers were the best known Covenanter preachers of the day: R.J.G.McKnight, President of the Seminary, M.M. Pearce, President of Geneva College, W.J. Coleman, long-time head of the Witness Committee, and so on.
5. The volleyball and baseball (softball actually) and tug of war were for the men. The women watched and cheered. By 1946, if not sooner, the sports became coed.
6. All of the meetings and meals were held in the White Lake church, where the unusually uncomfortable pews (not there now but one or two have been saved) kept everyone awake.
SOMETHING DOING EVERY MINUTE IN PHILADELPHIA
On behalf of the three pastors of our Philadelphia congregations, I hereby extend a most cordial, hearty invitation to all the Officers, Members and Friends of the Tri-Presbyterial Organization to start the New Year right. Come to Philadelphia for the big “Round-Up,” Camp Fire, Jollification, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and closing New Year’s Night with a large, rousing, full course chicken dinner banquet. There will be something doing every minute. We are expecting over one hundred of our Philadelphia young people at this banquet. Advance acceptances indicate a large attendance from outside of Philadelphia. The attractive banqueting room of the First Church of the Covenanters, 40th and Sansom Streets, where the closing banquet will be held, has a seating capacity for upwards of two hundred banqueters. The entertainment, lodging and eats, including the big banquet, are all free to our visiting guests from out of Philadelphia. Please let us know in advance of your coming, that provision may be made for your entertainment.
S. E. Greer
296 So. 43rd Street
Christian Nation 12/24/1924 p 8
Note: The White Lake Reunion, hosted by different congregations in turn over New Year’s Day, lasted for many decades.
A Man of Sterling Character
John H. Pritchard I have known nearly all his life in a general way, but my particular acquaintance with him began when I first attended the White Lake Young People’s Conference. Then I saw him in his own neighborhood, his own congregation, and in his own home…. After the first season, he insisted that I sleep in house, while he and Mrs. Pritchard slept with the campers. … Through his long pastorate of nearly thirty-three years Mr. Pritchard became well known in his own neighborhood and in Sullivan County. Jew and Gentile alike regarded him as an honest man. I went with him one day when he was buying supplies for the encampment and I found a Jew recommending this and warning against that with the utmost frankness.... He kept open house during the encampment and everyone was welcome. One wonders where the Young People will go, now that Mr. and Mrs. Pritchard are gone. We never know how much we are dependent on quiet people who arrange everything for our comfort and convenience until the quiet people are taken away.
-- W. J. Coleman
Covenanter Witness 3/8/1933 p 85
Note: Mr. Pritchard edited the church paper The Christian Nation after his father, who founded the paper, died. When the Covenanter Witness replaced that paper in 1928, he was its first editor. He did his editing work in the Pritchard House. White Lake Camp on the hilltop was his idea and project from inception until it was well established.
White Lake Camp Reunion
The mid-winter reunion of White Lake campers was held in the Second Church, Philadelphia, from Saturday, December 31, 1932, to Monday, January 2, 1933.
The component Young People’s Societies of the Tri-Presbyterial Union were well represented. In addition to these, there were four representatives from our Seminary in Pittsburgh. At the smell of the “rations” on Monday afternoon, a carload of “Genevans” hove in sight.
The formal program began with the dinner on Saturday evening in the Second church. Hearty greetings were extended to the visitors, to which they responded in a very fitting manner. This meeting adjourned at an early hour to prepare for the program on the Sabbath.
Sabbath dawned bright and beautiful. At the First church, second year student Robert McConachie preached in the morning, and his classmate, John Edgar, addressed the Sabbath School in the afternoon. Licentiate Hugh Wright preached at the service immediately following the Sabbath School.
At the Second church, at 9:30, the Rev. Samuel Boyle, of East End, gave a “chalk-talk” to the Sabbath School, after which the Rev. R.M.C. Ward, of Newburgh, preached at the morning service. At 7 P.M. there was a union Young People’s service, led by the Tri-Presbyterial C.Y.P.U. President, Miss Mildred Lawson. At 8 P.M., there was a memorial service in honor of the beloved founder and conductor of White Lake camp, the Rev. J.H. Pritchard, D.D. Addresses were given by representatives from each of the three Philadelphia congregations. Dr. Greer speaking for the First, Dr. John Peoples for the Second, Dr. Wilson for the Third. This service was followed by a sermon by the Rev. Samuel Boyle, the President of the Synodical C.Y.P.U. His subject was “Jonah and the Worm.”
At the Third church, Licentiate Hugh Wright preached in the morning (a sermon of unusual quality). The Rev. Samuel Boyle gave a chalk talk to the Sabbath School at 3 P.M. and preached at 4 o’clock. Our Third church people greatly appreciated meeting these young ministers and hearing them preach. Visiting friends of the White Lake Reunion were Mr. Raymond Park, his sister Ethel and Aileen McFarland, of Syracuse, and Robert Robinson of Newburgh.
Monday morning was again clear and beautiful, and at 9 o’clock all delegates and automobiles were found at the Second church door, to make a pilgrimage to Washington’s campgrounds of 1778 at Valley Forge, Pa. On the way out, a “bucking steer” from “wild and wooly” New York City succeeded in locking horns with a stranger from the Philadelphia district. After some parley, and by dint of much manpower, the steers were lifted apart and each went on his way – perhaps not rejoicing. Interrupting the pilgrimage for a moment, it might here be recorded that the Rev. Samuel Boyle, after preaching a fine sermon to the union meeting at Second church, proceeded to put into practice some of his preaching by staging an open-air meeting on his road home. From all reports he was not satisfied with the impression which he made on his audience, but his audience certainly made an impression on him. The subject at this second meeting was “Infractions of Traffic Regulation,” and the audience consisted in the main part of a traffic officer on one of the main and beautiful thoroughfares of Philadelphia.
Proceeding with our “pilgrimage” – we thoroughly inspected the campgrounds from the 118-step observatory, thence to Washington’s headquarters, gas stations, and the Memorial Chapel. By then, banquet-time was approaching, and as the fair members of the group must needs don their best “bibs and tuckers” we, like the proverbial mule with the feed-bag suspended some distance in front of its nose, well nigh broke speed laws in reaching our destinations.
About 2:30 the “first” and “last call” for dinner was given, and with alacrity the seats around the “festive board” were all occupied, and yet there were guests to be seated. More tables and more chairs and “rations” were in due time provided and all were comfortably set for the “fray.” When the insistent demands of the “middle kingdom” were, in a measure, satisfied, there was a call made by the “master of ceremonies” for each of the officers of the Tri-Presbyterial C.Y.P.U. to rise and make a few remarks. The message of one of these officers was of particular interest. It consisted of an invitation from the Board of Deacons of the White Lake congregation to the C.Y.P.U. to again meet at the old campsite on the hill in 1933. After the addresses we were favored with a “chalk talk” by “Sam Boyle,” showing us how certain members in his audience appeared under certain conditions, not excluding himself, as he appeared when being impressed, if not impounded by the “traffic-cop.” His final production was that of a beautiful country road with a cross at its end, impressing upon us the supreme duty and responsibility resting on each one of us. We were then favored with very short “skits” by each of the visiting societies.
After singing Psalm 121 and prayer, we separated to go our several ways, feeling that it was good for us to be here.
May God grant that both the immediate and remote result of the reunion will be a purpose to “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” and allowing “the other thing” to take the second place.
-- Covenanter Witness 1/23/1933 p 428
Notes:
1. The “chalk talks” by Sam Boyle consisted of his drawing a cartoon while telling a story. He would later use his talent as an artist to great effect during his work as a missionary in China up until 1949. There, he would gather a crowd in a village by drawing pictures on an easel. When the crowd seemed large enough, his partner missionary would jump up and start evangelizing. When the crowd dwindled away, Boyle would resume his entertaining drawing.
2. The “John Edgar” who addressed the Sabbath School most likely was John O. Edgar.
FIRST WHITE LAKE CABIN
The Cameronians of Second Church, Philadelphia, are very happy to announce that the funds necessary for the “William Finlay Memorial Cabin” have been raised and the money is in the hands of the treasurer of the Tri-Presbyterial Camp. We are especially grateful to Mrs. William Finlay and to Mrs. Robert M. Finlay for their very liberal contributions.
We are now raising funds for another cabin. This cabin will be in memory of Mr. Charles S. Bell. Charles was an earnest supporter of White Lake Camp, and was always very enthusiastic concerning her welfare. We are grateful to God to honor the memory of Mr. William Finlay and Mr. Charles S. Bell by the erection of these living memorials.
-- Covenanter Witness 4/1/1936 p 223
Note: The Cameronians was the name given to adults who met before church on Sabbath evenings for study and prayer. Children were part of Juniors, and teenagers had their CYPU meeting. (The Cameronians were named for Richard Cameron, “the lion of the covenant,” who died in battle in Scotland in 1680 after posting a declaration disowning the Stuart king of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, Charles II.)
WHITE LAKE CAMP: Land Purchase
A year ago when the White Lake Reunion met in New York City, plans were completed for the purchase of land for a permanent campsite, and for the erection of cabins thereon. At that time natural doubts were expressed as to whether or not we could raise sufficient funds to accomplish our purpose. This year when the reunion met in Philadelphia we could report that the land was over half paid for, that four cabins had been erected and that there was a substantial balance in the building fund. The prospects for this year are that even with increased prices of building material we will be able to build four more cabins without going into debt for these cabins. To do this we are depending upon the loyal support of the churches that compose the White Lake Covenanter Camp. At this time we would also express our gratitude to those churches and individuals who have so cheerfully donated of their means for cabins built or to be built.
We ask, first, for your prayers; second, that you shall plan to attend our conferences; and, third, for your cooperation and support to make our camp a credit to the Covenanter Church, an aid to the strengthening of our convictions, and an instrument that God can use in the advancing of His Kingdom.
-- Covenanter Witness March 31, 1937 p 205
WHITE LAKE CAMP: Solid and Inspiring
White Lake Camp is officially called “White Lake Camp Inc.” All mail should be sent to that address to distinguish it from another local White Lake camp. White Lake Covenanter Camp started in the days of Mr. Pritchard and since that time it has seen its ups and downs, but it is still going strong and looking forward to a successful camping season this year.
White Lake Covenanter Camp is hard to describe. It is thirteen acres of land situated on top of a hill where you can look for miles in every direction. It is seven cabins where the campers sleep. (It used to be tents until the winds and rain became too much for them.) It is a new well with running water. It is the Pritchard house, which is a place where campers meet for fellowship. It is the church at the foot of the hill, where happy voices of campers have rung out for many years as the campers enjoyed three hearty meals a day. It is the church auditorium where we meet on Sabbath and during the week for inspiration and praise and the study of the Word of God. It is a baseball diamond, and a volleyball court, and swimming lake. This year something new is being added, a new dining hall and kitchen on top of the hill.
But White Lake Covenanter Camp is much more than this. These are the external things. It is a spirit that goes back further than some of us can remember, not necessarily because we are young, but because we weren’t in this part of the country then. It is friendships formed, some of which have ripened into more than friendship, and man and wife have walked together down through the years sharing their joys and sorrows. It is a place where we meet new friends and where we renew old friendships.
But White Lake Covenanter Camp is more than this. It is also a place of inspiration. It is a place where the claims of Christ are presented to young and old. It is a place where Covenanters congregate and learn there are other Covenanters, and receive inspiration to take back home and help in the work of the church. It is a place where we learn about the missionaries of our church, and have an opportunity to meet many of them and to hear how our money is helping to support this missionary work. It is a place where we learn about the College and Seminary and other work of our church.
But, this does not describe White Lake Covenanter Camp, for it is something you can’t describe, you must come and see for yourself.
White Lake Covenanter Camp extends a hearty invitation to all who can come this year. We have no age limits, young or old are welcome. For those of Junior age, who are coming without their parents we are having a special camp which meets from July 22 to August 1. The program of this camp, both recreational and study, will be for Juniors and every attempt will be made to see that you have a good time.
Those who are older, or who are children coming with their parents, come to our regular camp which meets from August 3 to 17. The rates of camp are $1.25 a day, with special family rates of $1.00 a person.
White Lake can be reached best with your own private car, for then you can bring lots of things with you, but if the family car is not working, White Lake can be reached by the Shortline Bus. The New York City congregation charters a bus, and comes in force and style.
You need to bring your Bibles, notebooks, rubbers and toilet articles including towels. Then bring your bedding, and that means plenty of blankets. New campers have no idea how cold it sometimes gets at White Lake, and it is much better to have too many than not enough. Also you need sports equipment, suitable clothes for playing such games as baseball, volleyball, Ping Pong, etc. and of course a swimming suit.
Our program this year includes such speakers as the Rev. Herbert Hays, missionary from Syria, Dr. R.J.G. McKnight, the Rev. Bruce Willson, Young Peoples Secretary, and then of course the ministers from our own three Presbyteries. There will be social times together, with picnics, motorboat rides and other items too numerous to mention. Plan now to attend this year, and help make it the best camp ever. Of course you want to be there when we dedicate the new dining hall.
(Photo of framed out new dining hall included with article)
-- Covenanter Witness 6/19/1946 pp. 394-95
Notes:
1. How could a camp survive for such a low price, from $15 for 10 days in 1924 to $1.25/day in 1946? Even accounting for an inflation adjustment from today back to then, the price is low. (A dollar in 1922 is worth about $16.00 today.) Everyone’s labor was done for love, never for money. The dairy farmers in the White Lake church provided free raw milk for the camp – with cream on top. Often, they provided other food as well. For a long time, the Camp got government surplus food – butter, peanut butter, and cheese.
2. “Rubbers” in the list of items to bring meant wet weather gear: boots and raincoats.
CAMP GROWS (Origin of Junior Camp)
Most of us like to see good things grow.
A few years ago, we of the White Lake Camp leadership were debating whether or not there were enough young people in this area of our church to keep the camp going. We even made a survey to find out. The results have been beyond our fondest expectation.
Last year we had about twice as many at camp as our facilities are supposed to handle. Something had to be done. We determined to welcome all who came. Consequently, it was decided to have a Junior, or Intermediate camp in 1946, to be held just before the regular encampment.
Robert Edgar and I were put on a committee for arrangements. We have had some correspondence and one meeting on the matter. Children of primary and junior ages will be enrolled in advance. We may also have an intermediate group if the demand is great enough. The camp will run for ten days, July 22 to August 1, and will have a complete program for children.
Workers are now being solicited. Materials are being gathered. We know there will be much interest throughout the church in this new venture. We believe it somewhat unique in the annals of the Covenanter Church. We ask for your prayers.
Frank H. Lathom, Walton, N.Y.
-- Covenanter Witness 6/19/1946 p 395
-- FOR OUR YOUNG READERS --
WHITE LAKE CONFERENCE 1946
“Beautiful for situation, glorious in its view
Stands the hill above the valley, wet with morning dew.
When the east is flaming crimson like a fiery sea
Then we raise our morning anthem – White Lake, unto thee!
…There we meet and greet our comrades. There glad tribute bring
To the cross, the Christ, the Covenant – to our crowned king.”
So reads a portion of the alma mater of White Lake Camp written by Dr. J. M. Coleman over 20 years ago; yet it still expresses the feeling of love for the camp which has such a lasting place in our hearts.
The Conference this year was one of great joy to all of us who attended. There was a definitely encouraging optimistic spirit that promises even better camps in the future. The campers did a good job in living up to our Conference Theme, “A Willing People.”
Our accommodations were taxed to the limit by the more than capacity crowd that stayed at the campus during almost the entire two weeks; the weekend of August 9-12 was truly an overflow, but everyone shared and co-operated to such an extent that all were amply provided for.
A typical day’s program was as follows:
7:20 Rising Signal
8:00 Breakfast and Family Worship
9:10 Devotional Period (Led each day by a different society on a particular phase of “A Willing People”)
9:25 First Lecture Period
10:10 Second Lecture Period
11:00 Volleyball or other recreation
12:15 Dinner
1:00 Voluntary Prayer Group
2:00 Baseball and other sports
4:00 Swimming and boating
6:00 Supper and Family Worship
7:30 Evening Program
9:15 Campfire
11:00 In cabins and lights out
In addition to the regular Sabbath services, there was a Psalm Sing on the hill at 4:00.
We were greatly pleased with our speakers, for they proved to be good campers as well as interesting leaders. The following men had a part in our program: Rev. Walter C. McClurkin, Rev. Hays McKelvey, Dr. R.J.G. McKnight, Rev. S. Bruce Willson, Rev. F.F. Reade, Rev. Frank L. Stewart, Rev. Herbert Hays, Dr. W. McCarrol, Dr. W.J. McKnight, Dr. R.M.C. Ward, Rev. R. Wyley Caskey, Rev. Robert D. Edgar, Rev. Frank H. Lathom, Rev. Remo I. Robb, Rev. G. M. Robb, Dr. S.E. Greer, Rev. Richard Hutcheson, and Dr. T.M. Slater. Each of these ministers added a definite part to the success of the camp.
We had a number of special features, some of which I shall merely name, such as a hayride, a speedboat ride, a “Kiddie Party,” Quiz Programs, and an Amateur Night. I shall enlarge upon some of the other features: The Psalm Festival, led by Rev. Remo Robb, was a wonderful inspiration to all who heard the individual choirs, and sang in the massed choir. Winona Night, under Rev. Bruce Willson’s leadership, made all of us eager to go to the National Conference next year. Rev. Herbert Hays was our featured speaker on Missionary Night; he gave us a vivid picture of the mission field, and presented the need for more workers. On another evening, Dr. R.M.C. Ward conducted a “Town Meeting” Program on “Juvenile Delinquency” which was both instructive and entertaining.
On Saturday evening, August 10, a special service was held for the Dedication of our new Memorial Hall. Our President, Mr. Bruce Stewart, led this service, and Rev. Wyley Caskey was the main speaker. Some of the “old timers” spoke at this service of the camp’s development, and what it has meant to our Covenanter young people. Mr. Caskey pointed out in his address that only as we dedicate our buildings and lives to God can we be successful.
The challenge of dedicating our lives to Christ was presented most forcefully by Rev. Richard Hutcheson at the Dedication Service on the last evening of camp. It was certainly a most fitting climax to two weeks of inspiration at White Lake Camp.
-- Covenanter Witness 11/16/1946 p 298
Note: The New C.Y.P.U. Camp and Banquet Songs (undated, but printed some time in the late 1940s), included two White Lake Camp songs. The first one in the section “Presbyterial Songs” is entitled “White Lake.” It is sung to “Cornell College Song.” After every lunch and dinner the Camp sang from these books until they were tattered to pieces.
Beautiful for situation,
Glorious in its view,
Lifts the hill above the valley
Wet with morning dew.
When the east is flaming crimson,
Like a fiery sea,
Then we raise our morning anthem
White Lake unto thee.
Chorus:
White Lake ever! Hail forever!
To thine azure hue,
To the loyal hearts that love thee
We’ll be ever true.
Here our tented field is shining
In the morning glow,
As it lifts from out the shadow
Of the vale below.
Here we meet and greet our comrades,
Here glad tribute bring
To the Cross, the Christ, the Covenant,
To our Crowned King.
WHITE LAKE CAMP HISTORY
The twenty-fifth annual White Lake Encampment was held August 7-21 under the leadership of the president William Dill. The average attendance was approximately 100.
Preceding the encampment Rev. Robert Edgar was in charge of the Junior Camp. An average attendance of 52 was maintained for the ten days. The counselors who helped with the program were Rev. Robert Edgar, Rev. and Mrs. Bruce Stewart, Rev. Paul Wilson, Teddy Downie, Rachel George, Gladys Robb, Ellen Lathom and Nellie Smith.
Orlando received the cup for their Standard of Efficiency of 87%.
One of the most outstanding events of the camp this year was the voluntary prayer group in charge of Rev. R.L. Stewart. There was an unusually large number of young people present at third daily meeting.
We were privileged to have the Covichords in the program. Their secular program was very entertaining. We found the religious program most inspirational. All those present noticed the consecrated way in which their message was presented.
Marjorie Allen, a former White Laker, spoke to us on missionary night. It was at White Lake that she made her final decision. Her story of her own complete consecration was inspiring to us all. We were greatly interested in her account of the work in Syria.
Rev. Alvin Smith was in charge of the consecration service. A large number responded and consecrated their lives to Christ. Following the service we adjourned to the campfire. At the campfire many gave personal testimonies to what Christ meant in their life. We entreat your prayers that those who consecrated themselves will maintain their high ideals.
The officers for the next encampment are: President, Don Crawford; Vice-president, Ellen Lathom; Secretary, Phyllis McFarland; Treasurer, Janet Crockett; Assistant Treasurer, Robert Crawford; Music Director, Rev. Alvin Smith; Sports, Boys – Dan Bosch, Girls – Alice Smith; Camp Mother, Mrs White; Camp Father, Mr. McKay; Director, Tom Dodds; Junior Superintendent, Mrs. Bruce Stewart; Ass’t Jr. Supt., Mrs. McBurney.
We wish to express our hearty thanks to all those who helped make this encampment a success. We covet your prayers as the new officers plan the next encampment.
The reunion will be held in Orlando, Florida, December 31, 1948 – January 2, 1949.
The dates of the 1949 encampment are August 6-20 inclusive.
-- Gladys Robb, Secretary
Covenanter Witness, 9/8/1948 p 157
Note: Junior Camp was the idea of Frank Lathom, pastor of Walton, and Robert Edgar, pastor of the RP Church in the Bronx. To be sure that there were enough children, Edgar approached a nearby black congregation, the Tremont Presbyterian Church, to involve them in the camp. They came for many years to Junior Camp. From the beginning, therefore, the Junior Camp that lasted until about 1970 was a remarkable mixture of white rural kids from Walton, many from their released time program (they could be rough), black, Puerto Rican and white kids from the Bronx, (they were rough in a different way), and kids from the suburbs.
Counselors, circa 1950. Robert D. Edgar, with whistle,
was the Head Counselor at the time.
Obituary: George O. Pritchard
Those who attended White Lake Camp for a number of years after its establishment around 1922 will be sorry to learn of the recent death of George O. Pritchard, who for many years was the genial athletic manager, founder of the ‘K K K NEWS” and “life of the camp” until the pressure of business became too great.
He was the youngest son of the late John W. Pritchard, editor and publisher of the “Christian Nation” and brother of the late Dr. John H. Pritchard, pastor of White Lake congregation, who was instrumental in establishing and carrying on the camp.…
Mr. Pritchard, born in Philadelphia in 1884, was raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he attended High School and Adelphi College. From 1907 he made his home in Upper Montclair. He was with the Ideal Publishing Corporation for 13 years and previously was associated with his father on the “Christian Nation” and the Fawcett Publications, New York.…
He was “George” to everyone and loved by all who knew him.
-- Covenanter Witness, 1/17/1952 p 48
Note: There were later pastors’ conferences. One organized by Bill Edgar was held July 31 – August 2, 1991 included men and their families from Canada as well as the U.S. Some of the children at that retreat remember it as clearly as any camp they attended. I remember a game of softball, in which the pastors got younger in age by about a decade with each passing inning, until a determined Kit Swartz barreled into the catcher, Paul Finlay of Walton, hoping to dislodge the ball from his glove. On the way up the hill, young Natanya Ganz came up beside me to boast: “My Daddy’s {Rich Ganz, then pastor of Ottawa RPC} home run was longer than yours was.” True. More recently there have been two pastor and family retreats for Atlantic Presbytery planned by Daniel Howe. – Bill Edgar
WHITE LAKE JUNIOR CAMP 1952
“Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God.” These words of our Lord Jesus Christ are both the purpose and the practice of the White Lake Junior Camp. It is so much better to prevent prodigal sons than to wait and then try to reclaim them.
The power of the Holy Spirit was very definitely in our midst; 43 children indicated first-time decisions for Christ in our Consecration Services; 12 of the children consecrated their lives to service for Christ in the ministry or mission-field or wherever He will lead. It was thrilling to see the face of one of the fellows as he told me, “My buddy want to accept Christ, too.” There were tears in many of our eyes as we said our prayers in the cabins that night; it is an unforgettable experience to hear teenage fellows praying for each other.
92 children attended Camp this year; in addition, it was my unpleasant duty to have to return 15 other applications. The children who came represented 11 congregations as follows: Walton 27; New York 20; Third Philadelphia 13; Cambridge 9; Syracuse 7; Montclair 5; Newburgh 4; Boston 3; United Philadelphia 2; White Lake 1; and Lochiel 1.
For the morning Bible Study and Class Period, the children were divided into three groups. The Primary Class, comprising 32 children, was under the leadership of Mrs. R.H. McKelvy, Mrs. Mabel Smyth, Miss Jean Finlay, and Col. George Simmons. The Junior Class, comprising 29 children, was conducted by the Misses Nancy Mandeville, Jean Fullerton, and Alice McKelvy. The Intermediate Class, comprising 11 children, was led by “Doc” Mudoch, Miss Margaret Weir, Rev. R.H. McKelvy, and myself. The Rev. Charles S. Sterrett was the Camp Manager; Mrs. Thomas Wilson was the Camp Nurse; Col. Simmons was the Life Guard; Mrs. George Norris, Mrs. Margaret Smyth, and Mrs. Daniel Bosch were the Cooks; and Bill Jackson and “Red” Burgess peeled the potatoes.
The children were wakened each morning at 7:15 and had devotions with their Counselors in the cabins. After breakfast, they met together for a worship period on the lawn, the Counselors taking turns as leaders. Then each group went to their respective classes where they had Bible study, memory work, games, and handwork. Following dinner, each class had a few minutes to tell the others what they had learned that morning. Most of the children stopped at the candy store on their way to the cabins for an hour’s rest period. The next whistle signified the beginning of recreation, and handwork and swimming followed. Soon after family worship at the supper table, the evening program began. We had a Missionary Night, some religious films, a Consecration Service, and Closing Exercises. In the lighter vein, the programs on other evenings consisted of entertaining and educational films, and stunt night. The day was completed with our campfire and devotions and then Taps at 9:00 PM.
Sabbath Day was a high spot on the program! Regular Bible Study and memory work followed the worship service on the hill; then we marched down to the White Lake Church for the Worship Service at 11:00. The Rev. Thomas Wilson presided and led in the Psalm meditation; I preached an illustrated sermon on “The Master’s Voice.” Both the Counselors and the congregation were awed by the quiet and reverence of the children during the entire service. After the afternoon rest period, a Psalm-sing was held out on the hill. In the evening, “Doc” Murdoch gave an action-packed evangelistic message about Naaman. It was a Sabbath to be remembered.
I wish to express my thanks publicly for the fine cooperation and devotion on the part of the Counselors; it was a pleasure to work with them. It was a joy to minister to the children; their response and enthusiasm is thrilling; who knows but from their midst an Isaiah or a Deborah will appear. I wish also to express my appreciation to parents and churches for their commendations. I wish to thank Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Koble for their generous contribution for the second straight year; Mrs. Koble (the kids know her as Teddie Downie) was once a Counselor, and we appreciate her continued interest and support of her “alma mater.”
Above all, we wish to thank God for His blessing, for the wonderful weather, for the lack of sickness or serious accident, and we trust that He will continue to bless the camps in the years that lie ahead.
-- Bruce C. Stewart, Director
Covenanter Witness, 11/12/1952 p 318
Campfire scene, circa 1950.
Memoir for Robert Dodds Edgar
New York Presbytery – 1953
….
Possibly Robert’s greatest contribution to our Presbytery was his work at White Lake Camp. Not only did he give of his physical labor and ability in planning and building the dining hall, but he gave even more generously of himself in the building of Christian life and character among our young people. His was the vision for a Junior Camp – and when it was splitting at the seams, once more he correctly foresaw the need for a separate camp for the 12-16 year olds. In these two camps, the future of White Lake Camp is insured for years to come. Several years ago he spoke of the need of a Pastor’s Conference where informality was the password; those of us who have tried to follow through realize the wisdom of that suggestion.
….
-- Bruce C. Stewart, Pastor of Cambridge RPC
Covenanter Witness, 1/6/1954 p 9
White Lake Item
Juniors go to camp too. Pictured here [photo] is one of the four teams comprising this summer’s White Lake Junior Camp, which nearly one hundred attended. This team called the “David Livingston” team was under the guidance of the Rev. George Price of our Third Philadelphia congregation, and they were the winners for this season. All the campers were divided into teams named after missionaries and throughout the camp they competed for the largest number of points awarded on the basis of accomplishment. Other team names were John G. Paton, Jerry Hayenga, and Don Robb. Camping begins early for church youth and is a major contribution to early commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ.
-- Covenanter Witness 9/16/1959 p 345
Note: Bob Henning of the Bronx church introduced the team approach to Junior Camp after he became its Director in 1955. He got it from the Boy Scouts. Soon the teams became ultra-competitive, with points awarded for winning softball and volleyball games, best original cheer, best original song, best skit, and so on. Soon the teams sat together at meals. The names had a theme each year. Jerry Hayenga was the new missionary to the Indian Mission in Oklahoma, Don Robb was missionary to Japan, John G. Paton was the famous Covenanter missionary to the New Hebrides Islands in the mid-19th Century, and David Livingston was a missionary to sub-Saharan Africa in the 19th Century. The names another year were the Hittites, Amorites, Hivites, and the Perizzites. After Bob Henning left the Bronx church, Bill Price of Elkins Park became the director of Junior Camp. Because all of the counselors at Junior Camp stayed for Senior Camp – that was their pay, a free ride to Senior Camp – some of the atmosphere of each Junior Camp stayed on into Senior Camp.
REPORT OF THE JUDICIAL COMMITTEE
Paper No. 4 from St. Lawrence Presbytery,
THE SPIRITUAL OVERSIGHT OF WHITE LAKE CAMP
We recommend:
1. that the spiritual oversight of White Lake Camp and the supervision of the Executive Committee of the C.Y.P.U. be the joint responsibility of the New York and St. Lawrence Presbyteries, with the Young People’s Secretaries of the two Presbyteries taking the major responsibility in alternate years or by arrangement between the two Secretaries if that is more desirable.
2. that the actions of the White Lake Corporation with respect to the property be under the jurisdiction of both the New York and St. Lawrence Presbyteries.
3. that this action shall supersede the action of Synod in response to paper No. 11 in 1952.
-- Minutes of Synod, 1961 p 128
Memories of The Hilltop
“Here are some experiences that I remember: the end of a wet washcloth, trying to sleep while enthusiastic junior campers were beating the sun up, the struggle to win camp inspection, volleyball…cabin devotions, a quiet morning walk to God’s House, meditation around the campfire….” – Jack Pinkerton memories from The Hilltop, the WL Camp newsletter published sporadically throughout the year.
-- Covenanter Witness, 6/24/1964 p 408
THE HILLTOP: Excerpts
p. 1 “What the Letters Will Bring?” by this year’s president Hartley Russell, May 2
Yes, White Lake time is drawing near and I’m reaching the point where I am thinking of hiring a full-time secretary to start writing letters. Most of the basic planning has been done but many details must still be ironed out.
The theme, taken from I John 5:4, is “Victory Through Faith.” The Rev. Ronald Nickerson from Lisbon will be speaking to the Senior campers and also leading them in their Bible Studies. The Rev. John White from College Hill congregation in Beaver Falls will be meeting with the Prep campers and working with them on their Bible Study.
In an effort to make the adults who attend our camp feel more at home, we are planning some Bible Studies or discussion periods “for adults only.” … Please pray for the staff as we continue to plan, and also pray that those who are asked to take part might be able and willing to do so. Remember that our “strength cometh from the Lord.”
p. 2 Mr. Edwin McBurney, our peerless camp manager, has carefully compiled the following White Lake “lost” lost from last summer’s camps. Study it carefully: one of the items you see listed here may be your own! (or your child’s) All these items are at the camp.
Boys tan twill slacks – Style Wise brand – size 8
Blue denim slacks – patches inside knees
Charcoal Bermudas – brand H.I.S. – about 34
Assorted swim suits – boys’ and girls’
Sleeveless T-shirt – size 12
White shirt – small
Penney’s Towncraft shirt, green & white check
Green slim Jim tie
White Lake Conferences July 7-12 and July 12-22
Carleton National Conference August 10-17
p. 4 It’s here! Another Hilltop! Wow! Did you wonder what happened – that is, if you missed it. Well, you know how it is, finals and all that; and, then, we print an issue when we get something to print. Which brings up another point. We hope you’ve gleaned at least something from these six issues; we’ve learned one thing: sympathy for all editors everywhere.
It’s hard: For adults too! The annual White Lake Camp work day, June 25. Everyone welcome! Come Friday night or Saturday morning for a joyful time of work.
WORK! WORK! WORK! WORK!
Definitions: perverb – a dirty old maxim
Apopalypse – end of the world from overpopulation
He: What’s that slash in your tire?
She: I ran over a milk bottle.
He: Couldn’t you swerve around it?
She: The…kid had it hid under his jacket.
The Hilltop, 18 mail drops
Vol. III, No. 6, June 1964
Edited and published by Bill and John Edgar
Note: The Hilltop was handed on from one young people’s group to another. It came out as often as it came out. Sometimes it annoyed people older and more responsible than the editors. This issue contained a letter objecting to a joke in the previous issue about a nun.
Origin of the “Rec Hall”
The sudden death of a young friend is always a shocking thing. It leaves us wilted and wondering. We are shaken not only by the fact of death but by the seeming incompleteness, humanly speaking, of the life of the young person. But even then, out of the maze of numb uncertainty, we begin to see that God is at work…
The Donald A. Beatty Memorial Fund may well be one of those ways in which God is blessing His people even through the seemingly tragic death of one of His own young men. Don’s family belongs to our Montclair, N.J. congregation. He was a student in Geneva College and lost his life in a drowning accident in the Beaver River last spring.
White Lake Camp young people, along with many others who had known Don so well, were very much saddened by his death. But it was not long before their sadness began to emerge into a desire to do something concrete and lasting that would not only memorialize Don but would benefit God’s people as well. In the summer, gathered in their annual business meeting at White Lake these young people set out on a course of action. A project was proposed to them, and they discussed other possible projects, and came to their decision. Because of the uncertainty about the feasibility of their project, camp officers determined that the exact project should remain open for study until the Reunion, at which time a definite decision would be reached. Meanwhile the original money goal adopted at the business meeting would stand. The goal? An ambitious one thousand dollars!
October, and then November, came quickly. There was a good bit of doubt in the minds of many whether such a goal could be reached, especially since there were so many demands on the giving of our people during the fall months. But the societies were working. Some of them simply began to give their regular offerings to the Fund. Some set up society goals and began to pray toward reaching them. And there were money-raising projects, like the Candlelight Café held in the New York Church. Young people there worked for weeks preparing the menu, programs that were bi-lingual, and a fitting presentation for the congregation. In some cases, it was preferred just to present the need clearly to the members of the church. And the money began to come in. Interested people in other presbyteries sent gifts. One gift came from one of our mission fields.
As the young people of White Lake met at Syracuse, N.Y. in their annual Reunion the Fund Treasurer arose on New Year’s Day in the business meeting to announce that to date, nine hundred and thirty dollars had been raised! And just three weeks later, gifts came in that sent the Donald A. Beatty Memorial Fund over the top.
After careful discussion, the decision was reached to request the Board of Directors to use this Fund for the erection of a new meeting and recreation room beneath one end of the present dining hall, and to include in this room, and also above in the dining room, fireplaces. Such a construction will meet certain needs, and provide facilities that have long been desired at White Lake Camp. It will further expand the ability of this Camp to fulfill its purpose of bringing young people and adults into a vital, growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
In all likelihood, the money raised thus far will not meet the total cost of the memorial project. Other generous gifts will be needed. But the goodness of God has been demonstrated! And He will surely see it through to the end. Christ’s people still need to learn to “attempt great things for God, expect great things from God.”
-- The Rev. J. Paul McCracken, Y.P. Secretary
New York Presbytery
Covenanter Witness, 2/17/1965 p 104
Walton, New York News
…
The White Lake Reunion was held at the Broomall Church near Philadelphia, December 30-31. The following young people from here attended: Beverly, Joan and John Henderson, Laila Boye, Virginia and Hartley Russell, Marilyn Harrington, and Robert Mitchel. Janet Boye and Paul Mitchel were also present. An attendance of 70 overnight and 120 at the banquet was reported. Rev. Don Robb was the speaker.
-- Covenanter Witness, 2/16/1966 p 111
REMINISCENCES OF WHITE LAKE CAMP
Dear White Lakers,
Greetings! Congratulations and Best Wishes on the 50th Anniversary of White Lake Camp!
The Chairman of the program Committee for this celebration, Mrs. Rosanna McElwee, asked me to send a message for the occasion, which I am delighted to do.
Our family attended White Lake Camp 25 years of the 50 years of its existence. We greatly enjoyed each year’s encampment!
It was an ideal campsite: twelve acres of grounds on a hilltop surrounded by beautiful trees and a beautiful lake at the foot of the hill! It was indeed, “beautiful for situation.”
Dr. John Pritchard was the main person in organizing the Camp and in planning for the necessary equipment, etc. He purchased ten large army tents (about 16 ft. by 10 ft.) with a double top flap. These tents were bought at army surplus stores for $100.00 apiece. Each tent had at least ten cots made of “2 by 4’s” and canvas.
Wooden floors were made in two sections, which made the tents comfortable and complete. These wooden floors were stacked away after each camp and were laid again a week before camp time the next year.
Camping in tents was lots of fun – rough but enjoyable. The tents lasted ten years and were torn to pieces by a violent thunder and rainstorm. Who can ever forget that stormy night! We all fled to the Pritchard House through a foot of water all over the front lawn. The Pritchard House resembled a “refugee camp” – as we slept on the floor, our wet clothes hanging everywhere.
Then followed the building of the cabins. But the biggest project was the tearing down of the old Lynn Hotel on the White Lake shorefront. Mr. Lynn generously gave the Camp the hotel building for removing it from the beach. Thus, out of this building was built the Dining Hall and Lecture Room on the Campsite. All were called upon to lend a hand. The response was great!! They came from far and near – White Lake, Newburgh, New York, Coldenham, Montclair, Cambridge, Syracuse, and Philadelphia.
The Lynn Hotel was made of well-cured lumber and even the large wooden girders that rested on the rocks on the ground were perfectly preserved. Thus the Dining Hall was built.
Then the drilling of a deep well for more water was begun. Running water in the wash-rooms of the cabins was then possible. Thus the Camp was developed.
I was Camp Manager of the Camp for 11 years and was happy to have a part in the building project. Time would fail to tell of the many, many faithful ones, whose names are too numerous to mention, who gave of their time and energy to work in every way for the success of the Camp.
However, we would like to mention Dr. Wyley Caskey, who worked “like a beaver” to prepare and maintain the grounds of our camp; also, our faithful and efficient cooks, Victor and Florence Lynn and Lou Norris, who prepared such wholesome and satisfying meals; and Mr. Millen who gave a whole calf to the camp when meat was rationed during the war years. Who can forget the abundance of milk – so that all who wanted milk could drink, and drink all that they wanted!
Our two weeks of camp made it possible to have the mornings devoted to Bible study and challenges to Christian service and usefulness; the afternoons for recreation; and the evenings open for missionary programs, contests, and home talent entertainment, etc.
White Lake Camp was to us a place of delightful fellowship in the Lord, a place of lasting friendships, and often a place of wonderful courtships. Our son Bruce met his “lovely wife to be,” Roselyn, at White Lake Camp!
My wife, Hattie, joins me in rejoicing with you on this memorable occasion.
Yours in the service of Christ,
Dr. Frank L. Stewart
-- Covenanter Witness, 9/27/1967 pp. 206-07
Note: The building constructed from the dismantled hotel was first called Memorial Hall, so named for World War II Covenanter veterans; then it became known as the Mess Hall, and is now referred to as the Dining Hall.
How “It So Happened” that I got to White Lake Camp and My Life Was Changed
I had a friend in college who had his summer job helping with Vacation Bible Schools around the country. He called me at my summer job, which was waitressing at a resort in Wisconsin, so he came by and said, “Oh, quit this job. I’ll get you a job at White Lake Camp.” It sounded crazy to me, leaving a job that my college roommate had gotten for me, with very nice college kids from the Middle West. But I packed and jumped in the car with John P. Edgar and Kathy Copeland, and traveled East. We dropped Kathy off in Pittsburgh and continued on to Camp, where John’s family had a cabin five miles from the Camp.
John had been witnessing to me in college about Christ, but I was not interested. He arranged with the cook that I could have a job in the kitchen. I lived in girls cabin 4 to help the counselor there with the girls, but I was told, “Don’t say your opinion to the kids and corrupt them.” I understood the camp program was meant to strengthen the kids’ faith, and just have a good time with their friends.
What struck me was, “These are very nice people.” They knew who I was but they were kind to me. There was Bible reading and prayer in the cabins, a blessing before every meal, devotions after dinner, the program in the morning was a class for various ages on the Bible – which I didn’t get to because I was in the kitchen – and in the evening there were speakers. I did get to go swimming in the lake with the camp.
I’d gone to a high school where there was a Bible or religion course each year and we had to go to Quaker meeting twice a week, Thursdays and Sundays, but White Lake Camp was different. The hymns were Psalms out of the Bible. And people really meant it, and they were also nicer people than I had ever met anywhere before.
To this day there are things certain people said that I still remember because they got my attention. Along the way, I would talk to John’s brother Bill; and he’d answer my questions and we’d argue, but he explained very well. So we kept talking. I kept resisting, but we talked. We went back to Swarthmore College and continued my discussions and along the way I was being persuaded. At some point Bill said, “You have to see who Jesus is. You should read the Gospels. Mark is the shortest.” So over Christmas break I read Mark and could see Jesus wasn’t who I thought he was, some historic person who was more moral and virtuous than anybody else. He spoke with authority. It was noticeable. “Never man spoke like this man,” and I could see that. It spoke to my conscience. I was beginning to see that he was who he said he was. Some day I was going to have to answer to him….
I wasn’t aware of being a sinner but I could see how I kept messing up – tactlessness, cluelessness, not really dealing with where faults come from. But the people at White Lake Camp showed me better and did it with kindness.
After about six months I knew I had to submit myself to Jesus as LORD of Lords. I had been attending the Broomall congregation and a year later I was baptized. So White Lake became my presbytery camp. And so it has been for most summers since then. The Reformed Presbyterian teaching showed me that the Bible was true, Jesus was who he said he was, and I was on my way to hell if I did not bow the knee to him, and give up my rebellion.
– Gretchen DeLamater Edgar
The Congregational Conference
“You’ll never be friends again!” This was the reaction of some friends when they learned that several families in the congregation would be spending a week together in a camp setting: eating together, the ladies sharing the cooking responsibilities, the men doing the dishes (sic!), and all spending time in prayer and Bible study.
Well, it is true that friendships were never the same again. For they were deepened during those days in 1969 when 45 persons from about 10 families in the North Hills congregation had a family conference at the White Lake conference grounds. And the two years that have passed since have only proved the lasting value of the immediate results of the conference. Since people knew each other fairly well before the camp, the experiences at camp helped to deepen and cement those friendships. And since the White Lake camp is about 400 miles from Pittsburgh, attendance at the camp required a real commitment.
…
Since the conference was intended to include also some vacation time, the program was kept to a minimum. The group met together for prayer for a half hour in the morning; then they participated for about 1½ hours in Bible study and small group discussion. Afternoons were kept free for sightseeing, recreation, and family groups. In general, the evenings were given over to relaxation and informal discussion.
On Sabbath, the whole group worshipped with the White Lake congregation, and on Wednesday, following a picnic supper in Walton, the whole group attended prayer meeting in the Walton church. So the week provided some extension of our knowledge of the whole church and the people in it.
Were there problems? Oh yes! Some wanted more volleyball. A golf game was rained out. The program for the teens should have been better organized. Something different might have been done for group activity in the afternoon.
This past summer, the writer was invited back to White Lake, this time to participate in a weekend family gathering of the Coldenham congregation. This was their second summer, and under the excellent leadership of their pastor, Rev. John McMillan, and the session, the congregation gave a hearty response. They began on Friday evening with a social hour: two Bible study sessions were on Saturday, with an afternoon of recreation between them: morning worship was held with the White Lake congregation with a Psalm sing and discussion in the afternoon. The last Bible study session was held on Sabbath evening.….
James D. Carson
Pastor, North Hills
-- Covenanter Witness, 9/29/1971 p 10
Note: There have been other congregational camps. Broomall has held several, some in conjunction with Elkins Park.
Big Changes: 1969-1972
The 1960s were a period of contrasting visions and mindsets in the United States. The generation that grew up during the Great Depression, fought World War II, and initiated the Cold War had children who challenged many of their assumptions and mores. The assassination of President Kennedy in 1963, the Civil Rights movement, an emerging counterculture, the greater availability of illegal drugs, very different types of music, long hair and beards on men, the burning of military draft cards, riots in American cities, and refusal to serve in the Viet Nam War were part of what are now called “The Sixties.” People spoke of a “Generation Gap.”
Some sought to counter the challenges of the 1960s with strict programs pushing back on the hippie generation. White Lake Camp was the scene of one of these strict programs in the summer of 1969. The Synod’s Board of Education and Publication “Summer Training Program (STP)” met for a month at the Camp. The Camp was supposed to benefit from their physical labor, but the labor was unskilled and not always directed to any useful result. One observer remembered people being forced to scrub a bathtub with toothbrushes, and then the bathtub being thrown out. The 1969 STP used a strict military model with a Marine boot camp mentality. Absolute obedience was required of those who had signed up for the program, strict methodologies for Bible study were adopted and enforced, and many rules were enacted that led to frustration. That summer’s national Summer Training Program was the last STP held.
In August 1969 the opposite of the July STP came. The concert known as Woodstock was held at Max Yasgur’s Farm, August 15-18, 1969 – within walking distance of the Camp! The new Director of Junior Camp ended the tradition of swimming in White Lake and instead took the Camp to the Days of Decision pool in Swan Lake, about 10 miles from the Camp. He wanted to give the campers swimming lessons. (The previous long-time Director was quite critical of the new Director when he heard how Junior Camp had been run.) As the bus made its way each day to and from Swan Lake, campers saw road-side stands set up with counter-cultural paraphernalia on sale: love beads, leather goods, tie-dye clothing, musical instruments, and equipment for drug use. The Woodstock Festival was too tempting for four teen-aged counselors. One night they sneaked out from Camp and went to the concert. Their absence was discovered and the next morning it was publicly announced at breakfast that the four counselors were dismissed. They were sent home.
After the military style STP and then counselors leaving the Camp for the Woodstock concert during Junior Camp, the topic for the Senior Camp, now becoming Family Camp, was “The Christian Family: Teen and Parent.” Senior Camp, it should be noted, was still under the supervision of a Presbytery Youth Director.
Even before 1969, there were already questions about Junior Camp counselors. New York City session minutes in 1968 noted, “The Session was informed of the recent action by the New York Presbytery requiring all persons seeking to be counselors at White Lake Camp to be approved by their sessions and the manager notified in writing.” In the aftermath of 1969, the White Lake Camp Corporation and Board of Directors concluded that they could not run the camps, and settle disputes, and tend to the physical needs of the camp at the same time. In 1970 a petition from them came to New York Presbytery to form a commission of ruling and teaching elders to supervise and oversee the programs and spiritual life of the camp. It took two years for New York and St. Lawrence Presbyteries finally to set up the present Bi-Presbytery Commission in 1972 to supervise the programs and teaching, the spiritual direction, and the counselors at the Camp.
Another change: from 1971, until it soon petered out, various congregations, beginning with the New York City congregation, held congregational Bible camps at the Camp. New York’s 1971 Camp went well, but the 1972 Camp with 72 children from the streets of the Bronx proved too much to handle. The congregational Bible camps were small, and except for the 1972 NYC camp, had a different feel from the old junior camp because they did not draw from many congregations. In competition with congregational camps, Junior Camp (begun after World War II) soon petered out. The old Senior Camp continued, with officers still elected who still chose the Camp speaker, but Senior Camp was morphing into Family Camp. Attendance varied in the 1970s and ran into a new problem: college schedules changed. Instead of beginning the third week of September, college fall semesters rather suddenly began before Labor Day. So Family Camp had to move to the middle of August or earlier.
By 1980 the counterculture had made its mark on America and had subsided. Reactive military-style camps had disappeared. With the Board of Directors still choosing a Camp Director, a Camp Manager, and a Head Cook, Family Camp had taken its current shape by 1980.
– David Weir
Notes by the Editor, Bill Edgar:
1. The Director of Christian Education who had responsibility for the 1969 Summer Training Program and was present was Ken Smith. A young assistant named Ron Homa ran the Program. He used many “trainers” who had been at the Indianapolis Training Program earlier that summer. The program format owed a lot to the Navigators.
2. The Director of Junior Camp in the 1960’s was Bill Price when he was the pastor of the Elkins Park Church. He was installed as the pastor of the NYC congregation in the Bronx in 1970. The next Director, Ed Robson, had been part of the Elkins Park church earlier in the 1960s and became the newly installed pastor of the Syracuse church in 1968.
White Lake Covenanter Camp 1972-1990
I heard about White Lake Camp through my college roommates for whom the camp was an annual summer event. Those who had grown up in New York Presbytery had regularly gone to Junior Camp and then in later years Senior Camp. My own first exposure to the camp was through the 1969 Summer Training Program (STP). This program was a highly structured boot camp to make sure that Covenanter Youth were grounded in the faith, and able to use the means of grace to promote spiritual growth as well as share their faith. That summer was memorable to all attendees for various reasons, especially for those who were able to get close enough to the small-screen black-and-white portable television to see the first man walking on the moon.
My teaching career began in September of 1972 in a Philadelphia suburb. At that point the camp had already changed such that “Senior Camp” and “Junior Camp” had become united in “Family Camp” under the more direct involvement of the elders of the presbyteries. They were persuaded that the camp could more effectively serve the families of the bi-presbyterial ownership of the camp by expanding the 10-day Family Camp to serve all age levels. There were speakers and discussion leaders for adults, teens, middle-schoolers, and juniors, as well as a nursery program. There were two camp commissioners from each presbytery who appointed a Head Counselor. The Head Counselor was responsible for finding counselors and implementing a program for Junior Camp and was in charge of the counselors during Family Camp. The commissioners were responsible for advising the Young People’s President about contacting an appropriate head speaker and laying out the daily program for Family Camp. The commissioners were responsible for appointing a middle school director, a junior director, and a preschool director. At the end of the summer, they would meet with the head counselor for a review of the season.
There was a growing movement during the 70’s to see that the camp facilities were used by more people. Bill Price was the pastor at Elkins Park, and he used to bring Vacation Bible School students to the camp for a week in the country. This week’s effort was outside the scope of the regular camp program. When he moved to minister in the Bronx, he continued a summer outreach program in the city by utilizing college students like Mike Tabon and Tom Price. Young people would spend a week at camp as part of their summer program. Beginning in 1972, I became involved in the camp program as a result of my connection with the Elkins Park congregation; and Bill Price continued to use Elkins Park personnel, like Clara McClay, who was then in charge in the kitchen. I had started youth work in the Elkins Park community and wanted to piggyback with his time at camp. After a summer assisting him, he asked me to take the point the next summer.
In response to the requests of the young adults with vision pleading for greater use of the camp, other congregations began to take a week at camp. The Syracuse congregation had a well-established summer program for community youth. The Walton congregation had contact with many young people through their Cadet Program. Each of these congregations took a turn during the summer. When I began as a summer intern at the Coldenham congregation in 1977, we recruited a core of church and community youth who also spent a week at camp. All these congregation-specific weeks were in addition to the regular Family Camp program. Somewhere along the line, the camp commissioners asked me to take on the responsibility of being Head Counselor. When individual congregations rented the camp, they were responsible for their own programs and personnel. The camp continued to be successfully shared in this fashion until at least the early 80’s.
– Dave Coon
The Three People Who Make Our Camp Work
To operate, White Lake Covenanter Camp needs three key people, a Head Cook, a Camp Manager, and a Camp Director. The Camp Director, sometimes also called Head Counselor, secures counselors and keeps things moving. If someone needs to be sent off the Campgrounds for any reason, the Director does that. The Camp Manager takes care of the grounds, making sure that the grass is cut, broken windowpanes are replaced, and the water is potable. The Head Cook prepares food for three meals a day. The Cook has helpers. Many people help the Camp Manager in one way or another. The Director usually handles his job himself.
Over the years many men and women have held these jobs, sometimes for no pay, and sometimes for small pay. They are not camp professionals, just people with some skills ready to volunteer them for several weeks in the summer. Almost always, they have been members of one of the congregations in the presbyteries that use the Camp.
Here are the names of some of these people over the years. The lists are incomplete.
Head Cook: LuLu Norris (White Lake), Ruth Shafer (Coldenham), Ma Smyth (Cambridge), Mrs. Patterson (NYC), Clara McClay (Elkins Park), Carol Lowe (Broomall), Larry Gladfelter (Broomall), and Jonathan McDonald (Broomall).
Camp Manager: Mr. Pritchard until his death December 25, 1932 (White Lake), Ed McBurney (Montclair), Chuck Sterrett (Newburgh), Andy Price (Coldenham-Newburgh), Wendell Spear (Walton), Peter Robson (Rochester). For many years Charles McBurney lived on the campground in a trailer, just recently demolished, and helped greatly with Camp Manager tasks.
Camp Director: Bob Edgar (NYC), Bruce Stewart (Cambridge), Bob Henning (NYC), John McMillan one year (Coldenham), Bill Price (Elkins Park), Ed Robson (Syracuse), Mike Tabon (White Lake), Bob Allmond (Elkins Park).
Who appointed these people? The Camp’s Board of Directors, made up of one representative from each congregation in Atlantic and St. Lawrence Presbyteries, appoints the Camp Director and the Camp Manager. They report to the Board of Directors that meets several times a year. Who appoints the Cook? Over the years, that has varied. In general, things have worked best when the same people did these three jobs over an extended period, usually until they just got too tired – or they died – to continue doing them. Their loyalty, hard work, and devotion have kept the Camp operating for one hundred years by God’s grace.
– Bill Edgar
Looking Back
Looking back, I can’t remember not going to camp. Thoughts race of catching yellow salamanders while crawling under the dining hall, wearing trumpet vine flowers on my fingers while hummingbirds hovered around.
There were so many kids, and we sang. My first camp Psalm was Psalm 119M. We sang before meals – “The eyes of all upon thee wait,” and at the end of the day, “I will both lay me down to sleep.” And it’s still part of the day!
It is a little part of Christ’s church where we can fellowship and continue as life goes on. It’s a place I love!
– Beth Tabon
Notes:
1. When Beth was very young, her father was the pastor of the Newburgh Covenanter Church. For some years, he was the Camp Manager. Years later, Beth, Mike, and their five children spent summer after summer at the Camp. With Mike leading, they revived a Camp just for junior-aged children. (See A Little Strength Vol. 1 No. 3 September 2018 for more about Mike Tabon and his twenty-one years leading the Camp.)
2. Where are the salamanders now? Hiding from the humans, huddled safely in patches of poison ivy, along with frogs and other little creepy-crawly creatures.
Swimming and White Lake Camp
In the beginning, the Camp swam nearly every day except the Lord’s Day in White Lake. Along Route 17B, close to where the church is, James (Jim) Lynn owned a small hotel, the Lakeside Hotel. His father, John Black Williams Lynn, built the house owned by the White Lake pastor, Mr. Pritchard. Attached to the hotel was a dock. Through the 1920’s, 1930s, and into the 1940s, the campers would go to the dock and jump off it into the water to swim. Some took their bars of soap with them since there was no way to take a shower at the camp.
After the hotel closed and its lumber used to build Memorial Hall (a.k.a., the Dining Hall, a.k.a., the Mess Hall), Jim Lynn sold the dock that had been part of the hotel. So the Camp moved swimming to Barber’s Beach just off the road that leads towards Swan Lake. A school bus took the campers to and from the beach, from 4:00 to 5:00 in the afternoon. In the early years, some swimmers still took a bar of soap with them to the beach. The Camp swam there until 1969. The Barber’s Beach owner provided a lifeguard to keep swimmers from going beyond the rope boundaries and thus into danger from speedboats. Otherwise, there were almost no rules. The lifeguard would occasionally, but only occasionally, blow his whistle if someone ventured beyond the rope into territory where the lake bed dropped away deep. He allowed swimming, wrestling, and the making of towers three people high. We played keep away with a ball, two pick-up teams of up to twenty combatants, and no rules except no purposeful drowning allowed. People got hurt, but none permanently. We had “chicken fights.” I have no idea why they were called that, but someone sat on someone else’s shoulders in the water, usually a girl on a guy’s shoulders, and then four, six, or eight pairs would grapple to dismount the girl into the water. Vigilante groups would sometimes prowl the grassy sandy beachfront for slackers who hadn’t gone into the water and chase them down to drag them in. Especially endangered were those foolish enough to wear their ordinary clothes down to the beach. Don McBurney was a tough one to manhandle into the water: he was big and very determined not to get wet. The same could later be said of Mike Tabon, at any body of water. A huge Chuck Sterrett, pastor of Newburgh and a World War II vet, was more than we could handle.
In 1969 swimming moved to a pool in Swan Lake at the Days of Decision hotel. After a year or two, the Camp returned to using Barber's Beach at White Lake. During Family Camp, the cars ferrying swimmers to the beach usually carried many more campers than they contained seat belts. At the beach, not only did the campers enjoy all the water play, there was the beach itself. Campers cooperated in the building of great canals and moats and sand castles, which were continually in danger of demolition by swells running up the sand caused by passing speed boats. Buddy checks were held every 10 minutes to make sure that no one had drowned nor wandered off. But Barber's Beach became too expensive for the Camp.
During the late 1980's the Camp's swimmers made use of a municipal pool close on the road to Swan Lake. No one much liked the smallish pool, certainly not when compared to the beauty of the lake. So after not too many years, around 1990 or so, the Camp began going to the swimming area at nearby Lake Superior State Park. Most drove their cars there, but some ran the four-mile distance. Here the lifeguard kept strict order. It was better than the pools, but nowhere near as much fun as White Lake. Eventually, New York state regulations regarding children’s camps required that a camp provide its own lifeguard in addition to the State Park lifeguard. White Lake Camp did so for a time, but eventually the certification requirements for said lifeguard became too onerous to meet. Thus came to an end daily swimming sponsored by the Camp.
What took the place of the daily swim? Two things: one fun, one mundane. Building a pool for ourselves on the hilltop was out of the question: the maintenance, the volume of water needed, the lifeguards required by both common sense and New York State regulations all put an actual pool out of reach. However, water is fun even if it's only as deep as a sheet of paper. Someone said the words “Slip'n'slide!” and we had our late afternoon's water play back. The camp went through several iterations before arriving at the current configuration. An early iteration saw campers hurtling down a rustic, rickety wooden slide built beside and below the Dining Hall. When in use, it was lined with enormous black plastic sheeting and slicked with water and dish soap. The wooden slide proved difficult to maintain from year to year, and not feasible for adjusting to specific campers' ages and abilities.
The current Slip'n'Slide, contrived of simple, thick plastic sheeting slicked with Dawn dish soap and water, makes excellent use of the hill just below the girls' cabins. Counselors and other helpers stationed along the slide work together to make sure that each individual ride down the hill is age and ability appropriate.
And the mundane, second replacement for lake swimming: the shower stalls in the bath house mean that campers do not need to go lake-swimming to wash off the sweat and mud (and sometimes a little blood!) from playing exuberant games in the hot afternoon sun on the rocky hilltop.
– Bill Edgar and Betsy Edgar Perkins
L to R: William Ramsey, Bob Edgar, & Claude Brown on dock: black and white and swimming together circa 1950
Counselor Training is Life Training
It hasn’t quite been 100 years, but it’s been over 50 years since I first went to White Lake. My mom was a White Lake cook when I was really young, so I spent parts of many summers at White Lake from the time I was a baby. The first years I can remember involved buying large quantities of enormous cans of food, riding in the old ambulance owned by the camp, hiding from bats in the cooks' cabin, and getting accidentally locked in the bathroom above the kitchen. I attended camp with the Walton group each summer, adding in Teen Camp and Family Camp over the years. Growing up in a Christian family where God was always part of my life, I can still remember one summer day during the week of Walton’s camp where I sat on the step of my cabin, making the decision for myself that I wanted God in control of my life. It was no longer a “family thing,” it was a personal decision.
It was easy for me to transition to the role of counselor since it was the only way to spend most of the summer at a place I loved to be. I loved the place, I loved the people and I loved the job. And yes, it WAS a job! I soon learned what goes on behind the scenes.
As a counselor, a typical summer included a training week, a hiking/canoeing week, kids camps, helping one of the churches with VBS, teen camp and family camp. Weekends were for cooking for each other, getting our laundry done, being fed spiritually and getting some physical rest.
I quickly learned “training week” meant scraping and painting cabins, clearing cobwebs and mouse droppings, cleaning the bathrooms in the days before the current bathhouse, mowing grass, and finding, hauling, and stacking wood for a summer of campfires. Yes, we also learned and practiced how to lead devotions, study the Bible, and engage kids. I have often recalled the wise words from Mike Tabon that “The shower stalls are the best places to do your personal devotions,” since no one knew you were there and no one bothered you! I remembered them frequently as a mom with three young kids and then during years of homeschooling.
“Hiking and Canoeing Week” sounded glorious. I love the outdoors. Over the years I realized it translated to “Portaging Week.” For those of you not familiar with the term, portaging involves carrying your canoe over your head through forest land to the next body of water. My memories include more miles portaging than canoeing. I also have memories of a broken tailbone after hitting a crack while sliding down a giant slab of rock into a pool of water, sunburns, mosquitoes, and black flies. There were also beautiful sunsets and sunrises, the sounds of loons, and looking at the night sky full of stars. The trips were times of bonding as counselors, singing together, praying together, and sharing life together. Thank you Doug Chamberlain!
Kids camps were a different challenge. Counselors led nightly devotions in their cabins, shared responsibility for campfire devotions, worked to get the kids involved in the sports activities, teach them Bible lessons and keep them safe in the water. Those were the days of loading into vans and going down the hill to the actual lake where someone blew a whistle every 10 minutes for a “buddy check.” No one was allowed back in the water until every camper was accounted for. That picture has come to me often during my life. I thank God for the “buddies” he has placed in my life to hold my hand, check on me, and keep me safe during those dangerous/tough times life can bring.
Working as a counselor during Family Camps provided different opportunities for growth in my life. Leading devotions to a group including adults was way more stressful! Staying focused on my responsibilities while being distracted by campers my own age wasn’t easy. Listening to the main speaker and being fed instead of being the teacher was a wonderful change. Enjoying “counselor’s night out” for pizza and reflecting on the weeks we had shared was always great.
I loved my years as a counselor at White Lake! So many life lessons learned and so much spiritual growth. I still feel like a camp counselor in many ways, and I still love it. I help with Vacation Bible School, I work with kids at church and through school events, I can stand in front of hundreds of adults and speak with only a little stress, I’ve learned how to be a buddy to others during those hard times, and I still need older and wiser counselors to teach me new life lessons. I also know that “weekends” are still necessary to be fed spiritually and to rest physically – and to get all the laundry done!
– Debbie Russell Vuong
What White Lake Camp Means to Me
Nearly 15 years ago, my older sister returned from her first-ever week away from home. She came back different, somehow; her eyes sparkled a little brighter, and there was an adventurous joy in her that hadn’t been there before.
White Lake Covenanter Camp began to shape my life even before I became a camper on the hilltop. That is what it is meant to do. Change people, grow them, and send them home ready to spread Christ’s joy and love, as my 8-year-old sister did for me all those years ago.
What does White Lake mean to me? It is impossible to write about all the encouragement and memories I associate with camp without sounding cheesy, but I’ll give it a shot. White Lake represents my childhood. I attended Kids and Teen Camp as a camper for 10 years. Camp has always been the bright spot of my year. I would suffer through work and school for months just to get to the highlight of the entire year — White Lake. I still vividly remember my tears of grief when, as a 7-year-old, I missed the first few days of camp and had to be driven home. Camp for me has always been a place to rest from the distractions of the outside world in order to grow closer to God and to the many Christian brothers and sisters at my side. It is the place where I learned how to study God’s word by myself and with others. It is where I learned the significance of testimonies and how to give one fearlessly! Arriving at the hilltop and pulling up the long rocky driveway still sends a shot of adrenaline right through me. Even today when I burst through the tree line and catch my first sight of the camp, it feels like coming home.
Everywhere I look, there’s a memory. There’s the Quad, where the carnival takes place, and where we play knocker-ball. Then there’s the Pritchard House, where I remember having Kids Camp lessons. And of course, there’s the bathhouse, where it feels as if I’ve spent half of my life cleaning because of how messy my cabin mates and I were. The Rec Hall, where we huddled together for campfire on rainy evenings, the Mess Hall, the main hub for eating and playing games, and the recently bought back field, where we practice archery (DON'T walk in front of the archers! Ever!! You're not as far away as you think you are...).
But more important than the buildings or situational memories, White Lake Camp is a place to build relationships. I’ll always be grateful for the many loving counselors I’ve had over the years. Each one took time out of their busy summers to get to know me and care for me. Likewise, one of my favorite parts of camp is the inevitable mentorship fostered by the fact that the Kids and Teen Camps both happen during the same week. Not only were my counselors there for me, but older campers were an encouragement and help to me as well. Despite being 5, sometimes even 10 years older than I was, they included me and made me excited for Teen Camp and for the future. Their positive influences helped prepare me to take on the same role when I was an older camper and eventually as a counselor. Many of these relationships, with peers and mentors alike, have stood the test of time and still impact me today.
My sister’s stories inspired me to go as a child, but when I got older, it was my memories and my love for the people and place that kept me coming back. Eventually it translated into wanting to serve. It became my desire to pass on the profound joy and comfort I found at camp to those younger than I. I’ve had the privilege of being a counselor for a couple of years now, and the experiences I’ve had as a staff member have been just as meaningful to me as those I had when I was a camper. Leading young girls and striving to be a Godly example to them has taught me much. Prep-week also has always been a wonderful challenge. From erecting the massive tepees and scrubbing the cabins, to giving testimonies and praying together, the week before Kids and Teen Camp is a physical and spiritual workout I wouldn’t trade for anything.
Perhaps it is a bit dramatic, but all those summers I’ve spent up on the hill serving, playing, resting, and learning have felt like the closest thing to heaven I can imagine on our fallen earth. The Lord has blessed and used the camp to grow me and so many others, and it is my prayer that in the years to come he will faithfully continue to do so. See you there!
– Wren Jessop
White Lake: OUR Camp
I tried to stand up, failed, and blacked out. I was four years old. That is my earliest memory of White Lake Camp, from the lawn in front of the Pritchard House. I had exited the school bus bringing campers back from swimming, and a car came up next to the bus and knocked me down in the soft mud. The right front wheel ran over me. My father, I was told, scooped me up, and drove madly back to New York City to a hospital he trusted. X-rays showed no bones broken, but I was bandaged from head to toe and the cuts and bruises hurt for weeks.
Being run over by a car had no effect on my love for White Lake Camp. To come up the dirt road out of the trees to the open fields of the camp had the same effect on me as a return trip to Narnia had on the Pevensie children. I was in my other world where life itself was more delicious and exciting than on earth. I got to visit it for twenty days every summer, ten days at Junior Camp and later ten more days at Senior Camp, until it ended with Volleyball at 6:00 a.m. on Labor Day morning. Aslan ruled there.
The milk tasted better at White Lake than at home when I was young. It came in huge milk cans from farmers in the White Lake Church with all of the cream, unpasteurized and unhomogenized. Every meal had bread, government surplus peanut butter, butter, and grape jelly on the table for children who did not like what the cooks provided that meal. Some campers never ate anything else. The waiters (a job that rotated through the campers ourselves) brought the food to the tables in bowls, and we served ourselves family style, as much as we wanted. During and after meals we sang and sang. I especially liked the old C.Y.P.U. faded and falling apart songbooks that we used after lunch and dinner meals, with their mixture of parodies, patriotic, Covenanter, and American folk songs.
Every day had the same rhythm: up at 7:00 a.m., breakfast at 8:00, cabin clean up, classes from 9:00 until 11:30, lunch at noon, rest period until 2:00, volleyball or softball until 4:00, bus to White Lake for swimming and – when I was very young – washing, return for supper at 6:00 with devotions, evening program at 7:00, campfire at 8:15, lights out at 9:00 for Junior Camp, 10:00 or 10:30 for Senior Camp. On Sundays we’d go out to Psalm Sing rock for a Psalm Sing sitting on a hillside looking out over the farm below. When you sat down, you had to look where you were sitting to be sure you didn’t land on an old cow pie.
In the 1950s the Junior Camp (8-13) was a wonderful mixture of kids from the Bronx (rough), kids from Walton’s released time program (rural rough in a different way), and suburban kids ranging from my working class school district to higher-class places like Cambridge and Bronxville. One benefit of this mixture was the rare opportunity to learn eye-opening things from other walks of life. For example, here is one of dozens of still-vivid memories: a freckled boy from the Bronx remarked to me one day in cabin four (we were twelve), “You know, I could pass.” He was boasting, and I had no idea what he meant until I looked closely at him a few minutes later. Then I understood. He had “passed” with me, but looking more closely I could see the African in his hair and a dark background behind his freckles. I now understood what “pass” meant; it had nothing to do with school grades.
At the end of Junior Camp one year in the 1960s when I was a counselor, my brother John and I asked the cook, Mrs. Shafer (Coldenham), if she would make blueberry pies for dinner. She said, “Only if there are enough berries for a pie for everyone.” With that proviso, she thought she was safe. However, we knew where there were some late ripening berries in a shaded field at the end of that particular August and took fellow junior camp counselors with us to pick them. Without the slightest demur, Mrs. Shafer looked at our eight to ten quarts of berries and started making piecrust. The whole senior camp got her blueberry pie that evening.
Campfire: Since Camp was at the end of August, it was always very dark by the end of campfire. You could lie back on the grass and gaze at the Milky Way. We sang songs that my father liked, since he ran the camp when I was little: cowboy songs, Negro Spirituals, and rounds. When I was older, you could stay behind after campfire and lie on a blanket while the fire died out. That was when I got up my nerve and gave Gretchen a tiny peck of a kiss on her cheek. “What did that mean?” she wondered, but she accepted Head Cook Mrs. Shafer's help with saving me extra desserts in the kitchen.
Rest period memory: I was eight and in a cabin for the first time, and it was the second day of a three-day Nor-easter. Rest period was two hours rather than one, and the counselors had to find something to do with us. So Del Park I think it was set up pillow fight contests between the boys. You bashed each other with your pillow until one or the other said, “I give up.” Butch Lundell and I went first, and neither of us would give in, so my memory is that we kept going for forty-five minutes. Del timed us. That time seems unbelievably long to me now, but it was a long fight. Finally, I couldn’t keep going, and Butch won.
White Lake and Swimming: There is so much to say that I wrote an entire article about it. Flip through and find it.
Cabin devotions: a stomach virus was going through the camp, and every few hours another camper would get sick. Our counselor Bill Price, the young pastor at Third Philadelphia (Elkins Park now) closed our devotions with prayer. As he said the words, “We pray for those who are sick,” Charlie Hotmer in a top bunk could not hold back any longer and heaved his dinner onto the wooden floor. End of prayer!
Speakers: 1) Some time after my father Robert (Bob) Edgar died, my mother Eleanor would take her three boys over to Senior Camp if there were an evening speaker whom she wanted to hear. One evening she took us over to hear R.J.G. McKnight, and because we got there a little late, we sat down in the front seats. McKnight was a speaker who never lost an audience and could adjust to whoever was before him. His topic that night was Purgatory, where the idea came from, what it was, and why the Catholics had no basis in Scripture for asserting it. I was mesmerized and could tell you the points he made to this day. 2) Sam Boyle in the summer of 1967, talking about existentialism, drawing a cartoon of Sisyphus pushing a rock up a hill. He was just what an unbelieving girl from Swarthmore College needed at that stage in her life, and his engagement with unbelief that was nevertheless serious about life, helped me also in my faith.
Teams: Bob Henning took over running Junior Camp after he succeeded my father as pastor of the Bronx RPC. He divided the camp into four teams, and we competed throughout the camp in volleyball, softball, cheering, skit night, writing and singing our own self-promoting songs, and anything else you can think of. Each team chose its own name. If we had such teams today, I’m sure there would be the Hufflepuff, Slytherin, Gryffindor, and Ravenclaw teams. Teams sat together at mealtime, and the competition was fierce, indeed often unrestrained. Bill Price continued the team arrangement, but when Junior Camp died in the early ‘70s, the teams went with it.
First mountain climb: In 1955 Wayne Spear and a friend spied out Slide Mountain. It would be easy they said, so my mother came along with her three boys of nine, seven, and four. But that year Hurricane Connie came through, and when we got to the mountain, it was shedding water in every direction, so the path up had turned into a stream, soaking and exhausting everyone. On the way home, there was dense fog, so that the buses could go no faster than fifteen miles an hour. The next day, Hurricane Diane came through, washing out bridges up and down the Delaware River. Folks who usually came for the closing Labor Day weekend camp finale could not get to Camp that year.
Random games: 1) Counselor hunts. The Junior Camp counselors would hide somewhere on the campgrounds, and the campers would hunt for them. Last counselor found was the winner. Counselors cased the grounds all week for good hiding places. The third floor of the Pritchard House and the truly dangerous upper level of the old barn behind the Pritchard House were off limits. My best hiding places were out a second floor window of the Pritchard House in a corner on the roof, and camouflaged under a green poncho in the middle of bushes in the center of Camp. 2) Public Trial. While doing cabin inspection one summer, Bill Price and I stacked the old metal bunk beds four high in one of the girls’ cabins. Then Bill denounced the perpetrator at lunch and we took them down. Finally he announced that we had a suspect and would hold a trial. The suspect was the junior counselor in the cabin, Beverly Henderson, who could not possibly have stacked the bunks four high by herself. We thought the absurdity of the charge would make clear that all of this was silly hijinks, but some campers took it with complete seriousness. Our trial ended when an earnest boy of ten from Coldenham jumped up and shouted, “Stop the trial! Stop the trial! It’s fixed!” The outraged campers leaped from their seats at this cry and rushed us, chasing us through the kitchen on to the Quad, where Bill Price put on his solemn authority face and just managed to save us. “So that’s how you create a mob,” I thought. “Outrage their sense of justice enough, and out comes a mob.” Thoughts of Ferguson, Missouri, now come to mind when I recall that “game.” It was not a good idea.
The Hilltop: For many years the young people of a church would publish a camp newsletter several times a year. For two years my brother John and I took it over. Our version was sufficiently lively, outrageous actually, that people from other parts of the country began wanting copies. Anyone who kept these old newsletters would find many old stories about the Camp.
Skit Night: Today (as I write) I got in the mail an old photo from Beth Tabon. It features a young, strong, and bearded Mike Tabon in 1983 sitting in the Rec Hall, a sheet over him as he sits at a table. From where the photographer stood, probably Beth, you can see a white leg under the sheet. I squished up against Mike’s back for our skit. He was going to show everyone How To Make a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich. Mike began, saying in his resonant, opera-trained baritone, “First, you have to wash your hands,” and he rubbed his hands together as though to wash them. I stuck out my small white hands from behind him while he finished “washing” and tucked his own hands under the table. The audience shrieked with laughter. Blind, and doing my best to reach around Mike’s broad back, I groped for the loaf of bread, knife, jar of peanut butter, and jar of jelly already set on the table, and proceeded to make a sandwich. Sometimes Mike had to give his “hands” instructions. Finally the hands fed him the sandwich, groping for his mouth, and stuffing it in, and the hands sloppily poured Mike a glass of water and gave him a drink. Finally, to howls of revulsion mostly from women, the hands stuffed the remainder of the sandwich into the jar of grape jelly.
By the 1990s Senior Camp had become Family Camp, with Syracuse congregation taking the lead under Ed Robson. Another memorable skit: the three Robson boys taking a pretend “navy” shower, brushing their teeth, and then using the soapy, shaving cream-laced water instead of milk on bowls of cereal, all in the name of water conservation, with music from Star Wars playing loudly. Eating raw eggs figured in somewhere in this ultimate gross-out skit.
After 2000, getting old, I began to find singing at mealtimes tiresome, but not the food cooked by Larry Gladfelter. Staying up late after campfire to talk in the Dining Hall became an unattractive option compared to bed. But the old friendships remained and we would never think of missing Camp.
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The Post World War II Camp came to an end in the early 1970s. A power struggle between two pastors brought Junior Camp to an end and reduced the size of Senior Camp to only 50 attendees. My wife Gretchen and I were in Cyprus those years. The camp we attended in 1975 was a pale version of the camps of my childhood. The speaker that year, Lee Bittner, told me, “This camp will be dead in a few years.” But he was wrong. A different camp emerged, Family Camp, White Lake Camp III I call it. It is held earlier in the summer than White Lake II, because of changing college schedules and the consequent unavailability of counselors in late August. Barber’s Beach at White Lake is long closed, so no more swimming there. Rules of all sorts and from all sides are stricter, except for bedtime rules. And now we were adults and had our own children at White Lake III, an entire new set of memories for some other time.
What about White Lake I? I’m too young to have memories of that camp. But I do know that everyone stayed in tents, and all meetings were held in the White Lake Church at the bottom of the hill. It was more like Family Camp than White Lake II after the War, but the facilities were much more primitive, with no dining hall (“mess hall” in my youth) and no cabins.
White Lake Camp is different than our other Presbytery camps, still a bit more wild and lawless, but only a bit. We continue to have real campfires, huge blazes where someone could get hurt! But even skit nights have been mostly tamed from the years when the Robson brothers would try to outdo their gross-out act of the previous year. On the few occasions when I have been at other presbytery camps, I have been asked, “So how do you like our camp?” The question always left me struggling for words, especially if they continued with, “How does it compare with White Lake?” There was no comparison. Young people and volunteers mostly run White Lake Camp. There was, and is, a lot of amateurism. And we love it, partly for those reasons. I’d stammer, “Well, this is nice, but I’m used to White Lake.” Every now and then a newcomer has pointed out how we use the Camp for only a few weeks every summer, it obviously takes a lot of work to keep it up, why don't we just sell it and just rent somewhere nice where we don’t have to come up with cooks, a nurse, endless camp maintenance, waiters, there might even be a pool....
And then White Lakers respond with a loud and emphatic “NOOOOO,” that is deep, irrational and love filled, rather like a lion’s roar. Few things are more unthinkable. Why? Because it is our camp and we love the place, not because it is the best possible camp, but because it is our camp. We love it for the same reasons we love our families. Our hearts and our memories dwell here. You don’t walk away from Narnia or sell Hogwarts! It’s my family. It’s my camp.
– Bill Edgar
The editors of A Little Strength hope that you have enjoyed reading about the Camp that you love; some silly things, some sorry things, some wonderful things, but all
Our Camp.
Authors Writing Especially for This Issue
David Coon has been the pastor of the White Lake Reformed Presbyterian Church from 1978 to the present. He was Mike Tabon's roommate at Geneva College when they were students there.
Bill Edgar first came to Camp as an infant in 1946 when his father Robert (Bob) Edgar began the Junior Camp portion of the White Lake program. Since then he has attended Camp every summer in one capacity or another, except for the years 1968-1974. He was stated supply for the White Lake Reformed Presbyterian Church for three summers, 1976-1978.
Gretchen DeLamater Edgar first came to Camp as a college student in 1967 and found out that real Christians were not like what she had imagined. She later joined husband Bill in varied White Lake experiences.
Wren Jessop, member of Elkins Park RPC, has been a counselor of White Lake Camp for several summers recently, and worked especially hard during the covid pandemic to make Camp available to would-be campers at home. She has worked closely with Bob Allmond through the years.
Faith Martin, originally of the Montclair, NJ RPC, was the President of the Women's Association that oversees the Home in Pittsburgh. She came to the Camp for many years beginning when she was eight years old. She is the author of The White Chief of Cache Creek (see A Little Strength 4.6 for a review).
Betsy Edgar Perkins is a member of Elkins Park RPC. She grew up attending Junior and then Family Camp, and served one summer as a counselor. Together with Debbie Russell Vuong, she recalls “Hiking and Canoeing Weeks” in the Adirondack Mountains led by Doug Chamberlain, Brian Murtaugh, and Mike Tabon.
Beth Sterrett Tabon as a child came to Camp with her father and mother. She later helped her husband Mike Tabon for many years at the Camp, with a miscellaneous collection of tasks that defies job description.
Debbie Russell Vuong grew up in the Walton RPC. She spent many years first as a camper in the 1980s and then as a counselor in the early 1990s at the Camp, working closely with Mike Tabon.
David Weir was the Family Camp president around 1983, and since then he has been an important part of Camp life. He is an elder of the Ridgefield Park RPC.