 March/April 2001 (XXXIX 2) |
here is great excitement among the whole Camp Dark Waters community about the camp's purchase in January by a new non-profit corporation dedicated to continuing the camp's focus on Quaker values and testimonies.
Camp Dark Waters began in 1928 when a Friend, Sam Matlack, purchased 15 acres of land adjacent to the Rancocas Creek in Medford, New Jersey. Through the 1930s the camp was under the care of the Religious Education Committee of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (Orthodox). Since then, Camp Dark Waters has continued to be owned and operated by Friends, providing quality recreational and learning experiences focused on traditional Quaker values of peace, education, simplicity, stewardship, equality, and integrity.
In 1999, camp owner Stephen Edgerton of Medford Meeting decided to retire and sell the camp. Because the camp is adjacent to Medford Leas, a Quaker Continuing Care Retirement Community, the Estaugh Board of Medford Leas had an interest in what would happen to the property. Lois Forrest, then executive director of Medford Leas, convened a meeting of Friends to discuss the future of Camp Dark Waters. Interest in the Quaker community turned out to be much greater than expected. For almost a year, more than 35 Friends worked to find a way to continue the work of the camp. Last summer a Board of Trustees was named. The Board is composed of a majority of Friends, and includes former campers and counselors, parents of campers, and others who believe in the camp’s focus on Quaker values and testimonies. Next, a non-profit corporation was established and 501c(3) status was granted by the Internal Revenue Service. Medford Leas agreed to loan the new corporation the money to purchase the camp and that finally occurred on January 3, 2001.
Camp Dark Waters currently operates overnight camp for seven weeks in the summer. It serves 90 campers per week and has been fully subscribed for the past three years. In 2000, approximately 15% of the campers were Quakers and 22% were minorities. Camp Dark Waters is accredited by the American Camping Association and it meets all state, county, and township regulations and requirements.
In the spring and fall, the camp is a conference center where organizations have overnight and day activities. There are plans to hire a full-time director, Travis Simmons, who has extensive experience in environmental education. He will develop a year-round program on environmental issues for public and private schools and other youth groups.
The Camp Dark Waters Foundation was established in1995 to raise scholarship money for children from low-income families to attend the camp. Some Friends Meetings have offered financial assistance to children of their Meeting, and others have raised funds to send children from low-income families and those who live in urban environments.
The description that “something magical happens there” is repeated again and again by former campers, counselors, and parents. If you would like more information about Camp Dark Waters, a brochure for this summer, or to find out how you can help, visit www.campdarkwaters.org or call (609) 654-8846.
Jackie Zemaitis
Moorestown Meeting (NJ)
Last modified: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:18 AM