Camp Archbald (Susquehanna County) was added to Preservation Pennsylvania’s Preservation At Risk list in 2019. The nomination highlighted special environmental features of the landscape as well as noting a nationally-significant trend of scouting camps reviewing real estate holdings and examining programming priorities for the future.
The Supporters of Camp Archbald are dedicated not only to preserving the camp’s open space and ecological resources, but also to ensuring that future generations of girls and young women had the opportunity to challenge themselves and benefit from time spent in the great outdoors.
We talked to Anne Ely Wain, a descendant of the family after whom the lake is named, and Emily Loder, Marketing and Communications Chair, of the Supporters of Camp Archbald about the recent news that the Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania had completed its three-year review of the property, determined that it had met its benchmarks and would not be selling the camp. [Read their announcement linked below.] Previously, Cabot Oil & Gas had decided to obtain a lease elsewhere for a potential gas drilling pad.
Generations of campers from the Progressive Era to present day have seen momentous social, cultural, and technological change, yet Archbald remains constant—a welcoming, nurturing, and rewarding place for girls.
CAMP ARCHBALD WAS FOUNDED IN 1920, ONE OF THE VERY EARLIEST GIRL SCOUT CAMPS IN THE UNITED STATES. TELL ME A BIT ABOUT WHAT MAKES CAMP ARCHBALD SO SPECIAL.
ANNE: The physical attributes that first enthralled its founders in 1920 are still its greatest assets – a setting on pristine, glacially formed Ely Lake, surrounded by forests and fields full of undisturbed flora and fauna. The Morris Arboretum’s recent botanical survey found the lake to be not only “remarkable for its physical and ecological parameters,” but that it has “existed in close to its current configuration since its formation approximately 16,000 to 17,000 years ago.” (quotes from Dr. Timothy Block, John J. Willaman Chair of Botany, Morris Arboretum of UPenn).
Generations of campers from the Progressive Era to present day have seen momentous social, cultural, and technological change, yet Archbald remains constant—a welcoming, nurturing, and rewarding place for girls.
EMILY: Many girls and adults have the opportunity to have a lot of first time experiences at camp, such as swimming in a lake, camping in a tent, cooking outside and more. A lot of those first time experiences lead to greater opportunities for these girls and women. A fourth grader who may have learned to cook over a fire, may now want to be a world-class chef. The girl who prided herself in swimming across the lake, may be working towards earning a gold medal at the Olympics. The space for these experiences at Camp Archbald is rich in ecological resources. Volunteers work hard to ensure these spaces are taken care of each year.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE EXPERIENCE OR MEMORY OF CAMP?
ANNE: My favorite memory (circa 1968) is of finding an inordinate number of four-leaf clovers in the meadow outside my cabin as part of a treasure hunt.
EMILY: Getting to be a counselor-in-training, CIT, was such an important experience for me. It helped me fine-tune my leadership skills and build my confidence as a leader. It was a four week program in which I got to teach songs and games, learn about the characteristics of different age groups and develop my outdoor skills. After I completed the program I was so proud of myself and couldn’t wait to come back to camp as a staff member.
THIS WONDERFUL CAMP INSPIRED GENERATIONS OF GIRL SCOUTS; WHY WAS IT THREATENED?
ANNE: The expenses and logistics of keeping up a 100-year-old property, questions about the relevance of outdoor camp experience today, and the camp’s location in Marcellus Shale gas drilling territory were topics of discussion and concern.
EMILY: Camp Archbald at its peak was 144 acres of land with every building and space fully-functioning, all year round. All of that space comes with a cost. It is an expensive property to maintain. Due to cost, many programs that used to be at the camp were shut down and buildings closed. After several years of neglect, parts of the camp became in disarray and needed repair. Resident camp was no longer being offered to girls during the summer, so at the time, three years ago, its purpose was put into question.
HOW DID SUPPORTERS OF CAMP ARCHBALD RALLY TO SAVE THE CAMP?
ANNE: This amazing group of women used the very leadership skills and confidence gained from their experiences at Archbald, as well as a very effective blend of positivity, perseverance and politeness, to convince the Council to acknowledge and preserve the lasting value of this unique camp. They also did amazing publicity and fundraising.
EMILY: In 2018, after finding out that resident camp was no longer being offered, several former campers and staff put a petition together that received over 10,000 signatures in less than 3 days. Through quick thinking, volunteers formed Supporters of Camp Archbald or SoCA, a friends group of the camp. Receiving the news about no camp program in April, SoCA gathered supplies and volunteers and was able to host one week of resident camp for 82 girls in the summer of 2018. Since that first summer, SoCA has become a 501(c)3 non-profit and offered 2 more summers of camp programs for girls. Additionally, they fundraise for camp scholarships, building maintenance and programs for local troops and girls. After the news of camp, SoCA looks forward to working with the council, Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA, in working on projects together to help ensure the upkeep and positive future of the camp.
DID LISTING ON PENNSYLVANIA AT RISK MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
ANNE: I totally believe that being listed as one of the state’s most “At Risk” properties raised the right eyebrows, and gave legitimacy and visibility to the effort to save the camp.
EMILY: Working with Preservation PA helped to share the message of Camp Archbald and how much of a valuable property it is to the people of NEPA. The more people that are aware of camp’s situation, the more that are willing to help.
HOW DID YOU CELEBRATE WHEN YOU HEARD THE NEWS THE CAMP WOULD BE SAVED?
ANNE: I sobbed. From joy and relief, seeing that all the hard work paid off. I was very emotional about this from the very beginning.
EMILY: Being in charge of the media and marketing for SoCA, I took to the internet immediately and shared the news on all of our social media, website and newsletter. I couldn’t tell people fast enough!
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD?
EMILY: Camp Archbald has a long road ahead of it in regards to repairs. We need water in certain places, buildings need face lifts, brush to be cleared and constant maintenance. SoCA is a dedicated group of volunteers who want to go to camp on a regular basis and help complete these projects. Now that we know the future of camp is safe, it only encourages current volunteers and new ones to get out to camp and help maintain it so we can continue offering exceptional opportunities for girls and adults.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER TO OTHER PEOPLE TRYING TO SAVE A PLACE THEY LOVE?
ANNE: Don’t be afraid to be emotional about a special place; just be sure to channel that into action. Do your research, know your facts, run your numbers, spread the word, reach out to the press. Make articulate and informed noise in the high places to the right ears.
EMILY: Never give up. There is always light at the end of the tunnel, even if you have to dig your way out to see it.
For more information
Read the news announcement from the Girls Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania.
Read the press release from the Supporters of Camp Archbald or visit their website.
Read the 2019 Pennsylvania At Risk newsletter.