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Nativity scenes from around the world on display in the Poconos (msn.com)

I spent every summer from 1955 to 1965 at Camp Miller as either a camper or an employee. Steve Fellows once said that there are only 2 types of people those who loved camp and those that didn't.

I loved my summers more that anything. Home with my family was OK, school and sports were OK but summers at Camp were the best.

I have many great memories of people , places and events from my many summers at Camp. The one thing that has always been top of mind however for me was the river.

Years ago in preparing to teach a wellness class, I was practicing different methods of relaxation and stress reduction techniques. I started using the river as one of my images that I could go to when I needed to calm my brain and heart rate. Images of the river from various places the crows nest, a canoe on the river , the big raft, the little raft or just being in the river itself. The river from various angles walking down the path behind the canteen, from up on the banks where the buddy tags where or even the view down from the Appalachian Trail.

I have used that river and those techniques many times over the years, right before a surgery , going into a closed MRI or before a tough root canal procedure.

Now in the middle of social distancing ,stay at home orders and a global pandemic I find myself returning the those techniques and the calming effect of my mental images of Camp Miller and the Delaware River. 

Stay safe, stay strong campers and if you are feeling a little shaky go back in your mind to the places and times you loved best.

John

Thanks Dave Veil for keeping this going.  My friends and I had a great time.  No sun burn, eagles and other birds to look at, and an eagle's nest, wow.  Seeing an eagles nest on TV is one thing, seeing it even at a distance from the river is something else.  

Bill Horne asked who was the camp director at the time of the flood?  "The "Camp Miller History" from my 1960 "Memory Book" says Clarence J. Eliasson was the Camp Miller Director from 1947 until 1955, followed by F. Ernest Fellows in 1956.

Good to see you Bill.  Hope you make it next year.  

It was a great trip.  Too bad there were so few people.  I guess most were discouraged by the weather reports.  It turned out to be just lovely.

Bill Eberly

I just wanted to let everyone know that our efforts to install a Wayside Exhibit with photos of the camps is not dead.  It just has the gestational period of an elephant.  With the NPS being so short staffed and our lack of understanding of the full requirements for the exhibit, we have been at loggerheads for some time now.

We feel that this logjam can be broken by enlisting the assistance of a firm that specializes in designing this type of project for the NPS and has done quite a few for them.  That firm is Kirilloff Design and I have attached are some examples they have provided.  Kirilloff%20Design%20Portfolio.pdf as well as Kirilloff%20Design%20Past%20%20%20Experience.pdf

They have a good understanding of what we hope to accomplish as well as the requirements of the NPS, so we expect to get this project moving again very quickly.  This will increase the cost of the project a fair bit, as Rod Goodwin had been doing the designe work for us gratis, but we are hopeful that we have enough funds to finish things up without having to look for additional donations.  I hope that everyone will take a minute to reach out to Rod for all of the hard work he has put into this project.  While the final design won't be his, he has put his heart and soul into this project.

So, that brings you up to date for now.  As soon as I have more to report, I will be in touch!

Rev. Paul H. Howells, 88, husband of Carol (Stortz) Howells, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 23, at Frederick Living.
Born in Shamokin, he was the son of the late Lewis and Marian (Staller) Howells.
Rev. Howells served at West Pikeland Parish in Chester Co., and Nativity Lutheran Church in Allentown, where he organized and became the first pastor to the church. He was also Director of Outdoor Ministry for The Eastern PA Synod of Lutheran Churches of America and the National Staff of Lutheran Church of America. As of 2006, he was still doing interim pastoral work at New Hanover Lutheran Church.
Rev. Howells had a passion for the outdoors, he loved hiking and long distance running, competing in many marathons both local and abroad, including the Boston Marathon. It is not a surprise that he combined his love of the outdoors with his commitment to the church, starting Lutheran Outdoor Ministries, giving youth a chance to grow their faith.
His leadership and inspiration was recently recognized when he was awarded the Manlove-Howells award - a legacy he leaves behind for others.
Surviving with his wife are sons, Jonathan P. Howells, of Oval, and David J. Howells, of Lancaster; daughters, Ruth A. Schlechter, of Blandon, and Carol S. Ivone, of Quarryville; 7 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
He is predeceased by his brothers, Lewis M. and Carlton R.; and sister, Eleanor Bossler.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Jan. 27, 11:30 a.m. at New Hanover Lutheran Church, 2941 Lutheran Rd., Gilbertsville, PA 19525.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to New Hanover Lutheran Church at the above address, or The Lutheran Outdoor Ministries, 1218 W. Addison St., Chicago, IL, 60613, www.lomnetwork.org, or Frederick Living Benevolent Fund, 2849 Big Rd., Frederick, PA 19435.
Catagnus Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Inc., Gilbertsville is in charge of arrangements.
Send condolences at www.catagnusfuneralhomes.com

Hi All,

Bill Eberly found this and thought is might be interesting to everyone.  Clearly we aren't the only group that has lost our "Camp Home".  http://www.nj.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2016/08/new_jersey_summer_camps_defunct_closed.html

Enjoy,

Rich

Here is the place to make your preference known on what photo from Camp Hagan should be used for the Wayside Exhibit.  You can post a photo here, or copy a link from a photo on the website.  You can also use this blog to offer suggestions on a short description for the photo to be used on the site.  So, what picture do you think best exemplifies Camp Hagan?

This is the place to express your concerns or support for locating the Camps Wayside Exhibit at the top of the old Camp Miller waterfront stairs.  If you don't think this location is appropriate, then what would you suggest?

Susie Wagner Kane's husband Jon suffered a fatal heart attack on Wednesday.  For individuals interested in reaching out to Wag, her address is:

P.O. Box 155,
7463 Bozman Neavitt Rd.
Bozman MD 21612

In September, four Hagan Hags (Barb Dando, Martie Davis, Jane Grigger and Mary (Marigold) Goldsmith Westhuis) published a memoir about Camp Hagan entitled Make the Rafters Ring! Remembering Camp Hagan. The book has more than 300 pages and is full of photographs! It was launched to rave reviews at the Hagan reunion in September. While the majority of the book does pertain to Camp Hagan there are appendices for each of Camps Miller, Miller Hagan, Mini and Bear Creek. Therefore, it will appeal to the larger audience as well. Copies of the book are still available for purchase. The cost is $30.00 plus $4.00 for shipping. 

Credit card purchases may be made at: www.BrownAcornPress.com

Or, purchase by check can be made by sending $34.00 to Brown Acorn Press, 6234 Whitewater Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46236.

Big news for those of us that have been looking for a way to commemorate the Summer Camps we so loved on the Delaware north of the Water Gap.  Based on efforts started by Martie Davis and completed by Gay Moceri and the writer, we have gotten permission from the National Park Service to design and install a Wayside Marker on the McDade Trail that details the rich history of Summer Camps in the confines of what is now the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.  Many thanks to Carla Beasley of the NPS for her help in getting this approval and assisting us in the ultimate completion of this project.  Here is a link to a typical NPS Wayside Exhibit: http://www.nps.gov/hfc/products/waysides/samples.cfm

Now comes the heavy lifting.  We need to both raise the funds, as well as initiate the design work for this project.  We currently have approximately $2,000 in a savings account that has been raised at the last two joint Camp Reunions at the Shawnee Inn.  Completion of the project is expected to be roughly $4,500 in all, so we need to raise an additional $2,500 to bring this project to fruition.  Donations would be greatly appreciated as well as any fund raising ideas any of you might have.  You can either donate through the site: https://campmillerhagan.ning.com/opensocial/ningapps/show?appUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fos.ning.com%2Fningapps%2Fpaypal%2Fgadget.xml%3Fning-app-status%3Dnetwork&owner=3qm0ox8tgfl1z or send a check to me to add to the account I have started.  Send to Rich James/River Camps Fund, 8 Merrill Rd., Hebron, NH 03241.  Any amount would be a help to reaching the goal.

I am also confident that with as much talent as we have in our midst as alumni of the camps, that there are one or more individuals that would have the where-with-all to do the design work needed to try and complete this project for a possible unveiling at the next Reunion coming up this June 24^th 2016.  Could any of you with interest in this project contact me either by phone or e-mail?  603-767-0875 or rjamesb@outlook.com

As those of us that had the opportunity to experience everything that the Camps had to offer grow older, the memories of the camps will pass with us.  My hope is that this Wayside Exhibit will ensure that evidence of those wonderful summers will live on well beyond our time.

Gay Moceri and I had a great time with the Staff at Bear Creek Camp.  We spent a very fun two hours filling them in on the roots of the Camp on the Delaware at Camps Miller, Hagan, and Ministerium.  There are some great things happening at BCC these days!

Dear River Camp Friends:  One year from now, my Rotary District 7410 will be in the midst of celebrating our District Conference at the end of my year as District Governor.   As background, we have 1100+ members from all across northeast Pennsylvania.  In recent years, while the attendance has been OK, I want to put on a not-to-be-forgotten conference which absolutely rocks!  No mediocre speakers or activities allowed!   However, here is where I need your help.

To make this an absolutely spectacular weekend, I need to get commitments from a couple of big name draws as keynote speakers. Friday night of the conference will focus on our Rotary service, and honoring citizens (Rotarians and non-Rotarians) from across northeast PA for their service to the community/world.  This is the more “serious” night.

Saturday night will be a big party (Rotarians-only and special guests), and will be focused on fellowship and fun. Planned is an Elizabethan Feast, and I’ve contracted with the Virginia Renaissance Faire for 10 of their principal actors to come in period costume and “work the crowd” and provide the entertainment. The bishop will be selling indulgences, and the flower wenches will be selling carnations, with every cent going to Rotary International’s ongoing efforts to rid the world of the last remaining strain of the active polio virus. For those of you who don’t know, Rotary has been in this fight for 30 years, and through these and our partner’s efforts, polio can be found “in the wild” in only three countries:  Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Nigeria.  Nigeria has not had an active case of polio for over 6 months, and if they get through an entire year, then their name will be removed from the list of polio-endemic countries, leaving only two.  Not a small fete!

So, here’s today’s question for you: I’d like to use the power of the river camps’ network to see who knows someone who knows someone who might consider being a keynote speaker at this event. It will have to be someone on the east coast (drivable), unless I can find a sponsor for their travel. We’ll cover their lodging (2 nights) and all meals, and reimburse for mileage, as needed. Since Rotary is a non-profit, and we’re not talking about terribly wealthy clubs in northeast PA, I’m going to have to rely on “connections” to work their magic in finding someone who will commit to April 29-30, 2016 in Wilkes-Barre (Mohegan Sun Conference Center). With that background, if you would be willing to do some investigating/querying your friends/family/business associates to find some likely candidates, please email me directly at bjbelon@gmail.com.

I’m hoping for a minimum of 175 attendees, but am shooting for 225 each night. That depends on how good a salesperson I will be during this coming year to get folks excited about attending! A big name draw would definitely help. So, authors, statesmen/women, astronauts, TV news anchors, IT moguls, would all be “likely candidates.” We do have a connection to the new director of the Peace Corps within our district, which would be fine for Friday night, but I have no idea whether she is a good speaker or not. Actually, I want AN OUTSTANDING speaker. Why settle for less?

Thanks in advance for any help with this quest.

Regards,

Barbara Huffman de Belón

610.377.6103

bjbelon@gmail.com

Jay, just want to say I will be praying for you.  Sounds like they may have caught this early.  Will pray that recovery goes smoothly and that you are back serving your parish community quickly.  God bless,  Ken Westgate

I would like to ask everyone connected with the River Camps to send their good wishes and prayers to Rev. Jay Eickoff.  Jay was on Staff for the last years of Camp Miller as well as Camp Miller-Hagan.  "Padre" Jay has also been gracious enough to assist in many of the reunions over the years as well as planning and presiding over the Sunday services at those reunions. 

Jay has been diagnosed with cancer of the bile duct and will be having surgery on April 14th at the Hershey Medical Center.  The following is his situation in his own words.

"On the weekend of Feb 21-22 I got violently ill.  Two days later my urine was extremely dark, and smelly.  Two days after that I was a lovely "golden hue."  Time to see the doctor. Blood tests, a sonogram, more blood tests, referral to a Digestive Disease specialist, a Cat Scan, and an endoscope proceedure later it was determined that there is a  growth on the duct leading my liver to the intestine.  A sample was taken and a stent put in to drain the bile and restore my "natural color."  However, it was "worrisome" to quote the doctor, and I was referred to Hershey Medical Center.  Another endoscopic sonogram, a second biopsy taken and a cat scan, and the results are in - CANCER.  So on April 14 I will be admitted to Hershey Medical Center for a "Whipple Proceedure."  Part of my stomach, small intestine, liver, 1/3 of the pancreas, and the gall bladder will be removed.  This is due to common blood vessels, ducts, etc.  Then everything will be re-connected.  Operation will be from 6 - 10 hours long, and I will be a "Guest" of the hospital for 7-9 days.  Not sure if there will be a rehab hospital stay after that.  I will be off work until at least the 15th of July. Please share this with your connections to the "River Camps family.""........."This has really thrown me for a loop, but I do indeed feel the presence of the Holy Spirit surrounding me and lifting up in support." 

Let's all reach out to Jay to lift him up during this difficult time and use the power of prayer to help him through the healing process"

Every once in awhile parts of old songs we use to sing at Camp Miller pop into my head.  Does anyone remember the lyrics to "Do your ears hang low?"

In 1935 an 8 year old attended Camp Miller for the first time, four 
week stay.  The cabin he resided in was the first one on the even side 
of the Jr. Area horseshoe, number #2.
The staff cabin "A" was not yet built.  In cabin #2 their were six 
other cabin mates of various ages plus a counselor, a native American 
known as Chief Bearhart.  Chief Bearhqart was very much into American 
Indian Lore which was a hallmark of creating an atmosphere of native 
lifestyle in the Delaware Valley (Shawnee-on-the Delaware).  Sunday 
evening Campfire was rich with Indian history and stories and Chief 
Bearhart in full Indian attire.
    Cabin mates were of different ages and sizes and their was only 
one 8 year old in cabin #2
in July 1935.  The second morning upon jumping out of the canvas bunk 
the 8 year old found his shoes nailed to the floor.
    No memory of any hot showers, the latrine was a series of septic 
tanks, kind of a super outhouse.  Once a week you did a "soap dip" in 
the river, naked bodies with only a cake of soap and a towel.   No 
facilities or electric in the cabin, the one and only function was 
bonding with your cabin mates and counselor.  My counselor was 
introducing me to the real world of many different ethnicities & for 
that I learned to be grateful.  Right now in the state of Hawaii I am 
Kahu Lawrence Roller at Hawaiian Language Congregation (182 years old 
ministry) known as Lili'uokalani Protestant Chuch, Haleiwa, Oahu.
    The Camp Miller was a" water shed" experience.  Chief Bearhart was 
a unique personality who added flavor not only to the cabin but to the 
entire camp atmosphere of living close to nature & the outdoors.  The 
camp had an award system which kept the campers moving in all kinds of 
activities.  At flashlight out time/taps Chief Bearhart led our cabin 
community in "sentence prayers" & the Lord's Prayer
    Cost per week for Lutherans, $9.00 & all others, $11.00

Larry Roller, Camp Miller 1935-1944 & 1949-52
(eight years as a camper of which seven were entire season of eight 
weeks}
(six years as a counselor) ALOHA

When I came upon this website a few years ago my heart skipped a beat.I was just surfing about trying to find some Google earth photos or any photos of my beloved Campsite(s).I have to say this is absolutely amazing & long overdue.The photos,blogs,etc. takes me back to a much more simple time & place.A place that will forever be with me in spirit & memory.I always smile & feel good reliving those great times while visiting here.So a great big THANKS !!! to Rich J.,Dave Veil (my former Pioneer "chief" who I reconized only from his 1976 photo & everyone else who has made this site so amazingly memorable.Thank You All

Seeing how we all used to swim with the eels and mussels in our aquatic activities at camp, I thought I would share this article I came across recently in National Parks magazine and available to all at the NPCA link below. Hopefully others will read the article and add comments and links to additional information which promote the continuance of our knowledge and appreciation for the Delaware River and its surrounding environment. http://www.npca.org/news/magazine/all-issues/2012/summer/slip-sliding-away.html