Our beloved campground could not have survived without the love and devoted attention given by the folks fondly referred to as its Caretakers. Since its humble beginnings on Peach Orchard Road, when there really was a peach orchard nearby, our campsite has been blessed with a succession of selfless, dedicated, and sacrificial people. I thought you might like to know who they are. Gathering this information was not an easy task. There seems to have been no deliberate permanent record. Therefore, I called upon retired pastor Rev. Charlie Beahm and his wife, Ethel, formerly our Conference Treasurer. Together we scratched our heads and dug through old records to come up with the heart of this report. Wayman Fincham was the Camp Manager from 1923-1943 and was instrumental in moving to this site from Glenmont in 1931. He was on the committee that built our Tabernacle. During his tenure in 1933, a two-story dormitory was built. It was called the F. M. Boring dormitory for the man who loaned the funds. However, anyone who remembers the dormitory will tell you, it was anything but boring. In 1941, the “District Parsonage” was built. That’s now the Camp Director’s home.

The children's playground

Raymond and Naomi Taylor served two terms, the first being from 1943-1956. They are believed to have been the first to actually reside on the grounds as Caretakers. They initially lived in a few rooms on the first floor of the dormitory, with their small son, Bobby. There was no heat and no plumbing. It is believed that the Caretaker’s bungalow was built sometime during that year. Bobby recounted that he remembers waking up one morning with snowflakes coming in through the not very well sealed windows. The only playground toys were handmade seesaws. The eldest Cunningham boys (Cabin 108) fabricated and installed two swing sets, to the delight of those of us who were young children at the time. The frames are still intact. They still make kids of all ages smile!

Jack and Jean Weinel came next. They added the two-story addition to the bungalow. They still live in the area and are members of the Spencerville Church, as were Jeans’ parents, Melvin and Florence Woodward, and Jean’s sister and brother-in-law, Anna and Kenny Poole. Jack’s father and mother, the late Clarence. D. and Mildred Weinel, served as Superintendent and wife from 1953 to 1961, so Jack knew the grounds well. He and Jean served until 1964.

Elgar and Ann Nichols served from 1964 to 1972. They, too, were members of the Spencerville church. Their daughter, Phyllis Strouse, once told me of the fond memories her daughter, Brenda, has about the camp from the days when she came from Florida to visit her grandparents.

In 1972 to 1973, the Taylors returned for a second shorter term. Naomi Taylor was sister to Melvin Gates, a long-time head of the Conference Trustees, who used to live behind the campground.

Next came David and Ruthella Van Gilder. They were from the Rockville Church. They had two young daughters and served from 1973 to 1982. During their time of service, the retreat center was built. Ruthella’s parents are Donna and Julian Rose from Layhill. Stuart and Lori Brynn took care of the campground from 1982 to 1985. It is believed that during their term the old dormitory finally came down. The Brynns are related to the Mosedales. Following were Chuck and Janet Fouke who served from 1983 to 1987. Chuck worked for the Howard County Recreation Department. We have him to thank for much of the solid, historic playground equipment.

Antique toys

Edward and Denise Ingraham were new parents when they arrived on the campground in 1987. A daughter was born to them during their term here. They served until 1989. Denise is the daughter of Rev. Charlie and Ethel Beahm. Brad and Debbie Kline were next. This couple served the Conference from 1989 to 1991. Brad is a nephew of Camp Director Darrold and Louise Phillips. A new slide and swing set were purchased by Dawn (Phillips) McDonald with funds from Children’s Camp, possibly during this term.

Campers

Jane States, fondly known as “Janie,” served faithfully from 1991 until October of 1995. Jane is the widow of the late James States, former pastor and Conference Superintendent, and brother of our camp evangelist, Rev. Forrest States. Jane moved to the caretaker’s home following her husband’s death in 1991. That’s the same year Don and I were married, and I introduced him to the campground. At that time, interest in the campground was in a decline and the property was up for sale. Jane came on the scene and began to actively turn things around. She built up a successful retreat business to the point that a profit was realized for the first time in many years, and the property was removed from the sales market. Jane’s associate, Ernie Hissom, and Jane’s family members, Patti, and Barb and Tom Bivens, gave much needed assistance. Jane now lives in North Carolina where she rakes leaves only when she wants to!

To fill the shoes vacated by Janie States would take very special people. Charlie and LeAnne Johnson moved into their new home in November of 1995 with their bustling family of five sons, CJ, Brian, David, Mark, and Steven. This is a hard working family with a heart for this campground and for the Lord. It’s impossible to describe the toll this work requires. In 2001, they took a break.

Cesar and Virginia Freitas, Brazilian pastors, served from 2001 to 2003. They were improving their language skills and building a congregational base for a new Brazilian church plant. They now pastor at the Dundalk Free Methodist Church in Baltimore.

Next were Dan and Jeanette LoBocchiaro, on staff from 2003 until 2004. They were a young couple with a small son when they moved in. During their term, they had a baby daughter.

In 2004, Charlie Johnson returned. His title was changed from Caretaker to Camp Manager, and in 2006, LeAnne was added as Assistant Camp Manager. Their list of accomplishments for one year would astound you, and LeAnne’s reputation for landscaping is legendary. Plus, she led Children’s Camp this year. I don’t know how she pulled it off with her full schedule, but it was great.

Inheritance is that which we receive. Legacy is what we choose to leave behind. We have inherited many precious resources. The land, the Tabernacle, the cabins, and retreat center, the Dining Hall and playgrounds, even the old bathroom was a grand improvement over a community outhouse, in its day. Please, let’s go above and beyond to preserve and advance our ministry over the next 75 years. We are ALL God’s Caretakers.

Update 6/2/2007