On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food… Isaiah 25:6a
Camp Lycogis
“There’s a camp along the mountainside
Camp Lycogis, its name.
From the rising sun, ’til the day is done
We have lots of fun out here.
In the creeks so deep
We go to swim
Come right on in….with us!
We have the eats that make you look!
AND HOW THOSE COOKS CAN COOK !!
CAMP LYCOGIS*
The GIRL SCOUT CAMP!
C-A-M-P !!”
Following the home cooked dinner each night, one hundred fifty Girl Scouts and their college age counselors settled on the steps of the dining hall for a half hour of singing. The above musical tribute to the trio of elderly sisters who did the “from scratch” cooking was, in parts, shouted. The Colley sisters had rooms over the kitchen. Three hot meals were served each day. One night each week they provided a special snack of hot home made cinnamon rolls!
Nestled in the woods of North Central Pennsylvania, alongside beautiful Lycoming Creek, away from city lights, Lycogis was forested, starry sky country.The creek was wide enough and deep enough for swimming. Each swimmer’s proficiency was noted by the color of their bathing cap. Red was for non swimmers. The progression moved from there through blue and yellow caps. The coveted white caps allowed those honored girls to swim across the creek and dive off the the rocks or the rock mounted diving board.
We swam twice daily. Early morning swimming lessons were chilly. Days were filled with archery, hiking, arts and crafts, nature studies, and constant conversations. On rainy days the dining hall was cleared and a neighbor, who was a square dance caller, directed an entire afternoon of square dancing.
I realize now that each summer’s camping season was the gift of the Greatest Generation to the Boomers. Camp tuition was kept reasonable for Lycoming County girls by the donated construction and maintenance efforts of various service groups.
The camp no longer exists. The last time that I was in Williamsport, I drove out along Proctor Star Route to try to find it. I couldn’t even figure out where it had been.
I did find a Facebook group. There are occasional posting and photographs. The most recent photos were taken in the 1970’s.
I carry in my head and in my heart the final song of each week’s concluding campfire. Under starry skies, seated on logs, this song…
“Each campfire lights anew
The flame of friendship true.
The joys I’ve had in knowing you
Will last my whole life through.”
* LYCOGIS was an acronym for “Lycoming County Girl Scouts.”
Thank you, God, for nature, friendship, songs and good food. Amen.
–Lee Ann Friedman