Camp Susque
Camp Susque is an ACA accredited nondenominational Christian summer camp and retreat facility located in Trout Run, Pennsylvania, a village north of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, founded over 60 years ago in 1947. A location was rented, and the first camp was attended by 23 boys.
In 1949, incorporation papers were obtained in the name of Susque Boys' Club, Inc. In 1951 Camp Kline, where the first camp was held, became unavailable, so Bob Dittmar began looking for an alternative location. Land along Lycoming Creek in Lycoming County was available and ideal, so the advisory board met, and agreed to purchase the land for $10,000. In 1953 the purchase was finalized, and the following summer, Camp Susque moved to its current location. Bob Dittmar and Bob Christenson designed a logo for the camp.
Attendance continued to grow, and the facilities continued to expand. As such, a girl's camp program was added, and the name changed to Camp Susque.2 The camp now has a pre-camp "Adventure Camp" for children grades 1-3 who aren't yet old enough to attend the regular week-long camp. Each year, there are three weeks of a boys only camp, with three levels, Littlemen (grades 3~5), Redmen (grades 6~8), and Woodsmen (grades 9~11), followed by three weeks of girls only camp with the levels of Jays (grades 3~5), Doves (grades 6~8), and Hawks (grades 9~11). Later in the summer, there is "Adventure Camp" for those younger than 3rd grade. There is also a "Family Camp" where families can rent a tent platform. Susque also offers off-site "Adventure Trips", for teens 14-18. One, the "Adirondack Adventure" is a week long canoe trip in New York; it entails canoeing each day to a different island, and camping there for the night. There is also a hike up Mount Ampersand in the middle of the week.2
Camp Susque also houses and sponsors The Susque Academy. The academy is a two-week intensive worldview studies program, primarily intended as an academic and spiritual formation opportunity for high school and early college-age students. The curriculum consists of five core classes focusing on worldviews, apologetics, devotional classics, Biblical studies, and practical theology. The program goal is to ground students in Christian truth while exposing them to alternative truth-claims found in contemporary culture. Additional seminars provide a look at art, music, literature, science, ethics, politics, leadership, and personal discipline.
Camp Susque is not only a summer camp, but during the winter season it has three winter retreats. Youth from grade 6 to 8 take part in Frost, and grade 9 to 12 take part in Freeze, and college age and older take part in Blast.
[edit] Personal Experiences
Experiencing Camp Susque myself I am quite fond of it.The fresh air, the cool lakes, the high mountains, and new friends. Camp Susque is a Christian camp and fun to go to.I learn much from the new paster here every week.They teach us how God made the world around us.The camp first started out as a boy scout camp, now it's for everyone.It is a over night camp and you can stay in either a cabin or tent.They have themes far each week, each with their own dances if you are to choose dance class.There is Boy camp Girl camp Adventure camp Frost Freeze and Family camp.If you come, be sure to follow there only 2 rules: Be safe and have a good time!
