CCPA History
After Pocono Camp Cherith became an independent camp in September, 1983, Pioneer Clubs headquarters saw the need for a Cherith camp to continue to serve club members in Pennsylvania and the surrounding areas. After a search of the area, Tel Hai Camp in Honey Brook, PA, was selected as the site for the summer of 1984. Nearly 100 campers attended that first summer, in two one-week sessions. Many of the staff traveled to Pennsylvania from Pioneer Club' Wheaton headquarters, including Virginia Patterson (Pioneer Clubs President), Judy Bryson (Vice President), and Eva Lee Henderson (National Camp Cherith Administrator).
Before the summer of 1985, Paula Worden, "Quail", was asked to become the director for 1986. She served in that role until she was named Camp Administrator/Girls Camp Director in 1997. Paula continues to serve and glorify the Lord at camp today.
Boys' camp began as two boys' weekends, and then the first boys' week took place in 1992. The boys' week moved to Mt. Lou San Bible Camp (near Harrisburg) in 1994, and then returned to Tel Hai in 1996 as a parallel boys/girls week. In 1998, Jeff Sherwood, "P-Jae", became the Boys Camp Director, and he continues to serve in that role today.
CCPA continued at the Tel Hai Camp location through 2007 (24 summers!). The camp itself transformed over the years: a new pool/gym facility replaced the pool across the street in 1990, shelters were built "up- hill" in 1993, the dining hall was enlarged, parking lots were paved and cabins were renovated. Beechwood Lodge was opened in 2000, making more comfortable space for the Ceramics activity, and providing Staff training space for CCPA. A challenge course and zip line were added in 2004, creating a place to challenge oneself mentally, spiritually and athletically. All of the improvements Tel Hai completed enhanced CCPA and we were blessed to have use of the site for so many years.
2005 brought a new adventure for CCPA when a co-ed 4th week of camp was added at Camp Conquest in Denver, PA. The week was a success, and in 2006, we returned to 3 weeks of camp at Tel Hai, but our parallel week was transformed to a co-ed week.
Before the 2008 camping season, CCPA entered a ministry partnership with Camp Conquest. So in 2007 we said good-bye to Tel Hai Camp and turned our eyes to God's plans for us at Camp Conquest.
Throughout the changes, the philosophy of Camp Cherith remains the same. With God's blessing, CCPA will continue to challenge you to experience the excitement of a Christ-centered life for many years to come!