Mar-Lu-Ridge: The First Fifty Years

by Philip Brohawn (Compiler), Craig S. Schenning (Compiler)

Overview

Since 1959 Mar-Lu-Ridge has played a vital role in the Christian lives of thousands of individuals who have attended the camp. For many, it has become the one place where they can go to connect or reconnect with God. For others, it has been a place of refuge and solace from an ever-changing and fast paced world. For many children, it has become the foundation of a faith that keeps them focused on God; a faith that has helped them grow into true disciples of Christ. The beauty and splendor of the mountaintop has won the hearts of both adults and children alike. Situated atop a ridge separating the Frederick and Middletown Valleys, the Ridge has inspired, moved, motivated, and encouraged untold numbers of campers, counselors and staff to share the Good News of Christ in our world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780984106523
Publisher:	Old Line Publishing, LLC
Publication date:	09/01/2009
Edition description:	OLD LINE PUBLISHING
Pages:	76
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Philip Brohawn has been involved in the workings of Mar-Lu-Ridge since the early 1960s. His experience with the camp has ranged from lifeguard to camp counselor to program director. Philip has lived on the Ridge since his family moved there in 1960 where he has watched and helped the camp grow for the last fifty years. His knowledge of the camp and its history has been vital to the creation of this book. Outside of the camp, Philip has recently retired from the Frederick County School System where he served as a teacher and science curriculum specialist for 37 years.

Craig Schenning has been involved with Mar-Lu-Ridge since the mid-1970s. His experience with the camp has ranged from camper to counselor to area coordinator. Craig was also involved with the repair and maintenance of the facilities during the 1980s and later served on the board of directors. Craig's love and familiarity with the camp has made him an ideal candidate to help in the creation of this book. Outside of the camp, Craig worked as an environmental chemist for 20 years before opening his own publishing company in 2006.

Read an Excerpt

1955 - The vision that was to become Mar-Lu-Ridge began in 1955 at the One Hundred Thirty-Sixth Annual Convention of The Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Maryland. As a result, the following action was adopted: "That the Committee on Christian Education be charged to prepare specific plans for the establishment of a Synodical camp and conference center on the territory of the Synod and report to the 1956 Convention." And thus, the committee began its work.

1956 - The report presented in 1956 by Chairperson Dr. Margaret B. Ballard focused on two major tasks which confronted the Committee. The first of these tasks was to identify the purpose, principles and program for church camping that would be sponsored by the Synod. Research into church camping was conducted and recommendations were made that the program should operate year-round, include a summer camp with programs for youth through adults, as well as family camping, and provide all the necessary resources for small group camping experiences.

Further recommendations stated that the site selected should have an acreage of one acre per camper, so that the site should be at least 200-250 acres in size and that the Synod should take title of the property.

The second task was to investigate available sites. Sites investigated included a farm property west of Clear Spring, Maryland; a farm near Smithsburg, Maryland; several properties near Hagerstown, Maryland; the K-B Ranch near Thurmont, Maryland; property in Largent, West Virginia; and a river-side property near the Cacapon State Park close to Berkeley Springs, West Virginia.

Table of Contents

Introduction	5
Acknowledgements	5
From The Editor	6
Do You Remember?	8
The 1950s	10
1955	10
1956	10
1957	13
1958	14
1959	16
The 1960s	21
1960	21
1961	23
1962	24
1963	27
1964	28
1965	33
1966	34
1967	36
1968	37
1969	38
The 1970s	39
1970	39
1971	41
1972	41
1973	42
1974	43
1975	43
1976	44
1977	44
1978	44
1979	45
The 1980s	47
1980	47
1981	47
1982	47
1983	47
1984	48
1985v	49
1986	49
1987	50
1988	50
1989	50
The 1990s	53
1990	53
1991	53
1992	53
1993	53
1994	53
1995	53
1996	56
1997	56
1998	56
1999	56
The 2000s	57
2000	57
2001	57
2002	58
2003	59
2004	59
2005	60
2006	61
2007	61
2008	62
2009	63
Small Group Camping	65
Summer Staff Photos	75
About The Editors	98