John O'Brien of South Bend takes aim with an arrow at Camp Eberhart near Jones.Tribune Photo/PAUL RAKESTRAW
Camp Eberhart alums return to partake of their past
By JULIE SWIDWA
Tribune Staff Writer
JONES -- John Tanke planned to be up before reveille on Saturday. "I want to do the Diamond Swim," Tanke said. "That's the reason I came back. I didn't get to do it when I was a kid."
But before tackling the 6 a.m., 5-mile swim, the Niles Community Schools personnel director had to survive the high ropes course.
Meanwhile, Louis Nye of Mishawaka was sprawled on the ground, aiming his rifle at the bull's-eye.
"This was everybody's favorite," Nye claimed.
Actually, they couldn't all agree on a favorite activity. But they all shared one thing in common.
Their love for Camp Eberhart.
Some 250 former campers and camp
counselors are gathered this weekend at the YMCA of Michiana-owned camp
near Jones for the camp's 90th anniversary
celebration.
Adult campers came from all over the country and ranged in age from 19 to 81. Many of them packed along children and grandchildren.
"This place keeps you young," said 71-year-old Stella Trench of South Bend. "I started back in the days of Coop."
Many campers recalled the legendary George Cooper, who directed the camp for more than 50 years.
The camp opened on the shores of
Corey Lake between Jones and Three Rivers in the summer of 1909. It grew
from a three-week camp for boys only to a
thriving, year-round, multi-use
facility for children, families and groups.
But some things never change.
Paul Marsh, of Bloomington, Ind., became a camper at Eberhart in 1972, at age 10. Since then, he's held every job at the camp except executive director.
He, like all the other campers, said the camp gave him self-esteem, confidence and a broad spectrum of living skills.
"I wouldn't be the person I am today if not for this camp," Marsh said.
He just completed his master's degree in recreation and park administration, and has worked at Camp Eberhart 23 of the past 28 years.
Scott Watson of Indianapolis spent summers at Camp Eberhart and there, formed a lifelong friendship with Marsh.
"We learned about canoeing, water-skiing and trees, but more importantly, this place molded who we are. And it's still doing that for kids," Watson said.
Camp reunions are held every five
years. According to Marsh, "It takes about 30 seconds to catch up. It's
an unbelievable mixing and melding of traditions and
stories."
Campers said when they discuss favorite spots and favorite activities, many are different.
"It's incredible that you can share a facility for all these years and the experiences are so different," Watson said. "In that sense it's an intensely personal experience."
The current Camp Eberhart staff is hosts to the reunion campers for the weekend.
Brice Emanuel, camp director, said it's good for his staff to see and hear the traditions shared by the former campers and to see that some things never change.
"We have modern lights, flush toilets,
hot water and instant communication," Emanuel said. "But at the same time
we still have a program based on skill levels, so you
can arrive with no skill at all
and become a master."
Many go on to careers related to their camp experiences, Emanuel added.
Bruce Erhardt of Tampa, Fla., said Camp Eberhart fostered in him a love of sailing. He ended up owning his own sailboat business in Florida.
Another former camper who excelled in rocket building and astronomy now works for NASA, Emanuel said.
Jane Tarr Wilson, 67, of South Bend, said she cried the first time she rode a horse at Camp Eberhart.
"The instructor yelled at me. I was scared to death. But I came back for more, and I ended up owning a horse," she said.
Wilson's granddaughter, 17-year-old Angela Wilson lives in Virginia Beach but comes to Camp Eberhart every summer. This year she'll be a counselor.
"They say you can't go back. But this is definitely going back," Wilson said, scanning the riding arena.
"This camp has gone through many different stages. It's wonderful to have it healthy," she added.
This year's reunion was chaired by Nancy Parker O'Brien and Anne O'Brien Abernethy of South Bend.
O'Brien attended the camp from 1963-1974, and has been a camper, counselor and staff member. She currently serves on the board of directors.
"These are my best friends," O'Brien said, looking around at the other campers.