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Playground
By Jason Anderson
This year, Camp Northward celebrates 80 years of service. Throughout those 80 years, the camp faced many challenges. Perhaps none of those challenges matched the ups and downs that Camp Northward faced last year.
The first challenge that Camp Northward faced last year was the tornado that came through Pendleton County in the Spring. The camp had some down trees, the loss of a carport, and some paddle boats and canoes that tossed throughout the property. Fortunately, there was not any significant damage that was done to buildings on the property. The camp made the necessary repairs to have their sessions.
After the storms passed, biggest challenge the camp would face would be Covid-19. Like many of the churches and businesses in the country, Camp Northward would see its plans for the year put on hold. According the Camp Director Nathan Derico, the camp believes this is the first year that they could not have camp. Even when the flood of 1997 hit Falmouth, including the camp grounds, Camp Northward was able to take the steps to open up. However, this decision was out of the hands of the staff and trustees.
“What it came down to is that the governor did not allow overnight youth camps to operate for that summer,” Mr. Derico explained.
In talks with the local health department, the camp discovered that it could rent out the facility. Mr. Derico discussed that the issue was discovering what Covid procedures and polices it would have to put in place.
So how did shutting down camp for the year impact the camp?
“We were incredibly blessed in that, because we did not have any campers, we were not putting out any of that money that we would normally put out during the summer,” Mr. Derico stated.
While the camp missed ministering to the kids that summer, they did not take a huge financial hit. Mr. Derico stated that the majority of donors continued to give their support last year.
The shut down was not all negative for the camp. The original camp grounds in Falmouth is located just outside of the city. There was a decision made a number of years ago to purchase property on Broadford Road for the camp. Camp Northward now has all of its camp sessions on this property.
A new organization, Laurel Bend is now leasing the old property with an option to buy. This meant that the camp had to move all of its belongings from the old site to the new camp grounds. This happened during the summer months when camp traditionally happens. This made the move easier because they did not have campers on the grounds.
Camp Northward has been a great resource in Pendleton County. It has ministered to generations of residents and allowed others an opportunity to use their skills for the benefit of others. The camp is returning this summer after a year without camp.
For those interested in attending camp this year, you can visit the camp website at campnorthward.org for more information and to register campers.