I’m still working on this… Not finished!
Camp History
The following information is taken from a handout prepared by Joanne E. Nelson for the June 21, 2003 University in the Woods training workshops for Girl Scout troop leaders and other adults who work with youth. Joanne was Assistant Camp Director in 1967-68 and Camp Director 1969-1978.
In 1959, three Girl Scout Councils merged: Jamestown Area, Northern Chautauqua, and Salamanca. At that time, they owned four camps, which over the years were all sold:
- Stone Chimney - 25 acres near Salamanca sold in 1963.
- Camp Newatah - 42 acres on Chautauqua Lake sold in 1964.
- Camp Lakota - 75 acres on Upper Cassadaga Lake sold in 1966.
- Camp Woodelohi - 90 acres north of Cassadaga sold in 2001.
In 1963, 733 acres of land was purchased and a camp planning firm was hired to develop a master plan. It took only 2 years to be ready for Day Camp, and only 2 more years after that for Residence Camp to open.
- 1965 - A contract was signed to construct a dam that would create a 31-acre lake, fed by 7 streams.
- 1965 - A well and windmill were completed to provide water at the Day Camp area.
- 1965 - Day Camp began at Timbercrest.
- 1966 - A capital campaign was launched to raise the remaining funds needed to finish the Residence Camp area.
- 1967 - Construction was completed and Residence Camp began.
- 1969 - The Board of Directors approved a forest management plan which continues to provide a steady revenue stream to this day.
- 1976 - One hundred ten additional acres were purchased from the Jackman family. This is the Old Barn and corral area where horse programs are offered.
The Swim Shed
One of the most “weathered” things that was saved to be used at Camp Timbercrest is the tin shed near the swimming area by Bellinger Lodge. The shed served as storage and as rainy weather waterfront staff shelter at Lakota on Upper Cassadaga Lake. This area was used by Woodelohi campers for swimming, canoeing and rowboating. Joanne reports that the shed was there in 1959 when she began working at Woodelohi, so she knows it has been around at least since then!
What the Names Mean
Every camp has site names and trail names that often come with a bit of history. Here are some of the names you see on a Timbercrest Map and where they came from:
Camp Timbercrest: Some folks wanted to name the camp after Esther Keyser who spearheaded the drive to get this newer and better camp. She instead insisted on a Name Our Camp contest for girl members. Camp Timbercrest was the winning name.
Keyser Lake: The lake was named in honor of Esther “Skipper” Keyser, Executive Director of the Chautauqua Area Girl Scout Council.
Aside: (In 2003, Esther Keyser’s book Paddling My Own Canoe: The Story of Algonquin Park’s First Female Guide was published by the Friends of the Algonquin Park. Here is a picture of my daughter paddling her own canoe on Keyser Lake.)
Skipper’s Island: There is a bit of rock that sometimes surfaces in Beaver Bay. This island is also named in honor of Esther Keyser.
Beaver Bay: The south bay of Keyser Lake became the home of a beaver in the early days of camp. As of 2007, there was still at least one beaver living in that bay.
Aside: During the 2007 Staff Reunion, Emily and I pitched our tent near the fire circle below Sunset. We had a perfect view of Beaver Bay. We have camped here before and we have seen the beaver swimming, curious about our presence.
Jackman’s Bay: The land surrounding the bay north of the peninsula was adjacent to land owned by Tomas Jackman. As listed above, 110 acres was purchased from the Jackman family after Tomas’ death in 1974 or 1975.
Jim Hickock Bluebird Trail: This trail was named after the husband of past council staff member, Grace Hickock. Their daughter went by the name “Fern” when she was a counselor at camp in 1987. Apparently Charlie Flagg built the trail in memory of Jim Hickock.
1 - Strawberry Hill: The field in front of this tent unit was filled with strawberries in the early days. You can still find strawberries on that hillside.
2 - Sunset: It is said that this tent unit was the best place from which to view the setting sun. It’s a little trickier these days, now that the trees are growing up.
3 - Hawthorne Grove: There are many hawthorne trees growing in this tent unit.
4 - Sprucewood: There are many spruce trees growing in this tent unit. One of the tents, and the latrine in this unit are equipped with ramps which were installed in the early 1990s through a collaboration with the Chautauqua Blind Association. Several blind children attended camp for a couple of years around this time. CBA trained staff on how to manage with blind campers.
Note: Each of the above 4 tent units includes 9 platform tents, a large shelter/storage building, and two latrines. Strawberry Hill and Sunset are on the east side of the lake with views of the lake. Hawthorne Grove and Sprucewood sit up in the woods on the hill northeast of the lake. Work days are held in the fall to take the tents down, and in the spring to put the tents up. Pictured above is a crew putting up a tent in the Sprucewood unit. With no leaves, you can see the lake. By summer, you will not be able to see the lake from this unit!
Bellinger Lodge: Money to build the lodge came from the Gebbie Foundation which was established in 1964 under the wills of Miss Marion Gebbie and Mrs. Geraldine Bellinger. In 2006-2007, Bellinger underwent major rennovations - a new roof, a new kitchen, winterization, indoor toilets, updated showers… and the latrines near Bellinger were removed in June of 2007.
Willow Bridge: This bridge crosses the Little Conewango Creek at a point where there are many willow trees. There is a geological marker on the bridge.
Dixon Grove: This area near the Little Conewango on the north side of Gulf Road was named in honor of Lloyd Dixon, chair of the 1966 Capital Campaign and himself a major donor.
Lillian B. Wright Trail:
Sheldon Cabin:
Cedarside:
Robin’s Nest:
JEN Trail:
Peanut Butter Hollow:
Timber Trail:
