Starting in 1938, Covenant Churches from the region (then called the Middle East Conference) began planning and holding summer camps by renting Camp Fitch, Camp Findlay, and Camp Caledon on Lake Erie. Tents were erected, and campers really "camped," a tradition much different than that of today's campers. This arrangement worked well for a number of years, but the need to have a camp of their own soon became evident.
The "Nine Old Men",plus one
Back Row- L to R - Holger Nelson, Leon Anderson,
Manferd Johnson, Al Lindblom, John Anderson
Front Row Rueben Leafgren, Herbert Johnson (camp designer), Al Erickson, Dr. Carl Pearson,
Bernard Olson
In 1946 a committee was formed consisting of three persons from each of the three regions making up the Conference at the time. These nine gentlemen, from different backgrounds and experiences, became affectionately known as the "Nine Old Men," a reference to the US Supreme Court during Truman's presidency. They were charged with the responsibility of finding a suitable site for a permanent camp. A search was conducted throughout western PA. and Chautauqua county, NY. The present property was found through an ad in the Pittsburgh Press, 26 acres of "meadow" that gently sloped toward the northeastern shore of Lake Chautauqua.
After an evaluation of several other properties, it was determined that this was the best available parcel. However, the committee was charged to find the site, and was not authorized to actually purchase it. They would have to wait until the next Conference annual meeting in the spring of 1947 to get approval for the purchase. When it was learned that the owner was beginning to sell off waterfront lots, it became evident that immediate action would be needed to secure the property. Four "concerned citizens" from the Jamestown area secured a loan from the First National Bank of Jamestown, and purchased the property. The wisdom of the "Nine Old Men" was confirmed at 1947's annual meeting. The site was approved for the new camp, and the Conference purchased the property from the four.