My experience with Pocono Crest Camps (Nawakwa for girls, Chickagami for boys) goes from 1964 through 1968. I was supposed to go to Chicki in 1964, the summer I turned 14. My sister went to Nawakwa. School problems caused me to change my plans that summer. I didn’t go to camp.I remember Mrs. Judge. My sister could provide more information as to staff and other experiences. I’ll forward that information to you once I’ve talked to her.

In 1964 Mr. Babier (or Bavier) was the director of Chicki. I went as a camper in 1965, and Mr. Brandt was the director. Being Chicki’s oldest camper that summer, the assistant director said I showed real leadership skills, and the younger boys really liked me. I decided to return in 1966 as a C.I.T.

In 1966, Mr. Robert Kratzke was camp director. Mr. David Bella was the assistant director. I’ve recently done a search for Mr. Kratzke and found that he passed away on Christmas Eve a few years ago. He was a teacher and football coach at Long Island Lutheran High School in Hicksville, NY. His two sons, Stephen and David, were also counselors. I was a C.I.T. for the 10 year old boys. I have countless memories of that summer. If you’re looking for stories, I would be happy to share.
The director of Pocono Crest Camps was Mr. Whitsky – not sure of the spelling. I think his first name was Herb. I’m not sure about Mr. Whitsky’s tenure, but he was there in 1965 through 1967.

I returned in 1967 as a junior counselor for the Junior boys, ages 6 – 9. Mr. Kratzke was still camp director. The assistant director’s name was Courtney Meyer. There was also a Pastor Johnson. With few exceptions, the staff of Chickagami in 1966 through 1968 were all members of the football team at L.I. Lu. I was an exception to that rule, being from Elizabeth, NJ, and being Presbyterian (a REAL consideration in the day).

I did not return in 1968, although I did go for a brief visit. Mr. Kratzke was still camp director. I did see my fellow counselor / cabin mate, Rich Freund (not from L.I. Lu, but went on to Valparaiso) that day, plus Mr. Kratzke. Sadly, that was the last summer the camp was open.

I remember vividly the Casino. We spent many happy hours there, playing pinball and other games, as well as eating at the snack bar. The upstairs was the movie theater. On Sunday it was the chapel for a generic Christian service.

We went through cooking staff. I’m not sure as to exact years. One cook, Bill, took the money he got for food and spent it on liquor. We routinely found him drunk. Often we had to practically carry him into the mess hall kitchen. He didn’t last long. He was replaced by an older couple, Les and Catherine. She was a nagging, yelling wife while he was a good natured elderly gentleman. We used to laugh hysterically as she would scream at him in the kitchen, injecting the occasional expletive. They left a week before camp ended, leaving Mrs. Kratzke and Mrs. Bella to provide the meals.

During the period in which I went to Chicki the camp roster was dwindling, compared to what it had been in the past. There was a senior compound just near the entrance. This compound is depicted on a post card, of which I still have many.

I do remember that in 1965 and 1966 there was high enrollment in the middle of the summer. We had to attach “bunk bed adapters” to our bunks in 1965, allowing us all to fit in the senior cabins. I believe the highest population in my cabin in 1966 at any one time was around 13.

At that time, the camp was divided by age group. There was one long, dual-section cabin for the juniors, ages 6 through 9. We called it Snooksy Row. There was one large cabin for the 10 year olds, one for the 11 year olds, and one for the 12 year olds. There were 3 senior cabins, although most of the time only two were used. The seniors were 13 to 15 years old.

I made a few visits to the abandoned camp in the 1970s. I took many pictures, and I must admit I was deeply saddened when I walked through the cabins that used to house some very happy kids. The structures remained intact and abandoned for many years.

I know there were a lot of pictures, one being a camp group picture taken on the steps of the Administration Building, taken by staff of PCC in 1966. They probably ended up in the scrap heap after the camp closed. Do you know of anything, such as pictures, that I might be able to see? I had hoped to one day get an aerial photo of the camp during its hayday. Being a pilot, I took some aerial photos in the 70s, but the trees covered what remained of most of the structures. I have many memories and artifacts, still in the same footlocker I used at Camp Chickagami.

In hopes of finding some of the people from those years, I’ve created a Yahoo group called “Summer Camp Memories.” Unfortunately the group is very small,l and people rarely post any messages.

I do have a couple of pictures I took in 1967 when Polaroid came out with its “Swinger.” A photo of my junior boys, and one of Rich Freund lounging in Lake Tamaque in a deliberately swamped canoe are about all I have from that day. I also have many letters, not only from home, but from my former campers over the years after camp.

I’m amazed that the chimney of the rec hall, a cabin, and the foundation of the “Chickagami” sign are still there. I remember it all too well. I had thought the entire area was now a lake front community of condominiums. I would love the opportunity to one day walk through that site that was such a wonderful part of my life.