Make the Rafters Ring! Remembering Camp Hagan

Camp Hagan was a Lutheran summer camp for girls located on the banks of the Delaware River in northeastern Pennsylvania. The camp was established in 1937 and closed in 1970 when the US Corps of Engineers condemned the property in order to proceed with the erection of the Tocks Island Dam. A group of 150 former campers and staff have formed an alumni group. At the urging of this group, the four authors joined forces to write a memoir of their Camp Hagan experiences some 50 years ago. The book consists of 10 topical essays capturing the essence of these adventures. Subjects include the physical features of the campus, daily activities, cabin ambiance, counselor life and special events, customs, and pranks. The book has eight appendices that include a series of old postcards of the camp, the words to many camp songs, camp trivia, a list of daily camp activities and an essay that describes Camp Miller, the brother camp, and Camp Ministerium for adults. The text is replete with photos shot during the 1950s and 1960s. Most were captured as colored slides and scanned as high-resolution images for inclusion in this volume. These have not been circulated previously; they are available to savor for the first time in this volume. The book details the demise of the Tocks Island Dam project and the subsequent establishment of The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The authors ponder the impact that the emergence of the park has had on memories of Camp Hagan. A stated goal of the authors was to be sure that those who follow have an understanding of what once existed on this property. In addition to the camp alumni, the book is expected to appeal to other women who enjoyed contemporaneous summer camp experiences. As well, this volume should interest park visitors and employees and current residents of the area. Historians studying the river valley and individuals researching the history of summer camps for girls should find this volume particularly informative.