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Camp Oak Hill dining hall in 1962. The author of this story, Connie Herr, can be seen in the foreground on the left, in light-colored clothing, with her back to the camera.

 CAMP OAK HILL ARCHIVES

Editor’s note: Margaret Richardson and Irene Walker opened Camp Oak Hill, described in this story, in southern Lancaster County, near Nottingham, in 1949, as a camp for African American girls from Philadelphia to be able to spend a week in the country. 

I grew up during the 1960s in the village of Tayloria, located in southern Lancaster County. My father owned the local grocery store, where people came not only to purchase their groceries but to enjoy visiting. As a leader in our small-town community, he coached a baseball team for the boys in the area. There were no girls my age nearby, so I spent most of my time running after my older brothers and their friends.

About a mile and a half down the road there was a girl’s camp that offered swimming, horseback riding, archery, day trips and much more. Oh, how I wished I could attend that camp!

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Camp Oak Hill campers pose for a photo in this undated image.

There came a time when the owners of the camp invited me to attend as a day camper for one week, free of charge. I was excited for the opportunity to join other girls my age and possibly make new friends. However, I was also a little nervous and hoped that I would be able to fit in. My worries melted away as my new friends invited me to take part in all the offered activities. During our afternoon cabin time, we told stories and giggled over silly things. Every evening after a day filled with fun, I would get on my bike for my journey home; all the while thinking about the events the next day would bring.

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Margaret Richardson and Irene Walker opened Camp Oak Hill in southern Lancaster County in 1949.

One memory in particular sticks in my mind. It is a memory of kindness and inclusion. On the fourth day, the camp director came to me and asked if I would like to take an evening field trip with the campers to Longwood Gardens. I enthusiastically said yes! Although my parents readily gave their permission, there was on problem. All campers had to wear matching T-shirts for all field trips and I did not have one. When I returned to my cabin, there was a camp T-shirt on my bed for me to wear that evening. I was thrilled and really felt like I belonged.

I have so many fond memories of that week and wonder where all my cabin mates are now.

Recently, I ran across some pictures in the camp photo album online. I was thrilled to find a picture of me at the dining hall table with all my friends.

As you can see from the photo with this story, I was easy to pick out in the crowd. But we were all cabin mates, and the color of our skin did not matter. We became very special friends, and I am grateful for the time we spent together.

The author lives in Millersville. For more information on the history of Camp Oak Hill, visit campoakhillpa.org.

If you know an interesting story, please write it in 600 words or less and send it to Mary Ellen Wright, LNP editorial department, P.O. Box 1328, Lancaster, PA 17608-1328, or email it to features@lnpnews.com. Please include your phone number and the name of the town you live in.

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