Why Summer Camp?

"Camp gives back to people—adults and kids, in a way that I don't know anything else in this world can do."

That's Shelley Tager talking. Shelley is one of the two famous "grandparents" (the other is her husband David) that bought Indian Head Camp back in the 80's with the hope of making summer camp their life's work. In 2017 they still help out at IHC, but after passing the title of Camp Director on to Joel and Lauren Rutkowski, they now enjoy spending even more time with all the campers and their families.

"Camps like this, kind of real back to basics, really started to become somewhat popular around the 1900's." 

Indian Head Camp specifically started back in 1940, and can be found in the Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania where it sits on a beautiful lake. Camps like Indian Head welcome kids to a world without technology where they can focus on being a kid again and playing outside, making friends, and learning how to take on life without their parents. 

"When we were growing up, Mom would say that when the sun came down, we should come home for dinner. And at camp, the bunk line is like the street where kids can play and interact with each other." 

While there are new activities and upgrades to the facilities happening every year, Indian Head really tries to keep things as traditional as possible. That means no technology for the campers and "old school" (but still updated) bunks. This allows IHC to maintain their offering of a place where kids can wake up and play all day, and not be distracted by screens and devices. Even on a rainy day, you'll find kids playing indoor dodgeball or hockey, playing cards or jacks in the bunks, or even going on a mud hike on their trails with their outdoor adventure staff.

"That generational connection that happens at camp is one of the greatest things."

If you visit Indian Head Camp, you'll see so many examples of past camper experiences. From photos, to yearbooks, to the Olympic and Bunk Plaques that hang on almost every wall. But the most memorable generational connection is running into Dave and Shelley on the bunk line.  Their warm hugs are just what a camp like Indian Head needs to remember where we came from.