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investigating various possible sites Brother Knechel reported that a friend, the Rev. A. W.
Geigley, had graciously offered to present as a gift to the Southern District of Pennsylvania
approximately 150 acres of woodland adjoining his residence near Fairfield, Pennsylvania, to be
used for a church camp. A special District Conference was called on April 6, 1957 when the
delegates voted to accept with great appreciation this generous gift of the Rev. & Mrs. A. W.
Geigley. Camp trustees were appointed to begin plans for the developing of a camp. A larger
camp committee was later formulated which included the trustees. This committee has been
functioning, seeking the counsel of camp experts, and carefully laying plans for our future
camping program. Camp activities began in the summer of 1960. It was named Camp Eder after
the Eder River in Schwarzenau, Germany. Schwarzenau was the town where the first Brethren
baptized each other in the Eder River.
The mission of Camp Eder is to plan, organize, and institute a program that will foster
and enhance the spiritual lives of the campers, retreaters, and camp personnel. The camp is
recognized as an integral part of the local congregations, the District, and the Brotherhood
through their support, interest, time, talent, and money. Camp Eder strives to present an
innovative and exciting program while preserving the traditional aspects that are valued by the
congregations within the Church of the Brethren. Camp provides a place of natural beauty where
persons can experience God’s creation in a loving and caring environment, extending the love of
Jesus Christ to all people, providing to each the opportunity to discover His Spirit at work in the
world and in one’s own life. In 2003, Camp Eder purchased an additional 250 acres of the
original Geigley farm.
There are 13 members on the Camp Eder Board of Directors.
(i) Camp Eder Board Members are selected and contacted by their
Board of Directors, presented to the District Nominating Committee for inclusion in the District
Conference Ballot, and an affirmation vote of the District Conference body.
(c) Children’s Aid Society. Children’s Aid Society (CAS) had its
beginnings in 1913 at the home of Sudie May Wingert of the Antietam/Trinity congregation.
Because of her strong feelings about ensuring the basic needs of all children, she promoted child
rescue committees within the congregations throughout the Southern Pennsylvania District.
Early placements of children in congregational foster families begin in 1915 and continued well
after the formation of the Children’s Home which opened in 1923. The agency purchased a
larger home in Carlisle which continued serving children until 1959. By 1975, CAS was
providing substantial support to agencies and families with special needs children.
The decision to return to the provision of direct services occurred in the late seventies and
today CAS continues to provide services to children and their families in Franklin, Adams, and
York counties, PA.
In 1982, the New Oxford Child/Family counseling center, now known as the Nicarry
Center, opened in Adams County. The Nicarry Center (TNC) offers counseling to children ages
3 to 18 in the form of Art and Play therapy. TNC also provides a clothing bank (referred to as
“God’s Closet”) for children.
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