She remains. Pristine, Breath taking. Even more beautiful in the winter. The contrasts greater. The red Pennsylvania clay against the backdrop of freshly fallen snow. The deep green of the pines, waving slowly above their brown trunks, pressed against the bright blue sky.The sting of a cold breeze rushing over the hillside, there is no "camp" smell, not now, there is no camp sound, just the whistling of the racing wind. It's noisy for a place with no living creature stirring.
My heart beats faster as I walk through the umbrella of pine, along a path that I've walked so many times before. It's been a while, I once promised never to come back here, and why should I? My camp has been neglected, beaten down. It had become painful to visit especially since I am unable to help. I come back because Swago is still there and as long as it is their is hope.
There is so much in life that comes and goes, yet Swago remains.
Despite all the obvious signs of neglect, she is still beautiful.
13 comments:
Love that shot of the road with the snow!
Mweh
My brother and his family have a cottage on swago and visiting him is a main reason why my husband and I are getting land on a lake. It is so beautiful and peaceful...one of the few places of its kind.
I have fond memories of my summer spent as a counsellor at Camp Swago in 1979. It's sad to see the photos of it all run down now. But the lake ande surroundings are still breathtakingly beautiful.
Anyone out there remember me? Harvey, one of the Brits, was with the juniors, group leader was Linda Arbeit.
My dad, Maury Pierce, brought my mom, my brother Ricky and myself to Camp Swago in 1957. Maury was Head Counselor for many years, then Athletic Director and other positions that allowed him to stay at his beloved Swago for almost 30 years. My mom died in 1985 and dad lived with me for his last 3 years passing in 2003. We always talked about camp, old friends, etc and, as he lay dying, Rick and I sang him camp songs and then Taps. It was a beautiful passing. Went up there in 1999 for a "visit" and it was like being in an abandonded, decrepit movie set. My fondest memories lay in those hills and the lake. Would love to hear from the Markbreiters, Broads, etc. From the lakes...from the hills....from the skies.... Have 60's and 70's bunk placques if anyone is interested.
Earlier, I was telling my son Daniel how much I always enjoyed the woods, and still do. I'm messing around with a new laptop, and that brought me to "googling" Swago. When the Swago Road photo appeared before me it took my breath away and my heart moved up to my throat, as all the incredible memories came flooding back; way too many to even begin naming. Everything I know about life I learned at Swago - best education in the world. I miss it. In my heart - Swago Forever!
Stuart Gottlieb(63-66)Last time i visited,at least 15 yrs ago,i got all 3 of my bunk plaques from the doortops.I also grabbed one of the entire campgroups photo,from 65,hanging on the rafters in the mess hall.In the HQ,i actually found a silver painted spear made of wood,that my color war team carried during sing(?)I played the bugle call 45's for a good time in '66.I think it was Maury Wills(?),that was in charge then.The smells,the bus atop the hill across the lake,the knock-hocky on the middies porch,the area in front of the eagles bunk,where marbles were played,to my first kiss with the daughter of Ben(?) Eisenstadt,who ran the arts and crafts,at 10 yrs old,during one of our socials.Cousin Brucie,visiting every summer,driving a different cadillac.The 64,65,and 66 New York Knicks,visiting,playing our counselors in b'ball,and getting their summer haircut on the side porch of the rec-hall.The penny candy at the store in Galilee.The great music in the jukebox,in the canteen.The slimey bottom of the floor of the crib in the lake.Wow!These were a few of my fond memories of that great camp...Whew!
Hi, I was a counsellor from England in 1979. I have lots of pictures and artifcats from camp that I treasure. Is there a way I can upload a whole bunch of stuff from 1979, including my account of the golf development programme?
Swago rocked, long live Swago.
Hi Harvey,
I remember you. I was one of the Brits working in the kitchen. It was a great summer. I was amazed at how much food the kids ate.
Mark
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I worked as a swim instructor at Camp Swago in the summer of 1972.
It was a beautiful place, and my memories are fond.
Paul Broad was a fine man, and a good guy to work for.
I got to do my first scuba dive there, after completing my 50-mile swim program.
There was a guy that summer with the last name of Heileman, I believe, another swim instructor like me.
I always remember his cry as he jumped into the cool lake water:
"AIRBORNE!!"
I feel lucky to have such summers
to recall!
I can remember the Canteen and how all the boys and girls would enjoy Angie and Augie Gonzalez running the Canteen with their delicious hamburgers and malted milk shakes. They are gone now but we will remember them forever and Camp Swago. I am Mr. & Mrs Gonzalez's son-in law Tony Micucci.
Hi Suzie. I was a camper and later counselor at Swago from about 1953 to the early 60s. I knew and love your parents. I worked for your father at HQ and wrote the Rattler and played the bugle call records from there. Best regards, Bob Silverman
Howard, I was there in those years, worked in the kitchen with a group of buddies from Scranton, then on the outside, then a counselor in the J-bunks. I remember cousin Bruce, Joe jonavsky, esther lamb, blumberg the bugler, also worked at the lodge on weekends
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