FAITH FORMED.
MEMORIES MADE.
GOD GLORIFIED.

Maple Syrup Success – A Record-Breaking Event!

Our Maple Syrup 101 Family Fun Event was a sweet success—and we’re thrilled to announce that we broke a record this year!

We collected a record-breaking 170 gallons of sap!

Thanks to our incredible volunteers, enthusiastic families, and perfect tapping weather, we collected and boiled more sap than ever before. Camp Swatara’s sugar shack was busy all day with guests learning the ins and outs of maple syrup production—from tapping trees and collecting sap to boiling it down and tasting the final product.

Kids and adults alike had fun exploring the woods, participating in syrup-themed crafts and games, and of course, enjoying a warm sample of our delicious, homemade maple syrup.

It was a joy to see so many families connecting with nature and each other while learning about God’s creation and the process He gave us to make something so sweet from something so simple.

👏 A huge thank-you to everyone who came out, helped out, and made this year’s event one for the books. We’re already looking forward to next spring's syrup season!

⛺ Summer Camps Are Filling Fast – Don’t Miss Out!

Camp Swatara’s 2025 summer camp season is shaping up to be one of the best yet—and spots are going fast!

Some of our most popular overnight camps like Monarchs, Maples, Musical, and Eureka are already full or nearly full, and other sessions are close behind. If your camper has their heart set on one of these programs, now is the time to register!

🌞 Looking for flexible options?

We also offer a variety of exciting day camps for Grades 1–8 that are perfect for campers who want all the fun of camp without the overnight stay. These include themed weeks like:

🎨 Saplings (Grades 1–4)

🏀 Games & Sports (Grades 5–8)

💦 Wet & Wacky (Grades 5–8)

Every program is packed with outdoor adventure, spiritual growth, and unforgettable memories.

📅 Don't wait—space is limited!

🔗 Register today at: www.campswatara.org/camps/register

Give your child the gift of summer at Camp Swatara—where faith, fun, and friendships grow!

Remembering Keith Salter

Camp Swatara remembers our long-time friend, supporter, and past staffer, Keith Salter. Keith shared a rich history of participation and love for Camp Swatara from lifeguarding, to many years in Buildings & Grounds, including holding a wealth of knowledge and information to help bridge transitions of leadership in the Buildings and Grounds department, to most recently turning beautiful art pieces he made out of wood sourced here at Camp Swatara to donate to our annual Family Camp Auction or to sell in the Campground Store. We are grateful for Keith, his family, and for his lifelong legacy of service with Camp Swatara.

We’re Hiring! Join the Camp Swatara Team This Summer!

As we gear up for a full and fun summer, we’re looking for enthusiastic, responsible, and service-minded individuals to join our seasonal staff team. Do you—or someone you know—love camp life and want to make a difference? We’re especially in need of Lifeguards, Storekeepers, and Volunteer Nurses!

🏊‍♀️ Lifeguards

Be a hero in the water this summer!

As a lifeguard at Camp Swatara, you’ll play a vital role in ensuring the health and safety of swimmers at our pool, lake, and off-site aquatic areas. This position runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and includes work with both our Summer Camp and Family Campground guests.

💧 What We’re Looking For:

-Strong swimmers with lifeguard certification (or willingness to be certified)

-Alert and responsible team members

-Flexible schedule availability

-Compensation includes hourly or weekly pay, plus room and board if desired.

🛍️ Storekeepers

Help us keep the heart of camp running!

As a Storekeeper, you’ll assist with sales, stocking, check-ins, and hospitality in our Family Camp Store and East Lodge Store. It’s the perfect role for someone who loves customer service and creating a welcoming environment.

🕓 Season: April 1 – November 1
💼 Flexible hours with part-time and full-time options
💵 Weekly salary or hourly wage, plus meals and housing options in summer

🩺 Volunteer Nurses

Care for our campers while making a lasting impact.

We are in need of volunteer nurses to help support our summer camp programs. Whether you can give a few days or a full week, your time and medical expertise will help create a safe and nurturing environment for our campers.

🏕️ Work in a beautiful, faith-filled environment

❤️ Provide basic care, administer medications, and assist with camper wellness

Interested or know someone who might be a good fit?

📲 Learn More & Apply: Camp Swatara Full-Time Jobs

We can’t wait to welcome new team members who share our mission of faith, fellowship, and outdoor adventure!

Welcome Nathan Foster

On April 7th, Camp Swatara welcomes the addition of our new Assistant Buildings and Grounds Manager, Nathan Foster and his family. Nathan worked with Camp Swatara in the past, around 12 years ago, in our Food Service department. He returns to Camp having had background and experience in groundskeeping, fabrication, and even experience and expertise in video production and sound editing! Nathan and his wife Holly and their three children join Camp Swatara with expectant hearts to join in and support the ongoing ministry of Camp Swatara, to provide opportunities in the natural setting for all people to grow in their relationships with Jesus Christ so that we may live our lives in total discipleship for Him.

Woods Bathhouse Update!

We’re excited to share that major progress has been made on the new Woods Bathhouse! The plumbing and electrical conduit inspections were successfully completed, and the concrete slab was poured.

Now, things are really taking shape — walls are going up and the roof is on! Conestoga Log Cabins (based right here in Lebanon) has been hard at work manufacturing the structure, and we’re thrilled to see it coming together on site.

Next up: installation of the flooring treatment over the concrete and continued progress on the new septic system, with all contracts and permits in place.

We are so grateful to everyone who has contributed financially, prayed over the project, or labored to bring it to life. To our Woods area campers — thank you for your patience! We’re looking forward to providing this new and improved amenity for your camping experience this year.

Want to be part of the impact? Visit campswatara.org/support-camp to learn how you can get involved!

Opportunities to Give

When we think of opportunities to invest in Camp Swatara, where does your mind or your experience take you? Ensuring a camper has the opportunity to experience the love of Jesus through a staff member or volunteer? Perhaps supporting our grounds department to keep the trail and signs maintained for the rugged trek up to the Rock Pile on a clear day with low-to-no humidity and feel the expansiveness of God through the view over the forest canopy below and the valley that stretches to the horizon. Perhaps for you, it's to volunteer on Opening Work-Day or as a Resource Person at one of our Summer Resident Camps or to serve food to one of hundreds of school students attending their class Outdoor Education program here each May. Maybe investing comes through giving materials, goods, services, or even financial resources to help Camp Swatara advance our purpose and vision.

Would you consider, today, one or more of these pathways of support to facilitate great experiences for the campers, families, churches, schools, and community groups we serve through the year? Click HERE to donate to our summer camps or contact us to find out more information on how you can be involved in volunteering . . . to take that practical step in investing in the ministry and legacy of Faith Formed, Memories Made, and God Glorified at Camp Swatara!

Register Now for Family Camp at Camp Swatara!

As the weather warms and summer approaches, there’s no better time to plan your family getaway—and Camp Swatara’s Family Campground is the perfect place to unplug, reconnect, and create lasting memories together.

Whether you’re a seasoned camper or trying it for the first time, Family Camp offers something for everyone:

🏕️ Tent, cabin, and RV camping options

🎣 Fishing, hiking, and exploring the outdoors

⛱️ Pool & lake activities (Aquatics area opens Memorial Day Weekend!)

🍦 Weekly events like movie nights, campfires, mini-golf, and more

🙏 Faith-based programs and fellowship for all ages

Our Family Campground fills up quickly—especially on weekends and holidays—so now is the time to secure your spot!

🔗 Register and learn more: www.campswatara.org

Whether you’re coming for a weekend or staying for the whole week, we can’t wait to welcome you to a summer of fun, faith, and family at Camp Swatara!

Volunteering with Camp Swatara

As a staff, we often hear how much folks love Camp Swatara, which we enjoy hearing and the opportunity to connect with them on what it is they love about us!

We're inviting you to turn that story of love into love action and become a volunteer!

Imagine having an opportunity to impart to someone else who in turn someday could impart to someone else the beauty, the community, and the God-revealing experiences throughout Camp Swatara!

Join Camp Swatara as a volunteer and serve in one of our many areas of need:

Kitchen - meal prep and service at key times in the year
Grounds work - mowing, trimming, blazing, brush removal, and flower beds
Housekeeping
Program and Teaching Experiences for campers and families
Director for a Week of Camp
Nurse for a Week
Weekend Hosts - greet, orient, and check on our groups
Trade skills - carpentry, plumbing, painting, masonry, or HVAC - let's get to it!

Come serve a day, a week, or for a season! Camp Swatara is where you belong.

⛳ Mini Golf Fun for Everyone!

Did you know you don’t have to be camping to enjoy mini golf at Camp Swatara?

Come on out and enjoy a relaxing (or competitive!) round on our campground mini golf course. It’s a great way to spend time with family and friends, take in the fresh air, and make some sweet memories—no campsite required!

🕒 Stop by the Camp Store to grab your putters and balls and get playing!

Whether you're here for a visit or just looking for a fun afternoon activity, mini golf at Camp Swatara is open to all. Come give it a shot!

Upcoming Events

Movie Night in the Campground

Join us at Camp Swatara for movie nights in the Campground under the stars (weather permitting). All you need to bring is something to sit on.

Where: FCC Ballfield

When: Second Saturday of every month, Time will vary.

What to bring: Blanket or Chair for seating.

Price: Free to All

May 10, 2025

Free Mini Golf for Mothers

Come camp for the weekend or just spend the day! All Moms visiting or camping with us on Mother’s Day weekend receive a free round of Mini-Golf. You will receive your ticket when you check in at the Camp Store.

Friday, May 9 - Sunday May 11

Strawberry Festival

Love Strawberries? Come out to Camp Swatara to enjoy some fresh strawberries and ice cream. Fun for the whole family!

Saturday, June 7, 2025
6pm

Miniature Golf Tournament

Join us for a friendly competition & fun prizes! Free to play and all ages are welcome.

Saturday, July 5, 9-11am

FAITH FORMED. MEMORIES MADE. GOD GLORIFIED.