History of Camp Netimus Summer Camp for Girls

Camp Netimus for Girls was founded by the Moore family of Philadelphia and named after an 18th century Delaware Indian chief. It opened in 1930 with 16 campers and included among its facilities the lodge, four cabins, the "bingee" (the shared bathroom in the cabin grove), and one tennis court. Construction was begun on the dam for the lake, and later a second tennis court and the infirmary were built.

In 1950, the camp was purchased from the Moores by the Barger and Wannan families, teachers/administrators at the Sidwell Friends Schoolin Washington, DC. Camp Directors Marian Millard (a physical education instructor at the Friends School in Baltimore, MD) and Charles "Pop" Wannan (the Director of Athletics at the Sidwell Friends School in Washington, DC) dedicated their time and effort to establishing quality camping at Netimus. Mrs. Helen Barger (who had extensive camping experience) also served as a Director at Camp Netimus and was actively involved in the running of Netimus' brother camp, Shohola.

Most of the girls who attended Netimus in its "early" years came from the cities and suburbs of Baltimore, MD, and Washington, DC. Camp grew to include about 120 campers, 15 cabins, and facilities for riding, swimming and boating, land sports, arts and crafts, and many other activities. Charlie Wannan (Pop's son) and his wife, Judy, began coming to Netimus in 1961.

In 1969, when Mrs. Millard retired, Susan Beeler, a former Camp Netimus camper and counselor, joined Pop Wannan as a Director. With Pop's passing in the late 1970's, Charlie replaced him as a Director. Unfortunately, shortly there after, Charlie also died. Thus, Judy Wannan joined Sue Beeler in the directorship. Meanwhile, Donna (Albright) Kistler - who had joined the counselor staff in 1964 and taught in many activity areas of camp - became Susan's assistant in 1982.

That same year (1982), both Donna and her husband, Jim, were employed full-time by Netimus, and following the retirement of Sue Beeler in 1985, Donna joined Judy as a Director. Donna's husband, Jim, then became a Director in 1990. The Kistler's brought renewed energy to Camp Netimus, actively recruiting campers, enlarging the staff, and expanding the facilities.

When Judy Wannan retired in 1996, Lili Vasquez -- who came to Netimus in 1973 as a camper and who moved up through the leadership ranks -- also became a Director. Widge (Hitchcock) Hazell was made a Director in 2002 and retired in 2005. Lili retired in 2007. In December 2007, Darlene and Brendan Calton have joined the prestigious ranks of Camp Netimus Management. Darlene is a Netimus alumnae, who attended camp under Susan Beeler’s administration.

Today, Donna, Jim, Darlene, Tabitha and Brendan make up the administrative leadership of Camp Netimus, bringing continuity to a camping experience which continues to evolve. Camp enrollment has grown to 145 and includes girls from across the United States and from various countries around the world. Activity areas have tripled, and facilities have been upgraded and enlarged continuously while the original Netimus philosophy and traditions are still honored. (For additional information about the members of the Camp Netimus "Admin Team", click here.)

Camp Netimus remains the sister camp to Camp Shohola for Boys in Greeley, PA. Shohola was purchased and opened in 1942 by the Barger family (the same family which, along with the Wannans, bought Camp Netimus from the Moores in 1950). Mr. Frank Barger was the first director of Camp Shohola and was later followed by his son, Kit. Kit Barger remained the Director of Camp Shohola and a "silent" Director of Camp Netimus until 2002. Today, Kit's son, Duncan Barger is the Director for Camp Shohola. (For additional information about Camp Shohola, click here.)