Camp Turner is located at a site in the Quaker area of Allegany State Park, known as Camp Turner or Group Camp 6, located at 9150 ASP 3, Salamanca, NY 14779. Camp leases this site from Allegany State Park and the New York Department of Parks and Recreation.
The primary component of the Camp Turner program is a summer resident camping program which provides a recreational camping experience to boys and girls from eight through fifteen years of age. The camping program is marketed to and accepts all youth without regard to race, creed, ethnic background, religious affiliation or physical ability. Special effort is made to ensure no children are excluded for ability to pay. The secondary purpose of Camp Turner is to provide facilities and hospitality to groups who share a compatible mission. Groups from Catholic parishes, especially youth groups, get special consideration and priority. Camp also hosts family reunions, conferences, trainings and other compatible groups.
In general terms, the purpose of the Summer Camping Program is to offer youth an experience of the outdoors in a caring community, and to foster appreciation of self, fellowship with others and to increase appreciation of the gift of nature. Camp Turner operates to promote outdoor education; fellowship; justice; service; recreation, spiritual development, respect for self, respect of other people, and respect for the environment. The mission is to honor God in the children confided to our care.
Summer Program
Camp History
Camp Turner still operates under the basic idea of service to young people which is verbalized in the phrase, “Honor God in the children confided to our care”. Camp Turner was established as a resident camp for boys between the ages of 8 and 15 years of age in 1922 at Bear Lake by the Rev. Charles A. Kreahn. In 1923 the camp moved into its second site within the recently established Allegany State Park. This second site was on ASP 3 a short distance west from Science Lake. The third site was currently on what is now a park maintenance area, on a piece of land surrounded by a creek near the North base of Mt. Tuscarora on ASP 3. The fourth and current site was built in 1988 – 1989 and opened in 1990 at 9150 ASP 3, Salamanca, NY 14779.
In 1957 the need to provide a camp for girls similar to the one provided for boys at Camp turner was recognized by the Youth Department. It was visualized that this camp would share the ideals of Camp Turner, but also have its own unique character. Thus Camp Maryglen was established. The campsite for Camp Maryglen was located in the rural setting of East Eden, NY.
The summer of 1990 became another turning point for the camping program. With the opening of a new campsite for Camp Turner the program again grew and changed. The summer of 1990 marked the integration of the two camps into one co-educational camp. Camp Turner can now serve the needs of both male and female campers between the ages of eight and fifteen years. A staff of approximately 30 serve between 70 and 90 campers for weekly sessions each summer.
Year-round camping opportunities are available at Camp Turner as well as the ability to host and provide retreat experiences and conferences of various types. These would be available not only to the members of the diocese but would also provide an important service to the larger community. The current site is dedicated to the memory of Elizabeth Nawrocki who served the Diocesan camping program for 30 years.
Philosophy / Mission:
“Honor God in the Children Confided to Our Care.”
Values:
Hospitality – a welcoming, accepting, atmosphere.
Stewardship – caring for the presence of God in ourselves, other people and nature.
Appreciation - for the gifts and talents of each individual.
Goals:
Evangelism - a positive experience of our church by fostering respectful relationships, authentic gospel values, and opportunities for spiritual growth. Not preaching. Not converting. Not proselytizing. Not judging.
Creating a Safe Environment - Provide a safe, healthy and respectful environment, including:
Site, Facility, Transportation, Equipment – safe and accessible.
Staff – friendly, welcoming, committed to listening
Healthcare – professional, licensed, friendly
Food – age appropriate, welcoming, flexible
Supervision – helpful, service, present, engaged, not overbearing,
Programming – offer choices, no one is forced to do something, offer variety,
Interpersonal relationships – build friendships and relationship that are caring and live giving.
Personal Growth of campers and staff – Offer fun, interesting, different activities for the purpose of creating teachable moments, incorporate reflection upon experiences, expect and require courtesy, respect and celebration of others, and ask the big questions. Try things you have not tried. Discover your strengths and gifts.
Teach character and Spirituality.
What Camp Turner wants to teach:
The golden rule, appreciation for the gift of creation, appreciation of our different gifts and talents, manners, sharing, cooperation, independence, interdependence, connectedness, respect, responsibility, kindness, leadership, accountability, conservation, and especially GOSPEL VALUES.
The camp workplace:
How the staff treats each other makes all the difference in the camp experience for campers. The staff must be courteous, respectful, accepting and supportive of each other at all times. Gossip, pranks, discrimination and harassment are all strictly prohibited. The physical and emotional safety of everyone is camp's first priority.
The primary component of the Camp Turner program is a summer resident camping program which provides a recreational camping experience to boys and girls from eight through fifteen years of age. The camping program is marketed to and accepts all youth without regard to race, creed, ethnic background, religious affiliation or physical ability. Special effort is made to ensure no children are excluded for ability to pay. The secondary purpose of Camp Turner is to provide facilities and hospitality to groups who share a compatible mission. Groups from Catholic parishes, especially youth groups, get special consideration and priority. Camp also hosts family reunions, conferences, trainings and other compatible groups.
In general terms, the purpose of the Summer Camping Program is to offer youth an experience of the outdoors in a caring community, and to foster appreciation of self, fellowship with others and to increase appreciation of the gift of nature. Camp Turner operates to promote outdoor education; fellowship; justice; service; recreation, spiritual development, respect for self, respect of other people, and respect for the environment. The mission is to honor God in the children confided to our care.
Summer Program
Camp History
Camp Turner still operates under the basic idea of service to young people which is verbalized in the phrase, “Honor God in the children confided to our care”. Camp Turner was established as a resident camp for boys between the ages of 8 and 15 years of age in 1922 at Bear Lake by the Rev. Charles A. Kreahn. In 1923 the camp moved into its second site within the recently established Allegany State Park. This second site was on ASP 3 a short distance west from Science Lake. The third site was currently on what is now a park maintenance area, on a piece of land surrounded by a creek near the North base of Mt. Tuscarora on ASP 3. The fourth and current site was built in 1988 – 1989 and opened in 1990 at 9150 ASP 3, Salamanca, NY 14779.
In 1957 the need to provide a camp for girls similar to the one provided for boys at Camp turner was recognized by the Youth Department. It was visualized that this camp would share the ideals of Camp Turner, but also have its own unique character. Thus Camp Maryglen was established. The campsite for Camp Maryglen was located in the rural setting of East Eden, NY.
The summer of 1990 became another turning point for the camping program. With the opening of a new campsite for Camp Turner the program again grew and changed. The summer of 1990 marked the integration of the two camps into one co-educational camp. Camp Turner can now serve the needs of both male and female campers between the ages of eight and fifteen years. A staff of approximately 30 serve between 70 and 90 campers for weekly sessions each summer.
Year-round camping opportunities are available at Camp Turner as well as the ability to host and provide retreat experiences and conferences of various types. These would be available not only to the members of the diocese but would also provide an important service to the larger community. The current site is dedicated to the memory of Elizabeth Nawrocki who served the Diocesan camping program for 30 years.
Philosophy / Mission:
“Honor God in the Children Confided to Our Care.”
Values:
Hospitality – a welcoming, accepting, atmosphere.
Stewardship – caring for the presence of God in ourselves, other people and nature.
Appreciation - for the gifts and talents of each individual.
Goals:
Evangelism - a positive experience of our church by fostering respectful relationships, authentic gospel values, and opportunities for spiritual growth. Not preaching. Not converting. Not proselytizing. Not judging.
Creating a Safe Environment - Provide a safe, healthy and respectful environment, including:
Site, Facility, Transportation, Equipment – safe and accessible.
Staff – friendly, welcoming, committed to listening
Healthcare – professional, licensed, friendly
Food – age appropriate, welcoming, flexible
Supervision – helpful, service, present, engaged, not overbearing,
Programming – offer choices, no one is forced to do something, offer variety,
Interpersonal relationships – build friendships and relationship that are caring and live giving.
Personal Growth of campers and staff – Offer fun, interesting, different activities for the purpose of creating teachable moments, incorporate reflection upon experiences, expect and require courtesy, respect and celebration of others, and ask the big questions. Try things you have not tried. Discover your strengths and gifts.
Teach character and Spirituality.
What Camp Turner wants to teach:
The golden rule, appreciation for the gift of creation, appreciation of our different gifts and talents, manners, sharing, cooperation, independence, interdependence, connectedness, respect, responsibility, kindness, leadership, accountability, conservation, and especially GOSPEL VALUES.
The camp workplace:
How the staff treats each other makes all the difference in the camp experience for campers. The staff must be courteous, respectful, accepting and supportive of each other at all times. Gossip, pranks, discrimination and harassment are all strictly prohibited. The physical and emotional safety of everyone is camp's first priority.
Please consider giving to Friends of Camp Turner. Thank you!
© 2021 Friends of Camp Turner, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
