Camp Allegheny Alum Shares Stories of Friendship and Fun
Each year, more than 1,000 children ages 6-12 from across Western Pennsylvania have the chance to attend a week at The Salvation Army’s Camp Allegheny. The 110-acre camp, located along Slippery Rock Creek in Ellwood City, is accredited by the American Camping Association. Activities include arts and crafts, music development, swimming, river tubing, sports and Christian education. Camp Allegheny has been in existence since 1947, and for many former campers like Becky Bosh, the memories and friendships made at camp have lasted a lifetime.
“It was my first time away from home for a week,” Becky shares. “It was such a growth experience.”
For the last two years, Becky has volunteered at The Salvation Army’s annual camp cleanup day with her colleagues from Clearview Federal Credit Union. As an adult, with a child of her own, Becky says she now understands how important it is to think about others.
“As a camper, we don’t always know the work that goes into making a week of camp happen,” Becky said. “I’m happy I found a way to give back.”
As a child, Becky attended Camp Allegheny two summers in a row. She says the biggest takeaway was the friendships she made. She grew up in Sewickley and says even after camp she would run into other girls from the same area, and they bonded for years to come. To this day, she is still best friends with a companion she met during her second year at camp. Her husband also has fond memories of Camp Allegheny. While they attended during different years, he still remembers being thrown into the pool as a youngster.
Becky shares it’s comforting to know Camp Allegheny is still there and that the programs are continuing to grow and expand. She says although the buildings may have been remodeled and updated, the same familiar structure is there. One of her first assignments as a volunteer was sanitizing ahead of the camper’s arrival.
“I cleaned it the way I clean my daughter’s nursery because I knew someone important was going to be there,” Becky said. “Someone who needed the opportunity to get away from a situation…and experience nature in the same way I did, a long time ago.”
Becky says it is meaningful to put in the effort to make sure the next generation can create those same fond memories. For many campers, The Salvation Army provides their only chance of a summer vacation outside of their neighborhoods. Along with the fun activities, trained counselors help children mature and grow, and campers learn new skills and self-reliance.
This unforgettable summer experience is only made possible thanks to support from the community. Consider making a monthly gift, where you'll become a reliable source of support, making it possible for more children to experience the joys and benefits of summer camp. Click here to make a recurring donation to ensure deserving kids have access to transformative experiences throughout the year. Visit salvationarmywpa.org/volunteer to view the latest volunteer opportunities and learn how you can give back to The Salvation Army throughout the year.