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Beginning in the 1920s, along the banks of Larry's Creek, about a mile from Salladasburg, disadvantaged and undernourished youth would spend time in the summer, swimming, playing games, eating nutritious meals and building their strength.
Known as Camp Kiwanis or the Kiwanis Health Camp, it provided a combination of medical supervision, proper nutrition, outdoor recreation and rest to Lycoming County children.
The original Camp Kiwanis was established in 1925 by the local Kiwanis Club in an old barn near Buttonwood in 1925. Conditions were primitive, with inadequate housing facilities, but there were 40 children in the camp, divided into boys and girls and each group spending 24 days at the camp.
The new, more modern camp near Salladasburg was ready for youngsters in 1927 and was purchased entirely by the local Kiwanis Club.
The Kiwanis handled the maintenance and upkeep of the camp while the Lycoming County Tuberculosis Society selected the children for the camp and monitored their day to day care there.
In 1931 the camp expanded to meet a growing need, with the funds raised by the sale of the Tuberculosis Society's Christmas Seals.
The children at the camp were selected because they were undernourished or otherwise needed to improve their health and they would spend two weeks at the camp in the summer.
In 1925, the camp served 40 children. By 1931attendance had increased to 102 children and in 1926, 123 children attended.
Children admitted to the camp underwent medical examinations, including testing for tuberculosis. Although the camp was operated in cooperation with the Tuberculosis Society, children with active tuberculosis patients were not accepted. The children received dental work and if necessary removal of their tonsils before attending the camp.
By April 1935, the Kiwanis Camp was preparing for another major expansion.
The organization expected to accommodate 210 underprivileged children in the summer of 1936, compared with 120 the previous year.
The Williamsport Kiwanis Club organized a dance and card party at the Lycoming Hotel (present day Genetti) to raise the funds for the expansion.
Planned work included new septic tanks, additional toilet and bathing facilities, construction of porches, painting and general building repairs.
The club also built a levy along Larrys Creek to protect the property from flooding.
A typical day at Camp Kiwanis
A June 18, 1939, article in the Grit provided a glimpse into daily life at the camp.
72 Lycoming County boys were at the camp at that time and had gained a combined 200 pounds in the two weeks they had spent there.
Children between the ages of 7 and 13 followed a structured schedule combining nutrition, exercise, rest and recreation.
The day began at 7 a.m., when campers rose, washed and had a half-hour of free play.
Their beds were left open to "air properly" the Grit reported.
A flag-raising ceremony, salute to the flag and morning devotions followed.
Breakfast was served at 8 a.m., after which the children made their beds, straightened their living quarters and policed the camp grounds.
Sunbathing was scheduled for 9:30 a.m., followed by milk and a cracker at 10 a.m., followed by an hour of rest.
From 11 a.m. until noon when dinner was served, they had free play.
Afternoons included posture exercises, supervised play, showers and more milk and rest until 4 p.m.
At 4 p.m. they had baseball, clay modeling and other recreational activities.
Supper was served at 5:30 p.m.
After supper they played baseball, boxing, relay races and other activities.
The children went to bed between 8 and 9 p.m.
The camp attracted attention beyond Lycoming County.
Officials from tuberculosis and health organizations in the Harrisburg and Dauphin County area visited Camp Kiwanis to examine its facilities and programs to improve their own county's camps.
They were particularly impressed by the camp's wooded surroundings and swimming facilities.
By the summer of 1970, Camp Kiwanis had as its guests more than 10,200 boys and girls from seven to 12-years-old in its 35 years.
The children were referred by school nurses, principals, physicians, and other individuals. No charge was ever made for this activity.
In 1964 the Williamsport Kiwanis sold Camp Kiwanis to The Williamsport Kiwanis Foundation.
"The Camp had a main lodge, four cabins, picnic pavilion, and various recreational facilities on 50 acres on Route 287 South of Salladasburg. The camp was rented out for fire department training, Girl Scouts, weddings, church, and other groups. The Foundation was involved in the operation until it was sold in 2016. With the sale of Camp Kiwanis, the Foundation was able to begin awarding scholarships and grants in 2018," according to the Williamsport Kiwanis webpage.