Camp Friendship

What started out as a simple dream has blossomed in to a beautiful family. Camp Friendship started in 1974; Jeanne Johannsen made a presentation to the Black Hills Girl Scout Council Camp Committee and the Board of Directors, proposing that a camp for the handicapped be established at the Black Hills Girl Scout Council's (BHGSC) Camp Paha Sapa. In... the presentation, she cited the program and retention benefits to girls, further camp utilization, and the opportunity to aid individuals with handicaps. The state Jaycees were currently operating a successful summer camp near Baltic, SD, and Jeanne felt that individuals in our area should have the same opportunity. The Camp Committee and Board approved, but stipulated that the program use no Girls Scout funds. After nearly a year of planning, a funding source had not yet been obtained. Rapid City Jaycee Paul Belanger, also on the BHGSC Board, proposed forming an alliance between the Girl Scouts and South Dakota Jaycees to establish a summer camp for the handicapped. With the approval of both groups, lots of hard work, trips to Pierre and Custer, promotion, recruitment, and the love of many people, Camp Friendship was born. The first session of Camp Friendship was held at Girl Scout Camp Paha Sapa the summer of 1975. Staff attended without the benefit of prior training; they had to learn to work together during camp. By the end of the session, they had truly become a "family". Campers included Patty Buckman's Girl Scout troop from the Black Hills Workshop; without them Camp Friendship would not have happened. Program Aids (PAs) were Girl and Boy scouts from area towns. Adults Staff included BHGSC personnel, Girl and Boy Scout Leaders, special education personnel, cooks, and directors Jeanne Johannsen and Wilma Knutson. During the first few years of planning and implementation, the BHGSC Board presidents and BHGSC Executive Directors were also involved. The First year's activities were centered on an Olympic theme. At the suggestion of Fred Zantow, they established ...Read More