Camp WaBak’s History

Wow, I’m on a roll here about Camp WaBak!  Thanks again to Lois Graves for scanning in a booklet published in 1998 to celebrate WaBak’s 50th anniversary.  I’ve been searching for any kind of history about Camp WaBak because there doesn’t seem to be anything published about it online.  Hopefully this blog post serves this purpose.

Lois scanned in the booklet’s pages, and I converted them to a PDF file that you can download here:  Camp WaBak Booklet

You can find more detailed information inside the PDF file, but here are a few highlights: 

• May 1948:  The Greenville Girl Scout Council, under the direction of executive director Helen Fisher, purchased 10 acres of land.  This included a lodge and cook-out house.  The lodge had been built in 1932 & 1933.
• 1949:  Five cabins and a shower house were built, and a 15 foot dam was constructed to make a fish pond and swimming pool. The first camp was held that summer.
• By 1950, 26 acres additional acres were purchased. Osborne Falls was purchased and renamed WaBak Falls; a screened porch was added to the lodge for a dining area, a horse stable was built; and five tent sites were added.
• 1954:  A Recreation Hall, a Director’s Cabin (now Handyman’s Cabin), 2 adirondack shelters, and new lake were added.
• 1957:  An Arts & Crafts building and an infirmary (Whippoorwill) were built.
• 1958:  Gypsy unit (then called Pioneer), kitchen, & dining hall built
• 1959:  The Gypsy cabins were expanded.
• 1960:  The Pioneer Tent Unit and Gypsy Unit House were completed.  The Lodge was dedicated to Helen Fisher.
• 1964:  The Keowee storage unit was built.
• 1968:  Camp WaBak song written by Jean Ligon.  The Rec Hall was replaced by the Yates Lodge & the Pathfinder Unit was built.
• 1974:  An eight stall barn and a riding ring were built.
• 1975:  A new flag pole was added.
• 1978:  The Green House (also known as The Gate House) was purchased.  The Superintendent’s house was also remodeled.
• 1982:  All four units were modernized.  Flush toilets were also installed.  The Dining Hall was renovated and the kitchen expanded.
• 1985:  A new barn and riding ring were built.
• 1988:  New Gypsy cabins were built.
• 1989:  An additional 28 acres of land was purchased along Gap Creek Road.
• 1990:  The Lucille Smith cabin (already existing) was dedicated and the ranger residence was built.  The Property Manger’s residence was renovated.
• 1991:  A swimming pool and pavilion was built.
• 1992:  Pathfinder renovation was completed.
• 1994:  The Craft Hut was constructed.
• 1997-98:  The Rambler cabins were rebuilt.
• 2001:  Dodie Anderson Administration was built
  

So there ya go!  I’d love to get the same kind of information about the Northeast Georgia Council’s history one of these days.

Addendum 12/30/17 – added information provided by Lois Graves.