A
Brief History of TEC
The
Black Hills Dude Ranch dates back to World War I; a group of homesteaders opened
it for additional income. It was for “city slickers” to experience the West
and ranch life. (From Chris Hills, Spearfish, local historian). In 1964
or 1965, the Diocese raised $30,000 to buy the property and the four cabins and
lodge. Some renovation was done, including adding a bathhouse and latrines, and
a large tent was used for program activities (the original “SuperTent”).
A 1968 camp brochure states it will be
the “fourth summer at the Episcopal Church Camp in the beautiful Black Hills
of South Dakota” and there will be a “variety of programs full of campers
bubbling with excitement.” It also states that “the Camp was purchased and
set up with the principle in mind that in camping we come closer to nature, and
thereby discover the mighty works of God. The camping experiences give young
people the opportunity of living in a Christian Community and help them discover
for themselves who they are in relationship to God and each other. . . The
activities center around the daily worship.”
In 1972 Emmett and Bernice Jones
started running TEC; they were at the old site five years, and two years at the
new site. Later in the ‘70s, a capital fund drive helped move the camp to the
other side of the road. The “SuperTent” lodge, bathhouse, and one cabin per
year were built. Reasons given for moving the camp were there would be more
privacy and shade. There was some anxiety about the well. Bishop Walter Jones
said, “We were drilling and praying, drilling and praying. We were pretty sure
we’d hit water, though, because of the location of the springs.”
In
1979 the Rev. Dr. Francis Nickerson was appointed by the Bishop and the Council
to be the TEC Director. Birthday Thank Offering money was used to purchase
kitchen equipment for TEC. Special offerings were a canoe trip, dedication of
Supertent, a backpack trip, and Jesus Sings Harmony, in addition to grade and
family camps.”
Several other people ran camp each
year, among them the Rev. Tom Campbell and Bishop Walter Jones. In 1984 a TEC
board was appointed, with Jean Lacher as the chairperson. Arnie Lund was hired
as the camp director and his wife, Robin, served as the camp nurse. They served
the camp for eight years, until 1992. Since that time several people have served
as the director for one to five years each.
Throughout the years, the purpose and
mission of our camp have remained the same.
All praise to our Lord Jesus Christ!
(History compiled primarily from
conversations with Brad Hauff; the Rt. Rev. Walter Jones and Marilyn Jones, and
other sources as noted.)