Cornplanter : Chief and Camp by Rita Sorg 1977 Part I. It was late summer of the year 1800 in Chief Cornplanter's town of Jenuchshadago, in the area of Warren. The afternoon had a slightly unreal quality which a warm hazy afternoon so often produces a day for recollecting and dreaming. And so it was for Chief Cornplanter, leader of the Cornplanter division of the Senecas, a member tribe of the Iroquois Six Nation Confederacy. Chief Cornplanter belonged to the Wolf Clan. On this day he sat upon a small knoll overlooking his domain. In the distance was his dwelling, a long, log structure with a peaked roof of chestnut - two units connected by ten foot covered porch that served as an entryway and a place for wood storage. Surrounding it, scattered over the countryside, were the log homes of his people. In the fields, the women were cultivating and hoeing tobacco, pumpkins, and the staple crops they called the "Three Sisters", corn, beans, and squash. In the forest, the young braves called to each other as they caught fish and snared unwary rabbits. Many things had changed for Cornplanter's people since he had welcomed the Friends (Quakers) in 1798. They had built and staffed a school, built a modern farm, and had offered modern tools and incentives for production. The influential old women were impressed and the men did not drink so much because they were interested in learning new skills. Cornplanter's son Henry had been educated by the Quakers in Philadelphia. Between the Friends and Chief Cornplanter there was mutual admiration. The Quakers respected this man as a good leader, an eloquent speaker, and, successful war captain. He was a friend of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. The new culture blended with the old- the Festival of vegetables were blessed, and , "Our Grandfathers, the Thunders", were asked to water the crops. In June, the Strawberry Festival was held. The strawberry, always a special plant to the Senecas, was thought to have been medicinal. But, these things were not in the heart of Chief Cornplanter today as he wrestled with a problem almost as old as time - his beloved retarded son whom they called the "idiot". What would become of him? He could never, like his other sons and daughters, live without the help of someone else. The father's heart ached for he loved this child who would never be a man. Cornplanter was a chief but his power could not solve the problem. Even his brother, Handsome Lake, who was a powerful herbalist, medicine man and visionary, had no answers. Had witchcraft or an enemy cast a spell upon his son? Or had the Great Spirit been offended and punished his son for the wrong doings of his father? Cornplanter sprang to his feet, all six feet of him. His voice rang up to the sky, "Great Spirit, I shall take care of this child - man you have given me. I shall never leave his side. I shall take him with me in my journeys. Let no one speak against him or seek to harm him!" Part II. One warm summer afternoon in the late 1950"s, a father and mother, together with their retarded son, were exploring the highways and by-ways of the area around their home in North Warren. Every Sunday afternoon they drove around searching for they knew not what. This summer they felt particularly saddened because their son wanted to go camping like his family members and neighbors, and, there just didn't seem to be any good program which would accept him for a residential stay. Was it only coincidence that directed their travels this afternoon into the leafy welcome of the Allegheny National Forests near Ludlow, once part of the hunting grounds of the Senecas? Exploring a side road, they came upon a camp built the Roosevelt Administration, a large central building and eight cabins nestled in the hillsides. The explorers were excited- Annabel and Clifford Bollinger and their son, Buddy. Could this be what they had been searching for? Could this place be used for a residential camp for Buddy and many others like him? Annabel had had some organized camping experiences. She was determined, and interested some of her friends in the project. They found that the camp was available for use and could be leased from the Forest Service. The Forest Service was most cooperative as they have been to this day. The camp was officially organized in 1959. In searching for a name, they decided to name it Cornplanter after the Indians who were at home in the territory. None of them were aware of the fact that Chief Cornplanter had had a retarded son. Was it only coincidence? Annabel Bollinger, a graduate of Villa Maria, was the Camp Director and continued in this assignment until 1976 until she asked to retire. She spent many long and arduous days, always willing to tell the story of the camp to any audience who would listen. She enlisted the financial support of other counties. Today the modern six nation confederacy is the Board of Directors composed of representatives from each of the sponsoring counties- Elk, McKean, Mercer, Warren, Cattaraugus and Erie, from Pennsylvania and New York. Its' fame has spread far and wide, as one of the best residential camps for trainable and educable retarded in the country. Campers have come from as far away as Washington, D. C. and New York City. For several years, the St. Lawrence Seaway sent a bus full of campers until space had to be reserved for local campers. Camp Cornplanter is a big operation. For the past several years there have been well over one thousand camper weeks. There are between forty and fifty counselors in an average week. Sometimes, more are required. There are eight program directors for swimming and waterfront activities, arts and crafts, music, nature, sports, and four lifeguards. Add the resident nurse, assistant camp director, kitchen, laundry, and maintenance staff, and the size of the staff is quite apparent. The program directors and senior counselors are college graduates and undergraduates. Junior counselors are high school graduates and undergraduates. Counselors-in-training are high school students. A ratio of one counselor to every three campers is maintained. Some of the counselors and program people come back year after year. Many have found their life's work here as special education teachers, psychologists, therapists of every kind. Doctors, counselors, even as high school home economics teachers. There is a special kinship between the campers and counselors, of great benefit to both. The campers are educable and trainable boys and girls, ages six to no maximum age. They must be able to make their wants known, and be ambulatory. Campers are separated into different age and ability groups. Counselors for each cabin live with the campers twenty-four hours a day, with a day off as agreed among the counselors. They help develop the program for their campers. Over the years, many new conveniences and facilities have been added to the camp. It now boasts a heated pool with a modern filtration and chlorination system, shower and laundry buildings, a recreation building, dining hall, canteen, well equipped infirmary, volley ball and basketball courts, camp fire ring, base ball diamond, playground equipment, and nature trails. Many of these are made possible by the financial help of individuals and organizations such as the Kiwanis and the Jaycees. Apple Butter Sunday each year helps provide funding for campers or other needed things such as staff salaries. Each child, regardless of his handicap, has a complete camping program tailored to his need. Hiking, swimming, cook-outs, campcraft, camp fires, talent night, weekly talent shows, and water carnivals, drama productions, singing, dancing, and rhythm bands make a full and interesting day. Camp Cornplanter badges are awarded for participation in the Polar Bear Club, Star Gazers, and Bird Watchers. These are only words, but to get the full impact you must visit and see the wonder in a child's eyes as he realizes the audience is clapping for him, that he can do the things he didn't think he could, that the counselors are his friends. Each year our Elk County Association for Retarded Children sponsors county children for one week at Camp Cornplanter. Their parents need not be members. Each year, Elk county young people have the opportunity to work at the camp. This year's camp director is Kathy Henkel with a Bachelor's Degree in Special education and seven years experience on camp staff. Many things have happened in the 177 years since Cornplanter wrested with his problem. Some things would sadden, others gladden him. But one thing is for sure; when the campfire is set ablaze at the opening of the camp each year by a modern day Chief, and, the campers and staff alike become members of the, "Cornplanter Tribe", the Chief is watching from the shadowy forest, smiling and wistfully wishing there had been a Camp Cornplanter for his son.
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