Dedication of the New Herrlich Education and Retreat Center!

After over 20 years of fundraising, Camp Herrlich has completed the Herrlich Education and Retreat Center! A 4,800 square foot, multi-use building with conference and event space, dorm rooms that can sleep up to 48 people, and office space, this gorgeous new building was dedicated in memory of Susan Zwarych, wife of former Board Chair Brian Zwarych, who generously contributed to the building fund, on Saturday May 11, 2019, with over 50 guests in attendance to celebrate. In attendance on this day was the Zwarych family and representatives from the “Founding Families” of Camp Herrlich–the Haar, Norris, and Morecraft families. Each of these esteemed families has one of the dorm rooms named after them. Also in attendance were representatives from H. G. Fairfield Arts Center for the Environment, an organization whose founder Kathie Freston contributed generously to the building, and many Camp Herrlich staff and board members. 

After a heartfelt dedication ceremony, guests enjoyed tours of the property and the new building, delicious snacks provided by the Camp Herrlich kitchen, and fellowship with people who truly believe that Camp Changes Lives.

Current Board Chair Dave Haar says “It really takes a village. In 1971, my father Harold Haar, our minister Kenneth Nelson, and my brother in law Bob VanDerzee founded Mt. Tremper Lutheran Camp. They were soon joined by several other ministers and members of two other families headed by Barbara and Ed Morecraft and Rockwell and Audrey Norris. From there, hundreds of men and women who have served Camp Herrlich through its’ many changes over our 48 year history.” 

Former Executive Director Bob Gentile says that “Camp Herrlich and the Herrlich Education and Retreat Center would not exist without the support and love of many people since 1922, however, the day Brian Zwarych became a board member was the day we knew our dream of a new build would really come true. We moved positively forward with Brian’s leadership and support. His love of Camp Herrlich, how it made a positive difference in his children's life and many others, along with his love of his late wife Susan who spent many hours at Camp Herrlich, clearly was his driving force. In the end, the idea of dedicating this building in Susan’s name became crystal clear to all of us who love camp and who knew Susan.” 

Camp Herrlich is delighted with the new space and it has truly lived up to the multi-function name. Conferences, yoga retreats, DJ parties, summer and school groups, and much more have graced the halls of the building since it opened in July of 2018. It truly enhances the programming at Camp Herrlich and enables the camp to serve and reach even more children and adults from Putnam County and the surrounding areas.

For more information on Camp Herrlich’s programs and facilities, visit www.campherrlich.org or check them out on Facebook - facebook.com/campherrlich