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Camp Runyan was dedicated September 1931 at Lincoln Field in Ellwood City rather than risk encountering a storm at the camp or further postponement. The program featured an address by Atty. Wm. D. Cobau of New Castle and had as a surprise feature a change of name for the camp. It was changed to Camp Eddie Thompson in honor of Eddie Thompson who was a member of the first troop ever organized here and who died while serving his country in the U.S. Navy. The Camp had previously been named Camp Runyan since the land originally belonged to Mary Bonzo Runyan. Around the year 1930 the scouts planted pine trees around the camp. The camp consisted of two large buildings. One building was used as a craft building and the other as a kitchen and mess hall. There was a brick fireplace used for outdoor cooking, and spring water was used until a well was drilled. Brush Creek was dammed with sandbags to make a swimming hole and the water was kept fresh with spring water in the stream bed. There were several small cabins on the flat below the hill that were occupied by the cooks and counselors. The scout sleeping quarters were on a flat section of the hill above the camp, they consisted of six square white buildings with hinged sections near the roof for light and air. Each contained bed springs on wooden frames to accomodate at least 8 scouts. Early B. Yahn and J. Nelson Runyan were two eager volunteers that offered their help and kept the steep roadway in passable condition. During W.W. I I vandals practically destroyed the camp. As time went on Ellwood City Boy Scouts became part of the Lawrence County Boy Scouts and they had their own camp called Agawam. All funds needed to maintain Camp Eddie Thompson were diverted to Agawam and Thompson saw only an occasional scout or troop on an overnight trip. The open area grew up in saplings as the buildings were destroyed. In the 50's the lease was terminated and Pine Valley Youth Camp and Bible Conference entered into a lease much like that the Boy Scouts had, restricting it to camping and religious purposes. The lease was signed by Floyd Hazen and Mary Bonzo Runyan. Pine Valley is a camp designed to help participants learn new skills, develop an appreciation of the outdoors, learn leadership abilities, and grow spiritually.
This information made available by MARY ESTHER RUNYAN MAY