The also gathered in the camp’s dining hall to watch state Sen. Judy Ward present a Senate citation to Camp Anderson Corp. President Brian Bressler and Vice President Cummins McNitt, who noted the beautiful weather to celebrate “this amazing heritage” on Saturday.

Largely through the generosity of John G. Anderson and C.L. Hicks, Camp Anderson was established as a Scout camp in August 1925, McNitt said, adding the camp has seen its fair share of ups and downs since then.

Most notably, in 1992, a judge ruled against the Camp Anderson Corp. in an ongoing lawsuit, which gave ownership of the camp to the Penns Woods Council for $1, McNitt said.

The council later became the Boy Scouts of America’s Laurel Highlands Council, which decided in 2016 that it was going to divest itself of Camp

State Sen. Judy Ward, R-Blair, (right) presents a Senate citation to Camp Anderson Corp. President Brian Bressler during an open house Saturday in recognition of the camp’s 100th anniversary this year. Mirror photo by Matt Churella

Anderson, he said, adding the corporation’s members jumped at the opportunity to buy the camp back when they heard of the council’s intentions.

By the end of 2016, an agreement was made to purchase the camp for $215,000, he said, noting it became property of the Camp Anderson Corp. on Jan. 4, 2017.

These days, McNitt said the camp is used for Scout events, weddings, reunions, the FearFest haunted house attraction and antique car shows, like the camp’s upcoming car show on Aug. 16.

With a rain date scheduled for Aug. 23, the event benefits the camp’s scouting programs and features a 50-50 door prize raffle, several food vendors and plenty of antique cars that will be judged by class.

Michael Chronister of the Bald Eagle Fire Department said the corporation does a lot for the community through the events at the camp. The fire department and the Tyrone Borough police department were on hand Saturday for the open house.

Mirror photo by Matt Churella

“It’s just a great place for the people,” Chronister said of the camp. “And 100 years for this, it’s a big event for them.”

During the open house, visitors were fishing, playing corn hole, walking nature trails, examining museum items in the camp’s memorial building and practicing their aim at the camp’s rifle and archery ranges.

Missy Wilson said she enjoyed watching her sons — Kaleb, 10, and Alex, 13 — shoot their bows and arrows at the archery range. Their grandfather, Robert Stager, was an Eagle Scout whose name is on a plaque at the camp, she said.

Sue Wasson of Tyrone said she enjoyed listening to the music of One Acre West, an Americana group from State College, with her labrador Brody.

Wasson said she often visits the camp and enjoys walking along the stream with Brody.

Brooks Sutor places tickets in bins for Camp Anderson's 100th anniversary open house celebration Saturday. Baskets featured soap, school supplies, baked goods, jewelry and a bubble-making machine. Mirror photo by Matt Churella

“I just enjoy coming out. It’s very relaxing,” she said.

During her speech at the open house, Ward commended the camp’s leaders for maintaining the camp and for putting the event together.

Ward said she attends many Eagle Scout ceremonies and enjoys doing so because of the leadership skills that many Scouts display.

“Many, many camps do not celebrate 100 years. This is very, very special,” Ward said.

Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.

Matt Isenberg (right) cooks hamburgers and hot dogs as his fellow volunteers Don Irvin (left) and Alan Weaver look on during Camp Anderson's open house Saturday. Mirror photo by Matt Churella