Uncle Lemon signing on. Camper 1955-1962. Counselor 1962 -1967. Best SGF memories: Fleevus epidemic (inspired me to become a pediatrician) and Capture the Flag. Where is O'Neal Goldberg? Regards to Boozie and Soz. Hope to see you all again someday!

I have some pictures we took of a recent trip to check out the old place. Need to know who I can send to. Anyone remember bottle caps. Also the famous candy drop. Anybody know how a reunion is coming.

I was there in the early 60's. Please post any other pics and contacts.

Thanx!
Truly Yours,
Perry Kurtz

Does anyone remember the year one of the capmers brought his trumpet. He used to play "hello-Dolly" for the flag raisings.
That was quashed after some negative feedback about disrespect of something??
I am not having much luck trying to remember old names and making contacts. I stay tuned to the site looking for old camp memoirs (sp?)Are there any of you rainy-day, underware, mud-fighters out there? I think my brother, Spencer, was the instigator of that montage...Does everyone remember the last pool day...and the girls from the farm house trying to peak?...Be well SGFers...Others, please add some stories.

Lee,

That song was from the Henry & Liza skit...
I'll write part of it.

"There's a hole in the bucket, dear Liza, dear Liza, there's a hole in the bucket, dear Liza, a hole."

"Then fix it, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry, then fix it Dear Henry, dear Henry, fix it."

"With what shall I fix it, dear Liza, dear Liza, with what shall I fix it,, dear Liza with what?"

"With straw dear henry, dear Henry, dear Henry, with straw you fix it, dear Henry with straw".

With what shall I cut it, dear Liza dear Liza, with what shall I cut it, dear Liza with what?

With the point on your head (you idiot). With the ax dear Henry, dear Henry dear Henry, with the ax dear Henry, dear Henry, the ax.

"The ax is to dull..."

"Then sharpen it..."

"With what shall I sharpen it?..."

"The stone..."

"The stone is too dry..."

"Then wet it..."

"With what shall I wet it..."

Pee on it! With water dear henry..."

With what shall I fetch it..."

With the bucket!

But there's a hole in the bucket dear Liza dear Liza, there's a hole in the bucket dear Liza a hole!


Oh, what a memory I have, dont, I!


If we have a reunion I will do a theatrical re-enactment. Me and Alan (Little Gump) Klein won 2nd place in a 1972 talent show doing this.

Does anybody remember there's a hole in your bucket song. I have pictures that I would like to forward. Please let me know. I also have the sign for the Indian Ridge. Any word on a reunion. It would be great to see the people that went to SGF. I was there from 1968 - 1976. Also, everybody have a Happy and healthy New Year.

Wow...1st, I am the brother to Spencer...There was another Michael Glass that attended also...Does anyone out there remember me...I was a camper from 1971-1974. I am in possesion of a plaque that my bunk and I made. I must admit I took it many years ago when I visited the camp (no one was there to see me take it). Glad I did, I guess, I heard about the fire.
HOPI 1st trip 1973...I was 11 years old...
Counselors Barry M. and Biff B.
Campers Mike K. Lane H. Steve N. Peter H. Jeff S. Joe D. any of you out there? Remember "Let's Make A Deal"
"Mission Impossible Night" ...I guess we could all go on for hours/days/years remembering the past. Ok...I'admit it...was I the only one that secretly cried on the bus on the way back home afte camp. Those short 3 weeks of my summers have lasted me a lifetime and then some...Now I am becoming the old jewish fellow telling old camp stories.

Wow. I was at SGF for ten years, 1961 to 1965 as a camper, 1966 as a CC and 1968-2000 as a Hill counselor. Best summers of my life for sure. Was there in the mid-eighties when there were two SGF reunions at the camp (it was a private camp at the time). Saw many of my campers and quite a few of my counselors. Still see many SGFers around.

I was a camper from 1962(or3?) till 70 or thereabouts. Never a counselor (left that to my brother. Best memory is completing the 2 mile swim (mostly on backstroke). I recall I was about to give up with about 20 lengths to go and Uncle Barry would have nothing of it. He forced (er...encouraged) me back into the pool to finish which I did. That moment taught me great lessons in life, i.e., never give up! Thank you, Barry!!

I also have fond memories of the elections that used to be held between counselors & of Wrestling night and Bug Juice (although I still can't figure out what kind of bugs the juice was made from!).

I was a camper and counselor at SGF from 1964 to its close in 1976. What a sad day that was. I attended the reunion in 1987 and remember Uncle Hoff and of course John Flanagan who has since passed on. My son and I visited the camp last summer and it has deteoriated significantly, sadly. Its future use is in litigation tied to an Estate and warring parties-Perhaps the JCC has an interest-there still remains a great need for jewish camping, although the price of real estate in that area has skyrocketed-I would love to hear from anyone and fill anyone in on what I know about the whereabouts of anyone-I do remember Steve and Alan fondly-Any one hear from Murrray Kramer recently-Marty Isenberg

I was a camper and counselor at SGF from 1964 to its close in 1976. What a sad day that was. I attended the reunion in 1987 and remember Uncle Hoff and of course John Flanagan who has since passed on. My son and I visited the camp last summer and it has deteoriated significantly, sadly. Its future use is in litigation tied to an Estate and warring parties-Perhaps the JCC has an interest-there still remains a great need for jewish camping, although the price of real estate in that area has skyrocketed-I would love to hear from anyone and fill anyone in on what I know about the whereabouts of anyone-I do remember Steve and Alan fondly-Any one here from Murrray Kramer recently-Marty Isenberg

WOW! I'm totally blown away that there's so many SGF'ers still out there. It's been a huge part of my life since I was born. My dad was a member of Troop 95 and an SGF'er also.Both I and my brother(Chuck) still camp there. I've never stopped. I lead a group of Troop 95 Eagle scout alumni.We tent camp three times a year.Any and all are invited to visit. The next camp is scheduled for Nov.11-13,2005/215.518.6352(Cell)

BLOWN AWAY BY BRAD SHUSTERMAN'S CALL...WHAT A GREAT GUY AND WHAT A SURPRISE.I'M GOING TO TRY AND LOCATE A VIDEO (ORIGINAL 8MM) FROM THOSE GREAT DAYS.STILL HAVE STAYED IN TOUCH WITH UNCLE BARRY AND STEVE LEVY (CH 10).REUNION...I'M THERE. AS FOR ME I'VE BEEN REFERRED TO AS "DICK CLARK IN A JEWISH DISGUISE"...LATER ON THAT ...

I am in possession of old original photo albums and papers of camp.I was a camper at SGF from 1948-51 and then was a counselor from 1952-1956.I would like to pass on these precious papers to someone younger so they don't get lost.

Aaron Newberg,M.D.

Went to the camp today, took some pics, hope to have them posted soon. It was intersting to see what someone tried to do to parts of the place. The ridge HQ has a sunroom put on it. and the Taj has siding!!!! The rest of the place is pretty run down, kinda sad, but interesting

I have some pictures from sgf on a recent visit. Please let me know where I can send. Any further news on a reunion.

Does anyone remember the Collegeville Killer story? If anyone has the time please write in the story. It's been a long time since I've had a sleepness night (at least over a fictional(?) character..

Also, was the phrase yellow mountains purple spinach or purple mountains yellow spinach?

If any of the older campers or counselors remember the origin of the story I'd love to hear about it.

Combination Underwear

I've got a pair of combination underwear
They don't rip and they don't tear.
I wore them for six days without exaggeration
Can't take 'em off cause I lost the combination

A'int it great to be crazy
Ba da da da
A'int it great to be nuts
Ba da da da da
A'int it great to be crazy
Just like the counselors in our bunks

(counselors sing "campers in our bunks"

Sometimes we replaced the word "be" nuts
with "have" nuts.

Ok, at the risk of total humiliation, I have to ask about the camp song.
It's been driving me bananas for 37 years since I've never seen printed lyrics and only learned it by trying to sing along.

Ready?

"Cheer for our camp, boys
Our camp must win
She's a _________
With lots of ____
God bless her
All those will surely quit
When we begin to fight.
Cheer for Camp SGF.
Rah-rah-rah!"

Please fill in the blanks.

Does anybody remember the song I got a pair of combination underware. Anybody out there that went 2nd or 3rd trips. I went from 1968 to 1976. Had some of the best memories........

Lee Kaminsky

"Pool tests up by the ladder. Don't forget your towels. All out! <tweet> <tweet> <tweet>"


You also have SGF quotes that just pop into your head?

I guess I went to SGF before you were born. I went there during the war
in the 40's I'm not quite sure what year it was, but it was probably
1942-1945. However, I still remember that wonderful camp. I think my
mother paid $10 a week for me to go there. What a bargain that was. If
you know anyone from that era let me know. Seymour Rose
(fiveroses1@verizon.net)

anybody..i have an album of pictures i've been carrying around for 30 years...david schless playing softball, brian schless and ron rhodes, lee kaminsky posing with two other guys i can't name, candy drop plane in action, evan schless lifeguarding by the silver sliding board...how do i make them accessible for evreyone to see

hey all...camper from 1974 thru the last year 1977. Nice to see you on the site Rob. What's up Evan, you were a few years older then me but me and my brother jordan were good friuends with david and brian. Spencer I thought there was a story of how Bunk J burned down twice so upon rebuilding it again they chose to skip the J. Anyone remember the stories about the Collegeville Killer

Since my first time as a camper in 1961 until my last time as a counselor in 1973, SGF played an important part in my life. I looked forward to going to camp every summer. The people and the experiences had such a positive effect on my life that to this present day whenever the letters SGF are mentioned, I come alive with excitement and great memories! I think about the counselors I looked up to as a kid, the campers in my bunks when I was a counselor, and all the people I worked with while I was a staff member. After my recent visit to the property, it upset me to see what has become to many of the buildings and some of the grounds that was once SGF Vacation Camp. That's why I am thrilled about this SGF VC Website! On a personal note, I want to thank Scott Kleiman, Spencer Glass and Alan Saoinz for having the spirit and the ability for getting this website started. It now gives everyone a chance to locate old friends and share their feelings and stories about this great camp. Hopefully in the near future another reunion can take place. It's been quite a while since the last one.

I apologize for taking so long to get on this site. Unfortunately, I am technologically challenged, but I am a true SGF'er at heart. I'm remembering so many names and enjoying everyone's comments.
Brad - GO BUDDY! I'm impressed with your memory.

Now that I have my "feet wet" online, I will continue to share more of my own experiences and look forward to reading
more of this guestbook.

SGF was a great experience in my life. My fonest memory is when the Hill or Ridge would start yelling its respective names during breakfast, lunch or dinner. Great memories that will never be forgotten.

Regards, Robert

There is a post referencing a site devoted to Camp Council. If anyone knows about this site, please post the web address or email me. I went there from 1972 to 1979

Spencer Glass 1971 - 1974 (another 70's)
We're working right now on having Steve Funt write a note for the website. He was my counselor in Kickapoo in 1972 along with bunkmates Alan Saionz, Kenny Goss, Mike Lukacher & ????.

The legend has it, that there is no "J" bunk because everytime they gave the bunk a name with "J" (Jericho, included) some natural disaster befell it. There was a major donor to the camp whose name began with "K" and when the bunk was rebuilt, named "K"ickapoo all was well.

Steve is admittedly computer illiterate, although we are working on that. I met him by chance at a teacher's workshop and this whole thing blossomed from the meeting, to later include Alan Saionz, and webmaster Scott Kleiman.

We are currently working on a get-together, and the major obstacle will be getting permission from the current owner, because we want an on-site re-union. Any Real Estate guys out there who can help us find out the ownership status of the camp?

Brad, your suggestions are great. Everyone keep passing the word.

A few suggestions for all who sign in,
Indicate which year you were a camper, ( I was 1962-68) and try to contact as many people you can to sign on to this website. In the true spirit of the camp I suggest that instead of the famous color wars, we have decade wars, who has the most camp spirit? It looks so far that the 70's have it, so I'm trying to find all my fellow campers and couselors from the 60's to sign in.
I've been able to reach 5 people and so far Barry Brait has signed in. Come on campers keep the competitive spirit alive!!

More memories..talent night, friday night vespers, hypnosis night, softball teams, those hikes to Valley Forge, Does anyone remember Uncle Lemon on the Hill constantly playing the Sargent Pepper album and The Wizard of OZ soundtrack? Uncle Joe O'Shay? Uncle Neal? Arts and Crafts at the barn, Movie night...By the way there was no J bunk because no one could think of an Indian tribe beginning with J. (I guess that Jericho would be considered the wrong tribe) Will someone please make Steve Funt sign in?

Wow..I spent 5 years at SGF and have some great memories. I bet Brian Schlessinger and I have the best reunion story of them all.

After leaving camp in 1978, 10 years later, Brian sat in my station while I was waiting tables at Disney World in 1988. We have been the best of friends since. Brian remembered me like we hadn't missed a day.

He called this morning and told me about the site. The first picture has my name on it. I can't say that it might be another Steve Cohen, but probrably is me.

It's a shame the place shut down and that it will be gone forever someday.

Thanks to those who have taken the time and effort to put this together. A reunion would be awesome.

Steve

Unbelievable, thought SGF was long gone and a housing development. Great memories!! I was a camper from 1969-1974. Would love to attend a reunion. Thanks Evan for passing this website on to me. Hope to hear from more soon.

Wow. Stumbled on the SGF site today by accident. How funny to see so many old and familiar names. I have been living in California for quite some time. Would love to hear more about a reunion. I am going to tell both my brothers about the site (David lives in Australia, Brian is living in New York). Their emails are: david_schlessinger@yahoo.com.au
brian (Schlessinger@planetfeedback.com)

Thanks for the Web Site.. I would love to see a reunion... I spent 1968 until it closed then to CC. My first counselor had a wooden arm.. Does anyone remember his name?
Rob...

We did hold a reunion in 1987. Whiich we organized through the Jewish Exponent and handouts on Israel Parade Day on the Parkway.
I was at SGF from 1962 (dining room boy) 1963 (Uncle on Indian Ridge and Lake Front) 1964/65 (Waterfronts under the Mighty Watash Uncle Mel Drukin (we were the Raider's of the Sea! Highty Tighty)66 (Phil Snyder<<< 1st-not-a -former-camper-counselor-director) 67 (Len Finkelstein)
I see many SGFers ... Uncle Boozie moved to cc just recently. Uncle Soz is here. Dave Charles (board member)is in Florida Uncle Wally hasn't changed a whit...Steve Pepper is in construction.... Teddy Kanas I saw today (at his work at diBrunos on Chestnut) -- Uncle Max Bokol attorney, Uncle Larry Bernstein (of Uncle Larry's Baseball Team)lives in Floriday and we still talk ... Uncle Jack Bernstein (brother) attorney in town.... Best Camper before Uncle Steve Levy of course...
So many wonderful memories bond so many men who went through SGF. It was a wonderful place to spend young childhood and better to have been a counselor!

Great site. I thought SGF was the best camp. Very fond Memories.

There's so much to write about I couldn't think of anything to say the first time...I would really like to see this site take off. It's almost like a treasure hunt to find other old campers
to sign in..I am going to attempt to find as many as I can from my past and also throw out some names that I can remember. I was a camper from 1962 to 1968...I met Steve Funt through SGF. When we found out that we only lived a block away from each other we became best friends. I remember Steve as a Hall of fame camper. During the 60's the Hall of Fame counselor was Uncle Lemon (Mike Mellon)Other great counselors I can remember are; Uncle Soz (Lenord Soznoff); Uncle O'Neil (Neil Goldberg); Uncle Barry (Barry Brait); Uncle Boozie (Bob Klien); Uncle Wally (Wally Loeb); Uncle Lou (Mike Nice)...Does anyone remember the Collegeville Killer? The Phlebus epidemic? Boxing night? The mayoral race and the following assination? Candy drop? The cabin inspections? The Mile Swim? Speaking Rasputin? The hand slapping contests? Max's funeral? The Indian ceremonial?
Campers I remember...Alan Sharavsky, Joel Glickstein, Sammy Nagle (the human Bagel), Bob Vizak, Stanley Kritzstein, my cousin Steve Shusterman, the Cowan brothers, the Eisenberg brothers, .....

What a great thing to do! As Steve Funt's kid sister, I have many great memories of SGF. I remember coming over from CC to play in the Dating Game, and not really wanting to go back to CC. I am familiar with many of the names in your guestbook. Keep it alive boys! Here's to Camp SGF!

nice to see someone famous hit the site. Movie Irv i enjoyed your work on wip. Sorry that we dont hear you anymore. When did you attend SGF.

hey mike
how are you. Nice to see your name come up on the site. What have you been up too. It has been a long long time since we talked. I can still remember being bunkmates,i think on the hill, either in bunk 4 or the Taj. Hope we get enough support to have a reunion so we get to see each other. Take care..

WELL AT LEAST SOME OF IT IS STILL THERE I REMEMBER WALT THE BIKER FLANNERY MURRY DOING THE PLAY DAMN YANKEES ARE THE GYM AND TAJ GONE.USED TO LOVE PING PONG IN THE PAVILLION. I WORK WITH IRV SLIFKIN SO WE WILL KEEPMTHAT SGF SPIRIT I WISH WE COULD GET SOME KIND OF REUNION TOGETHER LIKE WE USED TO HAVE AT NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER AT BUSTLETON AND MAGEE NE PHILA KEEP ME POSTED DALE

This is amazing, guys! SGF gave me the best summers of my life: 1968-72. I even went a couple of "trips" in 1969-70. (My dad died in April '69, and my mom thought it would be good for me to get away.) I'm hazy on names, but I think it was Ramps who gave me the nickname Gump, after Gump Worsley. (I was OK in goal at soccer, and I resembled the hockey goalie.) When my brother, Alan, started at camp the next year, he became Gump Junior. If there's a reunion or another field trip, count me in!

keep me posted!

Like the new pics

Hey Spencer
Thanks for the support for us guys over 40. You will find anyway of getting a reunion by using the Alzheimer's theory, although you may be right. I think Lanny is a few years younger than me and although his name sounds familiar, I don’t remember him totally. Maybe I need to except that I am getting old!!!! We better get that reunion done quickly

Lanny,
Sorry about the misprint of your name, my typing sucks. Anyway my brother rob is younger than me by about 3.5 years. How old are u. Your name does sound familiar and the names you brought up are names I grow up with. I grew up with Evan S. and my brother was friendly with David. Scott P I knew from the neighborhood and was a few years younger than me. What ever the point it is good to hear about names form OP and also from SGF. Now with OP really changing, there are other memories I have to remember.

hey lenny
what happening. why does ur name sound so familiar. You know alot about me and I seem to coming up short. I bet if I seen u or u gave me more details of ur grandfather in OP maybe there would be a connection. I tell you one thing, you have a good memory of the counselors from back in the day. where did ur grandfather live in op and how did u remember all the counselors at camp. When did u go to sgf. Lets keep this going because we want to have a reunion and the more the old SGF'er sign up the better the chance at a reunion. Keep in Touch!!!

Lou...I think I have a picture of you up in my attic...weren't you a counselor in Bunk 3 on the hill with Birdie...you are wearing a white headband..I have a lot of pictures from SGF. Here are some names:Bruce Hyman, Frank Becker, Terry Dane, Dean Artiotis, Ron and John, Murray Kramer, Ron Samlin, Ken Patkin, Sheldon (Birdie) Finkelstein, Frank Siciliano, Marlon, Rich, Chuck and Jeff Cohen, Danny Stein, Tom McAnn. I'll come up with more later. Attemded SGF for 4 years in the 70's; Comanche, Featherhead, Geronimo and Bunk #1 on the Hill...then they closed. Went on to CC and stayed there until the summer of 86 save a few years in between. The land at CC could never compare to that of SGF. We had a great camp. Anyone remember the giant coke sign they painted and put atop the Taj for the counselor softball game. That was state of the art for its time.

Yo Alan Saionz....yo dude what's up.. this is too weird as i have been involved in the camp council stuff but as you know my roots are with Samuel Goldman Freidman....did we not hang out together in Overbrook Park when I visited my grandfather.. what is left of the old SGF site....I need to go back once before I die......

Hi, my father went to SGF in the mid 50's his name is Bernie Spivack and he went to Northest High School. He doesn't have many memories but the biggest one is that while he was trying out for a show, it was the exact time his voice broke. He never forgets the look on the councelors face. It's a story i've heard often groing up. If anyone remembers him, please contact me at sm42598@comcast.net.
I am also a Camp Council girl from the 80's so I want to bring as much spirit to my father as I had. Thanks, Shari