Our Founders
Bob Rotz and Mary Overington grew up in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania and were high school sweethearts. Bob held summer jobs at Camps Wohelo, Swatare, and Comet; Mary worked as a counselor and program director at camps in Waynesboro, Maine, Maryland, and Mississippi. Upon finishing high school they both attended Lock Haven University, graduated in 1971 and were married a few weeks later.
Bob, who grew up with horses, designed the horse barn and the other buildings at Antietam Recreation while teaching 4th, 5th, and 6th grades in New Baltimore and Mowry Schools in the Waynesboro School District. He retired from teaching in 1985.
Mary, an outstanding athlete both in high school and college, went on to play for the Mid East USA Field Hockey Team for a number of years. She taught health and physical education at East Jr. High School from 1971 until the birth of her daughter in 1981. The couple completed graduate work at the University of Southern Mississippi where they received their Master Degree and Master Equivalency in Physical Education and Recreation in 1975.
Antietam Recreation's secluded 32 acre site was purchased in 1971 after a long search for a piece of ground that would contain both water to facilitate a recently inherited canoe, and fields and pasture to accommodate their two horses. Since then the couple has planned, designed, and worked at camp while home-schooling their 5 children. In 1977 when Antietam Recreation opened their doors, their earlier vision of a camp for children became a reality.
The day camp has grown from 20 campers to 350 campers per week. Groups rent the facility on Saturdays and school and home school groups utilize the facility May through August. Families and bus groups enjoy the exciting dinner shows, performed in the fall and winter months.
Since 1971 the Rotz family has grown to include 5 children and five grandchildren who are all actively involved in the camp.
Our History
1971: The Rotz Family purchased the 32 acres known as the Turner Farm.
1974: The barn construction was completed.
1975: Vision of Antietam Recreation was put on paper and a feasibility study was done.
1976: Tennis court, pool, and field layout construction is completed.
1977: The bathhouse is completed. Antietam Recreation opens its doors as a summer day camp.
1979: Our group picnic programs begins.
1981: The pavilion is constructed.
1985: The carousel ride is added.
1988: The burma bridge is built.
1991: The boatslide, rope swings, barge, tennis court, badmitton court, volleyball court, horshoes pits, and four square area added.
1992: Our school field trips program begins.
1994: The cable ride is added.
1995: The falconhurst tree house is finished.
1998: The chapel and creek pavilions are built. Summer Wild West shows begin.
2001: The pavilion was enclosed in glass. A stone fireplace, sound and lighting system added. Antietam Recreation becomes incorporated.
2003: Cowboy Christmas dinner shows begin.
2005: The summer Wild West Show goes public.
2009: The Valentines Show begins; a junior camp for 5 & 6 year olds was started.
2011: The Century of Song & God & Country Shows begins.
2012: Our summer camp is expanded to include two weeks of Adventure camp for age 14.
2013: Antietam Recreation's Cowboy Christmas Dinner & Show celebrates it's 11th year!
2015: The Christmas Experience, a new holiday show, debuts to general approval.
