Camp Neidig

Camp Neidig

Nearly 110 high school student leaders will descend upon Camp Manatawny near Boyertown from June 13 through June 16 for Rotary’s Youth Leadership Award, also known as Camp Neidig.  Camp Neidig is a leadership training program for students who have just completed their junior year. Over 80 schools from Berks, Lehigh, Northampton and Bucks counties will be represented. 

Campers are sponsored by their local Rotary Clubs, which coordinate camper selection with high schools in their districts.  Campers are chosen for the leadership potential, academic success and desire to further their leadership skills.  Bethlehem Morning Star Rotary plans to sponsor 4 students this year from Bethlehem Catholic, Moravian Academy, Freedom High School and the Bethlehem Vo-Tech. 

This leadership program brings together incredibly talented high school students for a four-day weekend of fun, friendship, and team-building activities.  Campers will interact with guest speakers from various professional backgrounds who will discuss what it means to be a good leader.  They will also participate in various problem solving activities that can be both physically and mentally challenging. Every activity is designed to help campers develop their leadership and teamwork abilities.

During the weekend, students will also have the opportunity to participate in the Yearbook Committee, the Interfaith Service, the Chorus, and the Closing Ceremony which will be held on June 16 at 6:00 PM following a chicken dinner for parents, campers and Rotarians.  The student chosen as the Camper-Of-The-Year will be honored at the closing ceremony which includes a talent show and speakers. 

Camp Neidig was founded by Joseph S. Neidig, District Governor of Rotary District 265, in 1950.  During his term, Neidig of Quakertown founded the "Leaders of Tomorrow," camp. The purpose of this camp was to further the leadership abilities of young boys.  After District 265 split in 1961, the newly-formed District 7430 decided to rename the camp "Camp Neidig" in honor of the camp's founder.  After Rotary accepted women members, female students were invited to camp for the first time in 1990 as Camp Neidig became a co-educational experience.