Camp Shehaqua, Lake Harmony, PA

Introduction / Overview

For Pennsylvania families and youth organizations seeking a truly immersive, structured outdoor experience, Camp Shehaqua offers a unique and memorable setting. Situated strategically in the scenic Pocono Mountains region, near the resort community of Lake Harmony, this location is not a typical public campground for casual, individual tent or RV reservations. Rather, Camp Shehaqua is a dedicated group camp facility, nestled within the expansive and beautiful Hickory Run State Park. It is a favored venue for organized programs, most notably the long-running Shehaqua Family Camp and various youth development organizations, including 4-H.

This designation as a group camp means that the experience at Camp Shehaqua is intrinsically linked to the program being hosted. For local Pennsylvanians, this venue offers an opportunity to step away from the everyday and participate in a community-driven retreat focused on family bonding, personal growth, and appreciation for nature. The facility itself is a historical treasure, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the Great Depression, lending a sense of rustic charm and enduring legacy to every stay. When you attend a program here, you are not just camping; you are participating in a tradition of structured activity and shared community within the protective, natural borders of a Pennsylvania State Park.

The programs hosted at Camp Shehaqua, such as the Shehaqua Family Camp, are renowned for their focus on creating a supportive, multigenerational environment. While the Shehaqua Family organization has roots in Unificationist teachings, its programs are explicitly welcoming to people of all faiths, maintaining a focus on moral education, character development, and strengthening family ties. This welcoming and community-focused atmosphere is what truly sets the Shehaqua experience apart in the Pennsylvania camping landscape.

Location and Accessibility

Camp Shehaqua boasts an enviable location within the heart of the Pocono Mountains. Its official address places it near the Lake Harmony, PA 18624 area, but its true gem is its placement inside Hickory Run State Park. This positioning offers locals access to one of the Commonwealth's most stunning natural areas, known for its boulder field, waterfalls, and extensive network of hiking trails.

Accessibility is a key advantage for residents across Pennsylvania. The campground is conveniently located within a short drive of major highway corridors, including Interstate 80 and the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-476). For families traveling from Philadelphia, Harrisburg, or the Lehigh Valley, the drive is manageable, making it an ideal destination for week-long camps or weekend retreats. The park location ensures that the camp is surrounded by protected state land, minimizing outside disturbances and maximizing the natural, tranquil environment necessary for a focused retreat.

The immediate surroundings of Lake Harmony offer additional local amenities, from resort facilities to convenience stores, ensuring that while the camp itself is rustic and secluded, essential services are not far away. The inherent natural features of Hickory Run State Park serve as the primary playground for campers, providing opportunities for swimming at Sand Spring Lake, hiking on trails like Shades of Death, and simply enjoying the vast Pennsylvania wilderness. This deep immersion in the natural environment is a core aspect of the Camp Shehaqua experience.

Services Offered

The services at Camp Shehaqua are tailored to support its function as a rustic group camp facility. This differs significantly from the amenities offered at modern private campgrounds or RV parks.

Rustic Cabin Lodging: Small cabins are provided, typically containing 2 to 4 beds with plastic-covered foam mattresses. It is essential to note that the cabins are intentionally rustic and do not include electricity or running water.
Communal Dining Hall Service: A central Dining Hall serves as the social heart of the camp, offering buffet-style meals for participants in the hosted programs. Beverages (water, coffee, tea, etc.) are often available throughout the day.
Centralized Restrooms and Showers: Units of cabins share central lodge buildings or bathhouses which provide running water, toilets, and limited shower facilities.
Dedicated Program Facilities: Buildings such as the Recreation Hall, Office, Crafts Cabin, and Infirmary are available for programmed activities, lessons, and essential services.
Strict No-Pet Policy: As a Pennsylvania State Park facility, Camp Shehaqua strictly enforces a rule prohibiting all pets, including dogs, even on a leash, emphasizing the need for families to make alternative arrangements.
Structured Educational and Recreational Programming: The hosted programs, particularly Shehaqua Family Camp, include organized educational presentations, arts and crafts, team sports (like dodgeball and volleyball), and supervised recreational time, often staffed by parent volunteers to maintain affordability.

Features / Highlights

The true highlights of Camp Shehaqua are found in the intentionality of the experiences fostered there, combined with the irreplaceable natural setting of the Poconos.

Emphasis on Family and Community Bonding: Programs are often designed for the whole family, allowing parents and children to participate in activities, discussions, and shared service projects, which strongly reinforces familial and community ties. This is a primary draw for Pennsylvania families looking to unplug and reconnect.
Historic CCC-Built Architecture: The camp's infrastructure was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, providing a deep connection to Pennsylvania's and America's history of environmental stewardship and public works.
Direct Access to Hickory Run State Park: Campers enjoy immediate access to over 40 miles of hiking trails, the famous Boulder Field, and the opportunity to swim in Sand Spring Lake, providing endless outdoor recreation opportunities.
Positive Youth Development Environment: As evidenced by public reviews, the camp is a highly effective venue for youth organizations. A former camper’s enthusiasm highlights the success of these programs:
"Daughter went and said she had a great time with 4H."
A Sense of Natural Discovery and Memory: The wildness of the park creates unique, lasting memories, as celebrated in another customer's feedback:
"A big thanks goes out to Trevor. He did a great job painting a rock in the picture that looks like a football. We found it by the parking area above the Fordway in Hickory Run State Park. We will display it proudly in front of our home to remember our trip to the Poconos."
This speaks to the powerful, personal connection with the environment that the camp facilitates.
Essential Safety Guidelines: The environment demands respect for nature, including a strictly enforced policy against bringing food into the cabins to deter bears, a crucial safety measure for a genuine Pennsylvania wilderness experience.

Contact Information

Since Camp Shehaqua is a group facility within a State Park, reservations and inquiries are managed by the organizations that rent the space. For information regarding programs like the Shehaqua Family Camp, 4-H programs, or other seasonal retreats, please contact the specific program organizers directly.

Address (General Location): Lake Harmony, PA 18624, USA

Phone:

Conclusion: Why This Place Is Suitable for Locals

Camp Shehaqua is uniquely suitable for Pennsylvania locals who are looking for more than just a place to pitch a tent. It offers a structured, programmed retreat environment that leverages the stunning natural beauty and recreational resources of Hickory Run State Park. For families, the Shehaqua programs provide a much-needed escape, encouraging deep family and community connection free from modern distractions (e.g., electronic devices are discouraged). The setting is perfect for youth groups like 4-H, offering a safe, supervised, and enriching environment that fosters growth and teamwork, as demonstrated by the positive feedback from participants. By attending a program here, Pennsylvanians can reconnect with the Commonwealth’s natural heritage, experience the state's conservation history firsthand through the rustic CCC facilities, and forge lasting bonds in the unforgettable landscape of the Pocono Mountains. It is a genuine piece of Pennsylvania’s outdoor tradition, waiting to welcome the next generation of campers.