College Settlement Camps-Headwaters Of Pennypack Creek, Horsham, PA

For nearly a century, the College Settlement Camps organization has held a unique and vital place in the Greater Philadelphia region. More than a simple recreational facility, this expansive property—known officially as the location of the College Settlement Camps-Headwaters Of Pennypack Creek—is a deeply rooted non-profit organization dedicated to fostering personal growth, respect for the natural world, and a strong sense of community for young people, regardless of their economic circumstances. Situated on a sprawling and beautiful 235-acre campus in Horsham, Montgomery County, the facility serves as a year-round hub for outdoor education, character development, and experiential learning.

While widely celebrated by local parents and school districts for its long-running summer camp sessions and its comprehensive Outdoor School program, the College Settlement property also serves the wider Pennsylvania community by offering its extensive facilities and natural spaces for group rentals and programming during the spring and fall seasons. This makes the camp property an invaluable resource for local organizations, schools, corporate groups, and community associations seeking a vast, well-equipped, and supportive setting for their own retreats, team-building events, or outdoor gatherings in the Philadelphia suburbs. The heartfelt testimonials from local families—such as those whose children return every year, and the countless 5th-grade classes who have enjoyed transformative experiences here—speak directly to the positive, character-building atmosphere that has been the organization’s mission since its founding in 1922.

The property’s rich history is tied to the early 20th-century settlement house movement, originally serving children from Philadelphia with the goal of providing a healthy, country environment. This legacy of equity and community support continues today, ensuring that the magic of an outdoor experience remains affordable and accessible to all Pennsylvania families.

Location and Accessibility

The College Settlement Camps campus is a vast natural oasis located in Horsham, PA. The property’s significant geographical feature, as highlighted in its formal name, is its position at the **Headwaters of the Pennypack Creek**, a major regional watershed. This natural setting provides a protected, biodiverse environment that is perfect for experiential learning and quiet reflection.

Montgomery County Access: Located off Witmer Road, the campus is easily accessible from major highways and roads serving Montgomery and Bucks Counties, making it a convenient destination for schools and groups across the Philadelphia metro area.
Natural Environment: The expansive 235-acre campus comprises a rich blend of fields, mature forests, ponds, streams, and extensive trails. This acreage provides a rare opportunity for immersion in nature within the densely populated Philadelphia suburbs.
Watershed Significance: Being located at the headwaters of the Pennypack Creek provides a direct connection to one of the region’s key waterways, offering excellent opportunities for environmental study, aquatic ecology, and nature hikes along the creek's beginnings.
Serving the Region: The organization's programs specifically focus on serving the greater Philadelphia area, including providing complimentary transportation from select city stops for Day Campers, underlining its dedication to accessibility for local residents.

Services Offered

While the primary service is youth camping, the extensive facilities and professional staff are also available to the local community through specialized programs and rentals.

Group Facility Rentals: Available during the non-summer months (typically spring and fall), the camp facilities can be rented by outside groups. This includes use of the cabins, dining halls, pavilions, and sports courts.
Custom Group Programs: Local businesses, youth organizations, and schools can hire the camp’s professional staff to facilitate customized programs. These can range from **corporate team-building** and challenge course activities to environmental education days for Scout groups.
Outdoor School Programs: The camp runs a robust Outdoor School with 1-, 2-, or 3-day environmental and experiential programs for elementary, middle, and high school students, serving over 6,000 students annually from the Greater Philadelphia area.
Dining and Lodging: The property features multiple **cabins** capable of accommodating large groups, as well as Davies Hall, a modern, winterized **Dining Hall** that can seat up to 179 people for family-style meals and serve as a multi-purpose space for meetings and evening programs (kitchen access is typically reserved for camp staff).
Affordability and Equity: Reflecting its non-profit mission, the camp uses a sliding scale for tuition and offers scholarships to families based on financial need, ensuring that all local children can afford a high-quality, life-changing outdoor experience.

Features / Highlights

The 235-acre campus is equipped with a vast array of purpose-built features that maximize opportunities for education, adventure, and bonding.

High-Adventure Challenge Course: The facility features both **high and low ropes courses**, complete with **zip lines** and a challenging **climbing tower**. These are key components of the team-building and leadership development programs offered to both campers and corporate groups.
Water Activities on Friendship Lake: The four-acre **Friendship Lake** is central to the property’s recreational offerings, used for **boating, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing**. Additionally, the camp has **two swimming pools**, including a diving tank, all supervised by trained personnel.
On-Site Farm and Environmental Center: Highlighting its focus on environmental stewardship, the campus includes an **organic Pennypack Farm** and an **Environmental Center**. Groups can experience hands-on activities like farm visits via hay-wagon, learning about sustainable agriculture, and interacting with the camp’s small collection of animals.
Sports and Recreation: Extensive lighted court facilities are available for group use, including basketball, tennis, four-square, and gaga ball pits. The camp also integrates unique activities such as **mountain biking, archery, and specialized aquatic programs**.
The Teen Adventure Program: For older campers and youth groups, the Teen Adventure Program provides a higher-level experience that includes camping, hiking, and rafting trips, with an option for a rustic camping experience at the camp’s Spruce Run Outpost in the Pocono Mountains.

Contact Information

For inquiries about enrolling a child in the summer or outdoor school programs, or for booking a group retreat or team-building event during the spring or fall, please use the following contact details:

Address: Unnamed Road, Horsham, PA 19044, USA
Phone: (215) 542-7974
Mobile Phone: +1 215-542-7974

Conclusion: Why College Settlement Camps is Suitable for Locals

For Pennsylvanians, the College Settlement Camps property represents a multi-faceted community asset. Its primary suitability lies in its unwavering, 100-year-old mission to provide safe, nurturing, and high-quality outdoor programs for the region’s youth. Locals whose children attend the summer camps or the Outdoor School consistently attest to the profound developmental impact, highlighting how the experience builds confidence, self-esteem, and a healthy respect for others and the environment. As one parent noted, their children look forward to coming back every year, a testament to the life-long friendships and educational value gained.

Beyond youth programs, the facility offers a crucial service to the local economy and organizational community. Its status as an extensive, fully equipped outdoor center—available for **Spring and Fall rentals**—provides local companies, non-profits, school clubs, and youth sports organizations with an unparalleled venue for events. Instead of traveling far outside the metro area for a retreat, local groups can access a full-service campus complete with challenge courses, dining facilities, and a dedicated natural setting right in Montgomery County. By utilizing this local resource, groups support an important non-profit mission while accessing a high-value, cost-effective space for impactful team bonding and planning. In short, College Settlement Camps is a legacy institution that provides year-round benefits, ensuring that the critical outdoor connection is maintained for both the next generation and the local organizations that serve them.