Camp Shawnee, one of the oldest camps in Eastern Kentucky, continues to impact the lives of children. A generous, posthumous estate gift from Nancy Bradford recently enabled Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) to build a new girls’ dormitory for the campers.
In his dormitory dedication remarks, CAP President Guy Adams quoted evangelist Dwight L. Moody, who said, “If I could relive my life, I would devote my entire ministry to reaching children for God.” The quote reminded Adams of Mrs. Bradford’s commitment to reaching children through her faithful giving to CAP.
And judging by the campers’ excitement, it’s working. Natalee, a second-year camper, said, “This dorm means a lot to me. They put a lot of hard work into it. It has a lot of space and it’s really fun in there. I’ve made a lot of friends, and I never ever want to leave camp.”
Mrs. Bradford’s niece said: “I know that Aunt Nancy would be so pleased that she was able to help children in need in Appalachia and know that the dormitory at Camp Shawnee was being named in her honor.” Although Bradford passed away in 2005, her legacy continues.
Camp Shawnee has a rich tradition in the county and has been serving the youth of Appalachia since it opened nearly 65 years ago. Since that time, CAP has continued to expand facilities, including renovating and expanding the Craft Room and Nurses Station, enclosing an outdoor pavilion, building a caretaker’s bungalow, and replacing all the windows in the living spaces.
“The addition of this dormitory will really be a blessing for our girls and give them a place where they can be treated like a princess,” said Pat Griffith, manager of Camp Shawnee. “The dedication of this dorm is not just about the donation or the building; Bradford Hall will be a place that girls will continue to come to form friendships and share laughter with fellow campers and counselors. It will be a place where they create lifelong memories at Camp Shawnee. We are grateful for the generosity of Nancy Bradford’s estate to help CAP continue to accomplish our mission in a place that we call home.”
