“No act of kindness, no matter how small is ever wasted.” –Aesop
Exhibit Details
Kindness Center was constructed during the inaugural year of Camp from funds donated by the S.P.C.A. The upstairs has served as a forum for rained out campfires and camp-wide games. The lower level has housed the Handicraft Department and the original Trading Post.
Here are some pictures of the Kindness Center from 1928 all the way to today.
Kindness Center – 2008
2008 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The Kindness Center, donated by the SPCA, has been the home for the Handicraft department and has been used for indoor rain-out activities such as the Gong Show and OA ceremonies.
Ice Cream Social
2014 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Staffers (from left) Matt Griffin, Alex Hughes, Mark Frazier, Jake Segal, Ian Wolfe and Mike Steinberger enjoy a treat at the Kindness Center after sweating over the swag bag assembly for the 2014 Section NE-6B Conclave.
Centuries of Service
2014 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
During the 2014 Section NE-6B Conclave, 2014 National Vice Chief Taylor Bobrow teaches a training cell about the 100th Anniversary of the OA entitled Centuries of Service.
Kindness Center
2008 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
Another view of the Kindness Center.
Kindness Center
1975 – Contributed by Anonymous
A view of Kindness Center from the White House. The banners on Handicraft porch and the windows (not the sliding pane windows that were often broken during basketball games) might help to date the picture.
Kindness Center
Contributed by Anonymous
Rear view of Kindness Center during Summer Camp. The Handicraft banners hanging on the basement porch might help identify the era.
Old Kindness Center
1928 – Contributed by Richard D. Foot
The Kindness Center, as it looked when Camp Horseshoe first opened in 1928.
Kindness Center and Browning
1928 – Contributed by John B. Rettew III
Early picture of Kindness Center and Browning Lodge.
Kindness Center
1928 – Contributed by John B. Rettew III
Kindness Center while the finishing touches were being applied. A barren Flagpole Hill can be seen in the background.
Kindness Center
1928 – Contributed by Anonymous
This early view of Kindness Center reveals the barren hillside known as Flagpole Hill in background. The American flag would fly atop the hill for many years until trees obscured the view of the flag from the rest of camp.
Hikers and Workers
1928 – Contributed by John B. Rettew III
A group of Scouts carrying Horseshoe rolls hike past Browning Lodge while workers add the finishing touches to the new Kindness Center.
Kindness Center
1953 – Contributed by Anonymous
This is the back end of the Kindness Center as seen from Browning. This is the way the building was in the 1940 – 60 period.
Ernie and Roy
Contributed by John B. Rettew III
G. Ernest Heegard (right) and Roy Cole hang out at Lower Kindness.
Kindness Center
Contributed by John B. Rettew III
The Kindness Center, when facing Schramm Lodge.
Putting Away Canvas
2011 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Fred Stoudt (ladder) and Stuart Watson are working the canvas at an OA Fall Fellowship / Service Weekend in this photo. Tent take-down at the end of camp occurred during a massive rainstorm, so the canvas was hung in Kindness Center. Here, it is finally dry enough to take down, roll properly and store for the winter.
Training Cell at Kindness
2019 – Contributed by Dean Kaiser
2019 Section NE-6B Chief Collin Heckman teaches a training cell during the conclave.
Paoli 81 at Kindness
1962 – Contributed by W. Stuart Watson III
Scouts from Paoli 81 doing a patrol project at the Kindness Center.
1970's Kindness Center Winter
1977 – Contributed by John B. Rettew III
White House and Kindness Center under a blanket of snow in the 1970’s.
Kindness Center
Contributed by Anonymous
A very early photo of Kindness Center with several Scouts on the upper porch.
Kindness Center Steps
Contributed by Anonymous
Lots of Scouts piled onto the steps of Kindness Center.
Kindness Center Activity
Contributed by Anonymous
A few Scouts hang around the upper and lower porches of Kindness Center.
Kindness Center Activity
Contributed by Anonymous
A few Scouts hang around the upper and lower porches of Kindness Center.
Kindness View
Contributed by Anonymous
A view of Kindness Center from up on the Loop Road hill.
Kindness Center Porch
Contributed by Anonymous
A lesson of some sort is being taught on the porch of upper Kindness.
Kindness Center Stage
1928 – Contributed by Anonymous
Kindness Center stage was the center of entertainment on many a rainy night at Camp Horseshoe.
Kindness from Afar
1969 – Contributed by Rev. Thomas Shanklin
A view of the Kindness Center from the East side of the White House.
Kindness and Browning
Contributed by Rev. James Goudie
Kindness Center and Browning Lodge in the ’70s.
Memorabilia
Display Details
A few memorabilia items of the Kindness Center has been created over the years.
See Also
Click HERE to visit the virtual museum’s main Memorabilia exhibits.
Cat's Meow Kindness Center
2009 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
This Kindness Center replica was issued by Octoraro Lodge 22 as a fundraiser.
1988 Camp Horseshoe Staff and Leader Stein
1988 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
On the 60th anniversary of the Kindness Center being built, Camp Horseshoe issued this stein to the staff and leaders of summer camp.
Videos
Display Details
Not much here for Kindness Center videos – please contact curator@hsraa.org if you have any to share!
Kindness Center A look at the Kindness center from 1943. 1943 – Contributed by Tom McCabe
History
Display Details
Here is a short history of the construction and purpose of the Kindness Center Building.
Contributed by Andrew Coe
“The old barn on the property, which had been unused for many years, was destined to become the site of many happy events. The only usable part of the old structure was the foundation. Upon this was built “Kindness Center” which is described in the original Dedication Program of the Camp on July 28, 1928 as a “…fine large building erected by the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, as a building for the use of the boys of Pennsylvania wherein they may study animals, birds and living creatures and how best to extend kindness to them and how to prevent cruelty, all of which is part of the Scout Program. A large hall with a stage is provided, wherein officers and members may give lectures and show pictures teaching the objectives of the Society and for other purposes not inconsistent therewith. There are also two large stone fireplaces, a reading and a writing room, a museum, a large basement room for handicraft, and a fine large porch. The whole is certainly in keep with the Society’s broad teaching that ‘Kindness is more powerful than compulsion.’”1
All of the newly constructed buildings on the property were of cypress, a wood that was plentiful and relatively inexpensive at the time of building. The selection of the wood for building is but another example of the foresight and straight thinking of the Council leaders, for this is one of the few types of wood in the world that is not affected by water, and will not rot, requiring no paint or wood preservative.2
For the 60th anniversary of the Kindness Center being built, the 1988 staff and leaders at Camp Horseshoe received a special stein in honor of the building.
to play on Jigsaw Planet’s website.