History of Cedar Lodge

Lakeside Farm Camp

Eddy and Stella had a dream. They dreamed of starting a summer camp where campers would design their own program and then spend the summer learning the skills needed to implement the program of their choice. The Programs could be anything. From planting crops, to building a canoe. Eddy and Stella believed that learning to create things with your hands were as important as learning to create things with your mind. They put very few restrictions on the campers, and tried to pave the way to make their camper’s dreams realities. The year was 1964. Eddy and Stella had just purchased 150 acres in Lawrence, MI and had opened up “LAKESIDE FARM CAMP FOR BOYS” with a capacity of 12.

Eddy and Stella met at “CAMP FARR” where Eddy was Program manager and Stella, a young widow, had come with her young son, Chuck for a week mother’s camp. It was love at first sight, and soon Stella was giving up her life in Chicago and moving in to a camp wife’s life. Eddy and Stella had 3 of their own children with in the next 12 years; David, Sally and Amy. For 15 years the Edwards ran the year around programs and Summer camp for Camp Farr agency camp.

The philosophy of the camp was simple; a chance for children that are use to working with their brains to work and play not only with their brains, but with their hands. The target audience was primarily drawn from the University of Chicago Laboratory School and surrounding areas. It was a small group (5-10 campers the first several years) and all boys. Campers would sit down at a group meeting at the beginning of each week and decide what they would like to accomplish. They may plant a crop, build in canoe, put in a well, whatever they could imagine.The only rules were that they had to research it, discuss it and participate in the building\care process. In addition, Lakeside Farm was set up as a Farm, complete with livestock, crops, a garden and chores.

Many changes came over the years. In 1968 Eddy and Stella decided to go coed. As the years went by and camp grew, more structure had to be added to the program to assure some continuity. The original ideals and dreams that Eddy and Stella began with however, remained the same.

Camp Watervliet

In 1975, Eddy and Stella took over running CAMP WATERVLIET FOR GIRLS in Watervliet, MI Watervliet had previously been run by Henry and Velda Tatter. When they retired, Henry and Velda sold the camp and the new owner, though wanting the camp to continue had no desire to run it themselves. They approached Eddy and Stella and an agreement was reached. Camp Watervliet was a totally different type of camp then Lakeside. With a capacity of 120 girls and a expansive facility, Camp Watervliet ran much more of a traditional 50’s type camp. They had a strong riding program and were known through out the Midwest for their high standard. Since Eddy and Stella’s daughters, Sally and Amy had both taken a keen interest in riding, this seemed a perfect match. From 1975 to 1979, both camps were run by the Edwards on their respective grounds. The programs stayed as they had for years.

Cedar Lodge in Watervliet

In 1979 it was clear that a decision had to be made. Camp Watervliets program had become somewhat out dated and enrollment was suffering. Lakeside, on the other hand had grown to the point that it was bursting at it’s seams. Should they close up Watervliet?Build an entire new facility at Lakeside? Eddy and Stella decided the right thing to do would be a drastic change. They put Lakeside’s property for sale, moved to Watervliet, and started the process of buying the property to combine the two camps. LAKESIDE FARM CAMP and CAMP WATERVLIET became CAMP CEDAR LODGE.

Cedar Lodge in Lawrence

From 1984 until present has been a work in progress. The Edwards family does not only believe in the principal of “hands on” experience for their campers, but they believe in living their lives in the same fashion. Consequently, All the building that has been done at camp since 1984 has been done totally in-house. The only buildings at that time were the blue farm house, the dining hall and 1\5 of the existing barn. Those 3 buildings had to be totally renovated and remodeled. Everything else at camp: The fencing, the other 4\5ths of the barn, the indoor riding arena, the cabins, Stella’s house, the shower house, have been built by the Edwards, their staff, their workers and their friends. This makes Cedar Lodge a true family operation. This gives Cedar Lodge it’s feeling of home.