Antietam Recreation

Antietam Recreation is named for the Antietam Creek which borders the camp on three sides and for Antietam Battlefield which is a few miles away. Antietam Recreation's secluded 32 acre site was the old Turner Farm and was purchased by the Rotz Family in 1971 after a long search for a piece of ground that would contain water or a stream to facilitate a recently inherited canoe and fields and pasture to accommodate their two horses.

Antietam Recreation is located in a rural area only minutes from Hagerstown and surrounded by woodlands and open fields. It has been a wellspring of fun, recreation, and inspiration to many children, families, groups, and organizations for the last 33 years. The family-owned and operated facility is designed to provide active, exciting, and unique activities in a friendly, Christian atmosphere.

Bob Rotz and Mary Overington grew up in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. They were high school sweethearts. Bob and Mary had been involved with camping in their early years. Bob held summer jobs at Camps Wohelo, Swatare, and Comet. And Mary worked as a counselor and program director at camps in Waynesboro, Maine, Maryland, and Mississippi. Upon finishing high school they attended Lock Haven University graduating in 1971 and were married a few weeks later. Bob, who grew up with horses, designed the horse barn and the other buildings at Antietam Recreation while teaching 4th, 5th, and 6th grades in New Baltimore and Mowry Schools in the Waynesboro School System. He retired from teaching in 1985.

Mary, an outstanding athlete both in high school and college, went on to play for the Mid East USA Field Hockey Team for a number of years. She taught health and physical education at East Jr. High School from 1971 until the birth of her daughter in 1981. The couple completed graduate work at the University of Southern Mississippi where they received their Master Degree and Master Equivalency in Physical Education and Recreation in 1975. Since then the couple has planned, designed, and worked at camp while home-schooling their 5 children. In 1977 when Antietam Recreation opened their doors, their earlier vision of a camp for children became a reality. Today - it's a dream come true.

The day camp has grown from 20 campers to 350 campers per week. Groups rent the facility on Saturdays and school and home school groups utilize the facility May through September. Families and bus groups enjoy the exciting Dinner shows, performed in the winter months.

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