In 1925, shortly after Twin Rocks Friends Camp was established (1918), a Summer Conference Song Book was published, with about 40 songs from our camp's early years. They are full of wonderful frivolity, and give a glimpse of Twin Rocks in its infancy.
Here are two of my favorites (please note that in those early days, Twin Rocks was the site of only one week of camp each year, held each August and referred to as "Conference"):
CARRY ME BACK TO TWIN ROCKS
Tune: Carry Me Back to Old Virginny
By: H.N. and M.E.B., Springbrook, Ore.
Carry me back to dear old Twin Rocks;
There's where the live young Friends should all pack up and go.
There's where we sing Saturday eve by the campfire;
There's where the waves gleam in sunsets golden glow;
There's where the boys are so brown, brave and handsome
There's where the cook is an angel, so they say;
There's where the girls are so merry and gladsome;
There in God's great out-doors swept by ocean spray.
Chorus:
Carry me back to dear old Twin Rocks.
There's where we all can learn of more service to be;
There's where we gain strength to meet all life's burdens;
Out at the Young Friends Conference by the sea.
Carry me back to Twin Rocks Conference.
There's where we were in days of Nineteen twenty-four;
There's where they teach us the plan of Salvation;
There's where we meet the friends we've known before;
There's where the classes are all so inspiring;
There's where the songs are about our redemption;
There's where we meet new friends from every quarter;
There in God's great out-doors swept by ocean spray.
OUR CONFERENCE HOME
Tune: Maryland, my Maryland
By: Hazel Newhouse
This is the place young friends love best,
Old Twin Rocks, our old Twin Rocks;
Our conference home far to the west;
Old Twin Rocks, our old Twin Rocks,
Beyond the bay of Tillamook,
Out there on Ocean Lake we look;
Oh fair it is our shaded nook:
Old Twin Rocks, our old Twin Rocks.
The ocean has a stirring call,
At the beach, down at the beach.
A fishing go, come one and all
At the beach, down at the beach.
A bathing in the ocean blue,
A boating on the lake with you,
A hiking in the morning dew,
At the beach, down at the beach.
At His command we will "launch out";
Conference, at conference.
Let down our nets, we will not doubt.
Conference, at conference.
In one short week of work and play,
We try to seek the Master's way,
And this shall be our dauntless lay
Conference, OUR conference.
Much has changed at Twin Rocks since 1925: 40 buildings today versus one then, 120 acres today versus three then. But I'm amazed by how consistent the purpose of Twin Rocks has remained over the decades: Encountering Jesus Christ on the Oregon Coast.
A special thanks to Sharon Hayden, whose family holds a long and close connection to Twin Rocks Friends Camp. Last week we received a donation of three of these wonderful song books from Sharon. Thanks, Sharon!
