Tuckahoe: Literally means "where deer are shy or hard to approach". This was the name of the Lenape tribes of the Leni-Lenape Indian nation. Today Tuckahoe has come to mean something different to many families, often referred to as "our little piece of heaven" or "our little slice of paradise".
Our Story
We are very proud to be a family-owned and operated campground for over 50 years. So far, 4 generations have had an ownership stake, and the 5th generation of the family members are beginning to make contributions. No one will say there have not been bumps along the way, but we are very humbled and grateful for our position in the business world. We have been blessed to have good people (there's just something special about camping people) and multiple generations of families spending time at Tuckahoe.
The history began in 1965 when Van and Duane (Mark and Elyce's parents) approached Duane's father about turning Pop Herb Calhoun's long-time family owned farm into a
campground/mobile home park. Reluctant at first, Pop gave approval and as a result, Van and son Mark, began preparing the wooded area for the first 50 campsites. Cancer was the first bump in the road as Van was in the hospital during Tuckahoe's grand opening on Memorial Day weekend of 1966. Van succumbed to the disease June 20th, 1966. Out of adversity comes strength, and Duane decided that Van's dream of building a future for his children would be continued as Pop and Mom (Myrtha) Calhoun stepped up big-time, along with good friends Agnes and Sidney Hurley, to help keep the dream alive!
In 1968, Duane remarried her childhood friend and neighbor Howard Lynch, Jr. The next bump in the road came in 1971 as the old farm barn turned camp store/office/laundry was lost to a fire. Howard put his prior home design skills to work in designing the current multi-use store building we operate out of now. Howard could annually be seen at the Harrisburg camping show, hence the multitude of families from PA.
Over time, all 3 of Duane's children (Mark, Elyce, and Howard III) were involved in the business. Mark spent a great deal of time and dedication supporting the business. Elyce (elementary school educator) and her husband, Jess, entered the business as full-time support in 1992. Van (Mark and Pam's son) started cutting grass for the campers at age 9 and now plays a major role in the management of Tuckahoe. Shawn (Mark and Pam's daughter) returned home in 2016 after spending several working years in Northern VA. She, too, plays a major role in the management of Tuckahoe. All six of Mark's grandchildren, Adison, Abott, Ashton, Sydney, Ayven and Luke, have contributed in their own ways.
50 years have brought many changes to Tuckahoe and the industry itself. Equipment is probably the most radical change as the camping equipment of choice in 1966 was tents, tent trailers and the little orange and white Shasta trailers that dotted the park. Group campfires were popular and remain so today. Clamming, crabbing, and fishing were the biggest sources of recreation, with clamming remaining the most consistent over the 50+ years. Rates have gone from $4.50/night in 1966 to $75/night in 2024.
Pinball machines, pool tables, and arcade games have given way to phones and iPads. In the pictures below you will see the old arcade room which is now the current activities center. Movies were a very popular event in the old pavilion. Duane, had steadfastly led and coordinated church services in the pavilion for no less than 40 years. The snack bar was once a heavy attraction when we were transient-based. It started in the old arcade with a patio off the back and eventually the patio was closed-in to house the new snack bar in the 80's. Agnes Hurley, and later Ruth Keel, Dianna Reppert, and Lois Cochran led and enlisted the help of many camping volunteers to build the solid list of activities available to our customers today. The younger generation (led by Van Browne and Charity King) has begun taking activities to another level with the popular addition of corn-hole tournaments, a 5k, paint-nite, etc.
None of this history would be possible without the work-ethic instilled in us by Pop Herb Calhoun, Mom Myrtha Calhoun's almost daily home cooked meals, and the blessing of a great location of which Pop granted his family the opportunity to fulfill a dream. We consider ourselves very fortunate to have crossed paths with so many wonderful people who have passed through this place. We are humbled by our success, honored by your presence, and appreciative of your continued support.
Pictures from the past
