Camp Zion's Jeep

“Camp Zion’s Jeep had a puncture in its tire,

Camp Zion’s Jeep had a puncture in its tire,

Camp Zion’s Jeep had a puncture in its tire,

and they patched it up with chewing gum....”

Back in the day, Camp Zion had a Jeep that was used for trash and grocery runs. And as the story goes, it really did have a puncture in the tire that was temporarily patched with chewing gum! Kids have been singing a song about the Jeep at campfires ever since.

The 1954 Willy’s Jeep Wagoneer quit running in the early 1970s, and was traded to Gus Klenke at the local Gus Klenke Garage for some honey. The Jeep sat outside this Standard station for many years, and became the subject of water and oil paintings done by a number of local artists. The late Greg Hass later acquired the vehicle and began restoration work on it. Grace & Glen Rossman of Sister Bay were the most recent owners. When Camp Director Dale Stewart heard that the Rossmans might be thinking about parting with it, he inquired, and they graciously decided to donate it to Camp Zion.

Lon Rademacher of Ellison Bay Zion loaned us his car trailer to transport the Jeep, and Glenn helped Brent Dykhuizen and Dale Stewart load it up. The Jeep is currently back in Illinois where men from Christ Community Church of Zion are giving it some TLC, and beginning the restoration process.

In time, the Jeep will be back in Ellison Bay and used locally in parades and for occasional errands. This story is generating some excitement among many of our former campers, and we will share our progress with you as the story unfolds.

November 2014 JEEP UPDATE

“Camp Zion’s Jeep had a puncture in its tire, (repeat 3 times)

and they patched it up with chewing gum.....”

Back in the day, Camp had a 1954 Jeep Wagoneer. As the story goes, it really did have a puncture in the tire that was temporarily patched with chewing gum! Kids have been singing “Camp Zion’s Jeep” at campfires ever since.

The Jeep quit running in the early 1970s, and was traded to local auto mechanic Gus Klenke for some honey. It sat outside the Gus Klenke Garage for years, and was included in many paintings done by local artists. The late Greg Hass acquired the vehicle and began restoration and engine rebuilding work on it. When Camp Director Dale Stewart heard that it’s most recent owners, Grace & Glen Rossman of Sister Bay were thinking about parting with it, he inquired, and they graciously decided to donate it to Camp Zion.

George Humphrey, a camp friend and member of Christ Community Church of Zion, agreed to take a look at pictures of the Jeep to see if restoration was feasible. The timing of transporting the vehicle occurred faster than planned, and the Jeep suddenly showed up on his doorstep last June. George remained open to the Lord’s leading, his schedule opened up, and he launched into the restoration project with enthusiasm and reliance on God’s strength. His personal humility and hard work on behalf of camp is an inspiration to all.

The Jeep is back in Ellison Bay, and will be used for occasional local errands, parades, and of course camper Kodak moments.

It’s a little hard to explain, but the story of how an old Jeep is bringing generations of Camp Zion campers together, inspiring people to get involved with serving at camp, and creating excitement about giving to Camp Zion’s future is pretty amazing.

Follow the story and see photos on our Facebook page, in a photo album entitled “Camp Zion’s Jeep...The Journey.”