District Info
PennDel District Info.
The Philip Bongiorno Conference Center
Email: Office@penndelcc.org
GROUP RATES
Rates are per person. Group rates include room, meals, group meeting room, use of grounds and gym.
Rates subject to change without notice.
Conference Lodge/Motel: Double Occupancy
2 Nights/5 Meals $98.50
1 Night/3 Meals $69.75
Family Suites: Double Occupancy (1 Room)
Add $5.00 to the rates above. Linens and towels provided. See individual rates for two room suite cost.
David Center, Duplex, Fourplex: Double Occupancy
See Conference Lodge/Motel rates.
David Center, Duplex, Fourplex, Motel: 3 or more
2 Nights/5 Meals $86.50
1 Night/3 Meals $63.25
Dormitories: Bunk Bed Sleeping
2 Nights/5 Meals $77.50
1 Night/3 Meals $57.50
Group Day Guests: $10.00 plus meals
Single Occupancy: Add $15.00 to Double Occupancy Rates
Linens and Towels: Add $5.00 per person
INDIVIDUAL RATES: Room Only
Regular Unit $44.00/Night/Sgl Occ
$44.00/Night/Dbl Occ
Efficiency $48.00/Night/Sgl Occ*
$48.00/Night/Dbl Occ*
Suite (2 Room) $84.00/Night/Sgl Occ*
$84.00/Night/Dbl Occ*
* Includes linens and towels
Ask about our Special Midweek Rate!
MISCELLANEOUS RATES: RV Sites and Tent Camping
RV Site: 1 or 2 Guests $16.50 per night
Additional guest at site $3.50 per night
RV site day guest $5.50 per day
All sites have sewer, water, and 30 amp electric hookups.
Tent Camping: Sites available near RV bathhouse
Tent Site: Guest provides tent $11.00 each per night
Children 4 - 12 $6.00 each per night
Above rates include use of bathhouse and PBCC grounds.
Call the PBCC office for information on: Overnight Retreat Packages, Day Retreats, Banquets, Picnics, Pool Rentals
CONTACT INFORMATION
Philip Bongiorno Conference Center
430 Union Hall Road
Carlisle, PA 17013
Tel 717-243-7381
Fax 717-243-1927
Email: Office@penndelcc.org
DIRECTIONS TO PBCC
From Turnpike
Take turnpike Exit 226 (old exit 16). Take Rte 11 south to Carlisle. At square turn right on High Street.*
From Route 81 Southbound
Take Rte 81 south to Exit 49 (old exit 16). Turn right at end of exit ramp. Follow High Street to square.
Continue straight on High Street at square.*
From Route 81 Northbound
Take Rte 81 north to Exit 47 (old exit 14). Turn left at end of exit ramp. Follow Hanover Street to square. Turn
left at square on High Street.*
*Directions From Square
Take High Street (west) to third traffic light. Turn right on College Street (also north 74). Follow college
street for six blocks until you see sign and arrow indicating Rte 74 turns left. Follow the sign and turn left.
Follow Rte 74 past schools and cross bridge over the Conodoguinet Creek. Turn left at second road after bridge,
Union Hall Road. Follow Union Hall Road for 1 mile. Philip Bongiorno Conference Center entrance on left.
A History of the Philip Bongiorno Conference Center
Formerly the Penn-Del Conference Center
The Lindner Years
The earliest owner of what is now the PBCC was John Lindner. Mr. Lindner was born in 1859, son of German ancestry.
His father came directly from Germany to New Jersey where he established a very successful clothing manufacturing
company. John attended the New Jersey Business College and furthered his knowledge of business already established
by working for his father. He worked for two shoe companies, being promoted to manager of the second and later
became the superintendent of the G.W. Neidich and Co. of Carlisle. Output increased seven fold in three years;
the company became one of the biggest in the country.
With the knowledge ascertained from earlier employment, in 1891 John Lindner began the Lindner Shoe Company of
Carlisle, PA., capitalized at $35,000. By 1904 the company was worth $200,000 with a gross income of over 1 million
dollars. The company had also expanded to 500 employees. Mr. Lindner was very good to his employees and was concerned
for their well being.
Mr. Linder purchased 200 acres northwest of Carlisle and named this summer estate Forest Hills. On this estate he
built a summer home, many gardens, a golf course, and a caretaker's home; much of the remaining land was farmed.
The higher elevation where the golf course is located was also called the Lindner Highlands. Sheep were used to "mow"
the fairways. The Lindners hosted many parties and community social events at Forest Hills. At times the beautiful
summer home and well-kept grounds were used for business meetings.
The Carlisle Indian School was taken over by the military and a hospital was constructed to house the infirmed from
World War I. Mr.Lindner felt the need to bolster the morale of the injured military. He authorized Colonel Keefer to
establish a summer encampment for Army convalescents. Here at Forest Hills, 70 - 100 patients at a time spent
approximately two weeks at the Lindner estate before discharge. The patients were selected from those with good
conduct records. Mr. Linder provided cabins, tents, food, and activities which included field days of sports with
prizes provided.
The Lindner Shoe Company appeared on the scene like a meteor and rose to a million dollar concern in less than
15 years. As quickly as it rose...it fell. Mr. Lindner's suceess declined through World War I and finally failed
in 1920. Eventually the Lindner estate at Forest Hills went into the hands of the banks. The Lindner years had
come to an end.
Locals have told us the golf course was opened to the public and kept operable by caretakers during the time the
banks managed the property.
The Camp Shand Years
In 1944, the 200 acre Lindner estate (Forest Hills) was purchased by the Lancaster YMCA and was named Camp Shand.
The YMCA took possession of the property in 1945. The property consisted of a mansion house in excellent condition,
four well built cabins, a caretaker's residence, a small craft shop, a nine-hole golf course, and acreage suitable
for athletic events. An old farm of 61 acres was sold by the YMCA to a hunting club. This was done to raise funds
to develop the remaining 139 acres. Camp Shand overlooked the Conodoguinet Creek with a 60 mile view of the Blue
Mountains and green gold valleys. The facility opened in the summer of 1946. The pool was soon built to add to the
campers' activities. Little was done to change the facility until May of 1965 when a disastrous fire, caused by
lightning, destroyed the multi-functional mansion house. In July of 1967, the present day Dining Hall and Main
Dorm were completed. At the time of construction, these two buildings were summer buildings and were not winterized.
Due to financial difficulties accrued by the Lancaster Y, the Board of Trustees decided to sell the Camp Shand
property.
In November of 1983, the camp was sold to the Pennsylvania-Delaware District Council of the Assemblies of God.
This closed the door on Camp Shand in Carlisle, but opened the door for the future of the Bongiorno Conference
Center. The PBCC's present director was the first full time employee to move on the grounds in April of 1984.
The Philip Bongiorno Conference Center 1984 - Present
Below is a chronological listing of improvements and facilities added over the years. The main ministry of the PBCC
is to be a facilitator for both our denominational programs and outside guest groups. The golf course remains open
to the public. All other facilities and grounds are for use only by guests of the PBCC. God is so good!
1984 Lots of fixing & painting, held summer camps and some fall events. Began remodeling and winterizing of present
Dining Hall and Main Dorm
1985 Dining Hall and Main Dorm completed in spring.
1986 Entrance excavated to meet township requirements. Athletic field enlarged and softball field completed. Tennis &
BB courts completed. Began major project.
1987 Conference Lodge, Multipurpose Bldg, and Open Dorm completed. Treatment plant/sewerage lines completed. We are
now a year round facility!
1988 Duplexes, RV sites & RV bathhouse completed.
1989 Dining Hall Annex and Family Suites completed.
1990 Site amenities and improvements.
1991 Fourplexes and new maintenance garage completed.
1992 Pavilion completed.
1993 David Center completed.
1994-96 Site improvements, some remodeling, new staff home built.
1997 Major pool renovation and new pool bathhouse.
1998 The PBCC water treatment system upgraded.
1999 Motel/Lodge addition completed.
2000 New staff home completed.
2002 Penn-Del renamed the Philip Bongiorno Conference Center. RV site water treatment upgraded.