Celebrating the fun: CYO camp’s name adds to its unique history

Sixty-one years after their parents donated the land for Camp Rancho Framasa, the daughters of Judy and Bert Dingle were honored on June 9. From left, Frances Quigley, Samuella “Sammy” Emrich and Margie Sperry receive a standing ovation. (Submitted photo)

By John Shaughnessy

The years faded away for Frances Quigley when the Catholic Youth Organization recently celebrated the 60th anniversary of Camp Rancho Framasa.

While the anniversary celebration on June 9 brought together many people who have attended and supported the Catholic camp for children through the years, Quigley recalled the man who first made it possible in 1946, the man who also gave it its

interesting name.

Her father, Bert Dingle.

Back in 1946, the Dingles were members of St. Joan of Arc Parish in Indianapolis and the family also owned 280 acres of land in Brown County that served as a weekend and summer getaway.

“It was a fun place,” Quigley recalls. “There were a lot of people who loved to come down there and ride horses and eat fried chicken and all that stuff. My father was a good friend of Msgr. Henry Dugan. He asked the monsignor what he could do for the Church and the youth. It was through Msgr. Dugan that it was made into a youth camp. My father loved the idea. He was very pleased with how it worked out.”

The CYO summer camp began in 1947, keeping the name that the Dingle family had first called the property. Rancho Framasa is a combination of letters from the first names of Bert and Judy Dingle’s three daughters: Frances (Fra), Margie (ma) and Samuella (sa).

Quigley realizes that many people have difficulty pronouncing the camp’s name, but she insists it could have been worse. The first choice was Camp Bejumafasa, based upon the first two letters of Bert, Judy and the names of the three girls.

“If you heard the way people murder Framasa, I can’t imagine anyone saying Bejumafasa,” Quigley says with a laugh.

Quigley attended the 60th anniversary with her two sisters, Margie Sperry and Samuella “Sammy” Emrich. During the

celebration, which was attended by more

than 300 people, the three sisters each received a plaque commemorating their family’s

contribution that started Catholic camping in the archdiocese.

“The crowd gave them a standing ovation,” says Jane Elliott, the CYO’s development director who says an estimated 500,000 children have attended a CYO camp since 1947. “The event was just wonderful. It surpassed anything we could have hoped for.”

Quigley believes her parents would have the same reaction about their contribution of the land for the camp.

“Our parents would be thrilled, just to see how it has flourished and how it has been such a great place for kids,” Quigley says. “Our kids have gone down there and some of our grandkids have gone, too. Those who have, love it.” †