Local electricians and electrical contractors recently donated time and equipment to upgrade the lighting and power distribution systems at Ferrwood Music Camp in Butler Township – just in time for the camp’s busy summer season.

The upgrades – coordinated by Bob Judd, owner/president of Arc Electric Construction Co. – included the replacement of lights on the main building’s porch, the addition of switches, and the installation of exit signs above doors. Workers also repositioned electrical cable in the camp’s registration area and replaced several devices.

In an effort to make the camp more “green,” workers swapped out about six dozen 60-watt light bulbs with energy-efficient 13-watt compact fluorescent light bulbs.

All Phase Electrical Supply donated fixtures and lamps. Arc Electric provided additional material and supervised the installation.

The electricians are all members of IBEW Local 163 of Wilkes-Barre.

Together, about 100 man-hours of work were donated.

“I think we accomplished our goal to make Ferrwood a little safer, a little more energy-efficient, and a little more user-friendly,” Judd said. “It was a very good day. We hope to provide additional volunteer services in the future.”

Gary F. Lamont, president of the foundation, which has taken the lead on preserving and restoring Ferrwood, thanked Judd and his company, the union, All Phase Electrical Supply, and the volunteers.

“So many individuals, businesses, foundations, community organizations, unions, elected officials, and government agencies have come to help Ferrwood, and it is nice to see local businesses and volunteers donating their time, talents, and material,” Lamont said. “The work these professionals did at Ferrwood will definitely be appreciated as students attend music camp in the coming years.”

The CAN DO Community Foundation serves as the community outreach arm of CAN DO, Inc. The foundation’s mission focuses on Conservation, Preservation and Reclamation with the slogan “CPR – Breathing New Life into our Community.”

The CAN DO Community Foundation was established in 1992. Initiated through the efforts of and an initial seed fund from CAN DO, the endowment has grown from numerous sources including the donation of real estate, individual and corporate gifts, memorial donations, foundations, grants, events and investment income.

The CAN DO Community Foundation was successful in having Ferrwood listed in the National Register of Historic Places in the Library of Congress.

The Ferrwood restoration project honors the memory of the camp’s founder, the Rev. Joseph Ferrara. Work at the camp followed strict Department of Interior guidelines.

The main building, which includes boys’ and girls’ dormitory wings, is being restored, as are the kitchen, dining hall, gathering room, showers, bathroom and an expansive screened porch.

The 115 windows in the facility, installed decades ago, have been restored, as has the band shell used by music camp students.