In many ways, Theodore Hyatt modeled Pennsylvania Military Academy after the United States Military Academy, West Point, system of education. With the passing of leadership to Charles Hyatt in 1888, few changes were made in this philosophy. In 1893, Colonel Charles Hyatt introduced the spring encampment for all PMC cadets that was modeled after the USMA “Summer Encampment,” which had begun in 1819. The first PMC spring encampment was held in a field adjoining the parade ground called Camp Crawford. The camp was named after Civil War Major General Samuel W. Crawford, subsequent President of the Board of Trustees, who passed away in 1892.
During the encampment, the Cadets lived in tents and gained practical experience. Under the direction of the Professor of Military Science, mornings were devoted to military problems and marksmanship. The afternoons were spent playing sports or other forms of recreation. Evenings were usually spent around a campfire, where a variety of activities kept everyone entertained.
With the passage of the National Defense Act in 1916, the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps was created. In the summer of 1918, ROTC held its first six-week summer camp at Plattsburg, NY, and PMC Cadets were in attendance. For the next half-century, these camps became a part of a cadet’s experience at PMC. In more recent years, the encampment was held at Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, Annville, PA, (now named Fort Indiantown Gap).
