For decades, the Ross Summer Surveying Camp was a staple of the Purdue Civil Engineering program. For four particular alumni, the camp was the foundation for a lifelong friendship.

Lou Antoine (BSCE '58), Bob Elsperman (BSCE '59), Ed Johnson (BSCE '58) and Don Norton (BSCE '58) have been best friends for over 60 years. The four first came together in the mid-1950s through Purdue's surveying camp. After graduation, the four went on to different professions and lived in different parts of the country. Yet they all eventually ended up in the St. Louis area.

"Professionally, our paths never really crossed after we graduated from Purdue," Don says. "But we managed to stay geographically pretty close, and we all watched out for each other and how we were doing in our careers."

The surveying camp — which started back in 1914 — continued until 1960. Each summer, the program had civil engineering students spend eight weeks learning the ins and outs of land surveying. From 1914 to 1927, students attended camps at various scenic locations: The Clark State Forest near Henryville, Indiana; Pentwater and Glen Lake, Michigan; and at McCormick's Creek State Park near Spencer, Indiana.

In 1928, Purdue Trustee David Ross purchased 140 acres of farmland adjacent to his summer home, "The Hills," for use as a permanent surveying camp. The land lay 12 miles southwest of campus along the Wabash River. Today, what was the Ross Summer Surveying Camp and the home of David Ross is part of a county park called Ross Hills Park.

"It’s a shame they stopped running the camp," Ed says. "You learned a lot more than just surveying. You worked with a lot of people, and you built some really great friendships. I know surveying isn’t done the same way as it was back then, but I think today’s students are really missing out."

Of course, these gentlemen's friendship was not solely based around civil engineering and their camp experiences.

"School was hard, but we also managed to have a lot of fun together at various social events," Bob says.

Bob also met his future wife, Darcie, at Purdue while taking a summer class. Although the friends admittedly enjoyed social activities as Purdue students, it was their time at surveying camp that they treasure the most.

"Much of what I did later at Purdue wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t gone to surveying camp," Lou says. "It was one of the neatest experiences of my life, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything."