Camp Kern's history entwined with youths'

By Martha Hardcastle
Dayton Daily News

TURTLECREEK TWP., Warren County -- Few people around today may remember who Carl B. Kern was, but most children in the Miami Valley probably spent time at his camp.

For 95 years, the land in southeast Warren County on the banks of the Little Miami River called Camp Kern has been a summertime treat.

Camp Kern was originally called Camp Ozone. It was renamed when Kern, the boys YMCA secretary, died in a car accident in 1917 at the age of 37.

The camp has evolved from a primitive summer camp for boys to a year-round facility accommodating males and females of all ages.

Schools use Camp Kern for outdoor education, and Scout troops seek it out for facilities unavailable elsewhere, such as the equestrian programs and indoor horse arena.

There are sessions where campers can learn Spanish and non-English speakers can learn English, all while hiking, boating, climbing and more.

Camp Kern's history is entwined with the history of southwest Ohio, and part of the story includes the birth and death of its sister camp, Wy-Ca-Key, which was located on the adjacent property to the west.

Wy-Ca-Key was operated by the Dayton YWCA and in operation from 1949-82.

Thousands of young people attended the camps.

Kern came to Dayton in 1909 as boys' secretary for the YMCA.

It was his vision for a camp, then called Camp Ozone, that made the facility an immediate success.

While the origin of the name is not known, ozone at the time had a favorable connotation.

A clue to naming a camp ozone can be found in a 1966 World Book encyclopedia entry explaining that ozone, a form of oxygen had uses as an antiseptic and bactericide.

"It is the increased energy content of ozone that makes the gas useful," it reads. "When the sky is clear and blue, and winds from aloft are blowing toward the ground, ozone is carried down to the levels where we live. Part of the bracing feeling of bright blue-sky weather is due to the greater quantity of ozone in the air on such days. Ozone aides us in every way."

In 1915, Kern wrote a report to the YMCA board with one line that has been quoted numerous times over the years.

"More of permanent value can be accomplished with a week in camp with a boy than months of casual contact," he wrote.

The camp grew as more adjacent land was acquired, and directors Ralph D. Roehm (1926-44) and William A. Young (1944-52) contributed significantly to further Kern's visions.

Young, who died in 1966, was the husband of longtime educator and Dayton Daily News columnist Roz Young.

In 1961, Jack Singerman started as Kern's director.

"Jack's philosophy was always 'Kids First,' and I try to continue that," Mehrige said.

Singerman was aware that a few bad experiences could wipe out all the good the camp had done for a child, even the good memories.

"We had the best food," Singerman said. "We hired the best school cooks from all around - we had the best fried chicken! We served everything family style. You keep their bellies full and you'll have less problems."

One of Singerman's many accomplishments was establishing a ranch camp in 1964, and bringing in equestrian activities that remain a major component of the camp with both western and English dressage.

Singerman's never-ending connections with business people also ensured that the camp had the best of everything.

"Herb Ellis was on our board and he worked for Gem City Ice Cream," Singerman said. "So we got a shipment of Gem City Ice Cream every week."