Camp Kern is 100
Cincinnati.com
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Camp Kern is 100
Elaine Trumpey
Camp Kern, Ohios largest camp and the 12th largest YMCA Camp in the U.S., marks its 100th year of operation with an open house and celebration for alumni, staff, campers and camper families on June 19. As many as 1,000 guests are expected to celebrate the occasion.
The 485-acre camp is located in Warren County in the Little Miami River Valley near Lebanon. The Greater Dayton YMCA Association operates the camp as a coed year-round outdoor education and conference center.
After its founding in 1910 on the shores of the Little Miami River across from the North Watch of Fort Ancient, the camp was known as Camp Ozone. When its founder, Carl B. Kern, died from an untimely accident in 1917, it was re-named Camp Kern.
Visitors can participate in a variety of free camp activities such as canoeing, archery, Mini Mine Shaft and Mine Shaft on Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to noon and in the afternoon from 1 to 5 p.m. Donations will be accepted. There is a charge for horseback riding.
Musical performances by camp alumni include concerts by The Banana Slug String Band at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. and a performance by Jim McCutcheon in Schiewetz Hall at 2 p.m.
The Lighting of 100th Bonfire takes place Saturday evening at 8 p.m.
A complete schedule is available online at www.campkern.org.