Camp Kern grows with land purchase
By Dale Huffman
Staff Writer
As its 100th birthday approaches, Camp Kern, owned and operated by the Greater Dayton YMCA, is growing by leaps and bounds.
The camp grounds, off Ohio 350 near Oregonia in Warren County, already make up the largest camp in Ohio and the ninth largest in the nation.
Now, according to Jeff Merhige, executive director, Camp Kern has purchased 100 acres of Warren County farmland adjacent to the camp.
"It has been one of our major goals for decades to acquire this land," Merhige said. "This will bring the total acreage of the camp to 525 acres."
According to Merhige, the acquisition "forever protects the camping and retreat experience for the camp and allows for even greater programming in the future."
Last year, Camp Kern opened a new million-dollar conference center and assembly hall that can be operational around the year. The camp offers lodging and programs such as summer camp, equestrian and outdoor educational programs.
For 96 years, the camp has offered camping opportunities for an estimated 30,000 guests a year, many of them city children who are experiencing a first extended outdoor camping experience.
Young people love the camp, Merhige has said, and get away from television sets and computers and enjoy quality time outdoors with other kids. Facilities include a renovated pool house, an Olympic-size pool, an observation tower and some air-conditioned cabins.
The new conference center also allows the camp to book retreats, and leadership seminars and other conferences all year.
"Our new conference center, and now the acquisition of this land represents another step we are taking as we prepare for the camp's 100th year to be observed in 2010," Merhige said.
The director and staff members, along with volunteers and supporters, are already making plans for a grand birthday celebration of Camp Kern in June of 2010.
"This new land that was purchased provides a protective green ring around the camp," Merhige said. "That assures there will be no future development by outsiders adjacent to our camp. Also we acquired a 40-acre parcel not connected to the camp that is located across the state route from us. Our plans include fundraising to pay off the purchases, and we are considering selling the non-connected 40 acres to help pay down the loan if necessary."
Merhige said that Camp Kern has an operation budget of $2.6 million. "About 50 percent of our campers and clients come from Dayton, and 50 percent come from Cincinnati," he said.
Those making preparations for the 100th anniversary say they plan to dress up the camp with enhancements before the big party.
If you attended camp or an event at Camp Kern, and have warm and interesting memories of your visit, please send along any anecdotes or stories. I will try to share them between now and the time of the anniversary.
