HISTORY

The Columbus Youth Camp was founded on March 28, 1935 with Q.G. Noblitt presenting the Foundation For Youth with the deed to the property and a sizable donation for development. The Civilian Conservation Corps began work on a lake, several trails, and six log cabins. The camp was dedicated in 1937 and the first camp was held soon after. In 1938, the teachers of the Columbus City Schools donated funds to build the Lois Wetz Memorial Building. During the next five years, more than 5,000 trees were planted throughout the camp. In 1958, the Engelking family donated 40 acres bringing the camp to 115 acres. Since the late 1970s five additional cabins have been added along with the Noblitt Shelter House.

Today, the Columbus Youth Camp boasts 137 acres of rolling landscape only 15 of which are developed. Seven miles of trails link eleven cabins, two challenge courses, the lake, a limestone fire-bowl, an outdoor theater, and the shelter house with meeting and dining facilities for more than 100 people.

Columbus Youth Camp provides camping opportunities for Foundation For Youth members, a broad range of challenge education activities, adventure out-trips for all ages, and environmental education programs for school groups. The Columbus Youth Camp is also a member of the American Camp Association.

Who We Are Now:

Current services at CYC include Summer Camp, After-School Prevention Programs, Rebound, Peace Camp, HIP, and Rentals.

Summer Camp  

Kids Camp Day Camp provides 9 weeks of Day Camp to local children ages 4-12 years.  Camp currently provides arts & crafts, swimming, canoeing, and many other theme based activities. 

Resident Camp

In 2008, there are 4 week-long residential offerings.

Rebound/After School Prevention

Rebound is an alternative school program and consists of ongoing programs with Jefferson Education Center’s Rebound Program.  The Rebound program serves students who are not succeeding due to behavior, or study habits.  The primary goal is to improve student study habits, participation, and attitude about school.  Eight groups of approximately 12 students each visit camp weekly for 5 weeks.

Peace Education & Peace Camp

Peace Education and Peace Camp are a specific programs delivered by Peace Learning Center of Indianapolis.  They are included here because of the extent of their programming.

Peace Camp is a 3-day residential program targeting 6^th grade students from Indianapolis Public Schools. The goals of the program revolve around peaceful conflict resolution, group cooperation, and diversity.   Youth Camp’s contribution is in the way of facility, meals, and 3 hours of team building activities provided to each student. 

Peace Education is a one day version of Peace Camp that is offered to 4^th grade students.

HIP

The High School Inter-curricular Program of Columbus North and Columbus East High Schools is a team-teaching model that incorporates an extensive experiential component for 90-120 students each year.  Columbus Youth Camp has partnered with the participating High Schools since the program’s inception.  Our involvement is to provide facilities, projects, and funds to complete projects that are relevant to the needs of the program.  It is a symbiotic relationship where camp benefits from the work and dedication of the students, while the students gain from the opportunity to learn from experience.

Rentals

The current rental customers are extremely varied.  Sports teams, churches, schools, local government, and other youth serving organizations are all represented.  By the same token, the services provided by Columbus Youth Camp are varied as well.  In many cases we act solely as a facility for the group.  At other times, we provide relevant programming to the participants (often times these include utilizing the challenge course).  While many of these organizations might share similar goals and missions to that of FFY, this is not a pre-requisite for camp rental. 

TIMELINE

1935,  March 28^th

QG Noblitt gave the Foundation for Youth the deed for the Youth Camp site along with a sizeable donation for development of the area.

1936

Federal Aid Grant of $25,000 received for Youth Camp development

1937                                Youth Camp dedicated on June 8^th.  First Camp held.  Delta Theta Tau donates a cabin.

1938                                Funds for Lois Wetz Memorial Building were donated in December as an arts and crafts building by the teachers of the Columbus City Schools. 

1939                                1000 Red Bud, 1000 Dogwood trees and Honeysuckle planted at camp.

1940                                3000 Pine and Locust trees planted around athletic field and lake

1941                                Cabin donated by Mr. And Mrs. Raymond Brown

1948                             Joan Spies Memorial dedicated at the Youth Camp

1953                                Mr. Noel Genth becomes Camp Caretaker

1955, June 19^th

The Outdoor Chapel is dedicated at the Youth Camp in memory of Dr. Monte Carpenter.

1956, April 29^th

The Noblitt Memorial Building was dedicated in Mr. Noblitt’s memory by the residents of Harrison Lake.

1958, December 2^nd

Mr. And Mrs. Lowell Engelking donate an additional 40 acres to Youth Camp bringing the total area to 115 acres.

1967                   

Genths retire as Caretakers.

Bob & Juanita Harden become Camp Caretakers

1974                    

Memorial Plaque completed for Q.G. Noblitt at Camp.

1978                      

Evening Exchange donates $2,400 for a cabin. Arvin Industries donates $95,000 for the construction of new  

kitchen and mess hall as an addition to the Noblitt Shelter House.

1978-1988            

Additional cabin donations were made by the Jaycees, and Kiwanis as well as anonymous donors. Swimming platforms and diving boards were added at the Lakefront.

1987

Marks 50 years of Camp with an Anniversary Party.

1989               

Bob & Juanita Harden retire as Caretakers.

1990                   

Camp study completed to help guide CYC into the future.

1991                   

Camp becomes part of National Trust for Historic Preservation “Heritage Tourism” program.

1993               

Challenge Course Program initiated

1995              

David Westenberger named Camp Director

1996               

Renovations begin on Big House in preparation for use as a Conference Facility.

1997              

Partnership with Columbus North HIP program begins.

1998               

Mildred Reeves leaves endowment to CYC for the “Improvement, and Expansion” of Camp.

2000               

Ben Wagner named Camp Director, David Westenberger named Executive Director of Foundation for Youth.

2002                         

Science Lab Completed by HIP students

2003                        

Council House constructed by Midwest Bible Students Youth Camp