YMCA Camp Fitch on Lake Erie

Last updated

YMCA Camp Fitch
YMCA Camp Fitch Logo.gif
To help children grow in Spirit, Mind and Body
Location Springfield Township, Erie County, Pennsylvania, USA
Coordinates 42°00′14″N80°25′52″W / 42.004°N 80.431°W / 42.004; -80.431
Annual attendance19,000
Operated byYMCA of Youngstown, Ohio
Established1914 (1914)
Website www.campfitchymca.org

YMCA Camp Fitch is a year-round camp in North Springfield, Pennsylvania, owned and operated by the YMCA of Youngstown, Ohio. Prior to 1914, all summer camps operated by the YMCA of Youngstown were experimental and temporary in nature. Since its founding in 1914, Camp Fitch has hosted campers every year to date. Originally a program of the YMCA's downtown branch, Camp Fitch now exists as a YMCA branch owned by the YMCA of Youngstown.

Contents

While it began as a seasonal camp, Fitch now has the capability to operate throughout the year, owing in part to a campaign to expand its land holdings and facilities starting in the 1960s. During the summer months it operates as a traditional summer camp, with most of its campers staying for week-long sessions. When summer camp is not in session, the camp runs an outdoor education program for schools and hosts several weekend groups and conferences.

History

The Little Beaver camp site Little Beaver River Site 2.jpg
The Little Beaver camp site
A tent group at the old Little Beaver camp site Old Camp Fitch Tent.jpg
A tent group at the old Little Beaver camp site

The Youngstown YMCA began hosting camps for young boys in the early 1900s, the first of which was conducted at Muddy Lake near Ravenna, Ohio in 1906. In 1907, the camp was moved to Grand River between Orwell and Ashtabula and the following year the camp was moved to a site on Lake Erie between Saybrook and Geneva-on-the-Lake. [1]

In 1914 the Board of Trustees of the Youngstown YMCA adopted a permanent policy of conducting a summer camp for boys. The campsite in 1914 was established at Cannon's Mills on Little Beaver River. Land for the camp was donated by John H. Fitch in addition to a sum of money sufficient to operate the camp for a five-year period. [2] Thirty-two campers were enrolled for the first year, and the camp continued to operate at that site for the summers of 1915, 1916 and 1917. During these first years, a common fashion accessory for campers was a forked stick; these had to be carried for protection due to the abundance of rattlesnakes and copperheads in the area. [1] Fortunately, this reptilian problem was rectified through the relocation of the camp grounds.

During the summer of 1919, a $5,600 dam was built to improve swimming and boating facilities; however, in spring of 1920, the dam gave way to a flood and for the next three seasons the camp used a wooden dam constructed by campers and their families.

Due to growing enrollment, in 1918 the camp was moved to West Point, also on Little Beaver River. At the close of the 1918 camping season, the family of the late John H. Fitch donated $10,000 to purchase the West Point camp site and make permanent improvements. The property consisted of 26 acres (110,000 m2) of land and a lodge. The total purchase price was $4,500. In gratitude, the Board of Trustees passed a resolution changing the name of the camp from Ot-Yo-Kwa to Camp John H. Fitch. [1]

In 1923, the camp once again reached its capacity at eight tents and one ball diamond. A 93-acre (380,000 m2) site in North Springfield, Pennsylvania was picked to serve as a new permanent site for the camp. The wood land, located on Lake Erie, was located 72 miles (116 km) from Youngstown. Heirs of John H. Fitch contributed $25,000 for the purchase of the site. In 1924, the tenth anniversary of Camp Fitch, camp was moved to its present site. The new site consisted of many acres of woodland and a half-mile (800 m) of beachfront.

On the present day site, the camp emphasis was on program and the camp was staffed with a doctor, chaplain, directors for crafts, nature study, riflery, waterfront, village directors for each of the three villages (Windy City for boys ages 9 to 11, Chicagami for boys ages 12 to 14, Ot-Yo-Kwa for boys age 15 and older), an assistant camp director for program, a camp steward to handle the dining room and camp store and a tent leader for each tent. [1]

Group tent picture taken in 1969. Military tents like the one shown above housed all campers until 1986 when the cabent was introduced. Military tents were gradually phased out of use as more cabents were built each summer season. Chickagami 1969.jpg
Group tent picture taken in 1969. Military tents like the one shown above housed all campers until 1986 when the cabent was introduced. Military tents were gradually phased out of use as more cabents were built each summer season.

Camp Fitch operated exclusively as a boys' camp until the summer of 1951, when a two-week program for girls was initiated. This received an enthusiastic response, and the following years additional periods just for girls were added. By 1957, attendance for boys and girls increased to the point that the camp finally saw the necessity of simultaneously operating both a girls' camp and a boys' camp. The girls' camp (Chicagami) occupied the original site of the boys' camp. An area of forest was cleared to the east of Chicagami for the establishment of the new boys' camp, Ot-Yo-Kwa.

In the mid-1960s, Camp Fitch was formally recognized as a YMCA branch and began a period of major expansion in facilities and programming over the course of several decades. [3] Under the direction of William Lyder, Fitch was able to grow from a seasonal operation to a permanent, year-round establishment running approximately 340 days a year. [4] Existing buildings on campus were winterized and modified to accommodate year-round programming. The upgrades to these buildings along with the construction of two outdoor education lodges allowed for the creation of an Outdoor Education program in 1973 that serves schools and youth groups when summer camp is not in session. [5] During the Outdoor education season, the Fitch's outdoor education staff work with visiting school faculty to facilitate a curriculum covering the historical, geographical and biological interests of the area. With the addition of the year-round programming, about 19,000 campers attend the camp a year.

With the expansion of program offerings, Fitch found itself in need of additional land to accommodate its growing population. In the early 1970s, the camp purchased 284 acres (1.1 km2) of wooded flatland and a half-mile of shore line on Lake Erie. In addition, the eastern boundary was expanded to run along Crooked Creek. In 1984, the French Creek Boy Scout Council in Erie sold its Camp Sequoyah, located just east of Camp Fitch. [6] Fitch purchased all of Sequoyah south of Ables Road, along with 300 feet (91 m) of lake front property. [7] This expansion brought the camp to its current size of over 450 acres (1.8 km2) with 1 mile (1.6 km) of frontage on Lake Erie. To date, only about 90 acres (360,000 m2) of camp land has been developed. The remaining lands have been left as undisturbed wilderness, which is used for outdoor camp programs, hiking trails and extended overnight camping as well as a buffer to external expansions in the area. [7]

In addition to expanding Fitch's land holdings, Lyder campaigned to increase the number of facilities available to campers. A pool and inland lake were built to expand the aquatics program. [5] [7] All bath facilities were upgraded under his watch and several residential lodges constructed. Programming areas received roofs to shields campers from snow and rain, and a 40-foot climbing tower was constructed. The most significant facility impacts during his tenure, however, were the creation of cabents and the construction of a new Dining Hall. [8] With the new dining hall in place, the camp's dining capacity was expanded to accommodate 1000 guests at a time. [3] With these new accommodations in place, Fitch has recently started to host corporate retreats and conferences throughout the year. [9]

Camp Fitch today

Cabents (1986 to Present)

A Camp Fitch cabent (Summer 2003) Modern Cabent.jpg
A Camp Fitch cabent (Summer 2003)

Camp Fitch had long held on to the tradition of housing campers in tents; however, by 1986, the cost of repairing canvas and the inconveniences of conventional military tents brought on the need for alternative accommodations. Thus, the cabent (a tent/cabin hybrid) was born. [7] A cabent has a permanent wooden roof with 8 in × 8 in (200 mm × 200 mm) corner pillars and canvas sides erected over a cement platform. Cabents allowed the camp to maintain its tradition of outdoor, tent-style camping while eliminating challenges that come with such accommodations. Each cabent unit generally accommodates eight occupants - typically one counselor and seven campers. In the early 2000s, most cabents in the camp were upgraded with built-in bunk beds eliminating the need for work crews to move and store bunks in the off seasons. Cabents housed the camp's population during the summer season from 1986 to 2017. [10] Currently, they are used for housing campers 14 and older.

Cabins (2017 to Present)

A Camp Fitch Cabin, Front View, overlooking Lake Erie (summer 2023) Camp Fitch Cabin Front.jpg
A Camp Fitch Cabin, Front View, overlooking Lake Erie (summer 2023)

In 2017, the camp decided to upgrade its permanent housing from the cabinet to a larger cabin structure of its own unique design. Wanting to retain the camp’s tradition of “open air meets enclosed structure”, the new design retains the openness of the previous cabent while incorporating features found in traditional cabins at other camps. Cabins sit on a 44-foot by 35-foot foundation with a post and beam construction built from century old reclaimed douglas fir. The cabins comprise two separate wings to house campers and staff. The sleeping areas nearly double the capacity of the cabents and improve supervision as multiple staff are housed with the campers. To maintain the openair feel of a cabent, a large portion of each exterior wall has been left open to allow for a flowing cross breeze from Lake Erie. In the event of inclement weather, all-weather siding can be rolled down over the open areas in a similar style to the cabents. As of 2024, Camp Fitch has built 16 cabins to house all campers under age 13. Its current plans are to eventually build at least 26 in total.

Modern Camp Fitch Cabin (Rear View) Camp Fitch Cabin Rear.jpg
Modern Camp Fitch Cabin (Rear View)

In addition to improving the camper/staff ratio, the cabins deliver more modern amenities cabents and tents were unable to provide. A common area sitting between the housing wings provides a half bath and private changing areas. Two covered, open-air porches are located in the front and rear of the cabins and the permanent walls along the foundations keep the cabins insides dry during wet spells. [11]

International programs

For several decades members of the international have had a continual presence among the staff and volunteers of Camp Fitch. This tradition can trace its roots back to 1972 when the international camp counselor program of the YMCA arranged for a registered nurse from Switzerland to join the staff. [12] For the next decade, the camp hosted a few international staff each year; however, in 1984 Camp Fitch was able to begin to expand the number of staff coming from abroad. This was primarily due to a close link that had been established between the YMCA España and several YMCAs of Northern Ohio. This partnership at first resulted in a small staff exchange program between the two countries. By 1987 Camp Fitch's counselor in training program was expanded to actively recruit both Spanish and American youths for staff development. [12] Today Camp Fitch still works extensively with YMCA España as well as the YMCA ICCP Program and other international partners to coordinate international camping experiences for foreign children and young adults. Every year, Fitch hosts several international staff members, campers and CITs.

Facilities and activities

Fitch's 40-foot (12 m) Climbing Tower 40ft Climbing Tower - far.jpg
Fitch's 40-foot (12 m) Climbing Tower

Camp Fitch's facilities include a 4-story climbing tower with zip line, an indoor climbing center, rifle range, archery range, swimming pool, mountain bike trails, horseback riding, air-rifle range, an indoor nature activity center, an inland Lake (Lake MVIMA) and access to Lake Erie. [13] [14] Activity areas include: Horseback Riding, Air-Rifles, Rock Climbing, Swimming, Sailing, Crafts, Canoeing, Boating, Water-skiing, Archery, Riflery (22 mm), Rocketry, Horsemanship Lessons, Campfires, Swim Lessons, SUP and daily age-group specific programs. [15]

Fleets

During the summer sessions, campers are divided into different age groups, "fleets". Fleet's Cabents are grouped together on the camp grounds, and their tables are grouped together in the dining hall. Each fleet has its own set of songs and traditions, and throughout the week campers get the opportunity to participate in fleet-only programs geared towards the camper's age level. In Camp Chicagami (Girls' Camp) ages groups are divided as follows: Sloop fleet (ages 8 to 10), Schooner fleet (ages 11 to 12), and Clipper fleet (ages 13 to 14), Galleon Fleet (ages 15 to 16). [16] Camp Ot-Yo-Kwa (Boys' Camp) is divided as follows: Sloop Fleet (ages 8 to 10), Schooner Fleet (ages 11 to 12), Clipper Fleet (ages 13 to 14), Galleon Fleet (ages 15 to 16). [16] Both Girls' Camp and Boys' Camp have a Mackinaw Fleet (ages 6 to 7) - a special "first" camp designed to introduce young children to summer camping. [17]

Specialty camps

In addition to the traditional summer camp program offered each season, Camp Fitch also offers several "specialty" camps. [18] These programs generally emphasize a theme or goal for its attendees and most are designed to permit participants the chance to take part in the traditional camp programs during their stay. Specialty camps are generally divided into three separate categories:

Leadership and Development Fleets Camp Fitch offers two programs aimed at developing leadership ability for future staff. Its Counselor in Training program for rising High School juniors in particular is well known in the region for training members of the international community and finding them placement both at Camp Fitch and several other summer camps in northwestern Pennsylvania. The Leaders in Training program is available for rising sophomores to learn the basics of leadership at Camp Fitch while all of the training can be applied to home life.

Focus Programs Focus Programs include all events from traditional camp along with additional programs and offerings by leaders in the specialty. At the Camp Fitch Farm, campers can choose Farm Focus featuring our several heritage breeds of domesticated animals, while Outriders features our Equestrian Programs. Tech Focus at Camp Fitch includes Drone Camp and one of the oldest computer camps in the nation. [19] In addition to these activity camps, camp also hosts a Diabetes program and Camp Frog for epilepsy during the summer. [20] [21] From the 1970s until 2017, camp had offered a residency camp for adults with mental and physical disabilities. [22]

Teen Adventure Trips Every summer Camp Fitch offers several multi-week off-site camping trips. Typically, these trips include hiking, white water rafting, caving and rock climbing across the eastern United States.

Spiritual mission

Curly's Chapel 1964, named for Camp Fitch's director in the late twenties and thirties. Raymond "Curly" Johnson was the writer of Camp Fitch's Candlelight Service. The service is still held weekly in the camp chapel during the summer session. Curlys Chapel 1964.jpg
Curly's Chapel 1964, named for Camp Fitch's director in the late twenties and thirties. Raymond "Curly" Johnson was the writer of Camp Fitch's Candlelight Service. The service is still held weekly in the camp chapel during the summer session.

The inspiration for the founding of Camp Fitch, according to the camp's 25th anniversary publication, sprang from the "need of the city boy for a vacation in the out-of-doors under Christian leadership". [23] Today, Fitch's mission reflects the traditional goal of the YMCA: "helping children grow in spirit, mind and body". [24] While campers and staff of many creeds regularly attend camp year round, Christian education and leadership are still built into the core of the camp's mission. Camp staff are expected to "lead by example" by acting in a Christian manner at all times. To encourage this, it provides a Christian Leadership Conference once a year for YCA staff and volunteers. [25] Camp Fitch has set aside several locations on its grounds to help facilitate the spiritual portion of its mission including two outdoor chapels, one indoor chapel, and reflection points for both the Girls' and Boys' camps. [26]

During the summer session, campers attend daily chapel services and a midweek colloquial Vespers service; however, most alumni of Camp Fitch would agree that the spiritual highlight of summer camping period is the unique Candlelight service held at the close of each week. [1] [7] [27] Authored by Raymond L. "Curly" Johnson, Fitch's director from 1928 to 1935, this service blends lessons of character building with Christian themes. Johnson originally conducted the service himself for campers, and the version used today has changed very little from its original form. At the end of the service, attendee's are tasked with setting a personal goal to work towards during his or her time away from Camp Fitch. [28] In 1982 to honor Johnson and his impact on Fitch's spiritual heritage, the camp chapel was renovated and renamed "Curly's Chapel". [7]

Affiliations

Camp Fitch is a member of the American Camp Association. [29]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philmont Scout Ranch</span> Large ranch for youth high adventure in New Mexico, US

Philmont Scout Ranch is a ranch located in Colfax County, New Mexico, near the village of Cimarron; it covers 140,177 acres (56,728 ha) of wilderness in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains on the east side of the Cimarron Range of the Rocky Mountains. Donated by oil baron Waite Phillips, the ranch is owned and operated by the Boy Scouts of America. It is a National High Adventure Base where crews of Scouts and Venturers take part in backpacking treks and other outdoor activities. By land area, it is one of the largest youth camps in the world. During the 2019 season, between June 8 and August 22, an estimated 24,000 Scouts and adult leaders backpacked through the Ranch's extensive backcountry. That same year 1,302 staff were responsible for the Ranch's summer operations.

The Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA consists of Camp Becket, Camp Chimney, and Becket Day Camp, all of which take place in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts during summer. Camp Becket and Camp Chimney identify as boys-plus and girls-plus, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camp Dudley, YMCA</span>

Founded in 1885 by Sumner F. Dudley, Camp Dudley is the oldest continually running boys camp in the United States. It is located in Westport, New York, on the shores of Lake Champlain. In 1993, it was included within the Camp Dudley Road Historic District when listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">YMCA Hayo-Went-Ha Camps</span>

YMCA Hayo-Went-Ha Camps is an arm of the State YMCA of Michigan which administers a pair of camps in northwestern Michigan. Started in 1904 with the founding of YMCA Camp Hayo-Went-Ha for Boys, the organization provides year round outdoor activities. The primary focus of both camps is the summer program, which offers two to four-week, single gender camp experiences for children in 3rd through 11th grades. Other functions include outdoor education and challenge course retreats for local schools and cross-country skiing.

Camp Timanous is a historic boys' summer camp in Raymond, Maine, United States. It offers a "traditional" program of land and water activities, aimed at developing "Body, Mind, and Spirit". Camp Timanous is both a progenitor of the Maine sleepaway camping tradition and industry and is one of the oldest continually operating summer camps in America. Across Maine in a typical summer, some 40,000 children participate in youth summer programs, mostly at one of Maine's 200 licensed summer camps, such as Camp Timanous.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">YMCA Camp Orkila</span>

Camp Orkila is on the northwest shoulder of Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands of Washington, overlooking Presidents Channel, and the Canadian Gulf Islands. It has been in operation since 1906.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">YMCA Camp Cory</span> Summer camp in New York State, U.S.

YMCA Camp Lawrence Cory, better known as "YMCA Camp Cory" or simply "Camp Cory," is a resident-style summer camp in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. It was founded in 1892 and established at its current location in 1921. The name comes from Lt. H. Lawrence Cory, an American World War I soldier who was killed in action.

Frost Valley YMCA is a camping, environmental education, and conferencing center located in Claryville, New York, part of the Catskill Mountains. Founded in 1901 as Camp Wawayanda, the camp moved to its present location in 1958.

Camp Tousey was a YMCA summer camp located about two miles (3 km) from the village of Redwood in Jefferson County, New York in the United States, and about eight miles (13 km) from Alexandria Bay, New York, a small resort town on the St. Lawrence River in the Thousand Islands area. The camp was operated by the Syracuse, New York YMCA for many decades during the twentieth century. Non-Christians were not excluded from the camp and many attended. The camp comprised 500 acres (2.0 km2) wooded on the shores of Millsite Lake and of Sixberry Lake and also included Royale Island on Millsite Lake, just offshore from the main camp. The terrain was rugged, with a tall rocky cliff backing the buildings of the main camp, clustered along Millsite Lake. Standing atop the cliffs provided an expansive view of the camp and of Millsite Lake.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northeastern Pennsylvania Council</span>

Northeastern Pennsylvania Council, with headquarters in Moosic, Pennsylvania, formed in 1990 from the merger of Forest Lakes Council and Penn Mountains Council of the Boy Scouts of America. It covers the metropolitan area of Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The council serves Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Wayne, Wyoming counties, and portions of Susquehanna county.

YMCA Camp Tecumseh Outdoor Center is located in Indiana near the towns of Brookston, Indiana and Delphi, Indiana on the Tippecanoe River. The closest large city to Camp Tecumseh is Lafayette, Indiana, which is just across the Wabash River from West Lafayette. Camp Tecumseh was established in 1924 when citizens of Delphi raised $3000 to purchase the land which lies on a bend on the Tippecanoe river. The camp is named after Tecumseh, a Shawnee chief. Camp Tecumseh is fully accredited by the American Camping Association and currently serves over 4,000 campers every summer from throughout the midwest USA and the world. Camp Tecumseh is also open throughout the year, providing an Outdoor Education service for schools and a facility for retreats and conferences of all kinds. The facility serves over 30,000 people per year. It is an independent YMCA branch and is operated independently of other metro YMCAs.

Camp Watonka was a residential summer camp for boys aged seven to sixteen in Wayne County, Pennsylvania from 1963 to 2019. It was the only science camp for boys accredited by the American Camp Association in the United States. Accommodation was in traditional cabins with modern bathrooms and electricity. Campers could stay for two, four, six or eight weeks.

Camp Anokijig is a residential youth summer camp located in Plymouth, Wisconsin on Little Elkhart Lake. Founded in 1926 by the Racine YMCA, Camp Anokijig is now independently owned and operated by the non-profit group Friends of Camp Anokijig, and operates year-round. Camp Anokijig is accredited by the American Camping Association.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camp Ralph S. Mason</span> Summer camp

YMCA Camp Mason is a YMCA summer camp located in Hardwick Township, New Jersey. The 650-acre site is located next to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Camp Mason annually serves approximately 800 campers in its summer camp programs, and 7,000 participants at its outdoor center.

Located on 150 acres on Cedar Lake in Chester, Connecticut, Camp Hazen YMCA provides positive youth camping experiences for over 1500 boys and girls each year from throughout the state. Group camping includes over 6000 participants annually. Camp Hazen YMCA serves youth from throughout Connecticut, New England and many states around the country. Each summer, Camp Hazen YMCA is also home to campers and counselors from more than 25 different countries. Campers come from all socio-economic backgrounds, and range in age from 5 to 18. Over 800 campers were provided with financial assistance in 2009. These funds, over $205,000, were provided through the generosity of individuals, foundations, businesses and service clubs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camp Ondessonk</span> Catholic youth camp

Camp Ondessonk is an outdoor, Catholic residential youth camp run by the Diocese of Belleville. It is located in the Shawnee National Forest of Southern Illinois, near Ozark, Illinois. The mission of the camp is "Exceptional outdoor and spiritual adventures empowering kids of all ages." Camp Ondessonk is accredited by the American Camp Association.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">YMCA Camp Wanakita</span>

YMCA Wanakita is a camp located on Koshlong Lake near Haliburton in central Ontario, Canada. It is run by the YMCA of Hamilton, Burlington and Brantford and attracts campers from throughout Ontario and sometimes internationally. The name "Wanakita" comes from a legend of the Wendat people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RKY Camp</span> Summer camp and outdoor centre near Kingston, Ontario

RKY Camp is a non-profit organization and summer camp, accredited by the Ontario Camping Association, in Parham, Ontario, Canada, north of Kingston, Ontario. Operating since 1929 on Eagle Lake, RKY Camp was founded by The Rotary Club, Kiwanis International, and the YMCA of Kingston, making up the abbreviation 'R.K.Y.'. RKY Camp ran as an all-boys camp until 1969. The camp provides outdoor education and camping opportunities to people of all backgrounds, including integrated summer camping for children and young adults with disabilities through a combined effort with Reach for the Rainbow. RKY Camp provides financial assistance, or "camperships" to ensure any youth has an opportunity to attend.

Cheley Colorado Camps is a residential summer camp in the Estes Park Valley. Cheley is located at two sites: Land O'Peaks Ranch in Estes Park, Colorado, which houses three girls' units and three boys' units, and Trail's End Ranch for Boys and Girls in Glen Haven, Colorado. Since 1921, Cheley Colorado Camps has had around 50,000 campers. Cheley hosts over 1,200 campers each summer.

Camp Jones Gulch is a YMCA summer camp in La Honda, California, in the Santa Cruz Mountains of the San Francisco Bay Area. It was founded in 1934 and encompasses 927 acres (375 ha) of redwood forests and meadows. During the summer, the YMCA of San Francisco operates overnight youth and family camps, and during the school year, the camp hosts retreats, in addition to weekly environmental education field trips operating as San Mateo Outdoor Education. From 1956 to 2020, it was also the home of San Joaquin County Outdoor Education.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Tear, Phil. "Camp Fitch Golden Anniversary"". Itunes.apple.com. January 25, 2012. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2012.
  2. ↑ "Butler, Joseph Green. "History of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley Ohio, ... v. 3"". American Historical Society. 1921. hdl:2027/nyp.33433081822706. Archived from the original on March 17, 2024. Retrieved April 11, 2012.
  3. 1 2 "Director bids Camp Fitch a fond farewell". Vindicator. June 4, 2008. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 24, 2012.
  4. ↑ "Camp Fitch History". Camp Fitch. 2008. Archived from the original on June 2, 2012. Retrieved April 24, 2012.
  5. 1 2 "Camp Fitch Dedicates New Facilities June 25". Vindicator. June 4, 1978. Archived from the original on March 17, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2012.
  6. ↑ "Camp Sequoyah - 55 years of Scouting". Evelyn Baker. August 24, 2002. Archived from the original on January 19, 2014. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Camp Fitch. "Camp Fitch 75th Anniversary"". Itunes.apple.com. February 25, 2012. Archived from the original on March 24, 2016. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Let's Eat". Vindicator. July 4, 2005. Archived from the original on March 17, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2012.
  9. ↑ "programs: retreat". Camp Fitch. July 4, 2005. Archived from the original on February 20, 2012. Retrieved April 24, 2012.
  10. ↑ Cabents Archived June 2, 2012, at the Wayback Machine , YMCA Camp Fitch site. Retrieved April 12, 2012.
  11. ↑ Email From Tom Parker, Camp Fitch Camp Director, to Phillip Kondas, Camp Historian, 2024)
  12. 1 2 "Camp program helps youths explore international friendships". The vindicator. April 28, 1989. Archived from the original on March 17, 2024. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
  13. ↑ Giant slide is ready at Camp Fitch Archived December 24, 2010, at the Wayback Machine , YMCA Camp Fitch site. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  14. ↑ Camp facilities Archived June 1, 2012, at the Wayback Machine , YMCA Camp Fitch site. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  15. ↑ Activities Archived June 1, 2012, at the Wayback Machine , YMCA Camp Fitch site. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  16. 1 2 Traditional Villages Archived June 2, 2012, at the Wayback Machine , YMCA Camp Fitch site. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  17. ↑ First Camp Archived June 2, 2012, at the Wayback Machine , YMCA Camp Fitch site. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  18. ↑ Speciality Camps Archived June 2, 2012, at the Wayback Machine , YMCA Camp Fitch site. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
  19. ↑ Computer Camp Archived April 30, 2012, at the Wayback Machine , Computer Camp site. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
  20. ↑ Diabetic Camp Archived June 2, 2012, at the Wayback Machine , YMCA Camp Fitch site. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  21. ↑ Orthopedic Camp Archived June 2, 2012, at the Wayback Machine , YMCA Camp Fitch site. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  22. ↑ Navajo Camp, YMCA Camp Fitch site. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  23. ↑ "Camp Fitch Had 'primitive' Beginnings 75 Years Ago". Vindicator. April 28, 1989. Archived from the original on March 17, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2012.
  24. ↑ "Camp Fitch Mission". Camp Fitch. 2010. Archived from the original on May 17, 2012. Retrieved April 25, 2012.
  25. ↑ "Christian Leadership Conference" (PDF). Camp Fitch. 2012. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  26. ↑ "Camp Fitch map" (PDF). Camp Fitch. 2011. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 1, 2011. Retrieved April 25, 2012.
  27. ↑ "Camp Fitch schedule". Camp Fitch. 2011. Archived from the original on May 17, 2012. Retrieved April 25, 2012.
  28. ↑ "Camp Fitch memories treasured". Vindicator. September 2, 1988. Archived from the original on November 27, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2012.
  29. ↑ Find a Camp, ACA Web site. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.