4-H Camp Palmer is a self-supporting, non-profit corporation operating almost entirely on camp revenues. For the past 60 years, Camp Palmer has been self sustaining. Camp is recognized as a charitable 501(C) (3) entity by the Internal Revenue Service, and donations are tax-deductible.
4-H Camp Palmer enjoys affiliation with The Ohio State University through 4-H Youth Development, Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences, and other programs of OSU Extension. OSU Extension professionals from each of the 11 counties that own 4-H Camp Palmer play a significant role in both policy and programming. This relationship gives camp staff numerous professional enrichment opportunities and direct access to Ohio State University educational resources which benefit all camp users.
In the last half century 4-H Camp Palmer has enriched the lives of over 200,000 youth and adults. Camp provides a unique educational experience away from the distractions of daily life. It is a safe and fun place where youth: 1.) explore their role as members of a community, 2.) develop leadership skills, 3.) define values, gain self-esteem and establish positive self-worth, 4.) discover the enjoyment of education through “learning by doing”, and 5.) investigate and learn to appreciate our natural surroundings.
PURPOSE
The mission of 4-H Camp Palmer, Inc. is to extend Ohio 4-H through a learning laboratory that enables youth and adult groups to develop positive values, skills, leadership, self-esteem, responsibility, and cooperation by practicing community living and environmental stewardship to become capable and contributing members of society.
Camp Palmer is a place where adventure and the excitement of discovery merge to lift young minds. Camp experiences put these minds in flight as campers investigate creatures caught from a stream, listen to the sounds of wildlife at night, see a rabbit dart from its bramble cover, or work with others to navigate a canoe. The high ropes experience gives a hint of what it feels like to fly, as young leaders discover their inner strengths. Through learning and growing together, campers have a chance to experience success while exploring nature and making life long friends.
PAST
4-H Camp Palmer was founded in 1947 by 4-H leadership in seven Northwest Ohio counties. The county extension agents and 4-H leaders decided they needed a more permanent site for their summer camping experience for 4-H members. These agents decided it was no longer practical to set up temporary summer camps like the one located near the Maumee River in Henry County. (Early records indicate this site was used for about 20 years by several counties in Northwest Ohio.) Fulton, Williams, Lucas, Henry, Defiance, Paulding, and Van Wert Counties organized a not-for-profit corporation, and were later joined by Allen, Putnam, Auglaize and Wood.
Each county 4-H program shared in the purchase and development of the camp by raising funds within their county. (Fulton, Henry and Williams - $8,000 each; Defiance, Lucas, Paulding and Van Wert - $5,000 each.) Joining together to raise the money were leaders, 4-H clubs and many rural organizations. A few of the fundraising methods used included passing milk buckets in the grandstand during the county fair, scrap metal drives (these were popular because of the war effort and the need for scrap iron), going door-to-door to ask for contributions, and canvassing businesses and adult organizations.
CAMP TRADITIONS
Camp has many traditions and a look at the records shows the following traditions that can still be found during today’s camping experiences. 1.) The girls area is limited to girls, and the boys area is limited to boys. 2.) Each camper becomes a member of a smaller group and is expected to do his very best to make his group the most successful. 3.) To practice good health and safety measures, campers help keep cabins and areas surrounding them clean of all waste and debris. 4.) The inspirational period is devoted to individual inspiration and to keep it so, each camper should remain quiet on the way to, from and during the Inspirational Service. 5.) Counselors and campers will not enter kitchen unless on dining hall duty.
TODAY
Camp Palmer has a grand history and has enjoyed tremendous growth in facilities and in the people it serves. It has had steady growth that will continue. It has exceeded the many dreams of the people that started it 50 years ago. Active, fun learning is 4-H Camp Palmer’s trademark. Youth discover their roles in a community and in the environment while developing leadership skills as they participate in educational and recreational activities.
Camp’s community settings offers campers responsibilities to fulfill, problems to solve, and guidance to solve them. Older teens, with adult supervision, exercise their leadership abilities by developing and leading many camper activities. Campers work together to meet basic needs such as cleaning cabins, setting tables and serving family style meals. Youth learn the importance of contributing to a community while at camp.
A variety of wildlife habitats offer campers exciting opportunities to study nature and ecosystems. Nature trails lead to a spring fed stream, meander through grasslands, wetlands, and native woodlands. Youth touch, smell and see nature. Campers see a blue heron fly off the wetland, smell wildflowers blooming in the grassland, then capture a minnow and watch it dart away when released back into the stream.
Recreational programs teach campers valuable life lessons. Paddling a canoe across Harrison lake requires teamwork to reach a common goal. Swimmers are challenged to set and attain individual goals with programs such as Water Safety Certification. Outpost camping allow campers to experience nature at night and sleep under the stars. Campfire, vespers, line dancing, and zipline fill a camper’s day with learning and fun.
