Programs : Camp Christopher : History

The history of Camp Christopher traces to a cottage purchased on the Portage Lakes for the purpose of setting up a camp for boys. Akron Council 547 of the Knights of Columbus was one of many Councils who raised money to support Knights of Columbus Huts in the Armed Forces during World War I. At the end of the War, with a supply of funds on hand, Council 547 determined to invest their funds on a youth activity. Glen Holbrook, a seminarian from St. Martha's parish, was hired to head the activity, serving boys referred from the Catholic Service League. The Camp Name: Christopher for Christopher Columbus.

1924 – The Knights of Columbus turn over the entire camp operation to the Catholic Service League. With many requests to attend camp, expansion is necessary. The Catholic Service League leases grounds at the back of a 64-acre farm located on East Bath Road, Northampton Township. This becomes the official year for the founding of Camp Christopher.

The 64-acres housed six camper cabins, a recreation hall, the leader's cabin, famed glory barns built on the upper level, the Dining Hall, Grotto (which still stands today) and icy waters of a stream dammed to provide the "Ol Swimmin' Hole" at the lower level. Access to the Metropolitan Park District for hiking, nature study and wood games supplemented the programming. Oil lanterns lent evening atmosphere to the camp and the only electricity is at the farm in front, used for viewing movies at the Farm Barn. Camp Christopher handles 60 campers per week with five designated weeks for boys and four weeks for girls.

Transition of Ownership
1929 – The Great Depression hits and the Knights of Columbus Luncheon Club under the leadership of Judge Dean May, starts raising funds to subsidize campers. Monies are turned over to the Catholic Service League to aid expenses.

1936 – CYO Founding Director Bob Van Kirk and CYO take over the operation of Camp Christopher.

1940s
1942 – Van Kirk signs up for service with the National Catholic Community Service, one of six USO agencies during World War II, and departs Akron. Charles "Chick" Madden, an active CYO leader employed by the Service League takes over as head CYO. Madden carries out operations while facing gas rationing, food rationing and other wartime shortages.

1944 – Madden leaves CYO for other civic duties. Ray Patrick McDowell takes over the reins of CYO and Camp Christopher. The postwar boom begins and under Ray's guidance the Golden and Building years of CYO grow in stride with the rapid growth in the United States and the Akron postwar era.

The backbone of the Camp Christopher staff at the Old Camp included seminarians, Bob Bacher, Gene Kane, Jim Grandillo, Bob and Bill Gilmore, Bob Pfeil and Ken Daugherty; and sisters of St. Dominic, Sister Alice, Sister Louise, Sister Mary Jane, Sister Eileen, Sister Dominica and Sister Mercedes.

1950s
1952 – In the early 1950's, Ray McDowell and the CYO officials realize that Camp Christopher's leased facilities would no longer meet the needs of the ever growing number of potential campers. Dr. Carl Krill, Sr., a longtime friend of CYO, who owned property in Bath Township, alerts CYO of the availability of the Ferncliff Estate, located immediately north of his property. The Cleveland Diocese and Edward F. Hoban (Bishop) purchase 80 acres on March 26, 1952.

Board member Tim Doyle and his wife Mary Anges (Sally) purchase 82 acres north to provide an excellent buffer for Camp programming. The "New Camp" enjoys the shared use of adjoining properties. In the same year, the Old Camp closes its gates.

1953 – While the new camp is built, CYO establishes a Day Camp program to bridge the gap between the old and new facilities. The "Transition Team" of counselors includes Alberta "Bertie" Petrarca Schumacher, Fran Townsell, Kay McCabe and seminarians Al Kunkel and Art Bacher. The Day Camp offers programming at six parishes including St. Peter and St. Vincent, several different farms, the Metropolitan Parks and swimming at Wyoga Lake. It proves so popular that it was retained as a program in its own right.

1954 – The new campsite is partially completed with seven cabins and basic buildings erected. The redwood cabin used as the first Dispensary is moved from the East Bath Road site. Residential camping operations resume with 938 campers. A Golden Years program for senior citizens serves 30 campers and is replaced the following year by the popular Family Camp program.

The 1950's and early 1960's present a litany of Camp Christopher Staff Stewarts: Bertie and Betty Petrarca, Edna Nagy, Maureen Cooney, Kay O'Malley, SND, and Jean Reese. Many of the seminarian counselors went on to be ordained: Frank Botzman, Al Krunkel, Carl Uhler, Bob Pahler, Ralph Bodziany, Tom Martin, Dave Liberatore, twins Jim and Joe Costello, Phil Pritt, John Krasen, Pat Shields, Frank Larocca, Bob Viewig, Ralph Coletta,

1960s
1960 – Ray McDowell dies suddenly at the age of 43. Jim Sovacool takes over the leadership and provides visionary leadership to CYO for 43 years. CYO organizes a Day Camp Program for the mentally challenged, the first program of it’s kind in the area.

1964 – CYO Center, Inc., a group of volunteers to raise funds for CYO, purchases the north acreage from Tim Doyle (less 6 acres kept by Bobbi Doyle Huscroft and husband Whitey).

1967 – Ray Thomas serves as Camp Director as the Camp Christopher site in Bath Township undergoes a winterization project that expands the potential to year round camp use. Trip Camp is offered for boys 13-17.

1970s
1971 – Trip Camp is offered for girls ages 14-17. Twelve campers and four counselors travel to Kentucky and Tennessee for a two-day canoe trip in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

1973 – Several innovations, spearheaded by then Camp Director, Herb McGuire, include the pilot residential program for mentally challenged campers with Pat Kennedy and Bob Ponchak as counselor leaders. A second week for Family Camp programming is added. Several redwood buildings are moved from the closed YMCA Camp Jody in Barberton.

1974 – Camp Christopher begins offering two weeks of co-educational camping on a trial basis. The innovation proved so successful that Camp Christopher now offers co-ed camping throughout the entire Resident camping season.

1980s
1981 – Family Camp expands to three weeks to meet the demand.

1984 – Camp Christopher celebrates a historical first, a perfect 100% evaluation from the American Camping Association.

1988 – CYO completes Phase 1 of the "Accessibility" Program.

1989 – The Old Camp Property on East Bath Road comes full circle within the CYO family, as Bill and Liz Yoho, active in the CYO Search Program, purchase the 64 acres that had been Old Camp leased from owners Frank and Ruth Thompson. The Yoho's have since sold five acres for their present 59-acre total.

1990s
1990 – CYO Camp Christopher's Special Populations Camp expands to eight full weeks of programming for males and females due in part to the advocacy of Program Director, Joe Sovacool.

1991 – Rich Garbinsky, who would later become Camp Director, leads the transition of transferring programs and campers to Camp Christopher due to the closing of Camp Isaac Jogues in Madison. Programs include Environmental Education for schools in the Diocese of Cleveland and September Song Camp for those ages 55 and older.

1997 – With the assistance of the Catholic Charities Facilities Corporation, Camp Christopher builds a new horse barn.

1998 – The new and improved expanded Dining Hall is completed and put to good use for the first time at Winter Family Camp (established 1996) in January.

1999 – CYO Camp Christopher celebrates its Diamond Anniversary, 75 years of service to youth, families, seniors and those who are disabled.

2000 and Beyond
2001 – CYO Camp Christopher hires its first full-time program coordinator, John Litten. Environmental Education, Christmas Camp, Spring Break Camp, Camp ADAPT and the Ropes Challenge Course come alive with the addition of John.

2002/3 – CYO and Community Services purchases five acres of land contiguous to Camp owned by the late Earl Fitzpatrick.

2003/4 – Happiness Pavilion is renovated. Improvements include electricity, added walls for safety and an extension that doubles its size.

2005 – Rich Garbinsky departs as Camp Director after more than 20 years involved with CYO. He is replaced by John Litten.