The Children and Childhood in History and Society organization published a recent study that showed, “camps for girls were established in the early twentieth century to foster a new, more self-reliant generation of young women. By 1925, there were some three hundred Girl Scout camps in the United States.”
Reva Evans, of YWCA Hamilton, said that Camp Luella May fit right into that description.
“The land the camp was on was 63 acres near Somerville, Ohio and was donated to us in 1935,” Evans said. “It operated from 1936 to 1976 and was sold in 1977. I believe it started with four cabins and later grew to seven. There was a lodge, summer house, craft house and camp store, as well as a pool. Sessions ran for eight to nine weeks every summer from mid-June to mid-August. Sessions ran from Sunday afternoon-Saturday morning.
The opportunity provided to the young women who attended was very impressive during that time period, she said.
“Activities included swimming, archery, crafts, horseback riding, talent shows and other activities like those,” Evans said. “The thing that absolutely everyone talks about is the Friday night closing ceremony. The high point of that was everyone had a boat with lighted candles and they set them loose to float down the nearby stream — counselors had to go retrieve the litter the next day.”
Four past camp attendees gathered at the YWCA recently to sift through old pictures and older memories, as they recounted the significance of the camp for women that they said - helped shape and change their lives.
Gail Heitz, 64, attended the camp in 1959, for one week as a camper, but she ended up becoming and junior then senior camp counselor, and then going on to what was known as a “kitchen jumper.” She said she would not have traded her experience at Camp Luella May for anything.
“It was one of the best experiences of my life,” Heitz said. “This reunion will be great, and I’ve already been able to connect with people I went to camp with. People still remember that experience from 60 or so years ago.”
Karen Blockmon, 64, also attended in 1959 and afterwards for about three of four years.
“It was a great time and I usually attended with neighbors, friends and cousins,” Blockmon said. “We all enjoyed just the whole camping experience and the camaraderie. I remember the classes and swimming - it was a great experience.
For Toni Reese Cleary,69, the upcoming will be a 50th anniversary celebration for her. Her time at the 1966 camp was something very special and unique.
“I was there for only one summer in 1966,” Cleary said. “I was recruited out of Indianapolis at a school, which is now the University of Indianapolis, to come to the camp to teach tennis. I had applied through my school and the woman from Camp Luella May drove over and hired me on the spot. I really don’t think it was for my tennis prowess, but more for my enthusiasm for the game.”
Getting hired and winding up at the camp helped change Cleary’s life. At a time when women’s basketball in Indianapolis was still being played half-court only with three dribbles allowed, and organized sports for women weren’t readily available, Cleary found a place that allowed her to expand her horizons.
“It was a wonderful summer and it actually changed my life,” she said. “I was a Physical Education major and I was a jock. I was a little on the pudgy side, and I went there and just dove right into health activities. I ate right and started a running regime and lost 30 pounds that summer. I worked hard on myself.”
People who would like to attend April’s reunion are being asked to RSVP to 513-856-9800 or revans@ywcahamilton.com. Anyone attending is welcome to bring photos or memorabilia to share.
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