Camp Glen Celebrates 50 Years in 2009!
In 2009 Camp Glen will celebrate 50 years of making a difference in the lives of young people through camping. In 1959, through the genorous contributions of time and resources by many people in the Findlay Ohio area, Camp Glen was established as the Summer Camp for the No-We-Oh Council of the Camp Fire Girls. Since that time the camp has grown and touched the lives of thousands of young people (and adults).

On July 9, 10 and 11 2009 we will celebrate 50 years of camping with a Family Camp Reunion. Join us for the weekend (or just a day) and help us celebrate! More details (including registration for the weekend) will be coming soon, so check back often.

alumni registration

The site on which Camp Glen is located was a contribution to the NO-WE-OH Council of Camp Fire Girls made in 1958, by Mrs. O.D. Donnell of Findlay, Ohio.  Mrs. Donnell’s first name was Glenna, and the camp was named in her honor.  Camp Glen celebrated its first camping season in 1959.

Many buildings were constructed during the first year.  The NO-WE-OH Lodge was built with contributions made by Marathon Oil Company.  Funds to build the Director’s Cabin were contributed by Mrs. R.L. Heminger – Mrs. Donnell’s sister.  The Health Cabin and Meadow Cabins were also completed the first year. Both the swimming pool and “Tent City” were added in 1960.  The footbridge and the Caretaker’s House were constructed in 1961. 1962, brought the Equipment building and the 5th grade Cabins (originally named the 6th grade cabins).  The Council Fire and Craft Cabin were added in 1963.  The Craft Cabin was built as a memorial to Mrs. Aaron Blackford, Council President at the time of her death in 1963.  The Rotary Club of Findlay donated funds to furnish and equip the new Craft Cabin.  In 1971, the A-Frame was constructed for high school age girls, and in 1976, the Staff Cabin was built with money bequeathed by H. Barkey Hovis, a council trustee for many years.

The growth and development of Camp Glen continued into the 1980’s and 90’s with the addition of the tennis courts in 1983 and the purchase of an additional 14 acres in 1988.  Another 17 acres of land was purchased in 1990, along with two historical houses.  These historical structures originally served as the Environmental Education Center and staff housing.  In 1988, the Stone House was remodeled and served as a year–around rental facility until 2006 when it became the residence for the Camp Director, and is now being used as the residence for the Property Manager.  The Environmental Educational Center was renovated in 1990 to become the Bunkhouse which serves as a year round facility.

Camp Glen programming was expanded in 1991, with the construction of the Challenge Course, a low ropes initiative course and boys were included in the Day Camp programming.  Programming was again expanded in 1993, with the development and construction of the Horse Barn, riding arena and grazing pasture. With construction in 1994 of the Outback (boy’s area), coed overnight camping at Camp Glen became a reality. Also in 1994, two new boardwalks were built, one leading to the boy’s area and the other spanning the wetlands below the Bunkhouse.

In 1995, campers and parents were greeted in the newly remodeled Director’s Cabin upon registration.  When campers to the 1998 camping season arrived in the meadow, they found new beds and remodeled restrooms. 

An architectural firm from Cleveland completed a study and presented the plan for relocating and adding facilities in 1998.  The plan outlines the general arrangement and location of development areas, programs, service and nature amenities.   It was designed to take advantage of the buildable areas on the 138 acres while maintaining large areas of natural terrain and vegetation.

In October of 1999, the original well required replacing. After the work began, it became apparent that 3 new wells would be needed for Camp Glen.  In the spring of 2000, the entry road to Camp Glen was renovated by realigning the entry looks, creating a new parking area where the tennis courts were and a new service road.   A traverse climbing wall was purchased and put into service in 2005 to supplement and enhance the Challenge Course.  The traverse wall was relocated the summer of 2007 to a more active area just outside of the Lodge.  

In 2007, a retaining wall was built to reinforce the swimming pool and was considered a success, preventing the slow progression of the pool from sliding into the ravine due to natural soil erosion.   With the sliding progression of the pool halted, it was deemed unnecessary to relocate the pool and renovations began in the spring of 2008 with a new concrete deck, plumbing and fence replacement.  During the spring of 2008, new bunk beds and mattresses were purchased for three of the meadow cabins the other cabin was done the previous year.  With a grant from ODNR, new canoes were purchased and horses were reintroduced to the 2008 camping program.  In the fall of 2008, a waste treatment system will be installed on the back acreage of the meadow behind the cabins.   Also planned for the fall of 2008, is a new water distribution system which will allow for a longer camping season as the underground plumbing will be set deeper into the ground.

In 2009, plans are in place to resurface and paint the pool.  

Although many changes have taken place during the first 50 years of Camp Glen, many more are planned for the future. One thing that has remained the same…. Camp Glen has a strong commitment to serving the needs of children!