Back in the mid-1940’s, the Akron District ministers took their day off and went to the Camp Family farm to convert the farm into a church camp.  The Inpost barn still had the stables, full of animal residue, etc. and no windows, so one side of the barn was open for the first Ox Roast, held to celebrate the new camp. The first kitchen was located at the opposite end of the barn from where it is now.  Then an addition was built for the present kitchen.  Along with the kitchen, the stage upstairs was built.

The Frog Pond needed to be cleaned up since it hadn’t been used as a swimming pool for several years.  This pool was used for the campers until the current swimming pool was built.

Also, there were a couple of sessions of the East Ohio Conference of the United Brethren in Christ held at the camp prior to the merger with the Evangelical Church.  Later, Conference was held at Linwood and Lakeside.

Hope you find these little tidbits interesting!

Kathy Klich & Martha McCoy (daughter & mother)

Last month my Otterbein College class of 1956 held a wonderful 50th anniversary reunion. Camp Wanake entered into many of the conversations since, as it turns out, many of us had been to Wanake as campers or counselors or both. A few names: Amy Zimmerman, Mary Wagner, Jean Karns, George Fisher. During my youth I was an active member of the United Brethren church on Hilliard Road in Lakewood, Ohio. I spent the summers of 1951 & 1952 at Wanake. Lots of the counselors were Otterbein students or graduates. And several of my follow campers ending up going to Otterbein. I particularly remember “Bing” Crosby who lead all of our singing in the dining hall (”This is table number one, number one, number one, this is table number one, where is number two?” Etc.) “Bing” was an Otterbein graduate. All this has started me wondering about how many former campers from Wanake ended up at Otterbein. The number must be large. What a wonderful connection this has been throughout the years; I hope it is as strong as ever.

Camp Wanake is a special place to me. I particularly remember the spiritual leadership of Rev. Melvin Moody. A highlight for all of us was the evening trek up Vesper Hill for devotionals. A few years ago I was going through some post cards and letters I had mailed to relatives during my stay at Wanake. I ran across one post card I had mailed to my grandmother. On the front was a picture of Vesper Hill. The only thing I wrote on the card was, “Dear Grandmother, This (referring to Vesper Hill) is where I learned to pray.” Yes, indeed.

I will not be able to attend Camp Wanake’s 60th anniversary celebration. I know it will be a blessing to all. I will be with you in spirit.

Bud Warner
CampWanake camper/counselor, summers of 1951-52
Otterbein College 1952-56