History

In 1941 Hylton Harmon and Raymond Flory spearheaded a camp at Ottawa, Kansas with the help of George and Evelyn Royer and P.R. Jamison. The camp was formed and functioned quite successfully. Due to the encouraging aspects of these camps, the idea was discussed at the Lone Star District meeting in 1943. A committee was appointed to look into the purchase of a campsite. A camp near Tonganoxie, Kansas that had been operating as a 4-H camp was offered for sale.

Because of good reports and enthusiasm shown for a permanent camping program and the fact that the camp property was for sale, the district decided to buy it. The price for the twenty-three acres with many beautiful trees, some of them still contributing to the beauty of the camp today, two buildings and a little spring in the southwest corner of the grounds was $2000. How in the world could the district pay for it? The youth of the district decided to pay for it by assessing each $5. The camp was bought thanks to the youth and the founders of the camp are considered to be Hylton Harmon, Raymond Flory and Ira Brammel. Formal dedication for Camp Mt. Hermon was a few years later on August 31, 1947.

The camp was quite rustic, but the campers seemed to enjoy the primitive aspect, since there were no modern facilities in any way. Only two buildings graced the campsite. The nature setting seemed to add to the enjoyment of the campers. One building (now the chapel) served as a boy’s dormitory, housing some thirty or more boys. There was also a 32-volt light plant that was housed in the boy’s dormitory. Each evening the light plant had to be cranked up to produce electricity and lights for the camp. To the south of the boy’s dormitory was a large dining hall and girl’s dormitory, which housed some thirty girls. The cooks slept in the girl’s dormitory. Kitchen facilities seemed to be adequate, along with a well that provided drinking and kitchen use. Also on the camp grounds was an outhouse, which still stands in the trees today.

Some time during the later part of June or first part of July in 1944, the stage was set for the first camp. The age bracket for camps consisted of junior high and high school ages. The directors were Hylton Harmon and Raymond Flory. Classes were conducted in Bible Study during the morning sessions and the afternoon provided a rest period, swimming and boating on Lake Tonganoxie and recreation. The evenings were taken up by campfire or vesper service, or both. An early memorable camp was the Peace Institute of June 24 – July 4, 1948. The idea was conceived at the Annual Conference of 1948 in Colorado Springs and leader of the camp was Dan West, founder of Heifer International.

Five sleeping cabins were constructed in 1946. Raymond Flory went with his father, Art Flory, to pour cement floors for the cabins. Also along were Calvin Flory, Melvin Fishburn and John Flory. They used dynamite on the rocks early in the morning. By 3:00 p.m. the three older youth were too sick from dynamite fumes to do anything. Raymond and Art finished the work on the cement floor by midnight that evening. First Central Church of the Brethren in Kansas City, Kansas poured floors for two of the cabins, as well.

Several improvements were made in 1947. These improvements included construction of a bathhouse (now known as the tool shed), plumbing installation in the bathhouse and outside toilets. The buildings were wired for electricity and the camp was hooked up to Rural Electric Association (REA) in June 1948.

During the Peace Institute of 1948, in appreciation for the use of the camp, the young people built the fire place in the dining hall and the bell tower for the bell we had acquired from the former Columbian school from the Appanoose area. The bell was later vandalized and removed from camp.

In 1950 the administration building (now known as the manager’s cabin) was added and several modifications were made to the assembly building (now known as the dining hall). The modifications included re-roofing with asphalt shingles, bracing, enlarging window opening and adding closures similar to those of the cabins.

The outhouses succumbed to the modern facilities of sanitation. A new bathhouse was then added in 1963 to accommodate both men and women. Showers, stools, mirrors and lavatories were installed. Also, at this time, a lagoon was completed and put into service.

In the 1980’s a cook’s cabin was purchased, brought in by truck and place close to the kitchen. The cook’s cabin was taken down after the retreat center was added to the dining hall in 2003. The retreat center is fully winterized, includes a basement storm shelter, and is handicapped accessible. A large room is divided for cook’s sleeping quarters and various other activities. It also houses a nurse’s room, director’s office and storage. An RV area bathhouse was also added in 1990’s.

The early oversight of the camp was handled through a special appointed camp committee which is now known as the Camp Mt. Hermon Board of Trustees. Several individuals gave valuable service to the district. During the summers of 1947-1950 the executive secretary, Rev. H.R. Stover spent much time here overseeing and doing work on improvements, managing the camp for rental groups, and, with Mrs. Stover, assisting our own camping program. In recent years, especially since 1950, the chairman of the camp committee, Mahlon Little of the First Central Church of the Brethren, Kansas City, Kansas, has given much time and attention on a volunteer basis to the maintenance and operation of camp. Beginning with the summer of 1953, an employed caretaker has been kept at camp during the camping season to look after district interests.

Two people who have contributed much to the camp are George and Evelyn Royer. They served the camp from 1957-1977 as camp managers, caretakers, grounds keepers, maintenance people and exemplary Christians. Truman and Retta Reinoehl followed the Royers with seven years of hard work and helped with many projects. John and Marj Burkholder took on the role of caretakers following the Reinoehls. Others who served as managers since then includes (but is not limited to) George Eisle and Ben Brubaker. Currently serving as camp managers, and for the past six years, are Steve and Dalene Ward.

Serving on the current Camp Mt. Hermon Board of Trustees are Steve Ward, John Hulce, John Hulce II, Sandy Brown-Payne, Bill Pegans, Jennifer Jensen, Jim Therrien, Dale Royer, David Mishler, Joanna Smith, Walter Ice, Hazel Lauver and Ellis Oxley. Steve Ward also serves as Manager, with assitance from Hazel Lauver and John Hulce. Current Church of the Brethren Summer Camps are Senior High Camp (grades 9-12), Junior High Camp (grades 7-8), Junior Camp (grades 5-6), Pre-Junior Camp (grades 3-4), and the newly added Come Along With Me Weekend Camp which allows children grades kindergarten-2, accompanied by an adult over the age of 21. Other camps include Senior High Weekend (grades 9-12) which runs in August, and Family Camp which is usually held in late August or early September. You can view current directors by clicking here.