Nebraska Youth Camp History

• Nebraska Youth Camp became an official non-profit corporation on March 3rd, 1962.
• The original Articles of Incorporation were signed by: Royce Blackburn, Colis Campbell, Howard Gurganus and Roger Hawley, all from York, Nebraska.
• The initial board of directors were: Royce Blackburn-York, Colis Campbell-York, LeRoy Davis-Omaha, Howard Gurganus-York, Roger W. Hawley-York, Glenn Larsen-Albion, Coleman Phelps, Jr.-Lincoln, Bruce Scroggin-Oak, and Harry Tubbs-Hastings.
• First encampment was held on the York College campus.
• Camp was held at Camp Kiwanis in Milford and in Fremont before the camp grounds by Kearney were purchased.
• The camp grounds by Kearney were formerly called Camp Schwarzenau served by the church of the Brethren.
• Reuben Sanner heard the camp was for sale and told his daughter and son-in-law: Helen and Raymond Hogins who informed the churches.
• Reuben Sanner donated the first $50 towards the purchase of the property.
• The walkin cooler was purchased for $35 from a tavern near York.
• A buffalo barbecue was held during a 4th of July celebration in the 60's.
• The original two ovens were purchased from the Lincoln Public Schools.
• The flag pole came from downtown Lincoln, 700 F Building at 13th and P.
• The camp grounds were named Trail Junction because the Oregon Trail, Mormon Trail and possibly the Santa Fe Trail converged in this area according to Dr. Manley UNL History Professor. (1970's)
• Seven acres on the North side of the interstate were considered too dangerous for water activities and sold.

1950s?
• Camp Schwarzenau, now NYC, was rented for summer camp
1958?
• A strip of land was purchased from the camp for Interstate 80
• A new lake was made
1962
• Nebraska Youth Camp began at York College
1966
• Nebraska Youth Camp site was purchased for $20,000
• The $8,000 down payment was raised from $100 donations from Church of Christ members
• Bruce Scoggins held note for $12.000 for two years.
• Camp sessions started with all ages together.
• Camp ran from August 14 to 27 at Camp Kiwanis, camper costs were: $15/1 week; $25/2 weeks
• 90 campers at 1st week; 75 campers at 2nd week
• Board enlarged from 12 to 15 members
1967
• A note program was organized whereas one or more $250 notes were held by members for a predetermined number of years and then either repaid or donated
1971
• Camp increases to five weeks and divided ages - One week for Juniors, Two weeks for Intermediate and Senior sessions
• Barracks building remodeled for Nurse cabin on east end, women's staff on west end and storage in the center.
• Mohawk cabin constructed for $288, Apache cabin remodeled
• Made arrangements to sell property North of Interstate
• $11,000 left on property note.
1972
• 192 campers
• 134 paid members, 13 life members.
1974
• $6,500 left on property note
1975
• Board decided to pay some counselors
1976
• Rewired the Kitchen
• 282 campers
1977
• Increased to six weeks of camp
• Purchased two canoes
1978
• Introduced campers to sailboards
• North property sale completed for $3,900
• $2,250 remaining on property note
1979
• Camp property paid off in November
1980
• Money raised for construction of new bath house
1981
• New Bath House constructed
• 218 campers
1982
• Built Arapaho cabin
• Introduction of Family Camp, 104 in attendance
• 250 campers
1983
• Flood, only three weeks of camp, two weeks of Senior, one week of Junior.
1984
• Men's Retreat held, 50 in attendance
• 190 campers at seven weeks of camp
1985
• June Youth Rally, Men's Retreat, Family Camp
• 200 campers
• Introduction of Dads & Lads, 101 in attendance.
1986
• Replaced floors in Oriole, Bob-O-Link, and Nunami cabins
• New dock
• Introduction of Ladies & Lassies
1989
• Caretaker moved onto camp grounds
• Bell Tower constructed-Bell came from Geneva Church of Christ
1990
• New Chibcha cabin constructed
1991
• Theme: "Make a Difference"
• New Comanche cabin constructed
1992
• Theme: "As Iron Sharpens Iron"
• Introduction of three day beginner session, 44 in attendance
• Caretaker moved to front gate
• Long Range Planning initiated by the board
• Board divided into three committees
1993
• Theme: "Children of the King"
• Women added to Camp Board of Directors
• Booster Clubs started
• Four goals adopted by the board
• Newsletter published quarterly
• Remodeled canteen for office
• Severe storm destroys tire tree
1994
• Theme: "My Way or Yahweh"
• Construction of 1st Staff cabin - cost: $11,000.00
• Camp flooded - foot bridge constructed to reach cabins
1995
• Theme: "Into His Hands"
• New Well dug and hooked up to current water system
• First storm shelter installed
• Architectural Design Assoc. helped master plan development
• River bank stabilization initiated
1996
• Theme: "Celebrate Jesus"
• Electrical hookups for campers installed
• Harrison/Hempe/Davis. Inc. Camp Planning / Development Consultants commissioned
• 501(c)(3) Federal Tax Exemption status granted
1997
• Theme: "Discovering God"
• 405 campers
• Nebraska state sales tax exemption granted
• NYC Web Site started
1998
• Theme: "The Christian Walk: It's a Spirit Thing"
• NYC Cookbook "Recipes from the Heart" - 1st edition printed
• 1st Annual Bike Trek across Nebraska
• Beginners 2 session added
• Intermediate 3 session added - Eight weeks of summer camp
• New Entrance Sign Installed
• Four more Storm Shelters installed
• 2 Picnic Shelters constructed
1999
• Theme: "Jesus, The Solid Rock, in a Quicksand World"
• Basketball Court Completed
• 2nd Annual Bike Trek
• "Never Alone Retreat" added
• 2nd Staff Cabin constructed - cost: $22,000.00
• Heart of a Servant Award: Jerry Munsell
2000
• Theme: "Our God Reigns Always"
• 605 campers - 17 baptisms
• Website moved to www.nebraskayouthcamp.com
• Mess Hall reroofed
2001
• Theme: Spirit Power "A Call to Believe"
• Efforts made to purchase Camp Riverside at Milford
• Blackfoot cabin restored after 10 years of non-use
• Purchased Gateway modular home for caretaker - $70,000.00
• Caretakers: Eric & Jenny Tremaine
• 617 camper weeks - 433 individual campers - 17 baptisms
2002
• Theme: "He Walked in My Shoes"
• Caretaker's house paid off with Camp Riverside donations
• Caretakers - Doug & Cindy Houtz
• Heart of a Servant Award: Opal Carmichael
2003
• Theme: "Got GOD?"
• First year for week-long "Project Camp"
• Finished picnic shelters
• Poured concrete floors in storm shelters
• Added 48 cubic yards of sand to beach
• 2 Family Camp sessions
2004
• Theme: "Keeping In Step"
• Carwash in Omaha raised almost $10,000.00
• KGBI Radio scholarships
• First year for Leadership Camp
• Maintenance Building constructed
2005
• Theme: "Jars of Clay"
• First year for Girls Camp
2006
• Theme: "Then God Said..."
• 115 attend Dads n Lads camp
• Building fund for Dining Hall surpasses $75,000.00
• Heart of a Servant Award: Kelly Winkler & Bill Leinen
2007
• Theme: "Access"
• Building fund for Dining Hall surpasses $228,000.00
• Heart of a Servant Award: Mary Munsell