Camp History

Historical Information

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 walk-in cooler (used to be in the old Mess Hall) was purchased for $35 from a tavern near York.
The incinerator came from the Safeway store in Kearney in 1968.
A buffalo barbecue was held during a 4th of July celebration in the 1960'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.

Timeline

1950's

Camp Schwarzenau, now Nebraska Youth Camp, 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
Finished picnic 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

2008

Theme: "One Way"
309 Campers
Building fund for Dining Hall surpasses $350,000.00
130 at Dads n Lads

2009

Theme: "All You Need is Love"
Grass fire destroys Arapahoe and Bobolink cabins and thousands of trees
New Arapahoe and Bobolink built for $35,000.00
399 Campers
Construction begins on new Dining Hall
Heart of a Servant Award: Jake Munsell & Cheri Clark

2010

Theme: "Occupied"
New Dining Hall completed Cost: $500,000.00?
Heart of a Servant Award: Ron Kahle

2011

Theme: "Awake"
Added Dining Hall driveway, ramp and stairs

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