History

Camp Willson’s Longest-standing Program

Camping for boys began at YMCA Camp Willson in 1918. After the first successful year, YMCA Directors decided “if camp was good for the young boys, it will also be good for the ‘older boys.’” Men’s Camp began the following year. Each year since 1919, YMCA Camp Willson has welcomed adult men of all ages to the banks of our lake for a day, weekend or week of good, clean fun and camaraderie.

Initiated by Harry Spyker and YMCA Physical Director Ernest W. Roehm, Men’s Camp was “for the older boys of mature years.” Roehm was a YMCA Physical Director for 41 years and founded the first Business Men’s Club in YMCAs worldwide.

The YMCA created Men’s Camp “to build men physically, mentally and spiritually.” In its inaugural year, 47 campers attended Men’s Camp under the first president, Robert F. Pfeiffer, and more than doubled to 97 campers the following summer. Today, it draws campers from all over the country each year. 

Ely D. Miller wrote Men’s Camp’s history in 1932, depicting the early years of this great fellowship of friends. Long-time Men’s Camper and Central YMCA member Lew Larson, who passed away in 1997, meticulously preserved Men’s Camp’s history from 1943 to the present.

One off-shoot of Men’s Camp is the “Birds’ Fund.” A group of men’s campers noticed the need to replace dying trees. They collected the funds and purchased five trees. Since then, the Bird’s Fund has resurfaced tennis courts, rebuilt the shuffleboard courts, partially replaced the boat docks, built a climbing wall, provided boathouse equipment, built an addition to the Medical building and many other items.

Bird’s Fund

It stands for:

• B Brotherhood (where else is it better)
• I Inspiration (supplied by nature and the Sky Pilot)
• R Recreation or Remembrance (for those who have passed during the past year and the memories of whom we cherish)
• D Dedication or Development (Camp improvement naturally; this is where the money goes)
• S Spirit

Camp Willson History