Sunday, July 25, 1999
Perfect place for a getaway
By Malinda Ruble
Staff Writer
The warm, moist smell of a woods ... the scampering of two squirrels climbing up a tree ... and a moonlit canoe ride. If this sounds like the perfect getaway, there's good news &emdash; all of this is available at Camp Glen and more is on the way.
"We're planning a $5.3-million campaign. It has four phases,'' said Michelle DeBusman, camp director.
The expansion to the present camp, located on TR 131, stems from a desire to better serve the community.
The camp presently offers co-ed residential camp for children in grades 1-12 and day camp and horse camp for children K-8.
Just this week 70 children, 24 who were enrolled as a free service by National Machinery, attended camp.
"We're looking towards generating more interest in the community with rentals, residential camps and day camp. Our main goal is to get as many kids out here to have that camping experience,'' DeBusman said.
The proposed expansion for the 40-year-old camp includes:
Phase 1
* Resurfacing the road and the addition of more parking.
* A new swimming pool and showerhouse.
* The addition of an environmental education center.
* Activity fields.
* The addition of a high-level challenge course which promotes team building.
Phase 2
* Addition of cabins for younger boys.
* Expansion of the day camp.
Phase 3 &emdash; The building of more retreat lodges.
Phase 4 &emdash; The addition of a dining-hall conference center and activity areas, depending on the community needs.
DeBusman said the repaving of the road is scheduled to begin this fall, but is undetermined when the entire expansion will be completed.
"It'll depend on the funding. We're going to start a campaign for the money sometime,'' she said.
Once the expansion is completed, more children and families will be able to enjoy the facility.
"We want to offer more opportunities for kids. We want to offer more opportunities for them to come out to a different setting and learn new skills and work on building self-esteem,'' she said.
For more information on cabin rentals or camps, call 447-7459 or (419) 422-5415.