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SPECIAL RECOGNITION OF THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF 4-H CAMP PALMER
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HON. ROBERT E. LATTA
of ohio
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, October 4, 2022
Mr. LATTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 75th anniversary of 4-H Camp Palmer. Camp Palmer has a remarkable history within Northwest Ohio. Over the last 75 years, Camp Palmer has been committed to its mission of engaging with youth and adults to build life skills in a community living environment. Camp Palmer has been an extension of Ohio 4-H and has provided an opportunity for tens of thousands of Ohio's youth to develop the skills to help them succeed.
Located in Fayette, Ohio, 4-H Camp Palmer was founded in 1946, by 4-H leadership in seven Northwest Ohio counties, Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Paulding, Van Wert, and Williams. Each 4-H program shared in the purchase of the land and development of the camp. On July 20, 1947, the camp was officially dedicated and named after W.H. Palmer, the state 4-
H leader from 1916 to 1951. The first building was the dining hall which was built out of split-logs due to the lumber shortage after World War II.
The next three decades saw significant expansion for Camp Palmer. In the 1950s, new buildings, cabins, and a swimming pool were added to improve the time campers spent while attending camp. Allen, Putnam, and Auglaize counties joined the corporation and began sending their 4-H members to camp there. The camp added more land in the 1960s, totaling 149 acres. Toilets and warm showers were installed for the campers who originally had to use a bucket and wash basin. In 1973, Wood County became the eleventh member and final member to join the corporation.
In the 1990s, Camp Palmer received accreditation by the American Camp Association and began to develop a close relationship with The Ohio State University. The board hired an extension agent/executive director to manage the overall responsibilities and maintenance of the camp. Camp Palmer has continued to grow, adding new buildings, cabins, and activity areas to better serve campers. Although the COVID-19 pandemic kept campers away in 2020, Camp Palmer campers were still able to stay connected through their innovated camp-in-a-box and Facebook Live videos. Loyal and public support allowed campers to flood back to Camp Palmer in 2021, while still maintaining health safety.
Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to 4-H Camp Palmer and its staff, past and present, on this remarkable occasion. By celebrating the 75th anniversary, Ohio residents recognize the contribution of Camp Palmer to our region and the Northwest Ohio 4-H community. Congratulations to Camp Palmer on this significant milestone.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 160(1), Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 160(2)
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