Talk of the Town - Whitley County

(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Although it’s quiet at Camp Whitley just now, it won’t be long until the sounds children’s voices and summertime fun radiate from each cabin along the shore of Troy Cedar Lake. Ready to celebrate their 80^th season, Camp Whitley’s board of directors and staff are busy compiling 80 years worth of camp memories to publish in a booklet.

Submitted by Tara Brandon

The year was 1928. Lindberg received a medal of honor for his transatlantic flight. Mickey Mouse made his first appearance in a sound cartoon. Shirley Temple was born, and Whitley County saw the founding of a local family tradition, Camp Whitley.

Walter Stephenson, an educator with the Columbia City schools, created Camp Whitley 80 years ago, with the goal of providing an outdoor learning experience for the youth of our community. 

Over the last 80 years, Camp Whitley has upheld the vision and traditions began so long ago.

In celebration of our 80th year of operation, the board of directors and staff are requesting stories and memories of former campers to compile into a booklet. 

The staff would like to conduct as many personal visits as possible, but they are willing to also interview over the phone or compile stories. 

If you are a former camper, or know someone who has been a camper anytime in the past 80 years, and would like to share your memories of Camp Whitley, send an email to campwhitley@hotmail.com or send them via the mail to Camp Whitley, Attn: Tara Brandon, P.O. Box 845, Columbia City, IN 46725.

For more information about the project, contact Tara Brandon at 609-2154.