[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 160 (Tuesday, October 4, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1019]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     SPECIAL RECOGNITION OF THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF 4-H CAMP PALMER

                                 ______
                                 

                          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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