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History
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In 1959, the then Columbus
Presbytery purchased the site that was to become Geneva Hills Center from
Howard and Ruth Flowers. The initial land purchase consisted of 146 acres;
later purchases increased the total acreage to the present 342. The
Reverend Richard Beidler was called to be camp director in 1960 and spent
the next 30 years providing loving and caring service to the camp. Canvas teepees were the first shelters at the camp, but proved rather unsuccessful since lack of teepee lore left campers wet much of the time. 1961 saw the first shift from teepees to the covered wagons, which are still in use today. Frontier Lodge was built that same year as a summer facility, later renovated as an all-weather facility with a fully equipped kitchen, restrooms, showers, and a large meeting area with fireplace. An annex to Frontier Lodge was completed in 1994, which has sleeping accommodations for 32 and two semi-private bathrooms. The original swimming pool was built in 1963, then replaced twenty years later with a stainless steel sided, handicap accessible pool that sees constant use during warm weather months. Architect Jim Burris of Marion oversaw the construction of Geneva Lodge 1964-1965 which provides sleeping space for 66 in four dormitories, a large kitchen, and a spacious dining/meeting area featuring a huge fireplace built of bridge abutment native sandstone. In 1975 work was started on the Sun House, a smaller rustic facility that sleeps 15 in semi-private quarters. Tucked away in the pines, it features multi-level decks, a small, complete kitchen, an airtight wood-burning stove, and a cathedral ceiling in the living area. It was built as a labor of love by 175 people, some with no previous knowledge of construction, but more than enough enthusiasm. Renovations on the building were completed in October of 1994 and the name was changed to Calvin Cottage. The lower level is currently used for staff housing, while the upstairs serves as a beautiful rental facility. The Craft House is a memorial gift building. It was completed in 1989 and is used during the summer camp and outdoor education programs for a variety of artistic adventures. In 1997 it was remodeled to reflect its new use as a satellite PIE Center and meeting room. Craft sessions are still held in the basement and on the craft deck, but the upper levels are now renovated and can house up to 8 people for overnight visits. The building is still used for meetings, and in 2005, Scott Macpherson led a design team to add the Art and Craft character that had been missing for years. All of the many miles of trails have been newly marked. Geneva Hills' neighbors have commented that they don’t find nearly as many lost folks wandering around on their property anymore! Young and old children from all over Ohio have been enjoying the High Ropes Course. Built in 1992 with a lot of help from Camp Mary Orton in Columbus, the Course, known as the Eagles’ Nest, is a group of obstacles anchored to sturdy trees. It includes a Cargo Net, Balance Beam, catwalk, and much more. Participants must wear an approved climbing harness and helmet, and they are secured to an overhead belay cable at all times. The initiatives course is much closer to the ground and includes obstacles and events that a small group can work together to overcome. While these activities are great confidence builders, they’re also a lot of fun. Next to the Ropes Course you’ll find the newly landscaped waterfront area. Thanks to countless hours of volunteer labor from friends who traveled hundreds of miles to get here, we have a new boat dock, shelter house, and terraced banks. Guests enjoy practicing their boating skills while drinking in the scenery from canoes and kayaks. Geneva Hills’ newest addition is the Wetland, often referred to as ‘Our Ecological Gem.’ Using carefully selected plants, the Wetland naturally filters wastewater. The Wetland is a living testimony of Geneva Hills’ stewardship for God’s earth and His people. After eight years of service, the Ropes course was dismantled and a new one was built by the Starlight Company in 2000. It has 13 elements including a zip line which is a great place for an adventure. As we celebrate 40 years of growth, we applaud our amazing Creator and we appreciate our friends who have volunteered their time towards the betterment of Geneva Hills. Geneva Hills … ever changing yet ever constant. “This place is truly Holy Ground, blessed by God to be a meeting place for saints and sinners. And to this place God brought people who were searching for Him, for peace and tranquility, for adventure or simply for refuge from the world outside.”- Sherry McElfresh |
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Send mail to
geoff@midohio.twcbc.com with
questions or comments about this web site.
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