First New Residential Cabin Opens The first of five new residential log cabins is now open at camp. It was unveiled this summer during the Ohio Historical Marker Ceremonies (see article below). Mentor School Camp students were among the first groups to use it this fall. The 4,000+ square foot cabin can house up to forty campers and six staff, and features a screened porch, central activity area, plus handicapped access. The cabin was funded by donations from the Hiram House Board of Trustees and was dedicated in their honor as part of the Hiram House Capital Campaign. Several more cabins and new facilties are planned as part of the Master Plan. Historical Marker Dedication at Hiram House A special Dedication Ceremony was held in July at Hiram House to unveil an Ohio Historical Marker, granted by the Ohio Bicentennial Commission, in cooperation with the Longaberger Company and Ohio Historical Society. Hiram House was one of a select group of historically significant organizations in Ohio to be so honored. Founded in 1896, it was Ohio's first "Settlement House" and among the first in the nation. The marker was awarded in recognition of Hiram House's long legacy of service to the youth of Ohio. An entertaining ceremony and video, by Viewpoint Media Group, highlighting the origins of Hiram House, the Camp today and vision for tomorrow, was presented by officials, dignitaries, youth groups and community organizations. Tours of the Camp, the unveiling of the first new log cabin and a public reception followed. Several hundred people attended the festivities. Among the distinguished speakers were U.S. Congressman Steven C. LaTourette, Cuyahoga County Commissioner Tim McCormack, Moreland Hills Mayor Charles M. DeGross, Hiram College President Dr. Richard J. Scaldini, Beth Bellamy Pempin Lipsteur and members of the George A. Bellamy Family, (the founder of Hiram House) and representatives from the Ohio Bicentennial Commission, Jennifer Maringo, and Ohio Historical Society, Philip C. Ross. Robert M. Benedict, Jr., President of the Hiram House Board of Trustees, and Russell R. Grundke, Executive Director, were Masters of Ceremonies for the event. A number of Hiram House Trustees were on hand to speak, greet guests or unveil the new camp facilities, including Susan Walter Cargile and Kevin D. Barnes, Co-Chairs of the Hiram House Campaign, Harvey J. Schach, Construction Committee Chair, Charles C. McConnell, Chair of the Equestrian Center Committee, and John M. Fulton, Vice President of the Hiram House Board of Trustees. The Dedication Committee was chaired by Trustees Hannah M. Massaquoi, Area Manager, The Illuminating Company- A FirstEnergy Company, and Michael R. Canty, Mayor of Bentleyville. The marker will be permanently installed near the camp's Hiram Trail entrance. Hiram House Campers dressed in period costume to represent the campers of “Yesterday and Today” at the Dedication of an Ohio Bicentennial Marker at the camp this summer. The Hiram House “Fresh Air Camp” was first founded in 1896 in the Chagrin Valley. It has been in continuous operation to this day. Our special thanks to all of our July 7th Ohio Historical Marker Dedication Ceremony participants and to our program sponsors and supporters, including: Viewpoint Media Group, Kevin D. Barnes, The Illuminating Company - a FirstEnergy Co., Robert & Susan Benedict, IdeaStar, Roger & Mary Ann Perlmuter, Lee Road Nursery, Normandy Catering, Steve Romanik Photography, Bourland Communications, and the Chagrin Falls, Moreland Hills and Western Reserve Historical Societies. In addition, to local support, the marker was funded by a grant from the Longaberger Legacy Initiative of the Ohio Bicentennial Commission. The Initiative, sponsored by the Longaberger Company of Dresden and the Commission, is designed to encourage placement of Ohio Historical Markers throughout the state in celebration of Ohio's Bicentennial in 2003. For more information on the Ohio Bicentennial or the Ohio Historical Marker program, visit: www.ohio200.org. Begun in 1953 for the state's sesquicentennial and administered by the Ohio Historical Society, the Historical Marker program enables Ohioans to commemorate and celebrate local history and to learn more about the state. Designed to be permanent and highly visible, historical markers are large cast-aluminum signs that tell stories about Ohio's history. (see Origins of Hiram House on our History page) For more than one hundred years, Hiram House has brought the joys of nature and quality outdoor education to thousands of Ohio's children through a variety of Summer Camps, School Camps, Outdoor Education and Adventure Programs and year-round group Retreats. Its mission is to promote character, family, and open new horizons for the youth of our community in an atmosphere that is socio-economically, co-educationally, ethnically and racially diverse. Hiram House is an accredited member of the American Camping Association and a United Way partner service agency. For more information about Hiram House, please call (216) 831-5045.
Hiram House Hosts Area's First Summer Camp for Ventilator-Dependent Youth "Fresh Air Camp" Sponsored by Several Local Hospitals
The smiles of the children said it all as they got acquainted with horses, provided by local riding groups, at the "Fresh Air Camp." These special needs youngsters were able to ride under the supervision of medical personnel. In the background is Kathy Whitford, Co-Director, and fellow volunteers About a dozen ventilator-dependent children were able to participate in what is believed to be the first summer camp for such youngsters in Northeast Ohio. The week-long "Fresh Air Camp" was held in June at Hiram House Camp. The children were supervised by clinical volunteers from several area medical institutions, which sponsored the program, including the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation, the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital, MetroHealth Medical Center, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, and Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron. In addition to volunteer staffing from doctors, nurses, therapists and numerous other non-medical volunteers, the hospitals raised funds from area foundations and organizations to provide the children with this unique experience at no cost to their families. The "Fresh Air Camp's" Co-Directors from the Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation were Diane Jereb, Director of Respiratory Therapy, and Kathy Whitford, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. They explained that staff members from the various hospitals looked around and found there were no camps like this in the area so they decided to start one. Their vision for the "Fresh Air Camp" was to enable these special needs children to just be `kids', despite their medical conditions, and to enjoy being outdoors and having fun with their peers. Some of the children, ranging in age from 5 to 18, had never been away from home overnight before, aside from hospital stays. The Camp offered a medically secure environment in which they and their families could be comfortable. Campers - all of whom must use a ventilator to breathe for at least part of each day - had the opportunity to participate in a number of traditional camp activities, which included: Flashlight Tag, Horseback Riding, Fishing, Talent Show, Scavenger Hunt, Swimming, Remote Control Car Races, Cookout, Hay Ride, Campfire, Ghost Stories, Dance. The camp's name had its origins in the 112-year history of the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation, which at one time was known as "The Children's Fresh Air Camp." (Hiram House's first summer program back in 1896 and in the early 1900s was also known as the "Fresh Air Camp.") According to the campers, families, hospital staff, and volunteers, the "Fresh Air Camp" was a big hit and is expected to be offered annually. "One of the main reasons we chose Hiram House is that the staff here has been so wonderful and accommodating to our needs," said Jereb. For more information, please call Hiram House Camp at: (216) 831-5045.
Rothstein Named Program Director Program Director Michele Rothstein with a young camper in tow during the recent Ohio Historical Marker Dedication. (photo courtesy of The Times/Currents)
Michele Rothstein has been named as Program Director for Hiram House. Formerly she was Outdoor Education Director and in charge of School Camp. In her new position, she will be responsible for overseeing the counseling staff, scheduling, recruiting new summer camp personnel, programming, and working with families, schools, or groups that visit Hiram House Camp. Rothstein joined the Hiram House staff eight years ago and also has been a Summer Day Camp Counselor, Resident Camp Unit Leader, Assistant Day Camp Director, Assistant Program Director. A Shaker Heights native and graduate of Laurel High School, Rothstein holds a Bachelors Degree from Skidmore College, majoring in Biology, with a concentration in Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, and a minor in Early Childhood Education. Rothstein succeeds Scott Wylie, with whom she worked for many years, who is pursuing his lifelong dream of a career in education. We wish him well and much success in his new endeavor.
Tribute to Years of Dedicated Service Maintenance Supervisor Ray Robertson Retires Ray Robertson retired in April after forty years of dedicated and loyal service to Hiram House Camp. Since 1961 Ray has been a member of the Hiram House family. His concern for and comfort of the campers were always foremost in his efforts to "put the kids first". I have personally known Ray for most of those forty years. His commitment to Hiram House Camp is greatly appreciated and will be missed. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, staff and campers, we thank Ray for his service to Hiram House and wish him a well deserved retirement. Russell R. Grundke Executive Director