Hiram House Today

Taylor Hall Renovations Ready
New Look Unveiled at Open House

Exterior of Taylor Hall shows new raised roofline with dormer windows added for more sunlight and new wood siding.

After months of renovation, Taylor Hall re-opened in time for the summer season with a brand new look, inside and out, that is both attractive and functional.

The facility will be used year-round by Summer Campers, School Camps, and Retreat Groups. The renovated structure, which was originally built in the 1960’s, serves as the camp’s dining hall and multi-purpose activity center.

The existing 3,600 square foot hall can seat up to 250 people for activities, meetings or dining. It features new vaulted ceilings, with wooden beams, fans, fireplace, two outside porches, plus a cookout porch and commercial kitchen.

In the next phase scheduled for the future, the remainder of the building will be reconfigured to include additional breakout space for meetings and classrooms, as well as other activities, like crafts and performing arts, plus an interactive nature center.

An Open House was held to unveil the new changes this spring. It also featured a retirement celebration for camp registrar Sandy Buehner, retiring after 41 years of service to Hiram House.

Interior with new peaked ceilings for a more open, airy look and feel, rustic wooden trusses, remodeled restrooms, new lighting, ceiling fans and paneling

Hiram House Board, Staff, Well Wishers Honor Sandy Buehner - Longtime Staff Member
- Retiring After 41 Years Service -

Hiram House officials honored retiring staff member Sandy Buehner (pictured in center of photo) with a bouquet of red roses, plaque and praise for her dedicated service at the Annual Meeting, as well as at a special reception in her honor at the Taylor Hall Open House. (Board officers shown, on left David Moore & John Barrett, on right Susie Cargile & Russ Grundke)

When Sandy started working at camp in April 1969, as a printer and assistant for then registrar Mrs. Oleksy, she never imagined she would still be here today. Over the years she has seen many changes, lots of good folks have come and gone and decades of young campers have grown up. However, she often encounters a parent who will excitedly say, “I remember you from the time when I was a camper here myself!”

Some things stand out, like the days when she did everything without the benefit of today’s technology. She jokes that when computers first came out, everyone said things would be easier, but sometimes she’s not so sure. Or how about the era before business casual when she used to hike across camp dressed in heels and nylons?

What’s the secret that kept her at Hiram House for so many years? “It’s a wonderful place with great people”, she reflected, “it has been very rewarding to have a job I love and in such a beautiful setting too. I can go out for a walk at lunchtime, see deer going by, and enjoy the camp in all four seasons.”

But, it’s the children and families, staff and friends she will miss most of all. “There have been so many nice people I have been fortunate to know and work with over the years.” Memories she finds most endearing are those of children who wept at the end of their camp stay because they had so much fun, they didn’t want to leave. Sandy and her husband, Tom, plan to remain active in their retirement. She wants to devote more time to her passion for photography and the couple looks forward to traveling together to places like England and Florida where they have friends. Also, she hopes to adopt the new pet dog she has wanted for so long.

A native born Clevelander, Sandy is a graduate of Kenston High School and resident of Geauga County.

Thanks Sandy from everyone at Hiram House and Best Wishes for the Future!

Looking for a Great Summer Job?
Now Hiring Summer Camp Staff

Want a summer job that’s rewarding, action packed, in a beautiful natural scenic setting working with great folks and families, and making a difference in the lives of children?

Then look no further - Hiram House wants you!

Now hiring staff for the summer season. Counselors, lifeguards, nurses, program and maintenance staff, plus specialists in archery, canoeing, and horseback riding, are needed.

Each year the camp employs summer staff members from some fifty colleges and universities across the country. Find more information and apply online today.

Welcome Summer Campers 2010!

Summer Camp 2010 kicks off with an exciting season planned for boys and girls at Hiram House!

Summer Day, Junior Day and Resident Camp will run from June through July, with lots of fun hands on outdoor activities, like swimming, canoeing, archery, hiking, crafts, fishing, climbing wall, and more.

NEW! this year will be the addition of piglets to our barnyard full of calves, sheep, goats and other baby animals to feed and groom at the Double H Ranch Farmstead.

The new Survival Camp will also be held during mid-July, featuring wilderness and pioneer skills, like shelter building, campfire cooking, rope making and more.

Horseback Riding & Adventure Camp will be held in August, with western riding, challenge and other camp activities daily.

Time for Summer Fun at Camp! Don’t miss all the fun! Some sessions still have openings, so sign up today! For information, please call us at: (216) 831-5045 read more here.

NEW! at our Farmstead for 2010 These Little Piggies Come to Camp!

Hiram House Elects New
Trustees, Re-Elects Officers

New Trustee Travis Grundke
(not pictured, New Trustee John Towslee)

Hiram House elected two new trustees to serve on the Board at the annual meeting, Travis L. Grundke and Jon S. Towslee.

Grundke is a consultant with Ashton Technology Solutions, Inc., based in Beachwood. He is a graduate of the College of Wooster where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations. A native of Moreland Hills, Grundke now resides in South Euclid. He and his fiancée Leah Gardner are engaged to be married later this year.

An active volunteer for many years, Grundke was recently found volunteering on his birthday at the annual Hiram House Pumpkin Festival last fall, as he has every year for as long as he can remember.

“It’s a family affair,” he explained. Since his parents, Russ and Joanne, have worked at the camp since the 1960’s, Travis said Hiram House has been an important part of his life and he now wants to give back all he can to aid in the camp’s continued success. He said he looks forward to working with Hiram House on “capital developments and programming for the 114-year old youth camp.”

Towslee, a former Hiram House Day Camp Counselor in the 1980’s, is now Vice President, Strategic Accounts for Novar (Honeywell), located in Independence. He is also registered as a professional engineer in the State of Ohio and as a certified energy manager by the Association of Energy Engineers.

Towslee earned a Master of Business Administration from John Carroll University and completed his undergradute degree at the University of Akron. A Cleveland native, he and his wife, Laura, and their family reside in Northfield Center.

Hiram House Trustees also re-elected Board Officers, including: President John D. Barrett, Vice President/Finance David B. Moore,Vice-President/Development Susan W. Cargile, and Russell R. Grundke, Secretary & Executive Director.

Spring & Fall School Camps,
Youth Group Retreats
Kick Off New Season

Laurel Middle School girls work together to solve the Spider’s Web Challenge to help foster teamwork, leadership and communication skills.

Hiram House welcomes our new and returning School Campers and Youth Retreat Groups for the spring and fall season.

Students from many area schools incorporate outdoor education, recreation and hands-on learning activities at camp into their academic studies.

Groups, like the Matthew Salem Foundation for children with cystic fibrosis, use the camp’s natural setting for special programs for youth.