Hiram House Today

Third New Log Cabin Opens in Pioneer Circle

Hiram House proudly announces the grand opening of the third of four new residential Log Cabins, built as part of a multi-year, multi-million dollar capital campaign and master plan to renovate and revitalize the 172 wooded acre camp.

The all-weather, 4,600 square-foot cabin is nestled in the woods off Pioneer Circle in Lodge Village in the heart of the scenic campgrounds. The year-round cedar structure can accommodate up to fifty campers overnight in two main dormitory wings equipped with bunk beds. It also features a winterized sun porch, central activity room, handicapped access, state of the art fire safety systems, plus separate sleeping quarters, shower and restroom facilities for supervisory staff.

The new Log Cabin opened in May for use by Summer Camp, School Camp and Retreat Groups. Some 100 guests attended the grand opening ceremonies and reception.

Fall, Winter, Spring School Camps -
Fun & Educational!

Plain Dealer Reporter was
“Camp Counselor for a Day”

PD Reporter Chuck Yarborough & Friends

The Plain Dealer’s “On the Job Training” reporter Chuck Yarborough, spent a day at Hiram House Summer Camp to see what it’s like to be a camp counselor and camper.

Yarborough was a good sport and tried his hand at grilling hamburgers and hot dogs for a cookout at Fort Tom, plus Horseback Riding, Canoeing, Archery, Alpine Climbing Wall, Farmstead, Swimming, and more.

He had a great rapport with the campers and was a big hit with boys and girls alike as he got dirty, rained on, and had lots of fun as part of Hiram House’s honorary staff.

His Plain Dealer article about his experiences appeared in the July 31, 2007 issue and can be read online at cleveland.com or click here for page 1 and click here for page 2.

“Horse Around” at Hiram House 2007 Benefit a Hit

Hiram House hosted a fun-filled “Horse Around” evening at camp this summer for families of all ages, on Saturday, July 21.

Over 300 guests attended and some $20,000 was raised to benefit the Horseback Riding Program and annual Campership Fund for youth in need.

Festivities featured a delicious barbecue dinner by the Winking Lizard Tavern and cocktails, as well as a Silent Auction with many fabulous items to bid on, donated by area businesses and individuals.

New this year, was an exciting “Gold Rush” game with great prizes. Back by popular demand was the amazing Zap Entertainment with performances by “The Bubble Lady” and “Magic by Zap the Wonder Chap.” Children made arts and crafts projects to take home, which was supervised by the camp’s staff.

Don’t Wait - Save the Date! -
“Horse Around” 2008 will be Saturday, July 12th!

Ken Fortuna Named New Program Director

Program Director Ken Fortuna, Jr.

Ken Fortuna, Jr. has been named as new Program Director for Hiram House Camp.

In his new position, Fortuna will be responsible for overseeing the program and counseling staff, scheduling, recruiting new summer camp personnel, programming, and working with area families, schools and educators, as well as retreat groups who visit Hiram House Camp.

Fortuna first joined the Hiram House Camp staff in 2005 and also has been a Summer Camp Counselor, Unit Leader, and has worked with Hiram House School Camps and Retreat Groups.

A Mentor native and 2001 graduate of Mentor High School, he received a Bachelors of Arts degree from John Carroll University in 2005, majoring in History, and also was a member of the university’s football team as an offensive lineman. He has been active in the Boy Scouts of America since he was a child and earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1998.

Fortuna said he is looking forward to his new position, noting, “I really enjoy working with children and want to help make their camping experience a rewarding and enjoyable one for them and their families as well as for all the individuals and groups who visit Hiram House Camp.”

Register Now for Summer Camp 2008

Winter’s chill may be nipping at our noses, but sunny days are right around the corner with registration now open for Hiram House Summer Camp 2008.

From June to August, one or two week sessions will be held for boys & girls in:

• Summer Junior Day Camp - June 16 to August 1 , for ages 5 & 6
• Summer Day Camp - June 16 to August 1, for ages 6 to 11
• Summer Resident Camp - June 15 to August 1 for ages 6 to 13 (overnight)

Summer Camps include: Climbing Wall and Horseback Riding (except Junior Day), plus Farmstead, swimming and a variety of traditional camp activities.

• Summer Horseback Riding & Adventure Camp - August 4-8 & August 11-15, for ages 7 to 14, offered as one-week sessions. These will include daily Horseback Riding lessons, plus a different additional activity each day, such as creek hikes, crafts, challenge, Climbing Wall, and archery.

Registration is first come, first served and space is limited. Some sessions have a waiting list. Please call (216) 831-5045 to register or click here for more information.
Please don’t delay - Sign Up Today!

Fantastic Fall Pumpkin Festival 2007
for One and All

The 36th annual Pumpkin Festival was held at Hiram House Camp on October 14. Some 4,000 visitors enjoyed beautiful fall weather, autumn foliage, food, animals, entertainment, games, crafts, and fun for the whole family, on 172-wooded acres. Over $50,000 was raised to benefit Hiram House’s “Campership Fund” which provides a life enriching summer camp experience for disadvantaged area children. 2007 Platinum Sponsors were BNY Mellon & University Hospitals/Chagrin Highlands Health Center.

Great indoor and outdoor attractions and activities for all ages included: the SPOOK-tacular indoor Haunted Hay Maze at the “Double H Ranch”, design your own BOO-tiful Pumpkins in the Pumpkin Patch & Scarecrow Garden, the “Witches’ Waltz”, Animal Petting Farm, Hay Wagon, Rocket Car & Pony Rides, Face Painting, Candle Dipping at the Frontier Fort, Flea Market, 50/50 Cash Raffl e, Junior Obstacle Course, Carnival Games, Kiddie Craft Corner, Coloring Contest, Archery, Pumpkins and Mums Sale & more!

New this year were free child’s meal coupons at Yours Truly Restaurants for the first 500 families to arrive, photos with life-sized Care Bears -“Cheer Bear, Share Bear & Bedtime Bear” courtesy of Cleveland’s own American Greetings, amazing Science Activities conducted by Holcomb’s KnowVille, tours of Rainbow Babies & Children’s Critical Care Transport and University Hospitals’ Family Health and Safety Center.

Special Entertainment Shows and Exhibits, included: Ramrod Busters Historic Re-enactors in period dress, from Mountain Men to the Civil War to the Old West, St. Ignatius Circus Co. Jugglers, Natural Bridges Puppeteers, Antique Fire Engine, Music, Stagecrafters Cabaret Troupe, Black Lightning Wild West Show, Bull-Whip Cracking, old-time Spinning & more!

Food and refreshments included: Yummy taste treats like Baked Apples over an open fi re or a bowl of Chili with “Cowboy Steve”. Guests also enjoyed a delicious Pancake Breakfast, Pizza, Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Italian Sausages, Chicken Fingers, with Fries, S’Mores, Apple Cider, Donuts, Caramel Apples, Cotton Candy, Popcorn, Caribou Coffee, and decorated their own Cookies by Design & more!

Holcomb’s KnowVille volcanic eruptions and other Science Projects amazed young visitors.	Kids and parents toured Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital Critical Care Transport.
American Greetings “Care Bears” made friends and posed for photos with children.

American Greetings “Kids Cards for Troops”
at Hiram House

American Greetings Corporation teamed-up with Hiram House to help Summer Campers design and mail stacks of cards of support for U.S. Troops serving overseas.

Summer Campers and American Greetings Volunteers spent a creative afternoon with interactive hands-on group activities, instruction, supplies and volunteers provided by the Cleveland-based company.

Some of the children’s cards were sent to former Hiram House staff member Tim “Rosco” Rawson and his U.S. Army Dagger Brigade Combat Team, serving in Iraq.

Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, American Greetings Corporation is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of greeting cards and social expressions products. For more information about the company, please visit its Website at: http://corporate.americangreetings.com

Some of the campers’ cards for U.S. Troops overseas	Boys show their support
We Salute Our Troops!