Hiram House Today

Hiram House Prepares Next Phase of Camp's Master Plan

Hiram House has updated its Master Plan and is now preparing to implement the next phase of improvements, which will generate new facilities and programs at the 172-acre camp site on Hiram Trail in Moreland Hills.

These new and renovated facilities are being designed to renew the 112-year old, non-profit camp as a regional resource for children, adults and organizations in Northeast Ohio. Plans include the construction of a new: Dining Center, Activity Center, Aquatics Center, Lodge Village Cabin, and other program and facility improvements. These new structures will incorporate environmentally friendly "green design" concepts, where feasible. The plan also calls for the restoration of Pioneer Circle to again be a grassy, outdoor activity and play area for campers and other camp guests.

Executive Director Russell R. Grundke noted, "The addition of these new living, dining, learning and recreational facilities will offer Hiram House both increased capacity and flexibility. This will enhance our ability to serve the many area residents and organizations who use our camp each year."

The original, multi-year Master Plan was developed by Kaleidoscope, Inc., a nationally noted camp planning firm. During the past decade, the Hiram House Board of Trustees used and refined the plan as a "blueprint" to guide future capital development projects. In the plan's inital phase, the camp built a number of new facilities in recent years, including its popular "Double H Ranch" western Horseback Riding Center, three new all-weather, residential Log Cabins which house fifty campers each, an Alpine Climbing Tower for the Challenge Course, as well as extensive infrastructure improvements.

Hiram House Camp & Ohio Stream Preservation Partnership Benefits the Environment
Streams & Wetlands Protected for Future

Hiram House and Ohio Stream Preservation, Inc. (OSP) have joined forces to help protect and preserve streams and wetlands at the 172-acre camp on Hiram Trail in Moreland Hills, Ohio for future generations.

Jeff Markley, Executive Director of Ohio Stream Preservation, explained that portions of the many streams and riparian corridors along their edges that run through the scenic campgrounds can be set aside and held in conservation easements, protected in perpetuity. Hiram House has over 6,000 linear feet of streams in all.

In conjunction with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and assistance by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hiram House's "stream credit opportunities" will also enable it to stabilize hillsides and restore ponds and wetlands at the camp that have been degraded over time by erosion with silt deposits from ravines and upstream areas. Approximately $56,000 in initial funding has been earmarked for this purpose.

"These regulatory agencies have concluded the camp's environmentally sensitive resources are worth protecting as part of the Chagrin River watershed and these projects will help preserve Ohio's wetlands, streams and riparian corridors," Markley said.

The Chagrin Falls based Ohio Stream Preservation, Inc., founded in 1999, is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization that provides conservation methods and strategies for the long-term preservation and protection of rivers, streams, wetlands and riparian buffers. It offers, on a limited basis, mitigation for sites considered for development that may impact Ohio's aquatic resources and allows them to be replaced and preserved elsewhere.

OSP currently holds more than twenty conservation easements for upwards of 1,000 acres in Northeast Ohio, in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Summit, Portage Counties, as well as in Belmont County in Southeast Ohio.

Laws to preserve wetland areas were first enacted in the 1980's and expanded during the 1990's. In recent years Ohio has been more active in conserving its resources. Scientists have determined that wetlands serve an integral role in our environment.

Hiram House has one of the largest unspoiled tracts of land in Greater Cleveland. In addition to its streams, ponds, bogs and wetlands, the camp's 172-acre property also encompasses woods, meadows and wildlife. The original tract of land was donated to Hiram House for use as a youth camp in the late 1800's by Cleveland industrialist Samuel Mather and was the site of the former "Horseshoe Glen" picnic area. The Ohio Historical Society and Ohio Bicentennial Commission also designated Hiram House as a historical site. It was Ohio's first "Settlement House" and one of the first in the nation.

Hiram House Executive Director Russell R. Grundke, noted that, "We at Hiram House have been stewards of this land for more than 100 years. We are committed to preserving it for future generations of children to enjoy its beauty as well as to learn the importance of protecting our natural environmental heritage. This partnership will enable us to reach those goals and maintain the camp's streams and ponds in pristine condition."

For more information, call Hiram House at: (216) 831-5045 or Ohio Stream Preservation, at: (440) 543-7038 or online at: www.ohiostream.org

Welcome Campers 2008! Summer Camps Ready to Open Spring School Camps Now in Progress

Hiram House is ready to welcome area boys and girls to camp for the 2008 season! Summer Day, Junior Day and Resident Camps will begin in June, with one or two week sessions running through July, followed by Horseback Riding & Adventure Camp during August. Some Resident Camp sessions still have limited space available, please call the camp office to regsiter at (216) 831-5045.

New this summer, Hiram House will be expanding the Heifer Farmstead Garden to help teach children about agriculture. Also back for the second year will be special weekly group activities in the performing arts, such as music and dance, which were introduced last season and were a huge hit with campers and staff. Campers can also enjoy a wide array of outdoor activities at summer camp, including swimming, hiking, horseback riding, climbing wall, archery, fishing, camp crafts, canoeing, and more!

We hope to see all campers and their families at the July 12th "Horse Around" summer benefit where they can join their camp counselors and staff for an evening of fun! This festive event helps support the camp's popular Horseback Riding Program and youth in need.

We would also like to extend a warm welcome our new spring School Campers from area school districts, including: Ginn Academy, Beachwood Middle School, Cleveland South High School as well as our returning school grouprs. School Camps are held each fall through spring for students and faculty to complement their curricular needs and academic goals in a variety of areas, such as Science, History, Art, Math, Environmental Studies, as well as Team Building, Group Dynamics, Health and Recreation. Schools may contact the camp for more information.