Camp SWONEKY had its beginnings in 1912 at another site called Camp Glendale.  That camp was opened for underprivileged children, 6 to 12 years of age, who were referred to the Army by the social agencies of Hamilton County, Ohio.  The camp was developed with limited accommodations for eating and sleeping, and ten-day camping periods we offered to a hundred children at a time.  The original Camp Glendale purchase was two acres with a swimming pool and enlarged facilities.



In 1958 under the leadership of Brigadier William E. Chamberlain, the Divisional Chamberlain HallCommander, and other key camping pioneers, the Army bought a new camp six miles east of Lebanon in Warren County, Ohio.  The new Camp SWONEKY thus replaced Camp Glendale which had been used for the previous 46 years.  The new camp then took its name from the acronym for the Division, Southwest Ohio-Northeast Kentucky. Camp SWONEKY, like most Salvation Army and Christian camping programs grew from small beginnings.



Dining HallThe new property comprising 164 acres began to take shape.  A dining hall was built to seat 270, a competitive-sized pool was constructed and in 1959 the new entrance was dedicated.  The dedication plaque on the entrance pillar reads as follows:



“Secured through the foresight, faith, and labors of Brigadier and Mrs. William E. Chamberlain, June 1956.  A visible symbol of highest devotion.”



In 1967, Simon Zee Lake was developed, and by then the camp was supporting 34 Simon Zee Lakeindependent buildings, mostly camper cabins.  The craft lodge, nature lodge and other support buildings followed in logical sequence.  The campfire circle and the recreation hall were developed with the help of the Division’s Camp Auxiliary.



As the camp began to be developed, additional land was added to the holding.  A farm adjacent to the camp was purchased complete with a small pond and farm animals.  The camp program then added another dimension, a component embracing a petting farm and corrals for ponies and other outdoor education elements.  The camper capacity grew by the late 70’s to support 220 campers with as many as 80 staff at any one time for a total capacity of 300.



Vilage 1 Camper Log CabinsIn the early 90’s, a capital campaign, called “Hope Begins Here!” was launched in order to raise funds for camp renovations and new construction.  Monies were raised to renovate and add on to the dining hall, to renovate Chamberlain Hall, to rebuild the nature center, to build a new infirmary, to build a new laundry room/bath house, and to build 10 new camper log cabins, in addition to other facilities and grounds improvements.



Today, Camp SWONEKY continues to serve children ages 6-12 from underprivileged backgrounds from all over Southwest Ohio and Northeast Kentucky through offering summer camping programs.  Approximately 1,200 campers are served each summer.  In addition, Camp SWONEKY opens its doors to user groups from September-May each year, offering them a place to get away from the pace of everyday life and spend time in the presence of the Lord in a beautiful outdoor setting.