Nameless Creek Youth Camp, Inc.

In January of 2006 we began a new course to make Nameless Creek Youth Camp a youth activity “Hub” facility for Hancock County and all of east-central Indiana.  As we began our planning for the future, we could not forget all that has been done before.

Starting with the dream of Lowell “Tubby” Toms and his wife, Adeline, to leave a legacy for the youth of Greenfield and the surrounding areas, the land that was bequeathed 60 years ago was the beginning of this journey.  Many local service organizations and dedicated individuals began to lay all of the groundwork for making this special place a solid, well-recognized camp.

Nameless Creek Youth Camp was established in 1951 by Mr. and Mrs. Toms.  The camp was incorporated as a non-profit corporation in August of 1951.  Tubby and Adeline leased the 20 acres of land to the Nameless Creek Youth Camp, Inc.  In 1971 the camp grew to a total of approximately 30 acres from the estate left by the Toms.

In the beginning, Thomas Williams, an interested citizen, secured buildings for the camp.  Other service groups donated labor and money to clean and repair the cabins that were donated.  They installed sanitary toilets and the Greenfield Lions Club had a well drilled to provide good, safe water for drinking and other uses.  In 1956 electricity was installed.  In 1957 the mess hall with kitchen facilities was added.  In 1962 a shelter house with lights was built.

Through the years improvements and maintenance have been made by donations from various businesses and organizations through community fund drives.  Three new cabins were built in 1990 by the Construction Tech classes at Greenfield-Central High School with money donated by Greenfield Sertoma, Newcomer Lumber, Corner Hardware, Shiloh Christian Church, Tri Kappa, Greenfield Lions and Lionesses, Linde Cleaners, Rotary Club, Irving Materials Inc., Bradley United Methodist Church, Delta Theta Tau, Kiwanis, Hancock County Bar Assoc., Optimists Club, Millis Electric, R.E.M.C. and I.P.T.

Greenfield Sertoma and Newcomer Lumber were the catalysts to make this revitalization project a reality.  Their commitment to our community and this project is exemplary.  The Hancock County Youth Water & Soil Conservation group donated hours and hours of time working on the trails, painting and marking trees and carrying out the instructions from the state forester.  Many Scouts also helped with work during our revitalization project in the early 90’s.

Since 2006 we have been able to create a new site plan, new entrance and parking lot, activity fields, sand volleyball court, softball/baseball backstop, horse shoe pits, improved walking trails, horse trails, hitching posts, and pasture.  In the woods we have created a gathering area with a beautiful mosaic and simple tent platforms for camping.  We have rennovated the pavilion, built a tool shed, built an activity storage mini-barn, and created a new play area with equipment.  Our woods have been harvested to create improvement in our timber stand.  We have new bathrooms with showers and a completely rennovated kitchen with meeting area. We have established an endowment with the Hancock County Community Foundation to build for the future of the camp.   

The dedication and commitment of several individual Nameless Creek Youth Camp board members and officers over the course of 60 years have been outstanding.  By giving of their time, resources and passion for the mission of the camp the board and officers have stayed the course through good times and lean times.  2006 brought the end of over 75 years of combined service to Nameless Creek for four proud individuals that shared their time, resources, know how, and compassion to make a difference for Nameless Creek.

Larry Gossett and Jeff Inskeep were both long-time board members.  Eugene Strubbe was the outgoing president with the longest tenure as president.  Sherry Morgan was the lifeblood of the camp for over 20 years as the secretary/treasurer of the organization.  She booked all usage, organized the calendar, took care of the accounts, was caretaker of the grounds, paid the bills, and poured herself into the preservation of this unique and wonderful youth camp for a good portion of her adult life. 

In 2006, a new board and new officers began to do all that we could to preserve this legacy.  Now, we must provide the faith, resources, time, and passion for the continuance of this mission.

We pledge to provide the leadership to sustain a positive momentum for the future of Nameless Creek Youth Camp, Inc.

There are thousands of young people and community members that have had wonderful experiences at Nameless Creek Youth Camp over the past 60 years.  Now is the time to ensure the future of Nameless Creek Youth Camp.  The mission therein lies:  The camp shall create outdoor recreational and camping opportunities for all.  Furthermore, the camp should provide a profound appreciation of nature and the enjoyment of outdoor activities for Hancock County and East Central Indiana.

Now we establish new goals and complete unfinished tasks to bring this organization to its prime for many years to come.  The officers and board members for 2011 are: Jerry D. Bell, president; Barb Kauchak, secretary; Marie Felver, treasurer; John Jackson, board member; Sandy Sipes, board member; and Bob Schreiber, board member.

We are very proud to be celebrating our 60th anniversary for Nameless Creek Youth Camp, Inc.!