YMCA’s Camp Clay provides summer fun

CINDY WOOD/independent feature writer

Last one in is a rotten egg!

Situated on over 250 acres of land just west of town, the YMCA’s Camp Clay has been steadily growing and expanding into a family-favorite spot for summer fun and festivities.

Anchored by Lake Rotary, a five-acre body of water formed in the shape of Ohio, the recreational facility offers something for everyone. “Come on Mom, let’s get in!” a young girl says as she makes her way down the sandy beach into the water. Out further, a family laughs together as they make their way down an inflatable water slide, one of many “toys” available in the aqua park. Across the pond, a couple check out the scenery in a paddleboat and in the distance, a young boy screams in delight as he races down a zip line and drops into the water.

All the while, American Red Cross-certified lifeguards diligently keep their eyes trained on the water. It’s safe. It’s secure, and it’s perhaps one of Van Wert County’s most overlooked treasures.

“A lot of people have not been out here in the past three years and they sort of have this idea in their head that we’re still a roller skating facility,” said Clint Myers, Camp Clay director. “Or they might think it’s a soccer facility, or place for t-ball. Most people aren’t aware that we have an entire nature area out here, in addition to a really great aqua park.”

But good news travels fast in a small town and over the summer, kids and families have been treated to free admission days, courtesy of numerous clubs and businesses that are offering their support.

“Most of the businesses are using it as a customer appreciation day, and as a way to say thank you to the people who use their businesses,” Myers said, adding that a banner has been hung at the facility listing the businesses. “We’re so thankful to these businesses for their support. It’s great when people and businesses in the community can work together. It’s a win-win for everyone, and I hope that if people need a service or a product, they visit these businesses that are giving back to our community.”

Foster Family Chiropractic is just one of those businesses. The local business will be sponsoring a free day on Tuesday, and will be using it as a customer appreciation day. “We got involved with hosting a day because we wanted to help promote all the great activities held at Camp Clay,” Shad Foster said.

As a past board president at the YMCA, Foster is more than familiar with the expansion that has been going on and Camp Clay. “It’s exciting to see the growth and use of Camp Clay over the last few years and Clint has done a wonderful job in making Camp Clay a beautiful place,” he said, urging all local businesses to consider sponsoring a business day for 2014. “Camp Clay is one of Van Wert’s best-kept secrets and these sponsored days help to get the word out that it’s a special place for kids and families to enjoy during the summer,” he said.

Myers said up to 600 people have visited Camp Clay on business-sponsored days, but attendance has dropped drastically during other days of the week, something he’s hoping to change, and he’s asking for the community’s help to do that. “If people want really neat entertainment options in the community, they have to support them,” Myers said, adding “we just can’t have ten customers one day and six hundred the next. We have to be able to get some consistent public support.”

Despite the below-average temperatures lately, the facility is still in full summer swing and there are plenty of opportunities in August to enjoy the facility, and what it has to offer. “We’re proud to have one of the best swimming facilities around and we’ve got a really good thing going out here,” Myers said, adding that most of the businesses that have sponsored free days this year are already on board for next summer.

In addition to the aqua park, the facility features the Rotary Nature Center, a hiking trail, and a challenge course with a rock climbing wall and high ropes. Myers said initial reactions from first-time visitors have been positive, and people from all over have enjoyed the facility’s natural surroundings. “Bottom line is it’s a quality park, and people have visited from literally all over the world,” Myers said, adding he’s spoken with people from Germany, Israel, Japan and various states. “They have been impressed and said it’s a top-notch facility,” Myers said, adding “many of them didn’t expect to have anything like this in the Van Wert area.”

Camp Clay, which offers a variety of options for private rentals, is another option for families looking for a nice, peaceful environment for their special occasion. “There is a huge benefit being able to have a rehearsal dinner, wedding and reception all in one place,” Myers said, adding that out-of-town guests can utilize the log cabin, which sleeps 18 people. “Or people can rent the shelter house, which can accommodate groups with approximately 150 people.”

Those looking for more adventure can rent tee pees, or the challenge course. “There are just such a variety of options for people who really want to have a good time out here,” Myers said. “It just depends on what options they want, and we can make it happen.”

Myers urged those in the community to take advantage of the final days of summer by visiting the aqua park, which is open seven days a week for public swimming. Friday, Saturday and Sunday hours are noon to 6 p.m. and weekday hours are noon to 4 p.m. Parents who want to go grocery shopping or run errands can drop their children off for a fun day and rest assured that safety is the facility’s number one priority. “Our lifeguards have extensive open water training, and we have EMTs and combat medics come out and do all kinds of realistic type scenarios for our guards to train,” Myers said, adding that all swimmers are required to wear a Type 3 life vest. Children under the age of five need to have direct parent supervision.

Aside from the business-sponsored swim days, the facility is very affordable. Admission for children using the shallow water area is $2, while deep-water swimming admission is $4. Myers said family season passes are a great value. “We’re kind of past the season pass point now, but people should keep that in mind for next year. For only two hundred dollars, an entire family could spend every day here for the whole summer,” Myers said.