History

In 1915, the Flint YMCA conducted its first summer camp on the present site of Camp Copneconic in tents. Two years later Charles Mott sold the land - 185 acres - for a cost of $15,000. In 1928, Floyd A. Allen made a gift of $25,000 that enabled the construction of the Allen Lodge and in the following ten years, the first seven sleeping cabins and the Craft Shop were constructed. In the 1950s the camp bell was donated by the Garland Street Church along with another 180 acres from Charles Mott.

The 1960s saw a major construction phase that included the Largent Lodge, four cabins, the camp director's house, Chief's Lodge, the Health Center, the totem pole and the waterfront.

In the mid 70s Copneconic started an outdoor education program and allowed girls to attend camp for the first time. The 80s saw the development of a ranch program, the first high ropes course in Michigan and summer camp for the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan.

The 90s was another period of construction with the Conference Center; Iroquois and Arapahoe Lodges; renovations to the Health Center, Chief's Lodge and Choctaw; the frontier lodge and cabins; day camp pavilion; climbing tower and zip line; and the Welcome Center. The end of the decade saw a partnership with The American Diabetes Association as Camp Midicha made Copneconic their home.

Going into the 21st century, YMCA Camp Copneconic looks to move forward by consistently raising the bar.

1885

First YMCA resident camp in the United States at Camp Dudley, New Jersey.

1915

First year Flint YMCA conducted summer camp – on present site of Camp Copneconic.  Tents used; platform tents built in subsequent years.

1917

Property donated by Charles S. Mott – 185 acres at a cost of $15,000.

1928

Allen Lodge construction began, thanks to a $25,000 gift from Floyd A. Allen.

1932

First seven sleeping cabins constructed (Pawnee, Seneca, Mohawk, Algonquin, Cherokee, Chippewa, and Sioux).

1938

Craft Shop constructed (now called Choctaw)

1956

Bell donated by the Garland Street Church.  Bell was cast in 1888.

1957

Additional 180 acres donated by Charles S. Mott.

1959

New YMCA building fund completed, $2,602.94.

1961

Largent Lodge constructed, dedicated to Otto R. Largent, first general secretary of Flint YMCA (service dates: September 15, 1914 – October 1, 1937)
Two cabins built.

1962

Two cabins built.

1965

Camp Director's house constructed.

1966

Chief's Lodge constructed.

1967

Totem Pole donated by E. W. Johnson.
Allen Lodge remodeled.

1968

Health Center constructed, thanks to a gift from Mr. and Mrs. William L. Richards.

1969

New waterfront installed. Gift of the Whiting Foundation.

1970

Extensive maintenance improvement, plumbing replaced in Allen Lodge, new well dug for Largent area, cabins heated for winter use.

1971

New tent camping unit constructed – Explorer Unit (field near high ropes)

1974

Outdoor Education began as a program.

mid 1970's

Girls began attending summer camp. (Actual date unknown, but after 1971 and by 1978)

1983

Began providing summer camp for Big Brothers Big Sisters participants.

1984

Began horse program, with seasonally leased horses.

1985

Began providing summer camp for campers through Washtenaw Camp Placement.
High Ropes Program constructed. First YMCA camp in state of Michigan to have one.

1986

First summer camp for patients from the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan.

1987

Circle C Ranch built, thanks to a gift through Mr. Donald Johnson from the Whiting Foundation.
Accepted donations of horses to develop our own herd.
Master Site Plan developed.
American Red Cross Aquatic school returns.

1988

Sixty (60) acres donated anonymously.

1990

Toboggan Run constructed by UAM -- Jobs Bank carpenters from Local 599.

1991

Lake Copneconic Conference Center built, in cooperation with UAW – GM Jobs Bank.
Main camp septic field replaced.

1992

Iroquois Lodge (cabin sleeping 48) built.

1993

Associate Director's house replaced.
Largent Lodge septic field replaced; other septic upgrades.

1994

Hosted YMCA World Camp. One of five sites in the United States.
Campers constructed stairs to council ring.
Converted to Natural Gas from Propane for heating and cooling.
Seventy-- two (72) acres donated from the Auker estate.

1995

First camp for burn survivors, in cooperation with the Detroit Firefighters Association.
Low Ropes Course constructed and program development began.

1996

Arapahoe Lodge (cabin sleeping 48) opens.
Renovations on Health Center, Chief's Lodge, and Choctaw completed.
First year for cooperative summer camp program with Oakland County Youth Assistance.
Frontier Lodge Constructed.

1997

First use of Frontier Lodge.
Sailing reintroduced to summer program.
Day Camp Holiday Hills Pavilion was constructed.
Associate Director's house relocated to Day Camp area.

1998

Frontier Cabins for ranch unit constructed.
Construction of Welcome Center.
First year for the American Diabetes Association, Camp MIDICHA made Camp Copneconic their home campsite.
Associate Director's house moved to Day Camp site .

1999

50 ft. Climbing Tower and Zip line constructed.

2000

Construction begins on Auker Lodge (cabin sleeping 56)
New house built at Day Camp site.

2001

Construction started on Copneconic Lodge.

2002

Copneconic Lodge dedication.

2003

Day Camp Pavilion was dedicated to Jane E. McCollough.