Camp Iss-See-Kes Articles Through the Years

Summertime officially started last week. For many people, that brings back nostalgic memories of going to summer camp – specifically, Camp Iss-See-Kes on the Vermilion River.

Above is an ad for the camp that ran in the Lorain Journal back on June 22, 1954. Although this ad targets boys, Camp Iss-See-Kes was for boys and girls. Over the years, it hosted a variety of youth organizations in addition to its core Y. M. C. A. groups.

It's interesting to see the various mentions of Camp Iss-See-Kes in the Lorain Journal and other local newspapers over the decades.

Here are two early mentions in the paper from June and July 1925 – both for girls. The July article notes, "There will be sports a-plenty for the girls and the same councilors who have had charge during the ten day period just passed will continue for the remainder of the month. Woodcraft, hikes, swimming and a variety of "stunts" with an over-night hike and beach breakfast as the outstanding feature of the trip are on the program for the outing.

June 11, 1925

July 22, 1925

Here's a mention from the August 1, 1929 Lorain Journal. It makes reference to the camp being "on the Leimbach farm along the Vermilion River."

Here are the girls again, in this article from the front page of the August 28, 1930 Lorain Journal. What's interesting is that the continuation from page 1 reveals the meaning of the Indian phrase, "Iss-See-Kes."

The boys are heading off to camp in this article from June 30, 1931.

Here are two Journal mentions from 1932.

April 14, 1932

June 10, 1932

Some improvement in the camp are noted in this Journal article from May 15, 1935.

More improvements were planned, as noted in this Journal article from March 2, 1936.

The Girl Scouts were taking over the camp in this Journal article from August 6, 1938.

Boys from the Lorain Y. M. C. A. were taking their turn at the camp as noted in this Journal article from July 3, 1940.

Here's an ad from the June 26, 1947 Chronicle-Telegram with the well-remembered Indian head logo.

But the Journal art department apparently didn't have access to the logo for this ad for the camp from the June 21, 1948 Lorain Journal.

This Journal article from August 3, 1951 includes some nice photos.

There was a new pool at the camp as noted in this Journal photo from July 28, 1958.

This full-page article from the Journal of June 21, 1965 provides a great look at the camp at that time.

This article from the June 12, 1971 Journal reveals that all campers had to take swimming lessons.

But all good things must come to an end. This article from the Journal of August 16, 1986 announced the bad news that the camp was for sale. It notes that the camp was built in 1920.

Here is the sad classified ad from August 18, 1965.

The sale of the camp property was announced in the Journal on September 7, 1986.

Happily, the Indian head sign at the entrance to the camp on Vermilion Road survives to this day, a tribute to the many happy memories and good times associated with Camp Iss-See-Kes.

October 2023 photo

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I've devoted a few posts to Camp Iss-See-Kes over the years. This post includes some camp collectibles, including a patch and a postcard, while this one notes the damage to the camp's toboggan run that happened during the infamous July 4, 1969 storm.