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Case Study: Camp Crosley

North Webster, Indiana

They wanted to play in the water, and they did for nearly 100 years on Lake Tippy. But growing populations around the lake brought various pollutants and irritants that made water quality unpredictable. With beach closures always a possibility, changes to their waterfront program were inevitable. “We were having trouble just letting kids swim in the lake,” recalled Richard Armstrong, the YMCA camp’s Executive Director. “So, we figured we’d need to build a pool.”

While kicking around options with Commercial Recreation Specialists, one of their suggestions was a little surprising. “Why don’t you build a pond?” That, famously, was the response to the situation by CRS President Ron Romens. A pond? That didn’t make any sense to Armstrong. “Why would we build a pond when we already have a lake?” (Scroll to continue…)

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Their exchange set in motion a development plan for an “H2Whoa! Zone” that would become the crown jewel of the Camp Crosley Centennial Celebration.

The suggested purpose-built “pond” would take advantage of roughly nine acres of land from an under-utilized field. It would essentially be built as a membrane-lined pool, easily adaptable for recreational use as an aqua park.

Water for the new pond would be supplied from a well, and a dedicated aeration system in combination with natural products and chemicals would keep the pond clean, clear and aesthetically pleasing.

The central location of the pond would reorient the entire camp — now, everything would radiate off the new H2Whoa! Zone. “The layout of our camp makes so much more sense now,” Armstrong says.

With a solid master plan from CRS taking shape, Armstrong set out to gain the approval of the camp’s board of managers and secure funding.

Nothing like this had ever been done before in Indiana, but after nearly 100 years in business, Camp Crosley was eager to separate itself as not being “just another camp with lakefront access.”

Preliminary CRS drawings called for the H2Whoa! Zone to be built on a field between Crosley’s athletic field and horse farm. Excavation for the pond would create a 3-acre water feature including a cable wake park, beach and dozens of water inflatables. Displaced soil would allow for twin suspended water slides and a hillside Zoom Floom to feed into the pond. To the north would be a beach volleyball court, jumping pillow, and pedal track. To the west, a Pavilion for relaxation, indoor games and a snack bar. In other words, the H2Whoa! Zone would become part of a complete water-based family entertainment center (WBFEC).

It wasn’t difficult to see the transformative potential. “Our board and donors were excited because it would give our kids a well-integrated, natural experience that a sterile pool-type situation couldn’t.”

CRS oversaw the complete transformation from an empty field to a stunning H2Whoa! Zone...

Presentation was the key to raising enough money to construct a pond, fill it with commercial-grade water inflatables, and compile a fully-equipped beach. CRS helped secure funding by producing a compelling presentation showcasing the excitement and benefits of a WBFEC.

Next up was navigating the permit requirements. Since this had never been done, CRS was instrumental in working with Indiana state and local officials — explaining the building process, safety protocols and operational goals to put their minds at ease.

Speaking of operational goals, upon completion the new H2Whoa! Zone has delivered everything it was expected to, and then some.

Programming capacity increased 200% after the first summer, from 40-45 children per week to 90-95. And, a couple nights a week during the summer the H2Whoa! Zone is open to the community, as well as for retreats and conferences hosted at the camp — an excellent community outreach. It’s really 21st century technology applied to youth camping, and beyond.

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