The year was 1928. Lindberg received a medal of honor for his transatlantic flight. Mickey Mouse made his first appearance in a sound cartoon. Shirley Temple was born, and Whitley County saw the founding of a local family tradition, Camp Whitley.
Walter Stephenson, an educator with the Columbia City schools, created Camp Whitley 80 years ago, with the goal of providing an outdoor learning experience for youth of our community. Over the last 80 years, Camp Whitley has upheld the vision and traditions began so long ago.
In celebration of our 80th year of operation, the Board of Directors and Staff are requesting stories and memories of former campers to compile into a booklet. The staff would like to conduct as many personal visits as possible, but we are willing to also interview over the phone or compile stories from the form below. If you are a former camper, or know someone who has been a camper, and would like the Camp Whitley memories to be documented, please contact Tara Brandon at 260-609-2154 or email her at
Click here for form to submit Memories of Camp Whitley