Valley Youth House is excited to announce the completion of the camp cabin renovation project at Camp Fowler, valued at over $1.8 million.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, all seven cabins that house the youth and staff attending overnight camps were completely rebuilt over the last two years.

The entire project was made possible through the support and philanthropy of local companies including Kay Builders, Inc., Majestic Realty Co., Commerce Construction Co., L.P., Brooks Development Group, Livengood Excavators, Inc., and many other businesses and individual contributors.

A committee of volunteers led by Rick Koze, owner/president of Kay Builders, Inc., Richard H. Brooks, president of Brooks Development Group, and Eric R. Scheler, vice president of Construction at Watson Land Company began the cabin renovation project with the shared vision of ensuring Camp Fowler would continue to serve youth in our community for the next 100 years.

“My company was proud to help see these cabins built for the good of the children who will come to this amazing place in the many decades to come. This Camp provides a public service for children who otherwise may not have ever had or will have the chance to benefit from all they do here,” Brooks said.

The camp cabins were initially built 80 years ago and had finally exceeded their usable lifespan with uneven and damaged flooring, leaking roofs, rotting wooden siding and no insulation, which caused uncomfortable summer nights and the inability for use during the fall and winter.

Now, at the completion of the project, Camp Fowler has six new sleeping cabins, as well as a two-story cabin with staff offices, sleeping quarters, and a sensory room.

All of the new cabins for campers feature heating, air-conditioning and indoor plumbing, which expands the possibilities for year-round programs.

Additionally, the camp’s basketball courts have been refurbished and an archery range is in the process of being built.

These renovations will not only improve the safety and usefulness of Camp Fowler for Valley Youth House’s clients, but will also benefit the community groups that utilize the camp.

“As builders first, we know the value of creating communities of promise, where families and businesses know that their futures are secure and bright. We are honored to be devoting time and resources to help Valley Youth House build cabins for the young people served,” commented Sceler.

Valley Youth House owns and operates Camp Fowler, a 43-acre property located in Orefield.

Camp Fowler’s programming provides outdoor therapeutic recreation and promotes healing and growth through adventure-based activities and experiential learning.

Campers experience breakthroughs and healing, resulting in behavioral changes that lead to their future growth.

The camp serves youth of all ages with a focus on those who would otherwise not have access to camp experiences.

This population includes low-income children and youth, youth in foster care, and homeless youth, many of which have experienced significant trauma in their lives.

“As the nation continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important now than ever for youth to be able to attend summer camp. With Camp Fowler serving vulnerable youth in the community that typically would not have access to summer camp or enrichment programming, it is exceedingly important to have youth attend summer sessions after a year of isolation, virtual learning, and overall uncertainty caused by the global pandemic,” said Tom Harrington, president and executive director of Valley Youth House.

“My wife, Andrea, and I are excited to be involved in this meaningful project. We do not have children, so we see this as our opportunity to positively impact the lives of young people in our community,” Koze said. “Camp Fowler is a special place and all involved in this project are ensuring that it will be around for another 100 years.

“Kay Builders has been building communities for three generations and we look forward to building foundations and shaping futures for the young people served by Valley Youth House.”

Valley Youth House will host a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony later this month to celebrate the completion of the camp cabin renovations.

The socially distanced outdoor event will include speakers Stephanie Raymond, Valley Youth House board chair and president of PPL Electric Utilities, and Tom Harrington, who will both recognize the many donors who have helped to make this project a reality.

The Camp Fowler Cabin Construction Campaign Committee included volunteer fundraisers Anne Baum, Lehigh Valley Market president of Capital Blue Cross, Kathryn Brown, founder and principal of Morton Brown Family Wealth, Eric Luftig, former Valley Youth House board chair, Travis Rhodes, regional president of BB&T, Now Truist, William H. Spence, former chairman/CEO of PPL Corporation, and Loretta Tubiello-Harr, principal of Tubiello-Harr & Associates.

Many thanks to the following benefactors: Whispering Pines Cabin generously donated in memory of Jerry and Stella Grossman, Echo Point Cabin anonymously donated in memory of Jerry, Hilltop Forest Cabin generously donated by the Fleming Foundation, Timber Oak Cabin generously donated by the Keystone Savings Foundation, Windy Ridge Cabin generously donated in memory of Angelo Salvaggio, Hawk Meadow Cabin generously donated by the Majestic Realty Foundation, Pebble Brook Cabin generously donated by Corning Painter and Dorothy Penney, Sensory Room inside Timber Oak Cabin generously sponsored by Air Products, Health Lodge generously sponsored by Dr. Constantina Pippis-Nester, Dr. Brian Nester, and Lehigh Valley Health Network, and basketball court renovations generously sponsored by the Lehigh Valley IronPigs Charities presented by Air Products.

For a full list of supporters and to learn more, visit valleyyouthhouse.org/camp-fowler-cabins/.