Learn our Rich History

Since 1915, YMCA Camp Copneconic has provided outdoor programs for youth and families. Our heritage begins with a strong Christian foundation. Add 700 acres of beautiful, serene property, a medley of historical and modern facilities, and a long-standing reputation of caring staff, Camp Copneconic is truly the Genuine Article in the camping industry.

Our Timeline

1885 - 1910s 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.

1920s - 30s 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)

1950s 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.

1960s 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.

1970s 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)

1980s 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.

1990s 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.

2000s 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. 2004: Acreage across the lake purchased with the help of an anonymous donor. Building purchased at the front of camp for staff housing. Sewers constructed to give camp access to city water. 2005: Building at the front of camp purchased and renovated for staff housing. 2006: Construction of two new Frontier Cabins 2007: Construction completed on the Circle C Lodge overlooking the ranch. David Hughes Basketball court completed. Pink's Rink Ice Skating Rink completed.

2010s Coming soon!!!

The Story of Our Name

The story as told by Chief Fisher of the Chippewa tribe...

"Many years before the white man came to Michigan, there came a very cold, severe winter; hunters could not hunt, animals died of the cold, and the Chippewa tribe was in danger of starving to death. The corn was frozen before it was ripe and even nuts did not bear. The wise men had told them that the roots of the water lily, which grew and blossomed so beautifully all summer in the shallow water near the banks, were poisonous. In their desperation, the Chippewa Indians dug a big hole and built a fire in it. When it got hot enough, they raked out the coals and piled in the water lily roots. The roots were sometimes as large as a man’s arm. When smoked in this way, they were found to be very palatable, and they were thereby kept from starvation. In gratitude, the Chippewa tribe named the lake “Opin,” which means bread and “Neconic,” which means lake. Together – “Opin-neconic” means Lake of Bread."

At some point the “C” was added to the front of the name. The time and reasons for this addition are unknown to-date. In 1917, the camp was named after the lake – YMCA Camp Copneconic.