A land of possibilities: YMCA breaks ground on Swain summer camp
It’s a land with a rich past and a hopeful future.
As YMCA employees, volunteers and future campers walked the Watia Creek Farms property along the western corner of Swain County last Friday, they could see the future. They could see children playing in nature, learning about the great outdoors and making lifelong friendships at the future home of YMCA’s Camp Watia.
“The things we do in our lives change the path we’re on and who were are,” said Paul Vest, CEO of YMCA of Western North Carolina. “This property will become an opportunity for us to change the heartbeat of children — and that will be felt throughout our region.”
Building a YMCA summer camp in Western North Carolina with the mission of serving WNC children has been an idea for many years, but no one could have imagined such a perfect piece of property surrounded by mountain ridges and Fontana Lake.
The project wouldn’t have been possible without the 125-year land lease donation from Ken and Nancy Glass. The 130 acres that will be used for the camp is part of the Glass’ 900 acres they purchased in 2005. Nancy served on the YMCA board and knew the Watia land would be perfect for a children’s summer camp.
“It really is a beautiful setting with the valley and lake surrounded by mountains. The Appalachian Trail runs through the corner of the property and it is bordered by National Forest and the Nantahala River and Nantahala Outdoor Center,” Nancy said. “We thought it was a perfect location for a residential youth camp where kids could receive real camping experience.”
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Ken said he was a camper 65 years ago and all of his children were summer campers who served as camp counselors when they were older. He fondly recalls those memories and hopes many more can be made at Camp Watia.
“The Y isn’t just about building a camp — they’re about building a future for these kids,” he said. “They won’t just learn about outdoors and nature — they’ll learn about themselves.”
The overnight camp will operate eight weeks out of the summer and it’s estimated that it will cost about $550 per week for each camper. To make that happen by next summer, the YMCA has put together fundraising teams in each county to raise $6 million for construction. So far, YMCA has quietly raised more than $2.5 million.
Camp Watia will include a dining hall and kitchen, cabins that can house 265 campers ages 6-16, an administrative center, an adventure course, a volleyball court, campfire and amphitheater space, and a dock and pavilion on the 3-acre pond for swimming.
Vest said it was important for the YMCA to preserve the natural beauty and history of the property, which has been home to the Eastern Band of Cherokee as well as early Swain County settlers. Edith Wright Freeman, 82, and Betty Lou Wright, 80, grew up on the Watia property in a modest log cabin. While the cabin is now located near Freeman Hotel on N.C. 28, the two sisters were at the groundbreaking ceremony to support the camp’s mission.
“I lived in a log cabin before it became a status symbol,” Edith joked as she took another look across the mountains surrounding her. “We were very isolated out here — we had to entertain ourselves with a lot of work.”
While it was no picnic walking three miles to school, Edith and Betty did have a few neighbor children to play with, and Edith said she got really good at horseshoes growing up.
“I’m very happy and glad these kids will get to enjoy this property — it’s a pretty place,” Edith said.
Michell Hicks, principal chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee, also helped move some dirt during the ceremony and was excited to partner with the YMCA on the project.
“It’s amazing to see this idea develop,” he said. “It’s an opportunity to explore nature but also an opportunity to share culture.”
Hicks said the Cherokee Tribal Council was in the process of discussing a financial contribution to the project, and he is also excited about the tribe contributing cultural programs like language and craft camps. It is also his hope that the children of Qualla Boundary and the children that attend Camp Watia will learn from one another.
“We share your vision,” he said.
To donate to the project, visit www.ymcawnc.org and click on give or call 828.210.9649.
