General Information
Address
126 Nagel Road
Fombell, PA 16123
724-758-6238
Toll-Free:
877-962-2565 (877-YMCA- KoK)
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Staff
Rick Deer, Executive Director – x 261
Zach Hoffman, Resident Camp Director – x 263
Linda Flora, Administrative Assistant – x 264
Alesia Hoffman, Dining Services Director – x 267
Tim Murphy, Outdoor Environmental Education Director – x 262
Mike Milnes, Property Manager – x 269
Visit our Campsite for a complete list of our programs
Youth Summer Camp, Teen Adventure Camps, Weekend Camping, Retreat and Conference Center
About Us
Camp History
Founded in 1926 — Camp Kon-O-Kwee was founded in 1926 as a YMCA summer camp for children. It encompassed 265 acres of fields, forests and countryside along the Connoquenessing Creek, five miles west of Zelienople, Pennsylvania.
1970’s Mark New Era of Winterization & Expansion — Beginning in 1970, the camp underwent a gradual transformation of winterization, renovation and expansion, permitting the extension of camp services beyond the summer months. New structures were added to house larger numbers of camp participants. A swimming pool was installed to replace the original small, deteriorated pool, and a nature study center and small pond were added.
Programs and Special Services Continue to Grow — By 1990, Camp Kon-O- Kwee was hosting campers 50 weeks out of the year. Among the groups served are:
Adaptive Camping for Children and Adults with physical and mental disabilities
- Adventure Programs for Inner City Youth at Risk
- YMCA Parent/Child Campouts
- Community Organization Retreats
- Senior Citizen Camping
- School districts participating in environmental education programs
Camp Fombellina Acquired and Dedicated to Challenged Campers — In 1991, Camp Fombellina — 150 acre Girl Scout Camp adjacent to Kon-O-Kwee — was acquired through the leadership and generosity of A. Lawrence Spencer. The Camp was renamed Camp Spencer and dedicated primarily towards serving children and adults with disabilities. In 1992 the Metropolitan Builders Association of Pittsburgh constructed a 3,000 square foot dormitory at Camp Spencer. Since Camp Spencer was acquired, many other skilled volunteers have come together to make improvements to the camp, including pool locker rooms, four summer cabins, a winterized dormitory, renovation of a 100 year old barn, and handicapped accessible pathways to allow all participants easy access to facilities.
New Water System Installed — Also in 1991 Chuck Doughty of Construction Resources volunteered his time to design a new water system for the camp consisting of a supply loop and fire hydrants. As part of this project, three new bath houses were constructed, providing all campers — including the physically challenged — toilet and shower facilities within a short distance of their seasonal cabins. Completion of the project was made possible by funds contributed by the McCune Foundation, Henry L. Hillman Foundation, R.K. Mellon Foundation, USX Foundation, Eden Hall Foundation and Rockwell Foundation.
Bridge Constructed to Unite the Camps — 1993 marked the beginning of one of the single largest projects in the Camp’s history. Literally hundred of volunteers — including engineers, architects, attorneys, television personalities and business people, as well as members of a multitude of Western Pennsylvania trade unions — came together to build a bridge across the Connoquenessing Creek. This 440-foot steel framed structure that united the campers of Kon-O-Kwee and Spencer was dedicated on April 30, 1996.
New Medical Center Opened — In 1997 Architect Robert T. Stevens developed plans for a new Medical Center, replacing the original infirmary constructed in 1926. The new Medical Center, completed in 1998, not only improves medical care for all our campers, but also enables us to provide a valuable camping experience to participants with severe asthma, burns and those requiring kidney dialysis. UPMC Health System is providing resident physicians to staff the Medical Center.
A Recognized Leader…Today Camp Kon-O-Kwee/Spencer encompasses 500 acres with 45 seasonal cabins and 27 lodges. It serves over 17,000 campers yearly, with daily attendance exceeding 47,000. Camp Kon-O-Kwee/Spencer has become a nationally recognized model for camps pursuing specialized programs including:
- Adaptive camping & sports for children and adults with physical and mental disabilities
- Adventure programs for inner city youth-at-risk
- Senior Citizen Camping
- Parent/Child Camping
- Environmental Education
Send A Kid to Camp
For over 125 years children and teens have been attending YMCA camp to build character and develop skills for life. Sometimes referred to as resident, overnight, or sleep-away camp, our program helps young campers develop a strong bond with new friends and quality leaders. Activities and programs are selected to offer every camper an opportunity to achieve new skills and confidence while enjoying a week of active, outdoor fun.
Thanks to a very special gift from the A. L. Spencer Foundation, several corporate partners and numerous individual donors, this year Camp Kon-O-Kwee Spencer is very pleased to be able to offer one week scholarships to 200 first time campers between the ages of 7 and 13. Scholarships will be awarded on a first-come-first-served basis to youth meeting eligibility criteria and won’t last long!
SEND A KID TO CAMP INFORMATION POSTER
Send A Kid to Camp REGISTRATION FORM
Upcoming Events
There are many opportunities for you and your family to be a part of Camp Kon-O-Kwee Spencer this spring!
Healthy Kids Day: Saturday April 28th
Visit some friends from Kon-O-Kwee Spencer out in the community from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at The Mall at Robinson, the Thelma Lovette YMCA, and the Baierl Family YMCA. Use this time to ask questions about camp, sign up for camp and play some classic camp games!
The Hero’s Quest: Friday May 4th – Saturday May 5th, 2012
With the help of a trusted guide, families will journey through 500 acres of forests, fields, and meadows, encountering friend and foe along the way in the search for valuable treasure. Through challenges, activities, riddles and clues, participants will vanquish their own fear and doubt in accepting the Call to Adventure in The Hero’s Quest.
Families will cherish this overnight designed to:
• Bring families closer together
• Inspire family members to help each other
• Build confidence and identify unique abilities through various activities
This event will fill fast! Cost is $40 per family (must have at least one child between age 7 & 13) Register today at www.ycamps.org
THUNDER over Kon-O-Kwee: Saturday May 5th, 2012
Join us from 3:00 p.m. to dark at YMCA Camp Kon-O-Kwee Spencer for a FREE day filled with fun camp activities, camp tours, great food, train rides, storytelling, muscial performances, the Zany Umbrella Circus, and Zambelli Fireworks.
No RSVP necessary!
TRY-Camp: Saturday May 11th through Sunday May 12th, 2012
Remember dipping your toe in the water before you jumped, just to test the temperature? TRY-Camp accomplishes the same thing for families who are interested in overnight camp, but would like to to test out the sleep-away nature of the experience. We run this overnighter as an exact replica of a day at summer camp, for just $30 per camper. If he or she registers for summer camp, their $30 fee is rolled into their summer camp registration fee. Register today by calling Linda at 724-758-6238.
Summer Camp: June 24th – August 3rd, 2012
At Kon-O-Kwee, we know that campers become happier, more confident, more remarkable versions of themselves. Our core principles of Belonging, Accomplishment, Adventure, and Leadership provide campers with unforgettable experiences since 1926. Register today at:
