How it all started...

In the early 1950’s a group of Christian African Americans from Detroit, Michigan developed a camp for boys and girls from their respective churches. Several years later, they combined their efforts with other like-minded believers from the Chicagoland area. Pastor and Mrs. Grant Love sold their Smith Creek farm that served as the camping base for the Detroit constituents.

The proceeds from the sale went to the Circle Y development. With that effort, the vision was expanded to reach children throughout the Midwest. One individual, Mr. James Humphrey, purchased an 80 acre farm in the town of Bangor, Michigan, and donated the land specifically for the camp. This united effort coupled with many other sacrifices and labor helped to make the cam a reality. Circle Y Ranch was incorporated in January 1964 as an equal opportunity camp; no camper is ever turned away because of race, sex or religious background. Fifty-eight campers and twenty-six volunteer staff persons kicked off Circle Y’s first camping season.

Forty years later Circle Y has served more than 20,000 campers and has shaped the lives of many more with an experience that will not ever be forgotten. A volunteer board and staff have implemented a lot of the accomplishments of the camp. As camping needs and expectations have changed, participant feedback has indicated to us that Circle Y must rigorously pursue every opportunity to strengthen the Circle Y camping experience.

Circle Y adult relationships with campers are the key.

“When we help students connect with adults, we can expect this kind of fruit: reduced delinquency, increased academic success, improved interpersonal competence, greater resistance to negative peer pressure, fewer disciplinary problems…”

-- Consumer Sciences Journal of the American Association of Family Consumer Sciences