Interest in 4-H camping started to develop in the late 1920's and early 1930's.  Many sites were used for camping but county extension agents felt none of them were really satisfactory.  In 1936 the idea of a four county 4-H camp was revived.  Agents in Geauga Lake Trumbull, and Ashtabula counties spent considerable time looking for a suitable campsite.  Interestingly enough, most of this search was done in the fall during hunting season.  Reports indicate that in order not to arouse too much suspicion, the agents carried hunting equipment and, of course, didi some rabbit hunting as they toured various areas. 

In the  early fall of 1939 agents agreed to proceed with some sort of camp building plan.  The Warner's Hollow area seemed to be one of the best possibilities for investigation. 

County agents in the four counties met with Mr. Tom L. White to look at property in the Warner's-Hollow area.  Agents met with Mr. White on his property in the Warner's Hollow area a began their search on what is now known as the old picnic grounds.  Mr. White suggested that the other side of the ravine, the site of an old Indian fortification, might also make a good campsite.  He led the group down an old logging trail, across the creek and up the other side to the Indian fortification area (now known as the campfire circle).  The area is a very beautiful one with the old Indian fort, Grindstone Creek, falls, and woods.  Agents were in unanimous agreement that this site would make a desirable camp area. 

County Extension agents them made arrangements with Mr. Tom White for leasing the necessary land for camping activities.  In February of 1940, with the assistance of a group of lay people, the four counties incorporated under the name of "Northeast Ohio 4-H Camps, Inc.".  this is a non-profit corporation formed under the laws of Ohio. 

Much time was spent during the late winter and early spring months finding locations for buildings and developing the overall plan for camp.  The first camp was opened on July 14, 1940.  The only permanent buildings were the dining hall, two pit type toilets, and the cook's cabin (now Extension staff cabin) south of grindstone creek.  The swimming pool was in Phelps Creek, in a widened area made by building a wooden plank dam.  Tents were used for all sleeping quarters. 

Since no tax money was, or is, involved in the development of 4-H Camp Whitewood, financing was, and continues to be, a problem.  Early funds were raised by assigning county quotas and counties raised money from tag days, bake sales, scrap drives, 4-H member contributions, and donations from many interested individuals and rural organizations.  Many days of volunteer labor were provided by 4-H members, parents, advisors, interested people, and county extension agents.  Quantities of building materials and other supplies were also donated. 

As the camp was used during early years, facilities were improved through the small profits made, volunteer labor and material, and the financial aid of 4-H and other organizations.  Soon after camp started, Tom White agreed to donate the original parcel of land upon which camp facilities were located.  The surrounding lands were then made available to camp for an  annual lease of $!.00 a year to Mr. White, who in turn always gave the $!.00 back to camp. 

During 1941, the new 4-H camp was simply called the Northeast Ohio 4-H Camp.  In 1941, people in the camping area including 4-H campers, 4-H clubs, and other interested people, were asked to submit names for the camp.  Many ideas were suggested with four names selected from the list and put on a ballot.  Every 4-H member camping during the 1941 season voted, and "Camp Whitewood" was the choice. 

this proved to be an appropriate choice.  The wooded area around the camp was owned by Tom White who donated the original camp area.  Aspen trees with white barks were common around the main lodge and another common tree in the area was the Tulip Poplar, commonly called whitewood by people in the area.