Original buildings at 4-H Camp Whitewood were the dining lodge cooks' cabin (now known as Home Economics agent's cabin), and two vault or pit type restrooms.  Later facilities added included: eight cabins for girls, five cabins for boys, a combination craft building/garage/men's headquarters, a headquarters building for permanent staff, a conservation building, a large recreation hall, and two new restrooms with showers and flush toilets. 

Swimming facilities were improved in 1942 with the building of a six acre lake on the west side of Wiswell Road across from the main camp area.  This lake was used for swimming, boating, fishing, and conservation education.  In 1967, because of problems with the spillway and dam, the lake was completely drained and the dam and spillway rebuilt.  A beautiful nine acre lake was the result. 

Major investments were also necessary to provide an adequate water supply for camp.  Wells were inadequate and lake water is used, going through an approved filtration/chlorination system. 

All of these improvements were made possible through the profit made from use of camp by 4-H members and from renting camp to outside groups such as schools and churches. 

In early 1960, the only land owned by Northeast Ohio 4-H Camps, Inc. was approximately nine acres that included the main camp area with the buildings.  This original parcel of land plus an additional two acres for the water supply lake were donated by Tom White.  All other lands used for camping activities were leased on a year-to-year basis from Tom White. 

With an investment of well over $100 thousand dollars in facilities, camp board members felt they needed the assurance of continued use of lands around camp.  Negotiations were started in early 1961 with Tom White for purchase of additional property.  After several meetings and discussions, Mr. White agreed to sell about 210 acres to 4-H Camp Whitewood.  this included most of the Warner's Hollow property owned by Mr. White plus about 80 acres west of Wiswell Road.  It included lakes, orchards, and farm buildings north of the camp on the left side of the road. 

Because this was a major expenditure by camp, some questions were raised about financing.  However, through the cooperation of Mr. White, a down payment was made by the camp board and the balance was secured by a first mortgage held by Mr. White.  Counties were assigned quotas to raise money in various ways to pay off the mortgage.  Using camp facilities at the time were Ashtabula, Lake, Geauga, Portage, Summit, Trumbull, and Mahoning counties. 

On October 16, 1965 a historic day was held at 4-H Camp Whitewood.  This was the mortgage burning ceremony to celebrate the payment of the entire mortgage on the property.  At 4 p.m. on that beautiful October day a large group of friends of 4-H gathered in the campfire circle located on the site of the old Indian fort to celebrate the occasion of the final payment for the land purchased.  This day was also a celebration of the interest in 4-H by adults and youth in the counties using the camp because the mortgage had been paid in less than a four year time.  Literally thousands of 4-h members, advisors, parents, and friends had been involved in and were a very real part of 4-H Camp Whitewood. 

Over the 50 years, from 1940 to 1990, that 4-H camp Whitewood has been in existence, about 123,500 youth and adults have had educational camping experiences at the camp.  These experiences have been many and varied and have had a positive impact on the lives of those involved. 

Goals of the 4-H Camp board of Directors have been, and continue to be, to make camp available for all kinds of Extension educational programs and have the facilities available for non extension use.  Several, well thought out, moves by the Camp board made these goals possible.  Much involvement of lay people was also used in thinking through plans and bringing about needed changes.  Probably the first of these moves was developing an adequate water supply and construction of modern restroom facilities.  Second was acquisition of the camp land and payment for this land.  Another was the enlargement of the lake.  Winterizing eleven cabins, the dining hall, and the staff building was also an important move for year round use.  Other more recent additions included the recreation building built in the late 1970's, a new beach house, an athletic field and rifle range, a new maintenance building built in the mid-1980's, construction of a new dock, the recent construction of a new boathouse on the west side of the lake, a restroom on the boy's side, a new bridge across Grindstone Creek to the girls' area and a new nature trail on the west side of the road as a numbered "walk through time trail on the east side. 

Another important step was the accreditation of 4-H Camp Whitewood by the American Camping Association in 1976.  This committed the camp facilities and staff to meet the requirements of the American Camping Association and also was a positive move toward using the facilities for both Extension and non extension purposes. 

For many years the camp board was composed of directors who were Extension employees.  It was felt that Extension employees knew the educational needs of the youth of their counties and could best plan for the necessary facilities.  However, recently the board has been expanded to fifteen members including six lay members and nine Extension employee members.  This move should increase interest in 4-H camping and the camp facilities and it should have a positive impact on camping programs.  Also, because of changes in Cooperative Extension Service personnel and programs, the board has become more of a policy board and less of and operational board. 

A conservation class at camp - 1958

4-H Camp Whitewood is owned and operated for Extension educational programs, with primary emphasis on 4-H camping.  It is operated as a non-profit corporation called Northeast Ohio 4-H Camps, Inc.  No tax dollars have been used in the purchase and development of the camp facilities. 

This camp area, now reserved for educational purposes, is on of the most beautiful and unusual in northeast Ohio.  It is respected and loved by 4-H members, advisors, and others.  Camp is considered an important educational part of the overall 4-H program with the primary objective of developing girls and boys to better able meet life situations and to be more aware of the importance of their physical surroundings. 

Many possibilities exist for future use of 4-H Camp Whitewood.  Board members and other interested people need to develop a long range plan that includes the current interest in conservation and the environment and develop programs and facilities that will allow expanded use of the area. 

Many lay people in the past have been active and helpful in working toward securing and improving the camp.  It is certain that continued involvement of lay people, with leadership from Extension personnel, will be important in the development and use of this beautiful, educational facility.  The organization and development of 4-H Camp Whitewood over the years is in fact, a real demonstration of Extension educational programs and action and reflect back upon the contribution made by many Extension staff members as well as many interested and active lay people.  The group involved in the search for 4-H Camp Whitewood in 1939 and in the construction of the early facilities in 1940 would be happy with camp it they could come back and be a part of the 50th anniversary celebration in 1990.