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Mount Clemens Rotary in 1923 bought 120 acres in Ray Township (at the corner of29-Mile and Wolcott Roads) for $12,000 and 80 acres were developed for camp use. Camp Rotary was born!· Rotarians and sometimes whole Rotarian families, worked to build the shelters, dam, bridges, and other incidentals to make Camp Rotary a usable Scout camp. Over the years, not only the Boy and Girl Scouts, but schools, churches, and any other non-profit organization made use of Camp Rotary. Many Rotarians, their families and friends ,would use the camp for day outings and sometimes overnight camping.After World War II, more permanent structures were erected- Quonset huts, and overnight buildings. In 1957, the Mount Clemens Rotary Club turned over the camp and $10,000 to the newly created Macomb County Rotary Camp and Training Association, Inc.T his new organization had two representatives from each Rotary Club in the county on the Board of Directors. The other Macomb clubs used the camp for their outings.Rotary activities, such as the annual Chicken Barbecue, were held last Sunday of August, Hundreds of Rotarians and guests feasted on barbecued chicken,potato salad, corn on the cob, salads and desserts. Clubs added a beer tent, games, contests, all kinds of fun for the kids. Hikers explored the woods on the other side of the bridge. Folks played shuffle board.. tennis.. volley ball. It was an outstanding end of summer experience Other groups in the community contributed to the improvement of Camp Rotary. The Telephone Pioneers (Michigan Bell retirees) replaced the old bridge across the Clinton River with the new "Little Mac" suspension bridge, The Warren Astronomical Society, and a 4 H Cl,ub (which sponsors equestrian programs in the summer) have all made contributions. The Warren Rotary Club built the large covered pavilion, which enabled all kinds of activities However , as the years went by, many of the buildings fell into disrepair, the bathroom facilities were in terrible shape , the overnight use went down, and the Chicken Barbeque became less popular and was ended. The cost of maintaining then property became exorbitant and in 1995 the Macomb County board of directors sold the property to the Wolcott Mills Huron Metro Park. who promised to keep the Camp
Rotary name . The profit from the sale became the Macomb County Rotary Foundation and gives matching grants to clubs who apply. Camp Rotary, with its acres of fields and woods, the beautiful North Branch of the Clinton River, has been upgraded and is absolutely a wonderful area. The Metro Park system has modernized and rebuilt the restrooms and the activity center. . It is possible to go there and picnic for free.. or rent the pavilion or the activity center for all day for all sorts of activities.
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Rotagreetings from your Warren Rotary t
