Camp Piomingo

Jack Edwards

Alumni — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:47:11 +0000

Can’t believe Jack is gone! He came to visit me here in England, when my wife and I lived in Cambridge, and his only real interest was going to Newmarket for the horseracing. Then we took him to my parents in S.E England, and his only interest was going to Folkestone - for the horse-racing. He taught me all I knew about archery, (not much), and riflery (a lot more). I drove across America with him and his brother, Mark, to LA in some real old garbagemobile (I dropped a film on the floor by the back seat, and the next year it was still there) but knowing Jack was always fun. I guess he was my Piomingo mentor. He will be sorely missed. By me, and by all of you. Rod

Family Camp Memories

Alumni — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 20:16:54 +0000

My mom (Clara “Totts” Mueninghoff), 3 girls (Stephanie, Shelly and Shannon Long) and brother and sister (Joe and Vicki Mueninghoff) LOVED family camp. We first attended 30+ years ago (probably at one of the first ones they held?). It was originally held on Labor Day weekend and the pool was still open. It started Friday afternoon and went until Sunday @ noon.

My mom (everyone called her “Totts”) was especially taken by the comradery and fun outdoors. She would be excited about all the renovations. Back then we enjoyed the pool, playing games, horseback riding, riflery, archery and of course the campfires and ‘headless’ horseman.

My mom especially liked not having to cook and would sit in her chair outside the cabin doing a crossword puzzle and waiting for the gong to ring for the next meal. It was even one of the things we shared and laughed about at her funeral a few years ago. Those family camps were some of the best times we shared with her and that she in turn shared with her son, daughters, and grandchildren. My daughters all went to summer camp there, and now we send her great-grandchildren (Bishop Oakes) to summer camp and bring them (Bishop along with his brother Gage) to family camp.

We made many great friends and keep in touch with some of them even today, exchanging Christmas cards, and family news (i.e., Mike and Judy Becker).

Camp Piomingo holds a special place in our hearts. We recommend it for anyone wanting to get away from the hectic city week and enjoy some quality time with your family.

It changed me

Alumni — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 20:13:44 +0000

I remember my mom dropping off my brother and I on our first day of camp. I was a shy child but since I knew my brother was there, it seemed to help ease the nervousness. I had been to church camp previoulsy but my mom heard about this great program and insisted we give it a try. We started out at regular camp and enjoyed it so much we asked to returned. After a few summers when my mom could afford it, we came back to camp as trailblazers while our younger brother started at regular camp. This experience instilled so much in us. We all, “grew up” and became more repectful, outgoing and happier kids. So many great opportunities were presented to us and we were able to hike the cumberland gap, whitewater raft in TN, rock climb and repell and participate in one of the coolest tribal ceremonies ever.
We came from a divorced family that was in a lot of pain. Camp Piomingo saved us. There, we weren’t gudged. We didn’t have the nicest cloths or best shoes, that is so important when your young. We just tried to blend in. What happened was, we stood out! The counselors were the best people we had ever met. They challenged us and encouraged us to be individuals. We left camp feeling…inspired.
I recommend Camp Piomingo to any parent! I think we would be different kids and adults now if we had not have had that opportunity!

my camp experience

Alumni — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:29:26 +0000

i first came to camp when i was like 8 or 9 my first summer at camp was soccer camp i remeber my counslers i had David word and tony. They made that summer one of the best ones i had then i came back the following year at the age of 10 I had christian it was another great summer. Even though i was home sick that summer.I still had a amazing summer. Even though i left for a few years i came back to camp when i was 16 to become a CIT it was one of the best experiences i had ever had. The following summer i only got to come back for half the summer, it was great because i finally became a junior counsler and i loved being able to work with the kids. But i think my favorite summer at camp when i was finally able to be a senior counsler and stay the whole summer, it really has changed me in many ways i feel like it has helped me grow as a person. I will always love camp piomingo no matter where i am. I will remember working as ecamp director that was one of my favorite tasks out there. I may not be there this summer but next summer i will return for sure nothing can keep me away from camp because camp is my favorite place on earth its were i can release my self and just let my self go. I will be out to visit this summer and hopefully be able to volunteer. Camp piomingo i will love you forever.

By, Matt Jackson

Lighting was the omen, hornets were the lesson

Alumni — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:20:57 +0000

I arrived for my second visit to Camp Piomingo in the summer of 1980. Our counselor was a great guy who loved life and went out of his way to insure we had a memorable experience.
Unfortunately it rained off and on the entire week complete with tons of thunder and lightning. One afternoon after spending an eternity in the cabin waiting for the rain to cease he decided we should hike to the overlook. As we were headed down the trail lightening struck one of the power poles rather close to our path. We made a hasty retreat back to the cabin in a manner our counselor aptly compared to the Coco Puff Bird. We were left a bit shaken but undeterred. After the clouds had passed and the sun returned we continued our quest. Upon arriving at the overlook we found a 50 foot copperhead snake sunning himself (well it looked 50 feet long when I was 10). Our visit was brief (because of the snake) but before returning one of our group decided he needed to speak with Mother Nature. He stepped from the trail (we always practiced proper etiquette) and proceeded to disturb a nest of stinging insects. We later concluded these were hornets weighing somewhere around 10 pounds and armed with hypodermic needles. As we recounted the events at the dinner table our counselor told us the lightening was omen and the hornets were the lesson.
I loved Camp Piomingo and wish I could go again. I live in Mississippi now and I am considering bring my boys to Camp Piomingo so they can have the same experiences I had. I will be forty soon and I can still recall specific events from my visits. I can still whistle with an acorn top and make cake with and orange peel. Both have proven to be invaluable skills. I know what is like to be bitten by a horse and what a sweaty horse tastes like when you bite him back. I have hugged trees (for misbehaving) and rocketed down mudslides.
Camp Piomingo was great.

My Memories of the YMCA and Camp Piomingo - 1935-1944

Alumni — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:16:25 +0000

I was a camper in the first camping session at Camp Piomingo in 1938. I spent three months every year at Camp Piomingo from 1938 through 1943. I was a camper, Jr. Councilor and Senior Councilor during those years. The YMCA had a tremendous effect on my life and I am very proud of the “Y” and Camp Piomingo. I have written a book on my experiences at the “Y” and Camp Piomingo called “My Memories of the YMCA and Camp Piomingo” This book is now available to anyone that is interested in knowing more about the early years of the Louisville YMCA and Camp Piomingo. My book coveres the years from 1935 until I was discharged from the army in 1947.

Camp songs I sing to my Son

Alumni — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:10:00 +0000

My camp memories are still very fresh in my mind. I can still hear the gong early in the morning, the chatter coming from the mess hall and smell of wood burning at the final ceremony at the end of each week.
When my son, Cody, was born 18 months ago, one of the songs I sing to him often is the one from my camp days. I don’t recall the full name of the song but it was a song that was song at our out door services on Sunday mornings ( So rise and shine….)
I trully charish all the friends I made and memories that have lasted over 20 years. I hope that my son will one day want to go to camp and have the opportunity to experience the wonderful things camp has to offer.
I want to thank all of my camp counselors and friends I met for giving me so many wonderful memories.
Sincerely, Tiffany

Register Now!

admin — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:36:11 +0000

Let the magic begin!

Click here to reserve your bunk.

Camp Video

admin — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 23:10:28 +0000

Check out the cool camp video and learn more about our wonderful camp!

After you watch it you will want to come to Camp Piomingo!!

Counselor in Training (age 16)

admin — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 23:09:28 +0000

Four-week Program for boys and girls

Future Camp Piomingo Counselor program
Spend four weeks at camp
Develop leadership skills
Improve communications skills