Camp Foster YMCA

The oldest YMCA camp in Iowa

Camp Foster YMCA is the oldest YMCA camp in Iowa. Under the name Iowa YMCA Camp, Camp Foster was started in 1912 in Iowa Falls by Leonard Paulson. Paulson, Secretary of the Iowa YMCA, enlisted the help of Thomas Foster in finding a permanent site for the camp. In 1913, Paulson and Foster discovered 47 acres of the current site, and Foster purchased the land for approximately $5,000. Although Foster donated the land to the Iowa YMCA, the camp was not named in his honor for the donation; instead, it was named Camp Foster because of Thomas Foster’s extraordinary passion and dedication toward the YMCA movement.

Long before the site was a YMCA camp, it was one of the sites of the 1857 Spirit Lake Massacre. In March of that year, Chief Inkpaduta, of the Dakota Indian tribe, led a band of Indians to the Lakes area. Inkpaduta entered the Okoboji area looking for revenge for the treatment his tribe had suffered from settlers to the north. On March 9, Inkpaduta visited the current site of camp, and he led his rebel band to murder all eight members of the Joel Howe family. Howe’s head was severed from his body and never recovered. Camp Foster continues to maintain a strong Native American heritage, and the oldest campers still tell the story of “Howard’s Head” searching the campgrounds for its body.

The oldest existing buildings on site, the Lakefront Cabins, were constructed in 1937. Camp Foster continued to grow. In the 1960’s, an additional 83 acres were purchased that now primarily serve as the horse pastures. Also in the 1960’s, William Thompson made a large donation to Camp Foster, which funded construction of the pool, doubles cabins, and chapel. In 1971, the camp extended its mission by opening coed weeks during summer camp. With the continued prosperity of Camp Foster, the Sievers property was purchased in 1983, completing the expansion of the current site to 214 acres.

Responding to needs from the community, in 2004, Camp Foster constructed the Bedell Family YMCA to support the Okoboji area. Camp Foster and the Bedell Family YMCA, make up the YMCA of the Okobojis Association.

Camp Foster is now celebrating over 100 years of camping. Camp Foster currently features a summer resident camp, summer day camp, year around conferences/retreats program, and community services program.

Camp Foster is one of the oldest camps in the Midwest, and it is recognized as a premiere YMCA camp, offering a balance of traditional and progressive programming. Camp Foster has been the summer camp home to thousands of campers, and it continues to be a place where campers make memories that last a lifetime.

Visit campfosterymca.com for more information about camp, team building, and community events currently held at Camp Foster.