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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Camp Reed Memories in Photos

The summer of 2015 marks the YMCA's Camp Reed's 100th anniversary. Take a look back in photos of the popular summer camp.

In 1942 Don Barlow and Lloyd Akley, with the help of Jack Murphy and Jim Crowley (holding the ladder) placed a totem pole on the craft shop of Camp Reed. The YMCA camp is on Fan Lake north of Spokane.

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1942


Scenic Site. One of the finest organized camp sites in the nation is on Fan lake, about 10 miles northeast of Deer Park. Most of the wooded shoreline and smooth, sandy beach is owned or controlled by the Spokane YMCA, and at the Y’s Camp Reed hundreds of Inland Empire boys annually get a real taste of outdoor life. Here camp hikers scan the eye-catching scenery.

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1950


Noisemakers. One of the noisiest places for miles around is the camp swimming dock. Twice a day, just before the noon and evening meals, the boys swarm over, under and around it. In addition, regular swimming classes are held. After lunch each day the youngsters have a “quiet” period.

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Herb Partridge of Spokane rides Danny, a horse that has been at Camp Reed since 1942. Even riding bareback, the youth is able to stay on the rearing horse.

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1952


Panning for gold is one of the many Frontier week activities. Prospectors are Ross Brown, left, Fairchild village, and Clifford Boland, Spokane. Rocks painted gold were scattered in the creek. Biggest haul won prize.

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Chris Eadon, 13, Spokane works in kitchen with Mrs. John Sharffer, cook.

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1963


Rik Williams, leader, Richmond, Wash. Steve Luby, 13, Spokane, WA.


Mike Griag and Denny Dukinson clean their cabin.

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Swimming’s king of all the summer sports at the YMCA camp as elsewhere. Here’s a beginner class.

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John Klaus, age 10, waited in suspense for a big one to take the bait at YMCA’s Camp Reed on Fan Lake during the summer of 1964. Just as intent on the task at hand was the dog Reggie, Camp Reed’s mascot. The camp had a 500-acre recreation area and a full program of activities.

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1964


YMCA Camp Fun. More than 100 boys aged 8 to 15 are enjoying the varied facilities and activities at the Spokane YMCA’s Camp Reed on Fan Lake. Right, Norman Gibbons, 11, Greenacres (left), takes on John Thompson, 11, 401 E. 19th, in a log-straddling pillow fight. Camp counselor is Don Barlow, who has 34 staff assistants.

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Don’t flop - reverse position is wanted.

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1966


Activities this summer, as usual, are widely varied at the YMCA’s Camp Reed on Fan Lake, 34 miles north of Spokane. Along with fun, boys are taught crafts and skills. Shown here are members of a water safety class watching as Tim Moore, 16, Spokane, demonstrates how to avoid trouble if a boating accident occurs. The camp, open July through August, now has 95 boys.

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1965


Starting for fishing hole are Kevin Brown, Curtis Combs and Jim Lucas.

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A favorite sport at the camp, along with swimming, canoe racing and daily hikes, is horseback riding. Shown here is a typical scene as Bob Anderson, 13, Kennewick, attempts to teach one of the camp horses, Duke, the art of shaking hands - or hooves. The western cowboy “rail sitters” are (left to right) Billy Boileau, Ken and Terry Reynolds, and Bruce Cross, all of Spokane. Don Barlow is camp director.

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These campers celebrate after completing the “nitro-crossing” challenge course. Each team member had to swing from point to point without touching the ground. Camp Good Times was sponsored by the American Cancer Association at Camp Reed on Fan Lake.

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1989


Going Overboard. Andy Aslin, 11, of Spokane does a wild dive into Fan Lake on Tuesday while attending Camp Reed north of Spokane. Many hit the lake Tuesday as temperatures remained in the 80s.

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1994


Campers battle for the ball during a game of water polo in Fan Lake at Camp Reed.

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Care packages started arriving the very first day of camp.

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1997


Every day at Camp Reed, campers do a variety of activities. One of the exercises in the “Challenge Unit” had a team trying to line themselves up in order of birthdays, blind-folded and mute.

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Early morning “Polar Bear Club” swimmers get a cold rush to jolt them awake.

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A sudden hail storm has the kids at Camp Reed scrambling for cover in the main lodge.

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Camp Reed kids scream for supper.

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Swamp Monsters and bird watching mixed fluidly in the Adventure Group one morning at Camp Reed.

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Don’t touch the ring, but get every member of the group through it while holding hands. That’s the challenge for the challenge unit.

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“I’m asking how my dog is, ‘cause he got hit by a car.” Andrew Desesare, 11, finds enough light to puts his thoughts on paper for the people back home.

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By the time the sun sets on the first day, friendships bloom.

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An afternoon rain showers yields a crop of mud puddles. Campers quickly make good use of the opportunity.

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Late in the evening, after the official camp activities are over, a group of boys heads out blindfolded to experience the night.

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A sudden evening storm sends hail streaking down on campers, who abandon a flag-lowering ceremony and dash for cover at the lodge.

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Thirty-five riders from Camp Reed in Deer Park head up Kidd Island Road toward Coeur d’Alene Tuesday morning. The riders are taking 5 days to ride completely around Lake Coeur d’Alene, a distance of about 300 miles.

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1999


Cancer survivor Quinten Glenn, 10, leaps for some air on his way into Fan Lake during Camp Goodtimes at Camp Reed last week. Camp Goodtimes invites kids with cancer diagnoses and their friends for a week of traditional camp activities.

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2001


When a group riding across the U.S. to raise money for childhood cancer stopped by Camp Reed for a visit, Camp Goodtimes campers responded with enthusiasm. Like most camps, Camp Goodtimes has a healthy share of singing, chanting, silly slogans and loudness.

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