Tragic accident leads to establishment of Camp Berry

In 1928, Mr. and Mrs. R.J. Berry (he was a vice president of The Ohio Oil Company) purchased 83 acres, which included the original 10 acres of Camp Berry, and donated it in memory of their son who had died in a horrific accident in 1915.

Below is a newspaper article published in the Weekly Jeffersonian on Thursday, April 15, 1915, detailing the accident that claimed the life of the 7-year-old Richard Jason (R.J.) Berry, Jr., after his leg was severed by a streetcar on south Main Street in Findlay. He is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery.

The following newspaper article was provided by our friends at Hancock Historical Museum, located at 422 West Sandusky, Findlay. You can learn more about local history by visiting the museum or its website www.HancockHistoricalMuseum.org. The museum hours are: Wednesday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday by appointment (large groups only); Sunday 1-4 pm.

For more on the Scouting history of Camp Berry, CLICK HERE! Black Swamp Area Council is online at www.BlackSwampBSA.org.

Camp Berry is located at 11716 County Road 40, south of Findlay. It is home thousands of Scouts and community individuals during the year. The 2022 camping program kicks off in June with Week 1 of 9 weekly programs called “Adventure Camp,” for elementary aged youth in the community.

Scouting in the Black Swamp Area Council began in 1915 when the Scouting program was introduced to the young people of West Central and Northwestern Ohio. More than 5,000 individuals are participating in the local program as a Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturers, Explorers, and adult volunteers. In 2020, these individuals participated in 8,069 hours of community service. For more information about finding Scouting near you, visit BeAScout.org

DOWNLOAD A PDF COPY OF THE NEWS ARTICLE BY CLICKING HERE!