Les Jones

East Tennessee > Camp Montvale Closing

I received this email this morning. Camp Montvale is a Blount County summer camp I attended as a kid.

Hi I happened to come across your page about Camp Montvale while searching the web and wanted to let you know what's going on with it in case you haven't heard. The YMCA of East Tennessee has decided to close the camp, claiming that it is financially untenable. As a longtime counselor and former camper, I am saddened by this decision and fear that it may be a real estate deal (with the property being worth somewhere in the range of 5 million dollars). The Y's current statement is that the property is not for sale "but could be at some point in the future". I just wanted to let you know in case you could offer help or suggestions. There is a makeshift site (the camp's mainpage has been shut down) at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/campmontvale/message/23 There will be a final gathering on Dec. 30 at the camp.

Thank you
Greta Schmoyer

The Daily Times has an article about the YMCA's decision to close the camp. I first heard about this last month when I went to see my doctor, Bob Proffitt, who is or was on the camp's board. I wonder if the Nancy Cain quoted in the Times article is related to Cathy Cain. Cathy Cain's little sister went to the camp at the same time I was there - I wonder if that's her? I met my best friend, Jay Gregory, at Montvale, and Greg Marmon contacted me through the blog. I have lots of connections to Montvale, and it makes me sad that it's closing.

If there are any other Montvale campers out there shoot me an email. I plan on going to the final gathering on December 30.