History of Camp Hertko Hollow

By Vivian Murray, Camp Director

Dr. Edward Hertko had a special interest in diabetes since his mother and brother had diabetes. He moved to Des Moines, Iowa in 1960 and began to take care of many persons with diabetes. Around 1963-1964 he, with the help of the Iowa Dep't of Public Health, started the first diabetes support groups which, subsequently became the Iowa Diabetes Association in 1968. Also in 1968 he started asking persons in the medical community about a camp for children with diabetes. The response was that it wouldn't be possible to put a large group of children with diabetes together for an entire week. He said "Why not?" and the seed was planted. Representatives from the Iowa Dietetic Association (Anna Katherine Jernigan, R.D.), and the State Department of Health ( Lloyd Nelson and Dr Ron Eckhof) met with Dr. Hertko and arranged to have a week of camp at the 4-H Camp in Madrid, Iowa. Rosalie Cherry, a social worker from Mary Greeley Hospital in Ames became the Camp Director and Pilar Garcia, RD, from Iowa State was the dietitian. Meals were trucked in from Iowa State University residence halls. Volunteers planned the arts & crafts and recreational activities (swimming, sports, trampoline) and had to bring all of the needed supplies and sports equipment. The camp was called Elm Camp, since that was the site at the 4-H camp. There were 37 campers that first year. Campers took duties of "Hoppers, Sloppers, and Moppers" to clean up the dining room after each meal. Other staff members included Dave Bengston, Gayle Roeder, RD, Joan & Gary Wright and Carol Shilling. The campers from that first camp voted to name the camp "Camp Hertko Hollow" in honor of Dr. Hertko, founder of the camp. The camp session continues to be 6 days long from Sunday afternoon thru Saturday morning. The song "Oh, I Went to Diabetes Camp with My Needle and Syringe" was composed by that first group of campers and continues to be sung each year.

The second year in 1969 there were 49 campers. Medical students from the College of Osteopathic Medicine & Surgery in Des Moines joined the staff. After the camp session Rosalie Cherry accidentally hit her head while canning tomatoes and had a concussion. She was unable to continue in her role as camp director. So Vivian Murray, a dietitian from Iowa State University Residence Halls, stepped in to help and was asked to be the director. She had developed diabetes while in college and had been a counselor for the teen girls the previous year. Her husband Chris was a track coach and took the responsibility of bringing sports equipment and staff to do the recreational activities. A room in their home became the "camp room" and they handled the processing of all camper and staff applications, ordering supplies and other plans.

On the first full day of camp in 1970, the food truck was late. There were 67 hungry and possibly "low" campers. There were no leftovers in the refrigerator to use. Luckily, the milk had been delivered directly to the camp site and Vivian had purchased food for snacks. The kids had completed their Clinitest urine tests and needed to eat. So the campers drank their milk and ate a fruit until the truck arrived. The truck driver had decided to do some errands on the way to camp (approximately 20 miles) and didn't realize the necessity of being on time.

Obviously it was time for a change in the system. Vivian investigated other camps in the central Iowa area and met Ray Pugh, Camp Director of the Des Moines YMCA Camp, north of Boone, Iowa. It seemed like a dream come true—they had horseback riding, canoeing, miniature golf, sports, swimming, crafts, riflery, archery, PLUS the recreation staff and kitchen staff to prepare the meals and wash the dishes.

So Camp Hertko Hollow moved to the Y-Camp in 1972 and has been there ever since. Their assets have become our assets and the campers have a wonderful experience. During that year Vivian found a graphic artist to create the Camp Hertko Hollow with the syringe as a totem pole and a hollow in the tree design.

In 1980 Camp Director Vivian Murray received the Becton Dickinson Award for Outstanding Contribution to Diabetes and Camping from the American Diabetes Association which included a check to the camp for $1000. She also received the Iowa State University Young Alumnus Award and Iowa Dietetic Association Recognized Young Dietitian Award because of her leadership with Camp Hertko Hollow.

There have been numerous memorable years—such as the year of the flood in 1984 when the river water came within 6 feet of the dining room. We had to canoe on a flooded corn field since the river was too rapid. Staff had to sandbag around the well so it wouldn't get contaminated. Dr. Dante Toriello and Dr. Hertko were the only physicians for 15 years. It was exciting when the first Dextrometer was introduced to the campers. The campers were given a choice of doing a urine test or blood test. The "BIG DROP" award was given in addition to the Purple Heart for 1st injection, Belly Sticker, and Bottom Buster awards. Later the Bicep Buster was added as kids were encouraged to rotate sites.

In 1988 it was decided to offer a Mini-Camp for children ages 6-9. The camp session was half a week with only 3 nights. Approximately 35 campers each year participate in the Mini-Camp. Many of the campers from small towns and don't know any other kids with diabetes. The camp experience is very beneficial for their first time away from home while having diabetes.

The year 1992 brought another flood and on the Friday before camp was scheduled the Army Corp of Engineers was making the decision whether or not to close the Saylorville Dam, which would have flooded the Y-Camp. For 1 hour we sat almost motionless while we considered our options. The thought of cancelling camp was awful and we already had the staff and supplies. Iowa State Residence Halls were contacted and the possibility of moving the camp to the campus was a consideration. Luckily, the camp grounds were not flooded and camp continued with an only a few inconveniences.

Iowa definitely has a lot of pig farms and so it was appropriate to use the Kiss-A-Pig contest as a fund raiser at the camp. Previously a walkathon was held at the camp, but the thought of kissing a real live pig was a conversation topic. For every dollar raised, the camper received one vote and could vote for anyone at the camp. It's the kind of contest you DON'T want to win! Some campers raised as much as $800 to win prizes and vote for someone else. Each camper who participated in the contest received a prize. There are stories about PK McDonald being the first winner when the campers decided PK meant "Pig Kisser" and teased him. That year he took off his hat and shaved his beard and assumed a different name—Phil. PK was a camper when he was 8 years old and has been coming to camp ever since! As "gopher" he makes many trips to town for necessities (like soda for the staff). He even tried to stuff the ballot box one year when he put "Vote for Viv" labels with lips on the camper's insulin boxes. Some of the Kiss-A-Pig activities include a hog calling contest and a diet chocolate pudding eating contest with no hands.

The number of campers has continued to grow each year. As the Y-Camp expanded its facilities and added additional cabins, we could add more campers. In 2001 there was record 255 campers plus a volunteer medical staff of 65 in addition to the YMCA staff of 50. We had to turn potential campers away because of lack of beds. The Camp Committee decided to split the camp into 2 sessions for the summer of 2002.

In 2003 Camp Hertko Hollow separated from The American Diabetes Association and now runs the camp as an independent corporation. A Board of Directors was formed and Ann Wolf was hired to be the Executive Director to do marketing and raising funds. The Des Moines YMCA provides free office space in the downtown YMCA at 101 Locust Street.

Dr. Edward Hertko retired and Dr. Mark Kumer and Dr. John Shelso served as Medical Directors during those years. Then Dr. Hertko came out of retirement to continue as medical director (said he had enough time to rest and had nothing else to do!) He retired again and Dr. Mike Tansey and Dr. Catherrine Weideman now serve as our Medical Directors. Dr. Hertko continues as Chairman of the Board, giving talks to groups, and participating in fund raising.

Vivian Murray has continued to be the Camp Director since 1969, even though she lived in Tucson, Arizona for 20 years and now lives in Florida. Other key staff persons over past years include Leslie Cox, RN (25 years), Dr.Cathy Weideman (18 years), Deb Hadiji, Program Director (20 years), Dr. Steve Keys, (15 years), PK McDonald, gopher (33 years), Jeff Spears (15 years). Many more staff have volunteered for 10 years. Pharmacy students from Drake University come as part of their educational program. The entire class of 16 dietetic interns from Iowa State University participated in the camp experience for many years. Medical students from Des Moines University and nursing students from University of Iowa and other nursing schools come to volunteer and also learn. It is only with the help of our dedicated volunteer medical staff that Camp Hertko Hollow continues its success.

In October 2006, Camp Hertko Hollow hosted the international Diabetes Education and Camping Association (DECA) Conference for a four day conference of diabetes camp professionals. Participants came from seven different countries and 21 different states for a total of 150 persons. Besides the conference speakers and focus groups, everyone enjoyed the train ride, milking a fake cow, and an old fashioned hoe down dance.

Lions and Lioness Clubs have continued to help children with diabetes attend Camp Hertko Hollow by providing camperships since 2003. Each year they raise around $50,000. In addition to providing camperships many other service clubs (Kiwanis, Rotary, Cosmopolitan, etc) also raise funds and help to recruit campers in their local areas.

The Fraternal Order of Eagles selected Camp Hertko Hollow as their state charity for the year 2007-08. Auctions were held at their 40 chapters plus 3 general auctions across the state to raise a total of $182,789. In addition their national organization pledged $25,000,000 for a diabetes research center in Iowa City.

The 40th year celebration in 2007 included The Marvin and Rose Lee Pomerantz Legacy Ball with actor Tom Arnold as the MC, Comedian Jim Turner's one man play, Lloyd Knight concert, and a golf tournament. We did lots of celebrating!

The Des Moines River flooded the Y-camp in June of 2008, but the camp grounds were all cleaned up in time for diabetes camp, thanks to numerous volunteers. Staff helped Vivian Murray celebrate 40 years of service to CHH along with husband Chris who celebrated 20 years on CHH staff.

Dr. Hertko celebrated his 80th birthday, while "CHH friends?" and relatives roasted him at a big Birthday Celebration on June 6, 2009 at the Mariott Hotel in West Des Moines. Comedian Jim Turner served as emcee.

The staff members come together each year as our "camp family" to provide a memorable experience for the campers. At Honor Point it's a tradition to sing "Hertko Hollow, Hertko Hollow, Shall we tell you how we feel? You have given us friends, fun, and knowledge. We love you so."