The History of Camp Hertko Hollow

Dr. Edward Hertko has a special interest in diabetes since a family member had diabetes. He moved to Des Moines, Iowa in the 1960s and 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. In 1968, representatives from the Iowa Dietetic Association (Anna Katherine Jernigan, R.D.), and the State Department of Health met with Dr. Hertko and arranged to have a week at the 4-H Camp in Madrid, Iowa. Rosalie Cherry, a social worker from Mary Greeley Hospital in Ames would be the Camp Director. Pilar Garcia from Iowa State was the dietitian. Meals would be trucked in from Iowa State University residence halls. Volunteers would plan the arts & crafts and recreational activities (swimming, sports, trampoline). 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 next year 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. The previous year she had been a counselor for the teen girls. Her husband Chris was a track coach and took the responsibility of bringing 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 camp 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 started investigating other camps in the central Iowa area. She 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. The kitchen staff would prepare the meals and do the dishes.

So Camp Hertko Hollow moved to the Y-Camp and has been there ever since 1972. Their assets have become our assets and the campers have a wonderful experience.

There have been numerous memorable years - such as the year of the flood 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. Dante Toriello, DO 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 1^st injection, Belly Sticker, and Bottom Buster awards. Later the Bicep Buster was added as kids were encouraged to rotate sites.

The year 1992 brought another flood and on the Friday before camp 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 canceling 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 a only a few inconveniences.

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, so the camp experience is very beneficial.

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 participates in the contest receives 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.

Camp Director Vivian Murray received the Becton Dickinson Award for Outstanding Contribution to Diabetes and Camping from the American Diabetes Association in 1980 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.

The number of campers has continued to grow each year. As the YMCA Camp expanded it's facilities and added additional cabins, we could add more campers. In 2001 there were 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. The Camp Committee decided to split the camp into 2 sessions for the year 2002.

There are now two sessions of Camp Hertko Hollow each summer. One session is for the K-5 grade children and the other session is for the 6-12 graders. Activities are age appropriate with a carnival for the younger campers and a casino night for the teens. Now non-diabetic siblings may also attend the camp for one year and also learn about diabetes.

Many of the volunteer medical staff and counselors return year after year to participate for 1-2 weeks. They are truly a "camp family". Drake University pharmacy students, Iowa State University dietetic interns, and University of Iowa student nurses & medical students also attend to assist and benefit from the camp experience.

Camp Hertko Hollow will continue to exist until diabetes is cured and available to all children. All youth who have diabetes should have the opportunity to attend a week at camp to meet other youth with diabetes, share experiences, learn about diabetes management, and have a wonderful recreational experience. Thanks to our many donors youth can attend a week at Camp Hertko Hollow, regardless of their family financial situation.

At Honor Point on the last night of camp, it is 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."

Written by Vivian Murray, Camp Director (since 1970)

Back to top of page