Some places carry stories in their bones. Here, the woods, the lodge, the pathways — they all remember.
The History of Camp Reily
In 1927, Helen Boas Reily made a decision that would shape decades of childhood summers: she donated a beloved property in Middle Paxton Township to the YWCA Greater Harrisburg. What began as a generous gift became Camp Reily — a place where generations of children spent sun-soaked summers swimming, playing, exploring Pennsylvania woodland, and creating memories that would last lifetimes.
A Gift That Became a Legacy
Laughter echoed through these trees. Feet ran along these trails. Stories were told around fires. Friendships were forged in the lodge.
Camp Reily wasn’t just a summer camp. It was a rite of passage.
for 100 years...
In 2023, the YWCA sold the property, and Camp Reily faced an uncertain future. The land could have become many things — subdivided, developed, altered beyond recognition. But the Browns saw something worth protecting.
A Turning Point
They purchased Camp Reily not to change it, but to preserve it. To honor what it had been while allowing it to become something new. To ensure that this place — these woods, this lodge, these pathways worn smooth by decades of small feet — would continue to gather people, create memories, and serve as sacred ground for connection.
- Former Camper
We attended Camp Reily from around 1971 - 1982. That place will always be magical to me and my sister.
Today, Camp Reily lives on as a heritage event venue. The pool may be quiet now, but the land still hums with purpose. The lodge that sheltered campers from summer storms now hosts wedding receptions and corporate retreats. The trails once explored by curious children now guide guests through woodland ceremonies. The field where games were played now holds tented celebrations under the stars.
The bones remain. The spirit endures. The mission has simply evolved.
Preservation With Purpose
The iconic Lodge was constructed, creating a lasting centerpiece for Camp Reily with its stone fireplace and timber frame. This structure remains standing today, continuing its mission of bringing people together.
1950-
2001-
The Pavilion was added to Camp Reily, constructed by the Dauphin County Adult Probation Workforce. A plaque at the site honors their contribution—a testament to how this property has always been about service, growth, and second chances.
Helen Boas Reily, last occupant of the historic Fort Hunter Mansion, donated the initial 10 acres in Middle Paxton Township to the YWCA Greater Harrisburg. Her vision: create a place where children could build confidence, discover independence, and experience the transformative power of nature.
1927 -
A Gift to Empower harrisburg youth
After nearly 100 years of service to the Harrisburg community, the land housing Camp Reily was sold. The Browns purchased the 28-acre property with a singular mission: preserve this historic land and honor its legacy.
2023 - Preservation Over Development
The YWCA Greater Harrisburg wasn’t just an organization that ran a summer camp — it was a force for empowerment, community, and connection. For decades, Camp Reily served as a safe haven where youth built confidence, discovered independence, and forged friendships that transcended a single summer.
The YWCA Legacy
While Camp Reily's chapter with the YWCA has closed, the organization's vital work in our community continues. We honor their decades of stewardship here by encouraging you to support their ongoing mission of empowering women and eliminating racism throughout Central Pennsylvania. To learn more about the YWCA and its programs, please visit www.ywcahbg.org.
Remembered only in faded photographs and the nostalgia of those who spent summers here. Instead, it continues. Not as a museum. Not as a replica. But as a living venue where new stories are written alongside old ones.
This
property could have vanished into history
When couples exchange vows in our woodland chapel, they stand on land that’s witnessed thousands of promises — friendships made, confidence built, courage found. When teams gather in the lodge for retreats, they’re surrounded by walls that remember what it means to come together with purpose. When families celebrate milestones here, they join a legacy of gathering that spans generations.
Every former YWCA camper who returns to Camp Reily for their event tells us the same thing: “I can’t believe it’s still here.” And they’re right to be amazed. In a world where places like this often disappear, Camp Reily remains — not frozen in time, but honored, protected, and invited to keep shaping memories.
Your event here isn’t just a rental. It’s the next chapter in a story that’s far from finished.
The Story Continues
Write the Next Chapter
