3-07-2026 8:41pm

City of Franklin Annexes Camp Chautauqua

Beth Callahan Editor

Franklin City

From The City of Franklin Website https://www.franklinohio.org/news_detail_T11_R381.php

FRANKLIN, OH -- The City of Franklin announced on its official website https://www.franklinohio.org/news, the mutual annexation of Camp Chautauqua.The annexation formally brings the a 127-year-old historic 1898 camp and retreat ministry into the Franklin city limits.

The annexation was an expedited Type 2 annexation that added 26.073 acres into the city's boundaries which 23.893 acres are in Miami Township (Montgomery) and the other 12.18 acres in Franklin Township (Warren). The annexation request was filed on October 8, 2025. Franklin Council accepted the resolution and the annexation which went into effect on March 4, 2026.

According to the city's news release the annexation centralizes important safety and governmental services as well as adds to the city’s growing portfolio of important community assets.

The news release goes on to read...

Camp Chautauqua welcomes more than 20,000 guests annually through summer camps, retreats, conferences, and day events. Its mission-driven programming focuses on youth development, leadership formation, family engagement, and community building, aligning closely with Franklin’s strategic priorities around quality of life, youth opportunity, and civic partnership.

“This annexation reflects Franklin’s commitment to thoughtful growth that strengthens community fabric and expands opportunity,” said Brent Centers, Mayor of Franklin. “Camp Chautauqua is a beloved regional institution with deep roots in service, youth development, and family life. Welcoming them into Franklin enhances our identity as a city that invests in people, values partnerships, and preserves meaningful places for future generations.”

The annexation formalizes an already strong relationship between the camp and surrounding communities while establishing a long-term partnership with the City of Franklin focused on stewardship, safety, and collaborative planning.

“Annexation is not simply a boundary adjustment, it’s the beginning of a collaborative future,” said Jonathan Westendorf, Franklin City Manager. “Camp Chautauqua brings new educational, recreational, and leadership-development resources into our city. Their presence expands Franklin’s regional reach, supports local activity, and adds a respected institutional partner committed to growth and community well-being.”

Expanding Youth, Family, and Leadership Opportunities in Franklin

Each year Camp Chautauqua serves more than 20,000 participants through:

Week-long summer youth camps
Weekend retreats and conferences
School, church, nonprofit, and corporate group programs
Leadership development and mentorship initiatives

The organization is expanding programs for young adults, including internships, mentorship tracks, and a planned GAP-year initiative focused on service and vocational discernment, programs that align with Franklin’s goals to support youth pathways and workforce readiness.

“Becoming part of the City of Franklin marks a meaningful new chapter for Camp Chautauqua,” said Jason Harmeyer, President & CEO of Camp Chautauqua. “For more than a century we have served young people and families across this region. Annexation allows us to expand local relationships, steward our campus responsibly, and partner with city leadership to ensure our programs continue for individuals, families, and communities for generations to come.”

Long-Term Investment and Responsible Campus Stewardship

Camp Chautauqua is in early planning for the Chautauqua Generations Project, a phased, multi-year capital initiative focused on sustaining and enhancing its historic campus. Anticipated future improvements include:

Modernization of kitchen and dining facilities
Upgrades to gymnasium and activity spaces
Additional lodges and dormitory housing
A future indoor sports and recreation complex

These investments are being approached incrementally with emphasis on safety, environmental stewardship, and long-term community benefit. As a Franklin institution, future planning will occur in coordination with city leadership and departments.

Benefits to the City of Franklin

The annexation strengthens Franklin through:

Addition of a major regional youth and retreat destination
Increased visitor activity and local economic support
Expanded educational and leadership resources
Preservation of a historic community institution
Long-term partnership with a mission-driven nonprofit
Responsible stewardship of significant open space and facilities

“Camp Chautauqua embodies values that resonate deeply with our community: service, character, and care for others,” Mayor Centers added. “We are honored to welcome them officially into the City of Franklin.”