Camp Youth Incorporated (Camp Y.I.) is the overnight summer camp program in June and July of each year established by Youth Incorporated, a non-profit 501c3 organization founded in 1945 by Mr. Allen Dobson. Camp Y.I. is a traditional summer camp on 175 acres in La Vergne, Tennessee. We are situated on a peninsula overlooking Percy Priest Lake in Rutherford County.
Our summer camp is a place where boys and girls ages 8-14 can come together to build a community of playing in the outdoors. A variety of activities are offered on a weekly basis: horseback riding, water skiing, kneeboarding, tubing, swimming pool, 40′ climbing tower, low rope course, quantum leap, giant swing, archery, arts & crafts, and a variety of night time activities including scavenger hunts, counselor hunt, dances, a talent show (two week session) and campfires.
Our History
Our overnight program began in 1957 when Youth Incorporated/Camp Y.I. permanently relocated to 685 acres known as Ridley’s Landing. In 1968, the Percy Priest Reservoir was completed and Percy Priest Lake was formed from the Stones River leaving the current site of 175 acres.
Youth Incorporated was founded by the late Allen Dobson, a Nashville banker, businessman and philanthropist. Chartered on June 25, 1945, under the laws of the State of Tennessee, Youth Inc. has focused it’s efforts primarily in the Middle Tennessee area.
In 1950, Allen Dobson inspired another innovative program called “Hands Across the Sea.” Twenty-two European teenagers were brought to Nashville for an opportunity to experience an American lifestyle in an effort to promote international understanding and cooperation. Co-sponsored by a variety of Nashville business and professional leaders, this was one of the first Foreign Exchange programs ever.
In 1955, Camp Y.I. (Youth Inc.) was forced to move from its original location because of the expansion of the Nashville International Airport. In the late 1960s, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flooded the area to create a reservoir for the Nashville area. More than 400 acres of the farm land was submerged in water. However, instead of having a river front area for just swimming and canoeing, Youth Inc. owned a 175-acre property with a beautiful overlook of the new lake. We are forever grateful to the late Mr. Allen Dobson for donating the land to be used as a summer camp for boys and girls.
Remembering the Early Days
The 1962 Camp Y.I. Rope Logo
Girls Archery
1962-1964 Circle Y.I. Ranch
Tether Ball
Campfires and camp songs!
Canoeing Stones River
Horse back riding is still a favorite.
Shooting