Camp Brosius, a treasured university gem, has provided outdoor adventures to families and students for nearly 100 years.
The camp was purchased in 1921 by the Normal College of the American Gymnastic Union to offer summer physical education courses to its students. Named in honor of George Brosius, long-time Normal College director, the camp continued operations through and beyond the college's 1941 merger with Indiana University.
After college camp conclusion each May, the camp operated as a children's camp from 1937 to 1974. Many Normal College alumni fondly recall their college coursework and summers spent working at the children's camp. Several alumni helped transform the property by erecting or renovating buildings still present today.
In 1974, under the leadership of the IU Alumni Association, Camp Brosius expanded its outreach beyond children to include alumni association members and their families during the eight-week camp season. College courses continued each May.
Camp Brosius management was transferred in 2004 to its original Normal College home, now called the IU School of Health & Human Sciences at IU Indianapolis. The school's degree-seeking exercise science, fitness management and personal training, physical education teacher education, and sports management students still take required coursework in leadership at Camp Brosius in May and August.
School faculty and staff manage the Camp Brosius affiliate and are charged with the responsibility of its operations and self-sustainability. The school's active fundraising efforts have transformed the landscape, resulting in every accommodation's renovation since 2006, plus significant improvements and upgrades property-wide. The goal is to add another century of education, fun, and adventure for students and families through this long-standing IU tradition.
As a result of camp's rich history, several generations of guests have strong university ties and make family camp their annual reunion destination of choice. Because of the wonderful time many guests had as kids through the children's and/or alumni family camp, they return to create similar memories with their own children. Guests bring friends, and these friends return, bringing their friends and families.
In terms of special events, Camp Brosius now hosts retreats, reunions, business meetings, conferences, and more. Some guests who met as counselors have married on the property. Other guests who are business owners have arranged to host clients on the property for events.
If you haven't been to Camp Brosius, we invite you to join what has evolved into one big Brosius family.