Knox County summer camp on trauma struggles to rebuild week after devastating fire

Dean Narciso, The Columbus Dispatch
Updated ·3 min read
Eleven fire departments responded to the June 4 fire that destroyed the "Because I Said I Would" camp in southern Knox County.
Eleven fire departments responded to the June 4 fire that destroyed the "Because I Said I Would" camp in southern Knox County.

A summer camp in southern Knox County dedicated to improving the lives of young people and their families dealing with trauma was ready to host its first campers a week ago when a fire tore through its main building, destroying computers, equipment and months of preparation.

Now nonprofit camp Because I Said I Would, about 45 miles northeast of Columbus, is struggling to rebuild while enduring the same unexpected challenges that its mission aims to resolve in others.

The 92-acre camp, located at 3483 McCament Road near Walhonding, previously had been Indian Bear Lodge & Winery before it was sold to Alex Sheen, of Lakewood, Ohio, who dedicated his work to helping kids and their families deal with bereavement, coping skills and working through trauma.

"Now, we're about to take our own medicine," Sheen, 38, said Sunday from the grounds, where exactly one week earlier fire gutted the entire operation, except for five cabins and a box of supplies that was in transit. "We've got to rally at this point. This charity didn't come this far by giving up."

Most of the anticipated youth to be served were from Columbus area schools, said Sheen, a graduate of Olentangy High School and Ohio University.

Sheen conceived the nonprofit about 10 years ago, after his father died of lung cancer. Part of his eulogy to his father was about not breaking promises, he said.

Before image of the operations center at the "Because I Said I Would" camp, a former winery and lodge in southern Knox County, where fire destroyed everything except five cabins on June 4. The cause of the 4 a.m. fire has not been determined.
Before image of the operations center at the "Because I Said I Would" camp, a former winery and lodge in southern Knox County, where fire destroyed everything except five cabins on June 4. The cause of the 4 a.m. fire has not been determined.

The idea led to promise cards, written symbols of dedication and commitment, given to someone who then returns it when the promise is fulfilled, he said. Almost 15 million cards have been distributed in more than 178 countries, Sheen said.

Matthew Cordle was one of those who earned his card back by pledging to fulfill his 6 ½-year prison term for causing the death of a man while driving drunk in 2013. Today, Cordle is a speaker for Sheen's outreach program.

The State Fire Marshal is investigation the cause of the fire in the 3,400 square-foot administration building. Sheen said he was told it may have started near a power line into the building. The estimated loss of the building is $1.6 million, he said.

There is no indication yet that the fire was suspicious or set intentionally, said Lt. Jared Mullett, of the Bladensburg Fire District, the lead of 11 departments that responded to the fire.

Sheen purchased the site on Feb. 7, and had been renting out some of the five cabins for vacations and parties in order to pay expenses, including salaries of some 20 employees who help families deal with issues such as infant loss, fatal car accidents or suicide.

Sheen has set a new fundraising goal of $300,000 to offset the losses that insurance won't cover. So far, he's collected $9,000 in donations.

"It is hard to overstate the scope of the loss. It's devastating," he said, including a full-service kitchen, meeting and operations rooms, recreation and cleaning supplies.

A photo taken inside the operations center at the "Because I Said I Would" camp before fire destroyed everything except five cabins on June 4. The cause of the 4 a.m. fire has not been determined.
A photo taken inside the operations center at the "Because I Said I Would" camp before fire destroyed everything except five cabins on June 4. The cause of the 4 a.m. fire has not been determined.

In one week, people have already canceled their cabin reservations, not wanting to view the remains of the building in the otherwise placid setting. Sheen said that alone resulted in a $26,000 loss.

A nearby storage barn that was not damaged will be converted into a group activity center. Renovations will cost at least $85,000, Sheen said.

At worst, Sheen said, "If I don't turn this around, we'll have to lay people off. We'd have to rewind the clock on this charity at least five years."

Those wishing to donate funds, cleaning supplies, office equipment or other help can learn how at www.becauseisaidiwould.org/fire.

dnarciso@dispatch.com

@DeanNarciso

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Knox County youth camp struggles to rebuild after devastating fire