Camp History

In 1995, Mended Heart Chapter #209, located in Morgantown, West Virginia, sent twelve campers with cardiovascular disease to Smith Mountain Lake 4-H Educational Center in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains near Roanoke.  Sponsorship for the campers, ages 8-16, was provided by Mended Hearts #209, Mountainview Regional Rehabilitation Hospital, Monongalia General Hospital Foundation, WVU Department of Surgery Secretarial Staff, Dr. Robert Gustafson, Dr. Larry Rhodes, Dr. Arpy Balian, Dr. Lee Pyles, Dr. Marie Steiner, Dr. Stan Einzig, and Drs. David and Kathy Rosen.  The campers were accompanied by Shannon Rudy, a registered nurse whose sponsorship was provided by Dr. William Neal and George Rosier.  Bob Hartley, Bob Walker and Libby Hupp visited the camp and observed some of the activities.

This camp, sponsored by Franklin County Chapter #148 of Mended Hearts, provided fully-equipped facilities, recreational activities, meals, trained counselors and medical staff qualified to handle cardiovascular emergencies.  After attending and observing this camp, the Morgantown Mended Hearts Chapter voted to develop a similar camp for the children of West Virginia.   

Bob Walker, Richard Myers and Bob Hartley attended the National Annual meeting of Mended Hearts and learned that they would be unable to hold a camp under the name of Mended Hearts.  Thus, a non-profit corporation, MOUNTAIN HEART FOUNDATION, was formed in the State of West Virginia on January 23, 1996, as a qualified 501(c)3 non-profit organization eligible for donations.  Its Federal Tax ID number is 55-0747006.  The Mountain Heart Foundation is a separate organization NOT affiliated with Mountain State Mended Hearts Chapter #209.  Its sole purpose is to facilitate and fund the annual Camp Mountain Heart, known more recently as Bob Hartley’s Camp Mountain Heart.  

The first Camp Mountain Heart was held at Cedar Lakes in 1996 and involved sixteen campers. 

The 2010 camp had over 70 children attend and has boasted similar numbers since!  Everyone involved is very grateful for the opportunity to provide these special children a week of fellowship with other children just like themselves.

In 2015, Camp Mountain Heart celebrated its 20th Anniversary with a party to end all parties…until we celebrate our next milestone!