The Crete Youth Cabin is minutes from Crete, Nebraska — but feels like it’s worlds away.
Amenities
The Cabin
The rustic 40’X40’ cabin was built in 1938 and retains is authenticity and charm. It features a large stone fireplace in the main room. There is a fully modern kitchen facility at the rear of the cabin, and a single modern ADA compliant restroom near the main meeting room. There are a number of folding tables and approximately 50 folding chairs that can be configured for any meeting or dining setup inside the cabin. There are ceiling fans in both the main room and the kitchen and the cabin sides can be opened to provide a screened, open air atmosphere inside. These, plus a powerful kitchen exhaust fan and the shade from surrounding trees helps keep the interior cool even in the warmest seasons. In colder weather, the fireplace will provide some heat, but it should be noted that there is no central heat or A/C in the cabin.
Modern Kitchen
A large modern kitchen includes two large refrigerator/freezer units, an electronic double-oven range, hot and cold (potable) running water at the double basin sink and ample counter and food preparation space with numerous electrical outlets for small appliances. There are two antique dumbwaiter windows for serving into the main room if desired. Due to freezing, water is shut off from approximately November 1 to April 1 but is available in the restroom and at frost proof hydrants outside year-round.
Restrooms
Currently, there is one single modern restroom inside the cabin. It is ADA compliant. There is hot and cold running water at the sink and one flushing toilet fixture. This restroom is heated during the winter months and the water service that supplies it is kept on year-round. Additionally, there is a gender-divided latrine housed outside and convenient to the cabin. It is equipped with electric lighting and fiberglass fixtures with seats and lids, but it does not function with the septic system. We are currently planning to replace the outdoor latrine with 24’x24’ sanitary gender-divided restroom & shower structure during 2021.
Bonfire Rings
There are two large and two small bonfire/campfire pits located on the property. They include additional adjacent picnic table seating. Firewood can be gathered in the woods or split firewood is available for purchase.
Outdoor Picnic Tables
There are 6 picnic tables on concrete pads in front of the cabin. These tables will accommodate 48 persons for picnicking or outdoor crafts. There are additional tables near the bonfire pits.
Amphitheater and Stage
Immediately behind the cabin there is a gently sloping outdoor amphitheater. The audience area is a well-groomed lawn that accommodates both folding chair seating as well as blankets or lawn chairs for up to 500 guests. Centered at its base is a 24’x16’ elevated deck stage. Electrical service at the rear of the stage is adequate to support any sound or lighting scenario for any type of performance or presentation. The two-step elevation at the front of the stage lends itself to use as an altar for weddings or religious presentations. Concession services can be located at the rear of the cabin which is at the top of the audience area. This is easily serviced from the kitchen at the rear of the cabin.
Walking Trails and Bridges
Approximately one mile in total length, the trail takes you across two, sturdy wood and steel trestle bridges, through wooded forest, along the bank of the Big Blue River, and provides access to a remote meadow where a hike-in camp ground awaits. With careful observation while walking, one can frequently observe nearly all types of wildlife germane to this area. Benches and seating are placed along the trail for rest and relaxation along the way.
Parking
A large flat mowed field will easily accommodate up to 125 cars. In addition, an adjacent field will handle overflow of up to 50 more cars
Archery Range
A range for archery and BB rifles and pistols competition is located on the southwest corner of the property. The site features a natural 30’ high cliff backstop providing ultimate safety and a clear, level and safe shooting aisle. This feature is functional now, but our plans are to further develop the feature with in-ground yardage markers, a target backstop and other amenities.
FAQs
What types of groups can rent the facility? Is it only for scouting groups?
All kinds of groups and organizations can rent this facility. It is available to reserve for all types of functions as long as the calendar is open on the desired dates. It is an ideal location for family reunions, tent camping outings, meetings, outdoor weddings and outdoor photography sessions, parties and corporate (company) picnics and many other types of outings. We will, from time to time, host outdoor concerts or other types of fund-raising events as well.
If we come out to the cabin for an overnight function, what will we need to bring?
The cabin is approximately 40’ X 40’. Contained within the main building is a modern kitchen equipped with hot and cold running water that has been tested and deemed potable by the State of Nebraska. (During the winter months water is turned off to the cabin but is available from two outdoor frost proof hydrants.) The kitchen is equipped with two 22 cubic foot refrigerator/freezers and a double oven electric range. There are ample outlets for small appliances and plenty of counter space for food preparation and serving. There are no pots, pans, dishes or dinnerware, so users must bring their own. We can provide firewood for the fireplace for a “goodwill” donation. There are no bunks or beds, so if sleeping in the cabin is desired, users should bring all bedding and cots they will need. Users must also provide all outdoor camping equipment.
Are there showers? What type of restroom facilities does the cabin have?
Currently, there is a modern half-bath inside the cabin. (Stool and sink). Additionally, there is a gender-divided outdoor facility convenient to the cabin. This facility has electric lighting and fiberglass fixtures with lids and seats but does not function with the septic system. This structure has a planned replacement during 2021 and when this project is completed, the new facility will feature sanitary fixtures, sinks and showers.
My group wants to hold a meeting out there. What equipment do you have for holding meetings?
We have five, 6-foot and four, 4-foot folding tables and approximately 50 steel folding chairs. This furniture is contained in racks on casters for easier assembly and storage for whatever room configuration you require for up to 50 persons inside. There are adequate electrical outlets for powering projectors or computers, but no conferencing equipment is on hand. It must be brought by users if needed. There is no Wi-Fi available at this time. Cell phone service is adequate as there is a tower nearby.
When is the best time to rent the cabin and grounds?
The cabin is available for rental year-round. Users must remit a reservation deposit. While we give priority to youth activities, usage is generally determined on a first-come-first-serve basis. Potential users should keep in mind that the facility has limited ability to support dead-of-winter functions, especially when temperatures drop into the 20’s or lower or when heavy snow is present. Because the current cabin cannot be continuously heated, water to the kitchen is shut off from approximately November 1 to April 1. During this time, water is kept on in the indoor restroom and is available at two outdoor frost proof hydrants.
How is the cabin maintained and funded?
We depend almost entirely on donations from private individuals and grants from corporate entities. While our rental revenues normally provide enough funding for day-to-day operating costs such as electricity and maintenance, we depend on donations and grants for all improvements and larger capital expenditures. At present, all maintenance is performed by volunteer labor. This comes mainly from the members of our Board of Directors with an occasional work outing by local organizations such as Crete Rotary or the local scout groups.
History
It’s been called many things in its past: “The Scout Cabin”, the “Youth Cabin”, and “Grandpa’s Cabin” to name a few. But by any name, it has remained one of Crete’s greatest treasures.
In 1936, Ben Miller and C.H Velte searched for land along the Blue River for the purpose of providing the scouts of the area a permanent site on which to learn from nature. Mr. Velte served for many years as the Superintendent of Schools in Crete. Mr. Miller was the early owner of the Crete Telephone Company. When they found the perfect tract of land, Miller purchased it. They moved an old house from downtown Crete to the site of the present cabin to serve as the first “meeting lodge”. In 1938, Miller tore down most of the old house, leaving only the kitchen at the rear. To that, he himself added a corn-crib style structure that became the cabin as we know it today.
As it happened, Miller’s wife, Florence Hazen Miller designed the Nebraska State flag and planted the nation’s first living Christmas tree. It’s likely that the seedling pine was transplanted from the cabin grounds to near the City Hall in Crete. From its inception in 1936 until the mid 1950’s, the Millers generously allowed the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts in the area to use the Cabin to conduct campouts and other scouting activities. In April of 1956, the cabin was donated by the Millers to the Crete Civic Youth Association for permanent use as a nature retreat and scout camping lodge.
Unfortunately, there was no provision in the original donation that provided for a means to sustain the property, so over time it fell into near abandonment and terrible disrepair and on two occasions, it was almost lost.
During the 1960’s, 1970’s and ‘80’s, various local service organizations (Rotary, Lions and Sertoma) did enough upkeep and maintenance to keep the facility alive. These groups informally assumed responsibility for maintenance and repair of the youth cabin and raised funds some from individuals and area businesses. During this time some minor repairs were made, but nothing was done to improve the property.
Throughout the 1990’s and early 2000’s, several volunteers are credited with taking the cabin under their wing and keeping it going using their own resources and whatever donations they could gather. However, because there was no formal managing organization, there was very little money to make any major repairs or to maintain and sustain the property. Structured leadership was absent. At times during its life as a youth facility, it became so overgrown with weeds and underbrush that its lanes were barely passable. The cabin and outbuilding structures had fallen prey to the wind, weather, a leaky roof, and vandalism. Only the mice and spiders, or perhaps the occasional trespassers having parties were using the facility. The boy and girl scouts had nearly given on up on it as a lost cause. Interest in the Youth Cabin had almost completely waned.
Around 2012, the Crete Rotary Club started making annual visits to the cabin to do some “clean up” and make minor repairs. During those outings, some mowing, raking of leaves and general cleanup would take place, and the grounds would look somewhat presentable for a while, then slip back into decay. Very little was done to the cabin structure to repair or recondition it. However, on one such cleanup detail, the Rotary Club got the idea to apply for some available Rotary District Grant funds and replace the rotted and dilapidated picnic tables in the front yard of the Cabin. They not only replaced the tables, but new concrete pads were poured to place them on. The next year, an additional Rotary grant was secured to restore the great stone fireplace and chimney in the Cabin and to purchase paint for the exterior. This was the first significant repair done to the Cabin for many years. It was then that a group of dedicated volunteers got down to the business of restoring the property.
In March 2017, the informal volunteer group chartered the “Crete Youth Cabin Association, Inc.”, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Since then, and due mainly to some generous donations and lots of sweat equity by the volunteer Board of Directors, local Scout troops, and the Crete Rotary Club, the property has not only been restored to usable condition, but many improvements and enhancements have been completed or are in the planning stages. The Board of Directors has developed both short and long term plans for the Cabin’s future so that it will serve the youth and the community for many years to come.
Preservation
The Crete Youth Cabin is the only facility of its kind in Saline County and its preservation is vital to local Scout groups and other youth organizations. The Cabin hosts on average 800+ youth each year. It is the goal of the Crete Youth Cabin Association, Inc. to create a self-sufficient, indoor/outdoor space primarily for use by youth organizations where their members have the opportunity to learn about the local flora and fauna and to simply enjoy nature. The Board of Directors has developed a three-phase plan to accomplish this goal.
Phase 1: Preservation and Renovation
Phase 1 was successfully completed in Fall 2017. The objective of this phase was to renovate the existing Cabin to make the space safe for current patrons. The following projects were completed: restoration of the original stone fireplace, full kitchen remodel, drilling of a new well, installation of new roof trusses and beams, installation of new roof sheathing and shingles, updated wiring and electrical, new picnic tables, widen front gate, and new “Welcome” sign.
Phase 2: Elevation
Phase 2 began in Spring 2018. The objective of this phase is to add facilities that elevate the use of the property by youth groups and other organizations. This phase includes three distinct projects: (1) amphitheater and stage, (2) walking trails and bridges, and (3) modern bathhouse. The first project—the amphitheater and stage—was completed in Summer 2018. Not only is the amphitheater and stage used by the Scout organizations during their gatherings, but it has also created additional fundraising and revenue opportunities for the Cabin. For example, the CYCA hosted a public concert at the new facility in Fall 2018 to raise awareness and solicit donations for the organization. This addition has also generated interest from other groups in renting the facility for events such as weddings, family reunions, and church services. The second project—new walking trails and bridges—was completed in Spring 2020 and elevated the property by creating a scenic nature trail around the entire 38-acres. The CYCA hopes to be able to open this walking trail to the public when not in use by the Scouts and other organizations. The third project—the bathhouse—is the organization’s most ambitious project to date, but will also have the most dramatic impact on use of the property. We are repeatedly told that the current outhouse is the biggest barrier to use of the facility by both Scout and non-Scout groups. A modern restroom facility will ensure that the Youth Cabin is available to all interested youth organizations, including schools. In addition, we believe that the addition of a modern bathhouse is the key to making the Crete Youth Cabin self-sufficient. Such a facility would allow private parties to rent the property when not in use by the Scout groups, adding an additional source of revenue to provide for ongoing operations.
Phase 3: Transformation
Phase 3 is the ultimate objective of the Board. It is our hope to raise adequate funds to demolish the existing non-insulated cabin that was built in 1938 and replace it with a modern cabin facility which can comfortably be used by campers year-round. The new cabin would also serve as an event space available for rent when not in use by the various youth organizations. The Board intends to build the new cabin around the existing stone fireplace as a reminder of the past generations of youth who have passed through the campsite. Our goal is to complete Phase 3 by Summer 2030.
Please consider making a donation to preserve one of Crete’s greatest treasures for generations to come.
100% of your donations will be used for renovations and general operating expenses. The Crete Youth Cabin is entirely by volunteers, so there is no administrative overhead!
All donations are tax deductible.
Donor recognition is available starting at $50. Please see a cabin board member for current donor recognition opportunities.
Contact Us.
If If you are interested in being involved with the Crete Youth Cabin, donating to the cause, or more information, please contact Tom Parker at CreteYouthCabin@gmail.com.
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877 Road 2350 Crete, Nebraska 68333