For nearly three-quarters of a century, Dowagiac children have found a place on the coast of Cable Lake to stretch their legs and have some summer fun.

The price of admission: a single dollar bill.

Parents were invited out to spend an afternoon with their kids during the family Fitch Camp luncheon Wednesday. Besides enjoying a hearty meal of fried chicken and mashed potatoes, visitors got to see firsthand the various outdoor activities the children can take advantage of during their stay, including swimming, canoeing and basketball.

This year, 138 second through seventh-grade kids have singed up for the day camp, which runs from June 23 to July 31, said Jerry Hannapel, a member of the Fitch Camp board.

Between providing hot meals for the children, covering staff costs and daily transit to the campsite, annual operating costs can run quite high, requiring leadership to reach out to donors to keep the lakeside camp going.

This year, the St. Denys Foundation has stepped up to the plate, offering $5,000 worth of funding to the E Root Fitch Foundation to cover transportation and other costs for this year’s campers, said Board Member Stephanie Munson.

“We have two buses that run every camp day,” Munson said. “They pick up kids at Justus Gage, Patrick Hamilton, St. John’s, Dowagiac Middle School, Eagle’s Woods Apartments and Kincheloe Elementary.”

Last year, transportation alone cost the camp $8,500, Munson said.

The St. Denys Foundation supports various educational, artistic and environmental causes in the greater Dowagiac community, including a $1,500 donation to Fitch Camp several years ago, Hannapel said. Instrumental to this year’s donation was Foundation member Dustin Dalton, who is also a member of the camp board.

“We approached [the foundation] for help this year,” Hannapel said. “We know they give to the community on regular basis.”

Fitch Camp has received assistance from local organizations in years past, including the Dowagiac Elks Club, Hannapel said. In addition, members of the Alpha Upsilon Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi hold a luncheon at the beginning of the year to raise money for the camp.