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Rene Aguilar came to YMCA Camp Eberhart to help preserve some of its most meaningful spaces. He didn't expect the experience to bring back memories of his own.
As a foreman and superintendent with Ancon Construction, Rene has worked on several projects across Camp, often doing much of the hands-on construction himself. But one project in particular has stayed with him: the renovation of Dave's House.
“The house had a magic touch for me,” Rene said.
Rene often arrived at Camp while it was still dark, giving him a front-row seat as the sun came up over Corey Lake. Some days, he stayed late enough to watch it set. Even when his work took him elsewhere at Camp, he found himself returning to Dave's House during lunch.
“I don't know why,” he said. “It's impressive. I will keep Dave’s House in my mind for as long as I live, I think. And not just Dave’s House, but Camp Eberhart itself; it has a kind of magic.”
Over time, Rene began to understand why Camp felt so familiar.
Preserving What Makes a Place Special
The renovation of Dave's House involved everything from demolition and framing to windows, doors, drywall, ceilings and tongue-and-groove work. Once demolition began, the Ancon team also discovered dry rot and termite damage that added to the challenge.
Rene took pride in knowing the work was being done to last, mindful of the donors whose support made the projects possible and the trust that came with that investment. When asked about making Dave's House strong enough for another 50 years, he responded confidently: “Fifty years more, because we did a very good job with everything.”
But longevity wasn't the only consideration. Camp's buildings carry history for generations of campers and families, so the team also had to be thoughtful about what shouldn't change.
“For me especially, it was about trying to keep it nice without changing what makes it special, while still keeping its character and the memories alive for the new generations to come,” Rene said.
He thought about families returning to Camp and sharing stories about the places they remembered.
“Some things may be different, but the rest should still feel the same,” he said.
Change too much, he understood, and “the place could lose its magic.”
The Memories Camp Brought Back
As Rene spent more time at Camp, that idea of a place holding memories became personal.
Rene grew up in El Salvador and came to the United States at age 19. Some of his favorite childhood memories are of time spent outdoors with his “old man,” including fishing trips. They didn't have much in the way of gear, so they would use branches and plastic to make a simple shelter and spend the night outdoors.
Decades later, the lake and woods at Camp Eberhart unexpectedly took him back there. “Going to Camp Eberhart and seeing the nature reminded me of what I used to see when I was young in my home country of El Salvador,” Rene said.
Rene wishes there had been more time with his dad. When asked whether his dad would have liked Camp Eberhart, Rene didn't hesitate. He could picture him wanting to be there every day.
Leaving With Memories of His Own
Rene's memories of Camp aren't all quite so sentimental. His work there also introduced him to his first real Michiana winter.
Much of the renovation happened without heat, and Rene had never experienced cold and snow like it. He remembers layering up to get through the workday, at one point wearing four pairs of socks.
“I was cold, but I was happy,” he said. “I was very happy.”
Beyond the setting, Rene remembers how warmly Camp staff treated him and the other Ancon employees working alongside him.
“It was an amazing experience to work at Camp Eberhart,” he said. “And not just because of the nature. It's the people who work there. They are really kindhearted. They treated us really well.”
What began as construction work ultimately became something much more personal. Rene arrived knowing his job was to care for buildings filled with other people's memories. Along the way, Camp reminded him of some of his own.
And Rene wouldn't mind making a few more. Asked if he's ready for the next Camp Eberhart project, his answer was immediate.
“When?” he said. “Can you say tomorrow?”
