YMCA Olde Tymers to Host Camp Rivercliff Reunion

The YMCA Olde Tymers will host a Camp Rivercliff Reunion Luncheon on Saturday, April 25, 2009 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Monsanto Family YMCA.

The YMCA Olde Tymers are hosting the luncheon in an effort to reunite, reacquaint and to introduce the activities sponsored by Rev. James E. Cook through the Pine Street YMCA to the Monsanto Family YMCA and community.

In April of 2008 the YMCA Olde Tymers launched the Rev. James E. Cook Memorial Campaign. The sole purpose of the campaign is to raise funds to bring awareness to the life and legacy of Rev. James E. Cook by supporting the Monsanto Family YMCA Partner Campaign and memorializing him in a bust sculpture for permanent display at the Monsanto Family YMCA.

Rev. Cook was an outstanding and highly regarded civic leader. He was appointed to various committees by the mayors of St. Louis and led the campaign to build the historic Homer G. Phillips Hospital. He also served as assistant pastor (1942-1946) and pastor of Antioch Baptist Church from 1946 through his death. Rev. Cook passed away suddenly on the afternoon of August 1, 1961 at YMCA Camp River Cliff, which was always close to his heart.

The development of Campus River Cliff was just one of Reverend Cook’s many great achievements. Camp River Cliff made camping experience available to thousands of African American boys and girls during a period when legal segregation denied Black youth access to YMCA facilities throughout the St. Louis Metropolitan area. Later, during the Great Depression and World War II, when Community Chest Funds were no longer available to support Camp River Cliff, Reverend Cook established the annual Pine
Street “Y” Circus. The circus not only financed hundreds of worthy boys at the camp over the years, but also became an outstanding cultural event in the Black community featuring the biggest names in Black show business.

Reverend Cook helped countless individuals and aided in many good causes during his rich career. While his many contributions have had a positive influence on succeeding generations since his death, many today’s youth do not know his legacy. Our vision is to raise awareness of Rev. Cook’s legacy among thousands of young people and their families

The Memorial Campaign’s goal is to raise $60,000 over a three-year period to support programs and scholarships at the Monsanto Family YMCA. In addition, to the support the YMCA Olde Tymer’s wish that Rev. Cook to be remembered as “A Builder of youth. A wonderful friend to the community. A devoted pastor. Who gave so unselfishly of his time, his energy and his love. Whose kindness and inspiration has encouraged many boys, girls and friends in all walks of life.”

The YMCA Olde Tymers, Inc. is an offspring of the Pine Street YMCA where young black men were members during their elementary and high school years. As adults, these men decided to band together to support the Monsanto Family YMCA, an outgrowth of their former YMCA, thus the name YMCA Olde Tymers.

Their vision is to maximize contributions to recipients of our largesse and the Monsanto Family YMCA and to serve our community with excellence. We will pursue this vision by modeling our organization after the business principles of the most respected charitable non-profit organizations, including the YMCA. They are committed to the spiritual and spiritual growth and welcome new members into our organization.

For more information about the Camp Rivercliff Reunion or The James E. Cook Memorial Campaign, please contact Lawson Calhoun at
314-367-1509 or John L. Bernard at 314-535-5374