Hantesa was founded in the summer of 1919 by Mr. and Mrs.Nelson . Its first session was held at Ledges State Park and cost $ 6 . There were 36 girls in attendance August 23-September 6 . The first camp director was Mrs.Nelson and she was camp director until Mrs.Gen stepped in after Mrs. Nelson 's passing . During The Great Flood of 1993 Camp Hantesa was hit hard by The Des Moines River which only lies 300 yards away . The flooding was so bad that campers could fish off the deck of Clayton Lodge , yet even though camp was nearly all underwater , sessions continued . Camp was then given a donation of approximately $ 64,000 from Billy Ray Cyrus
Great Flood of 1993
Great Flood of 1993
Camp Hantesa