I am posting this review as a parent so that other families can ask informed questions before…read moresending their children to Camp Mohaven.
My daughter worked at the camp during the summer of 2026. During that time, I received reports that rodents were being trapped day after day in camp living areas and that more than twenty rodents had reportedly been captured over a period of days. Based on descriptions I received, I believe that many of the rodents appeared to be deer mice. I was concerned enough about the infestation that I personally paid for rodent traps to be purchased and delivered from a local Walmart to assist with the problem.
Among the reports that particularly concerned me was an allegation that a counselor awoke during the night to find a mouse on their body while sleeping. I was also informed that rodents were being repeatedly trapped in cabins and residential facilities used by campers and staff. These reports suggest a problem extending beyond the occasional mouse that might be expected in a rural environment.
My concern is not that wildlife exists in the woods. Campers expect to encounter nature. My concern is the possibility of ongoing rodent activity in places where children and staff sleep, store belongings, and spend substantial amounts of time. I am also concerned about the potential impact on sanitation and food safety if rodents are present in or near occupied facilities.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises avoiding exposure to rodents and their urine and feces. Rodent infestations can be associated with diseases such as leptospirosis, salmonellosis, and, in rare cases, hantavirus exposure linked to deer mice. Rodents can also carry ticks that may contribute to the spread of illnesses such as Lyme disease.
I encourage parents to ask Pastor Joe Ottinger and camp leadership specific questions:
* How many rodents have been trapped in camp buildings during the past 30 days?
* In which cabins, staff housing units, or dining facilities have rodents been found?
* Have any campers or staff reported rodents in sleeping quarters, and what actions were taken?
* Have rodent droppings, urine, or nests been found in occupied buildings?
* Has any food been discarded due to actual or suspected rodent contamination?
* Has Knox Public Health been notified or conducted any recent inspection related to the reported rodent activity?
* What specific steps have been taken to prevent rodents from entering cabins and other occupied facilities?
Parents deserve clear answers so they can make informed decisions about their children's health and safety.
Every family can decide for itself what level of risk it is comfortable accepting for its child. Given the rodent activity at Camp Mohaven and the need for ongoing trapping efforts, I believe parents should be provided with complete information about the conditions at camp and the steps being taken to address them. Transparency allows families to make informed decisions based on their own expectations regarding health and safety.
When hundreds of children are attending camp throughout the summer, parents deserve clear communication about any significant health and safety concerns.
