While it began as a seasonal camp, Fitch now has the capability to operate throughout the year, owing in part to a campaign to expand its land holdings and facilities starting in the 1960s.

The Youngstown YMCA began hosting camps for young boys in the early 1900s, the first of which was conducted at Muddy Lake near Ravenna, Ohio in 1906.

[1] In 1914 the Board of Trustees of the Youngstown YMCA adopted a permanent policy of conducting a summer camp for boys.

During these first years, a common fashion accessory for campers was a forked stick; these had to be carried for protection due to the abundance of rattlesnakes and copperheads in the area.

In the mid-1960s, Camp Fitch was formally recognized as a YMCA branch and began a period of major expansion in facilities and programming over the course of several decades.

[3] Under the direction of William Lyder, Fitch was able to grow from a seasonal operation to a permanent, year-round establishment running approximately 340 days a year.

In the early 1970s, the camp purchased 284 acres (1.1 km2) of wooded flatland and a half-mile of shore line on Lake Erie.

[7] This expansion brought the camp to its current size of over 450 acres (1.8 km2) with 1 mile (1.6 km) of frontage on Lake Erie.

[7] In addition to expanding Fitch's land holdings, Lyder campaigned to increase the number of facilities available to campers.

Programming areas received roofs to shields campers from snow and rain, and a 40-foot climbing tower was constructed.

In 2017, the camp decided to upgrade its permanent housing from the cabinet to a larger cabin structure of its own unique design.

Cabins sit on a 44-foot by 35-foot foundation with a post and beam construction built from century old reclaimed douglas fir.

The sleeping areas nearly double the capacity of the cabents and improve supervision as multiple staff are housed with the campers.

To maintain the openair feel of a cabent, a large portion of each exterior wall has been left open to allow for a flowing cross breeze from Lake Erie.

In the event of inclement weather, all-weather siding can be rolled down over the open areas in a similar style to the cabents.

In addition to improving the camper/staff ratio, the cabins deliver more modern amenities cabents and tents were unable to provide.

This tradition can trace its roots back to 1972 when the international camp counselor program of the YMCA arranged for a registered nurse from Switzerland to join the staff.

By 1987 Camp Fitch's counselor in training program was expanded to actively recruit both Spanish and American youths for staff development.

[13][14] Activity areas include: Horseback Riding, Air-Rifles, Rock Climbing, Swimming, Sailing, Crafts, Canoeing, Boating, Water-skiing, Archery, Riflery (22 mm), Rocketry, Horsemanship Lessons, Campfires, Swim Lessons, SUP and daily age-group specific programs.

Typically, these trips include hiking, white water rafting, caving and rock climbing across the eastern United States.

[23] Today, Fitch's mission reflects the traditional goal of the YMCA: "helping children grow in spirit, mind and body".

[1][7][27] Authored by Raymond L. "Curly" Johnson, Fitch's director from 1928 to 1935, this service blends lessons of character building with Christian themes.

At the end of the service, attendee's are tasked with setting a personal goal to work towards during his or her time away from Camp Fitch.