01/28/2026
CAMP BRIM SHIRE COMPLETING 5-YEAR RENOVATION PLAN
A new 9,000+ sq. ft. lighted ADA parking area this Spring to improve visiting special need vehicle parking to support our developmentally disable agencies, area group homes, seniors, nursing homes, veterans groups church's, etc. is scheduled for completion by April 15, 2026; our 47th season of providing Camp Brim Shire.
The new additional parking facility is the culmination of a five year campus update initiated in 2021 by the AMDY Board of Directors based on visiting clients requests and ENTIRELY FUNDED BY DONATIONS and VOLUNTEER support. ADA Initiatives completed are renovation and upgrades to campus dining hall, restroom / shower complexes, pavilions playgrounds, Intercounty Electric overhead service enhanced and relocated underground, driveways, parking lots, paved trails for our many wheel-chair / walkers confined, visually impaired, visitors, etc. Completed last week was our campus fresh water system upgrade. Scheduled for summer CY2026 is painting and upgrade of all our cabins, lawns and sidewalks.
At the request of past St. James Mayor Nelson Heart in 1979 to develop a resource and special programs; AMDY, a volunteer, charitable foundation was founded in 1980 by Sherry and Rich Hashagen with $100.00 and forty acres of forest they owned North if St. James, MO. The foundations first campers (1980) were twelve disadvantaged Boy Scouts from St. Louis County, MO.
Camp Brim Shire accepts volunteers, services, supplies, equipment and financial donations. No one in our organization receives pay, compensation or renumeration of any kind. Our mission is serving people. Our 1980 motto is - "Let no child be demeaned or have his / her wonder diminished because we are unsure of our commitment". (Brim Shire is also a Wildlife refuge)
Today, forty seven years later, thru donations, the unique Brim Shire ADA campus provides a unique in-ground 24'x 44' salt water therapy pool with internal wheel chair ramp, recreation hall, dining hall, med center, education center, dormitory, eleven unique cabins, playgrounds, fishing, nature and therapy trails, basketball, lakeside wheel chair accessible fishing deck, full access to all campus facilities is provided via paved / lighted sidewalks. We also provide numerous activities and program opportunities.
AMDY/ Camp Brim Shire serves groups and agencies only. All disabled youth, adults, veterans, and local nursing homes are free. Non challenged groups such as scouts, schools, church's, civic organizations, business, retreats, reunions, etc. are a modest $3.00 a day per person (since 1996) to offset necessary operational expenses of electricity, insurance, maintenance, supplies, food, beverage, repairs, mowing, safety, fuel, etc. Average annual visitors are 2,900 per year (Approx 70 % free) - We were serving 4,800 before COVID .
A new privately funded program we are working to implement is for all widows, widowers, divorcees, etc. to provide free outdoor fellowship thru social events, swimming, fishing, picnics, fun etc. We hope to help the many "left behind and lonesome people" in our communities meet new friends, companions or perhaps even rekindle healthy human relationships rather than remain alone with only their memories. Call Rich today if you are interested.
Camp Brim Shire is accepting reservations for CY2026, We invite you to call today and schedule a free visit, tour or our campus and learn how we can locally support you, your group, agency or business. Please call us today at 573-699-4351. To plan your group or agency event.
Our thanks and appreciation Focus for your offer to help us reach out and serve our communities.
Richard W. Hashagen, MS.ED / MS.C.
Executive Director, Camp Brim Shire
Co-Founder association for Midwest Disadvantaged Youth, Inc.
P.O. Box 423, St. James, MO 65559
573-699-4351 sunstar1@socket.net
