Above: Spirits were high as Rick Koze, Owner & President of Kay Builders, Inc., cut the red ribbon at the newly dedicated Koze Family Hall alongside his mother, aunt and father, as well as other community partners and local elected officials. Image provided courtesy of Valley Youth House
Orefield, PA (May 1, 2025) – Valley Youth House proudly dedicated the Koze Family Hall today during a special ribbon-cutting ceremony at Camp Fowler, recognizing the decades-long impact of the Koze family on the camp and the broader Lehigh Valley community.
Rick Koze, Owner and President of Kay Builders, Inc., has been a driving force behind the continued transformation of Camp Fowler, Valley Youth House’s 43-acre camp where young people are empowered to grow, thrive, and discover their full potential. Today’s dedication of the Koze Family Hall celebrates not only Rick’s continued support but also honors a family legacy of community commitment spanning generations.
“Rick’s leadership, vision, and generosity have reshaped Camp Fowler into a premier destination for youth development,” said Tom Harrington, President & Executive Director of Valley Youth House. “From rebuilding our sleeping cabins to helping make year-round programming possible with his support of the state-of-the-art Carter Family Center, Rick and the entire Koze family have given thousands of young people a safe place to learn, grow, and just be kids.”
Since purchasing Kay Builders in 2003, Rick has carried forward the legacy of his father, Dick Koze, and grandfather, Michael H. “Mickey” Koze, who founded the company in 1961. With support from family members like his mother Phyllis, a licensed realtor, and his aunt Ethel Gery, who managed operations, Kay Builders has developed more homes in the Lehigh Valley than any other home builder. That same spirit of care and excellence has shaped Rick’s approach to giving back.
Under his leadership, the Camp Fowler Cabin Construction Campaign launched in 2019, resulting in a $2.4 million transformation of all seven sleeping cabins with modern, ADA-accessible amenities. More recently, Rick supported the effort to build the Carter Family Center, a $2.3 million indoor recreation and education facility that opened earlier this spring.
The Koze Family Hall, formerly known as Trexler Hall, now serves as a powerful symbol recognizing what’s possible when a community comes together to support its youth. For the Koze Family and Kay Builders, building homes is more than just their legacy– it’s about strengthening the community that the Koze family calls home. Kay Builders has been serving the Lehigh Valley for over 6 decades – longer than any other homebuilder in the Lehigh Valley – and they believe true success is measured not only by the homes they construct but by the lives they touch.
“We are all so very grateful to Rick and the Koze family for their deep-rooted commitment to giving back and creating meaningful change for thousands of deserving children at Camp Fowler. We cannot do our critical, life-changing work without the help of philanthropic partners, and we are so very thankful that Rick agreed to be our partner 6 years ago,” said Christina J. Schoemaker, Senior Vice President of Advancement at Valley Youth House. “Thanks to Rick, his family and colleagues, and so many generous partners, Camp Fowler will continue to provide joy, adventure, and inspiration for thousands of youth and families for generations to come.”
Valley Youth House remains deeply grateful to the Koze family and all who have contributed to the ongoing transformation of Camp Fowler. Together, they have created a legacy of exciting adventure experiences, experiential learning, and limitless possibilities for expanded programming for all who will enjoy Camp Fowler for many years into the future.
About Valley Youth House
Valley Youth House (valleyyouthhouse.org) does more than just provide homes for vulnerable young people in Pennsylvania experiencing abuse or homelessness. We partner with thousands of individuals each year to build a solid foundation for young people and their families. With dedicated street outreach, housing, counseling, skills training, health, prevention, and intervention services, we empower resilient young people in establishing promising futures.
Information provided to TVL by:
Sarah Pammer
