Children have been coming to the Adirondacks for summer camp for over 100 years, and many continue to come back today, sometimes as third or fourth generation camp families. I listened to a North Country NPR podcast about summer camps in the Adirondacks to learn more about their history and why the Adirondacks became such a popular place to build summer camps.
Summer camps began to gain popularity at the turn of the twentieth century. As a result of the industrial revolution, families had more money, and this new affluence made it more affordable to send their children to camp. Additionally, many of these children came from highly urban areas, and their parents believed that sending them away to the more rural Adirondacks for the summer was good for their health.
While there was an emphasis on being outdoors and learning new skills, camp in the early 1900s was much more rigid than it is now. Many camps had themes such as military training camp for boys, which advertised a combination of athletics, pleasure and instruction. Meanwhile, other camps for girls offered more activities that were along the lines of a finishing school.
Additionally, nearly all of the early camps were grounded in Christianity. However, after one schoolteacher from New York City opened a jewish based camp, many others began to follow in suit, and there was soon a prominent chain of Jewish camps alongside the many Christian ones. However, despite their denominational differences, these camps still held in common that they attracted only children from the wealthiest families.
After World War II, many of the camps began to transition into the classic image of a camp today. More outdoor activities, and organized sports were added, while the finishing school and military aspects began to disappear. More specialized camps began to appear as well. These camps would specifically emphasize a topic such as music, equestrian, or certain sports in an attempt to attract a certain type of camper.
Yet, despite this change, many camps have kept age old traditions to this day. Campers at many camps still wake up early to the sound of a trumped playing morning reveille, and end their day to the sound of taps by the campfire. Some camps have done away with uniforms, while others consider them an important part of the camp experience. Some camps have chosen to give their campers more choice in their activities, while others still operate under the philosophy that the day should be more strictly regimented. Whatever changes may have occurred over the past century, one thing has not changed – summer camps in the Adirondacks have continued to provide life changing summer experiences for Children from all over the country, and will continue to do so for many years to come.
Has anyone been to summer camp in the Adirondacks? What were your experiences?
Works Cited:
Bond, Hallie E. Children’s Camps in the Adirondacks. Camping Magazine. July/Aug 2003. Print. http://www.acacamps.org/members/knowledge/strategic/cm/037adirondacks.
“Summer Camp.” Regional History Call-in. North Country Public Radio. NCPR, Canton. 20 Aug. 1998. Radio. http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/2836/19980820/regional-history-call-in-summer-camp
I never went to camp in the Adirondacks, but I did have a day-camp-like experience many a summer. I went on several day-hikes with ATIS groups for kids. We had "leaders" who were young adults, and they kind of acted like our councilors. It had a very camp-vibe though, and I met a lot of friends and we bonded over nature and fun! Thank you for sharing this history with us! I definitely wish I'd done an over-night camp in the mountains, but at least I did some hikes with other kids :)
ReplyDelete