The History of Organized Camping
Camping is a unique American tradition. With almost 140 years of
history, the summer camp as we know it today ahs its roots deeply
planted in American soil. But while clothing, music and past-times have
changed over the years, camp has always been a place where children
could prepare to be productive and healthy adults in the context of fun
and games.
1861
The Gunnery Camp is founded.
The gunnery Camp is considered the first organized American camp.
Frederick W. Gunn and his wife Abigail operated a home school for boys
in Washington, Conn. In 1861, they took the whole school on a two-week
trip. The class hiked to their destination and then set up camp. The
students spent their time boating, fishing and trapping. The trip was so
successful, the Gunns continued the tradition for 12 years.
1874
First YWCA camp
The Philadelphia chapter of the YWCA holds the organization's first camp
(or "vacation project," as it was called). This summer boarding and
vacation house was for "tired young women wearing out their lives in an
almost endless drudgery for wages that admit no thought for rest or
recreation."
1876
The first private camp founded
Dr. Joseph Trimble Rothrock founds the North Mountain School of Physical
Culture near Wilkes-Barre, Pa. For about $200 boys from Philadelphia and
Wilkes-Barre came for four months over the summer. The idea was to take
"weakly boys out into camp life in the woods … so that the pursuit of
health could be combined with the practical knowledge outside usual
academic lines." (Dr. Rothrock)
1885
First YMCA camp
Summer F. Dudley and seven boys from the YMCA in Newburgh, NY go on a
camping trip. By 1891 there were 83 campers.
1900
First Boys' Club camp
The Boys' Club in Salem, Mass. Organizes a seven week summer camp and 76
boys attend. By 1930, more than 60 Boys' Clubs conduct summer camp with
approximately 26,088 campers attending.
1910
The American Camping Association is founded
Under the original name, Camp Directors Association of America (CDAA),
founder Alan S. Williams creates a model and standardizing influence in
organized camping for the young. The CDAA merges with the national
Association of Directors of Girls' Camps in 1924 and changes its name to
the Camp Director Association (CDA). In 1935, the name is changed to the
American Camping Association.
1914
First Camp Fire Girls camp
Approximately 500 Camp Fire Girls participate.
1922
First Girl Scout camp
Ever since its founding in 1912, camp has played an important role in
the Girl Scout program. In 1922, the organization decides to charter
camps throughout the country.
1926
First issue of ACA's Camping Magazine
Camping Magazine is the official publication of the American Camping
Association, under the authorization of the National Board of Directors.
Its purpose is to inform and educate camp professionals and others in
related fields so they can successfully serve their clientele.
1930's
National Park Service develops Recreation Demonstration Areas
As part of the federal government's wo5rk relief programs, the National
Park Service develops Recreation Demonstration Areas, 34 of which are
organized camping facilities made available for lease by camping groups
that did not own camping grounds. These sites are later turned over to
state agencies, particularly state parks.
1948
Camp Standards are adopted by ACA
The standards, which are the basis for ACA camp accreditation, are
recognized by courts of law and government regulators as the standards
of the camp industry. There are currently 300 standards for health,
safety and program.
1968
There are approximately 70 million youths in America and almost 8
million of them have a camp experience.
1996
ASCAP agreement reached
The American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers (ASCAP) agrees
to let ACA-accredited camps pay only $1 per year for all ASCAP licensed
music. Previously, camps had to pay several hundred dollars each year
even for informal sing alongs.
1998
The New Your Public School System initiates Breakaways
Creating a new model for public education, our nation's largest public
school system incorporates camp into its curriculum. The new focus on
year-round learning adds up to 28 days of non-traditional learning
during the summer and school-year breaks.
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