Overnight Summer Camp Celebrates Over 150 Years of Memories
The birth of organized overnight camp began in the auspicious summer of 1861 when the Headmaster of Connecticut-based Gunnery School, William Gunn, led a select group of boys on a two-week wilderness expedition along Long Island Sound. They went hiking, fishing, swimming, played games, among other things.
It wasn’t long before the idea rocketed off to a resounding success. Children or teens and parents alike warmed up to the idea of overnight summer camp, and it left a lasting positive effect to those who underwent the camp experience. Eleanor Eells, author of History of Organized Camping, mentioned that the few dozen camps operating in the 1880s grew exponentially to be a few hundred by 1900.
In 1922, Charles Eliot, then President of Harvard University, proudly stated: “The organized summer camp is the most important step in education that America has given the world.” Dr. Hedley Dimock, leadership trainer and camp standards pioneer echoed the 
sentiment on his Camping and Character, stating: “Summer camp has very remarkable and unusual qualities, is new and takes on problems of education in a fresh perspective. It can be an enlightening and stimulating experience, and provides actual life experience instead of schools that teach it indirectly.
Even in as early a time as the 1900s, the negative effects of living without nature’s anchor were evident. Camp leader Winthrop Talbot called it “Tyranny of the Cities”, where instability, a total lack of tranquility and silence, and constant distraction took place even before the time of cell phones, computers and TV. Talbot claims that overnight camp is what cures the child of these ailments, where they gradually become one with nature, replacing ill-temper with a cheery nature.
Organized overnight camp also played an important role in being at the front of social shifts, helping youths face and thrive in changes such as in times of war and economic hardship, in treating people with physical and developmental disabilities, in racial and social equality and in women’s suffrage movement.
Organized overnight camp gave equal opportunities for girls and boys alike. A shining example is when Laura Mattoon made it her life’s mission to expand her camper’s horizons, and undoubtedly succeeded. The 1920s saw a hundred camps that fostered and catered an
even playing field to both girls and boys, regardless of economic class or social status. Honesty, Goodwill, Generosity and Courage are all keystones to camp success, and everyone strips down to swimming trunks in absolute equality.
The Cold War, the Korean War and World War II gave further purpose to camps by instilling overall preparedness in campers. C.I. Hammett wrote, “Campers should practice being self-reliant and prepared at all times by practicing vital outdoor skills and learning to do things by themselves. This practice should extend beyond the occasional outing and be applied to daily living, with the camper taking on an active role in preparations.” He further added that camp should prepare children to understand and get to know others of different economic, geographical, religious, national and racial groups, which has already come to fruition.
Today’s society sees a record number of children or teens retreating indoors because of modern conveniences such as TV and computers, and financial setbacks that cause physical education to be canceled, making camping’s role more vital than ever. 21st century overnight camps are proving how invaluable experiential learning is in the development of children. Peg Smith, American Camp Association’s CEO, states that camp teaches important values such as learning life lessons, discovering one’s strength, sharing experiences and in forming lasting friendships. Parents and camp directors alike see how it can facilitate genuine growth and learning, something that only happens in a unique environment.
Furthermore, Smith says that “presently, we are at an exciting time where camp is able to direct and influence our future.” Similarly, Eells stated that “Organized camping is about men and women envisioning the impact of outdoor living on boys and girls. The common bond of camp is the genuine concern of people in their relationship to the environment, to each other, and the overall sense of community.”
Now, it has been more than 150 years since organized overnight camp was born, and camp is still as beautiful and as strong as ever. Camp leaders still guide the young ones through hands-on learning and character building. Camps still field the youths through economic and social changes. Millions of children or teens every year still find themselves in camp – overcoming barriers and challenges, becoming inspired, discovering new interests and rekindling old ones, and shaping themselves to become tomorrow’s worthy leaders!
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