[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 135 (Tuesday, September 13, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1614]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  MARKING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF ORGANIZED CAMP IN THE UNITED STATES

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                          HON. CHELLIE PINGREE

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 13, 2011

  Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Mr. Speaker, this summer marked the one-
hundred-and-fiftieth anniversary of organized camp in the United 
States. Summer camps throughout the nation provide valuable educational 
experiences and offer the chance for children from all different 
backgrounds to spend time outdoors, connect with their peers, and learn 
life-long skills. In the summer of 1861, William Frederick Gunn and his 
wife Abigail organized the first summer camp in America by taking a 
group of kids into the wilderness along the Long Island Sound for two 
weeks. Since then, thousands of camps have been founded, and 150 years 
later there are over 12,000 summer camps nationwide. While times have 
changed, the purpose of summer camp has remained the same--to provide 
our youth with havens in which to grow and learn in nature.
  In the State of Maine, we have nearly 200 camps--most of which are 
accredited by the American Camp Association--including sleep-away 
camps, day camps, and specialty camps. More than 18 of those have been 
operating for more than 100 years. In 1902, Wyonegonic Camps in 
Denmark, Maine opened its doors to girls and, today, remains the oldest 
continuously operating camp for girls in the country. Girls' camps play 
a pivotal role in young women's lives--providing settings in which they 
can grow confidence and develop as bright young women. Also in 1902, 
Pine Island Camp for boys opened in Belgrade Lakes, Maine and remains 
the oldest continuously operating camp for boys in the state. In 1908, 
two camps were opened by non-profit agencies in Maine: West End House 
Camp in East Parsonfield and Camp Jordan YMCA in Ellsworth.
  Camp is a special place where kids get a chance to re-create 
themselves, develop independence, be physically active, and learn new 
skills outside of the traditional school setting. And, through exposure 
to new experiences, friendships with kids from other states and around 
the globe, campers gain perspectives on their own lives that augment 
their education during the school year. Camps are also a place to build 
lasting friendships--a home away from home where the camp community 
becomes a second family. In a fast changing world, summer camps 
continue to be a mainstay of American society--providing kids a time 
for quiet reflection away from the pressures of growing up in a modern 
world. As millions of summer campers head back to start another year of 
school, let's remember the valuable role that summer camps play in the 
year-round education of children.

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