I had a chance in September to visit one of the older summer camps in America. Adirondack Camp is located in upstate New York on a peninsula extending into Lake George, which is parallel to the southern end of Lake Champlain. The Camp began as a boys camp in 1904--six years before Scouting was established in America--but now welcomes boys and girls ages 7-16. The camp is quite rustic; take a look at the lodging below.
Boys and girls stay in separate structures with waist-high wood and canvas drapes that can be rolled down if a storm comes through. You can see the bunk beds. It may be rustic, but this place is not inexpensive. One session--which lasts a month--costs $5,750. A full summer, which is eight weeks, is a mere $8,900. What parents pay for here is staff. The staff/camper ratio is 1:3, which is unheard of in most camps.
The camp is right on the water, and kids can choose among sailing, kayaking, and canoeing. They also have a tradition of a mile-plus swim across Lake George and back. The founders of these old Eastern camps, in one sense, tried to create a Utopian society each summer. This place is no different. On their website, they list these goals: "The time line of our program is tailored to build upon itself, day by day, week by week, enabling each camper to grow exponentially in personal accomplishments and confidence. Despite a fragmented, remote control world, three out of every four of our eligible campers return every summer to our four and eight week sessions; and those,who do, make their own schedules and pride themselves in their increasing levels of skill, privilege and responsibility.
Sound familiar? The goals of Adirondack Camp are very similar to those of Scouting. Only Scouting costs a whole lot less.
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