100 Years: Camp Blue Bird
A series of posts as we look forward to the 100th Anniversary of ADKNY in 2023
Harriman State Park was officially open for 14 years when the NY Chapter moved from subleasing Camp Quannacut on Queensboro Lake to subleasing Camp Blue Bird on the east side of Upper Twin Lake. The twin lakes were devoted to girls camps. A girls camp (possibly the NY Jewish Big Sisters) used it during summers and the NY Chapter moved in in the fall of 1924. In May our Chapter vacated Camp Blue Bird and returned in October and remained until April 1925.
Group camps began in the park in 1913 with the belief that parks should be for all people, particularly the underprivileged. That year, there were 82 different organizations occupying 86 complete camping units in the Palisades Interstate Park (Harriman and Bear Mountain). At its peak, around 1,500 structures were maintained by the Palisades Interstate Park to serve them. These structures included cabins, recreation buildings, canteens, bathhouses, mess halls, and ancillary buildings. Many occupied camps all the year around, but make greater use of them for the summer. The children’s camps were mostly for summer use. The total weekly camping population for 10 summer weeks was over 10,000 boys, girls, and adults. The grand total for the summer season was 60,000. The camps were run with private donations. No state funds were granted until there was a need dispose of waste water from the camps. The state appropriated $50,000 for a system of waste water disposal.
To give you a flavor of the other camps, they included:
- Camp Fire Girls of Greater New York (the largest organization) occupied three different camps
- Camp TERA for 200 homeless and unemployed girls funded by the NY Life Insurance Company + Eleanor Roosevelt
- Y.M.C.A of the Oranges, NJ + many other Y.M.C.A groups as well as Y.M.H.A.s
- The Hebrew Orphan Asylum of NY
- Union Settlement Association
- Girls Friendly Society, Diocese of NY
- Boy Scouts (many different troops)
- NY Protestant Episcopal City Mission Society
- Idlewild Pleasure Club (social club from the Lower East Side)
- Summer School Camp of the School of Education, New York University (they had several camps)
- Negro Fresh Air Committee
- Rogers Peet Company (clothing store) camp for their employees
- Baker Camp for First National City Bank of the City of NY (forerunner of Citibank). George F. Baker, Sr. gifted the camp to his employees.
- Green Mountain Club
- New York Life Insurance Company for their employees
For 28 years these camps were overseen by the Group Camp Director, Miss Ruby Jolliffe. Under her domain, the number of camps grew to 102 before settling in at 71. It was the largest camping association in the country. She is a historic figure in the annals of the Palisades Interstate Park.
Ellen King
Archives Committee
Nawakwa Memories
Some Nawakwa and Harriman photos until we can visit again.
Camp Nawakwa wake up bell and yodel
Special Announcement: COVID-19 and Camp
Update: April 26, 2020
From the ADKNY Board:
An announcement from Palisades Interstate Park Commission Executive Director Joshua Laird regarding Harriman Group Camp 2020 Season.
More info will be shared when it becomes available. We will share information about Nawakwa opening as soon as we can. Thank you for your understanding.
Dear Group Camp Directors,
I hope this finds you well.
I am writing to inform you that we have decided to delay the commencement of the Group Camp season until May 15, 2020. Please do not take any steps to occupy your camp facilities until that date.
We will let you know as soon as possible whether the delay will be extended beyond May 15 depending on the status of COVID-19 public health guidelines as the date grows closer.
Our determination follows a similar decision to delay the opening of public campgrounds and other recreation facilities across New York State. While our group camps operate differently than most public campgrounds, our decision reflects similar concerns about the challenge of maintaining mandatory public health guidelines for social distancing when so many of our camps rely on shared restrooms and shower facilities. Further, our Group Camp cabins are constructed primarily of timber that would be especially difficult to clean and disinfect if contaminated with the novel coronavirus. We also have concerns about placing our Group Camp and emergency response staff at greater risk of exposure once the cabins are occupied.
We realize this news may come as a disappointment to those feeling the need for fresh air and exercise, or who may view our camps as an opportunity for even greater social distancing. Nonetheless, we feel this decision is appropriate and follows public health guidelines issued by the CDC and NYS Department of Health.
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ADKNY announcement issued Saturday, March 21, 2020
To All New York Chapter Members:
The current Coronavirus pandemic has changed life as we know it and, with it, all of our expectations and plans. New York State is on a basic lockdown. The Main Club closed its lodging facilities, the High Peaks Information Center and Member Service Center on March 16th through April 30th. Thru-hikers and section hikers on the AT have been asked to come off the trail. Everyone is encouraged to stay home and to limit unnecessary travel. ADK says that if you are inclined to get outdoors that you do so locally and individually.
Given the realities at hand and the need to be careful and vigilant, individually, socially, and as a club, the New York Chapter announces the following:
- All group hikes will be cancelled and rescheduled when possible. This means that the traditional Palm Sunday Hike to St. John’s in the Wilderness scheduled for April 5th is cancelled.
- Although Camp season at Harriman Park normally starts May 1st, the opening of Camp Nawakwa will be delayed until further notice
- The first work-day of Spring at Camp Nawakwa, usually held in early May, will be rescheduled
The current world-wide emergency is an ever-changing situation. We urge all members to follow all Public Health recommendations and guidelines regarding the COVID-19 epidemic so that everyone may stay safe and healthy. Through our website and emails, we will work to keep all New York Chapter members apprised of developments with the Chapter and Camp Nawakwa.
New York Chapter Board of Directors
Update on Volunteer Activity from the NYNJ Trail Conference
