Camp Clark

Marshall Roper adds names and history to camp photos.

2012-01-11T13:15:00.007-06:00

Wayne, good to read your still alive. Yeah I think we worked in either the Kitchen or dishroom together. I do remember staying at your house for a weekend and never getting out of the pool.

I was reading the local Cape paper and saw a little article about Camp Clark and it had your name in it so I went to the blog and there you were. I've renumbered some of the pics and remember some more names.

In Pic 1 the guy with his hands on his hips is Jay Steptoe. The little kid to the left is David Ables' little brother but I can't remember his name. I'm not sure but I think the kid hitting the ball was the son of the Nurse for that year. I googled Steptoe and there is an "Old Guy" ( see pic 4) who looks very similar that works as a lawyer for NASA. If my memory serves me right the attachment point on the tether ball hurt like hell if you punched it.

Pic 2 shows Bill Eckert driving the ski boat. I did that too after my dutys in the kitchen were finished.

Pic 3. The guy in the glasses was the councilor in Gordon cabin and the Nature guy. I remember him to be real smart and I think he had someting to do with the Boston Museum of Science. I say that because he brought down a porcipine named Herkimur and a sparrow hawk for the summer and they were really exhibits at the Museum. I think the kid in the stripped shirt was the little brother of on of the othe councilors. I think his name was Doug.

The Group Pic. Sitting cross legged in front of the flag pole in the stripped shirt is Allen Winkler, to his right in the long sleeve shirt is a kid whos last name was Monk. 2 guys to his left (also in a stripped shirt) is David Able. Standing behind and to the left of Mrs J is Renie Lyonaise I think. He could swim forever under water.

Kneeling directly in front of him might be Bill Cuddy. Don Hastings is the 5th kid to his fathers right. I think they took the white out to me. Next to Bill Cuddy is, I think, is a guy named Zimmerman and in front of him is his brother. Zim was the Athletic Director that year.

Thats all I remember for names but the camp always brings back memories.

Marshall.... let me add this ID front row 5th from the right kneeling is me Wayne Griffiths. 6th from right is Donald Hastings and back row just to the right of the flag poll is Warren Hastings (I believe that is right in both cases)

Marshall continues.........

I remember getting picked on for not saying my "Ahs" properly, according to the NJ contingent.

I remember pulling brush down the road to the swamp by the Junior area at the start of the waterfront improvement project. I remember pulling roots in the middle said project and I remember picking rocks and stones at the end. After that was done we went up to the new baseball field and picked stones and rocks there.

I remember trying to get all the sand out of your bunk so you could win cabin inspection and be first in line at the candy store.

My kids and I are going to be looking at a bunch of photos taken over the last 60 plus years and if and camp stuff shows up I'll email them to you.

Take care, Marshall

Wayne with Lake Superior's Chequamegon Bay in the background.

Don Johnson 40's & 50's camper.

2012-01-11T12:34:00.001-06:00

I was a camper in the 40’s and was a counselor in Rotary Cabin a couple of years in the 50’s and work the Waterfront with Tom Tollefsen, Carl Johnson and Clayton Farnham. I will dig out some pictures and scan them.

Maybe add some to the history.

In addition, I served on the Camp Lyndon property committee for several years and on the Cape Cod YMCA board.

Don Johnson

Thanks Don ... looking forward to photos and more history. Wayne

Camp Clark Cooks I have Known - by “The Guy in the Upper Bunk”

2012-01-10T22:07:00.004-06:00

Camp Clark Cooks I Have Known – by “The Guy in the Upper Bunk”

One of the most important people at any summer camp is the cook. All of the various activities at Camp Clark – swimming, hiking, athletics, frog-catching, etc. – made a person pretty hungry. I think most campers would agree that our camp was lucky to have a long string of good, capable cooks over the years, cooks who turned out nutritious and tasty food. Please feel free to comment on and add to the list below if you can and share any stories about the people and goings-on in the mess hall over the years. I’m sure I’ve left out several cooks, including those who labored from 1956 through 1971.

“Ma” (first name unknown) Jennings was the cook in the almost brand new Beaman dining hall when I first arrived. She was a smallish, gray-haired woman with a great sense of humor who turned out delicious and hearty meals. If a former camper named Lou Rodgers reads this, I’m sure he could add reminisces. And. Cliff Jennings, her grandson (?) who was a camper/counselor in the ‘50s would be a great source, too.

In 1945, Mrs. Barbara Johnson arrived for her first summer. She brought along her daughter Lydia and son “Jolly” (Jonathan) and began a fairly long stretch of years in the camp’s kitchen – not consecutive years, but off and on, as she was available. She came from Fairhaven, as I recall, and when necessary would remind folks that the camp was a YM-C-A camp, with the emphasis on the “C”.

The late 1940s or early 50s saw the arrival of Floyd Reed from Amherst, along with his wife and teen-aged daughter, “Frannie” (Frances). A very large man, Mr. Reed cooked for a large fraternity house at UMass during the winters and seemed to enjoy the change of scene at camp in the several summers he turned out truly great meals.

I seem to recall that the wife of brand-new Camp Director Andy Hume started as in 1955, but someone else finished out that summer, which was the last year that I attended.

(Perhaps webmaster Wayne Griffiths can add to this list, since I understand that his Mom took over in the kitchen in mid-season at one point.)

The Guy in the Upper Bunk is right. Here is the quick version... more to come. My mom did 'volunteer' to fill in when the regular cook left. I was a worker that summer when the cook left. I spoke up and told Uncle Bob "my mom can fill in she works in catering". A phone call later and if memory serves me right she managed to pack her stuff and enough stuff for four of my sister and she still made it to camp for the evening meal.

I will collaborate with Marshall Roper who was also a worker that year and try and expand on the tale. Once again if memory serves me right I remember a water fight between the kitchen and the dish room. I seem to remember balloons and that it involved aerial attacks from the rafters (that were open at the time). And I remember passing a fellow dish room worker through the dish washer. I remember late night raids in the kitchen for evening snacks for the worker's tent. Marshall ..... ?

Tom Tollefsen offers up his memories. Thanks Tom keep them coming.

2012-01-05T19:18:00.004-06:00

Thanks again for the memories, especially of Pete Mandell and Joe Larson. A correction: in the Rotary Cabin picture, the senior counselor is Jim Whitehurst, not Jack Paxton. Jack was an age contemporary so he would have been about twelve years old at that time. I ran into Jack at Union College in 1958 when Union played Kings Point in football. Jack was wearing a fedora hat he had inherited from Ben Wilson. Ben Wilson was known for his formal chapeau's around the Camp and somehow Jack "acquired" an original. I heard later that Jack fell out of a third story window in NYC and was badly injured. Jack was part of the New Jersey" contingent with Bobby Zimmerman, Busjager, Clayte Farnham and a couple of others who developed into wonderful Camp Clark counselors from full season campers as they matured. Bobby Z was the nurse's son and went on to Princeton and an aviation career.

Look in the Reston, VA area for Bob Hastings second son. Allen and the youngest son became YMCA Directors like their father.

Fuzzy (Camp Clark knickname because of (then) red curly hair) Johnson sent along your Camp Clark information which brought back many fond memories. I was a scholarship camper at Camp Clark for two years with sponsoring arranged by Mr Paul Favor, an "original" at Camp Clark and the YMCA Director at New Bedford. Mr Favor believed in developing work ethics at a young age so I became the dishroom worker at age eleven along with my cousin Bob Caswell. Bob and I are now neighbors in The Villages, in central Florida. Mrs. Johnson the camp cook was our supervisor and spent time teaching us kitchen duties so that we could upgrade the next season. Bob and I became junior waterfront instructors and counselors instead and I continued on to become the waterfront director after earning my Leader Examiner qualification at Springfield College in my senior year in high school and combined it with the Red Cross Water Safety Instructor qualification earned at the New Bedford YWCA.

We had a Scandinavian Village in the junior section with Carl Johnson, Fuzzy Johnson and myself as counselors. We flew a Norwegian/Swedish flag at the pole sewn by Fuzzy's mother. I still have the old ring buoy with Camp Clark labeling, which hung from the life guard tower. Some pictures also, which I would be happy to send along to you by mail, if you provide an address.

I graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy (not Mass Maritime) and enjoyed a career as a Naval Officer mostly at sea and later as a civilian with the Navy in Washington involved in small ship and boat construction. I have a graduate degree from the George Washington University and also graduated from the Naval War College at Newport. RI. Happily married with three sons and a daughter working at successful professional careers and scattered about the U.S.

When Bob Hastings passed away, I attended his burial here in Florida and met the Hastings boys and Bob Denny. Bob Hasting did not make the burial however, as his coffin was delayed in transit by the airlines. Conversations with the sons was fascinating as they dressed and acted in so many ways like their father. Bob had hired me to run the game room at the New Bedford YMCA and also at Camp Clark on the waterfront so I was pleased to attend the funeral and informally represent all of the campers and staff members who were guided by "Uncle Bob."

These memories could go on into a small book but I will cut it off here and say "hello" to all

my friends and associates of that mid-fifties period.

Thanks to Pete Mandell and .....

2012-01-04T16:14:00.005-06:00

his great news releases in Cape Cod and New Bedford newspapers we now have some new Camp Clark camper who have found us and the website. Thanks again Pete.

So over the last month I have been contacted by the following campers.

Marshall Roper, Don Johnson, Tom Tollefsen, Carl Johnson, Bob Caswell.

I have added them to our email list.

Marshall, Don and Tom have added some of their memories via their emails. I have ask and in two cases received their permission to post their comments. I will be doing those posting over the next few days.

I am really excited about these new contacts.

Thanks to Pete and thanks to those individual for taking the time to make the initial contacts.

For everyone who has joined us let me again invite you one and all to offer up your memories and photos for us all to share and enjoy. I will make every effort to get them posted so that they reflect your memories.

If I haven't said it before please consider this website to be yours as well as mine. It is ours to share the memories we all have. Yes I took the time to "build" the original but since then it has been the combined effort of all of you who have share your (in many cases) extensive memories.

So if you have something you want to share the space is there. If you have questions about how to contact me directly email me. For now look to the email that I will send out later today. It will contain complete contact info.

Every time someone offers a new piece to the puzzle I am so thankful to learn things I didn't know about the camp the people and the stories about the special place we all shared. Keep them coming.

My new information is the Uncle Bob Hastings is buried in Florida. I did a rather extensive search in the New England area to find him and his family. To date I was only able to locate Allen in New York State.

Thanks to Marshall R. for the additional ID's and correction of Mrs Johnson's daughters name.... Lydia.

2011-12-11T09:39:00.006-06:00

Marshall R.
Mrs Johnsons daughter was named Lydia. In the group picture right in front of the flag pole is Warren Hastings. The tall guy to the right is Pete Upton. Next ot him is his brother Joe,then Spike Denny and Uncle Bob with Janice right in front of him. 2 kids to the left of Pete Upton is Clark Dagget. The 6th head to the left of the flag pole is Allen Hastings, the 8th is Bill Eckert

Marshall R. Please email me directly at shutterwi@gmail.com. If memory serves me right you and I were at Camp Clark at the same time.

I've waited nearly 55 years to find a Camp Clark T-Shirt and hat.

2011-11-14T23:39:00.002-06:00

Here is how it happen. Pete Mandell sent me a treasure trove of old Camp Clark articles and pamphlets. One of the first things that caught my eye was a great clean piece of artwork here it is below.

This "original" artwork was part of pamphlet. Which can be seen here. As I said the moment I saw it I knew I was soon going to have a Camp Clark t-shirt.

In the mornings I have coffee at the local coffee shop. Directly across the street is a small printing business that also does silk screening and embroidery on hats, jackets and t-shirts.

My dad was a printer and I spent many a day with him at his shop and at local newspapers he worked at including The New Bedford Standard Times. My first real job was working in the circulation department of one of those newspapers. I guess you can say I inherited "printer's ink in my blood".

I took the artwork to the printshop where we worked out sizing it and arranging to having it digitized (for embroidering).

I decided to get myself some t-shirts and a hat or two. As we all know custom made articles are expensive for a single copy..... but order a dozen or so and it gets cheaper. Added some different sizes and colors and presto you have an initial t-shirt order. But a dozen or so is a lot of t-shirts for one guy. This is where the plan took a slight turn.

I would never have gotten the chance to finally have a Camp Clark t-shirt if it wasn't for Pete Mandell. I decided Pete needed a t-shirt (or two) and then Joe Larson has offered so much to the history and encouragement for the website.... so it made sense Joe should have a t-shirt. That took care of part of the initial order. One went to my wife as a reward for listening to me tell Camp Clark stories (repeatedly) for the last 40+ years and one went to my oldest sister who celebrated every time I left for camp.

I kept one of each color for myself.

Stay tuned there is more to the story and my plan.

New Bedford Standard Times newspaper articles with Pete Mandell's commentaries.

2011-10-25T12:52:00.011-05:00

Click on each photo & the comments below the pictures for a larger version of the photo & comments.

This is a picture I always wanted to see. The top of Brownbread Hill before it was overgrown. By the time I saw it for the first time late 1950's early 1960's you could just see the lake to the front. In 1997 it was completely overgrown. The lake was only visible through mature trees.

More tidbits of history from Pete Mandell. Yet more to follow.

2011-10-20T18:40:00.014-05:00

All of the photos in this posting are from one pamphlet. I'm pretty sure no one (aside from maybe Pete and Joe) has seen this material including the photos for ... I would guess nearly 40 years...maybe 50 years.

I think there is one really unique picture in my mind. It is a picture of an outside altar made of stone. I have no idea where that is or was located. Note: See Pete's response below

Click on each photo & the comments below the pictures for a larger version of the photo & comments.

Outdoor altar. Where was this located?

Update: from Pete Mandell an ask and you shall receive... "you had a question about the location of the stone altar (with rough-hewn rows of benches before it). It was one of the most peaceful and really beautiful areas in the camp, existing from at least the early 1940s to at least 1955. (What happened to the components, I couldn't say; it disappeared after I left camp.) If you walked down the road behind the junior cabins - Kiwanis and Rotary - headed toward the junior point, the Chapel was on your left, between the road and the pond maybe 200 feet behind Kiwanis.

It was sometimes referred to as the Paul Favor Chapel - after the long-time General Secretary of the NB YMCA, seen in one of the pictures with Ken Bennett and Paul Spurrier from a 1944 (?) Standard-Times article. I'm guessing that some fair-sized pine trees are now growing in that spot by now.

Pete... Now that you located it for me I do have memories of something in that area. In all honesty when we could sneak down to junior point we usually headed straight to the point. There was a girls camp on the other side of the lake. Maybe they were swimming or canoeing.

See comments at the top of the page under the trifold pamphlet for detail description of these photos.

A little teaser of the great materials I recently received from Pete Mandell. WAIT! lots more to come.

2011-10-19T13:34:00.011-05:00

Click on each photo & the comments below the pictures for a larger version of the photo & comments.

Alvin Tripp

Alvin Tripp who was actually the model for the bugler in the center of one of the Camp Clark logos.

Another bit of Camp Clark trivia from Pete Mandell.

I don't know the "kid" in this picture but that sure looks like a largemouth bass.

Camp Clark 1948. Thanks to Joseph Larson for these great additions to Camp Clark history.

2011-09-23T12:21:00.013-05:00

CLICK each photo for a LARGER version.

Co-Wah Craft Shop and Lodge. 1st. floor is the craft shop. 2nd floor is lodge (14 campers).

Infirmary and nurse's quarters.
Added info from Joseph Larson

The Infirmary and nurses quarters were both in the building in the picture.
As I recall sick campers entered the right hand door and the door on the far
left was a separate entrance to the nurse's room(s). The Infirmary was at
the far end of the Senior section and near the start of the trail up to
Brownbread.

Waterfront

L to R Brian Handspicker (14), Meredith "Jerry" Handspicker, Joseph Larson (15)

Note: Pete Mandell in the background between Brian and Jerry.

Waterfront

Joe Larson remembers the threat of fires on the Cape.

2011-08-30T14:08:00.003-05:00

While waitng for Hurricane Irene to hit Massachusetts this last weekend I thought about Camp Clark and what we would have been facing as counselors were a storm like this to arrive durning the camp season. The closest that I could come to such an event was to recall our concern about forest fires which were common on the Cape in the 1940's and 1950's.

Fire brooms and buckets were posted around the camp. Anxious parents would sometimes call to Director if they heard of a fire at Camp Edwards Army camp, but thank goodness that during my years we never had a serious threat.

Joe Larson

Thanks Joe for the memory and for passing it on. Wayne

40 years ago this pass weekend. A memory from Paul Daffine

2011-08-29T11:53:00.002-05:00

"I realized something today. It was 40 years ago this past weekend that we pulled the docks out, pulled the boats out and shutdown Camp Clark for the last time. We did it all while awaiting a tropical storm. That night we eat steaks and smoked cigars in the dining hall, not knowing it would be the last time." Paul Daffine

As sad as that thought is to me I am forever thankful that Camp Lyndon has survived and is still there as a great reminder of the great place we all knew as Camp Clark.

Thanks Paul for giving us all an opportunity to remember it as it was.

Wayne Griffiths

Great recollections from the "Senior Section".

2010-12-13T21:47:00.006-06:00

What follows are the personal recollections of Joseph S. Larson. This is a wonderful window into the history of Camp Clark of 62 years ago. For those of us who followed Joe and his peers his memories answers questions about buildings, people and of course Camp Clark folklore.

Joe's recollections personally brought back fond memories of my time at the camp and I'm sure they will stir similar memories from other readers. Morning swims anyone?

I hope that this is the first of many personal histories we all get to share.

Thanks to Joe for taking the time to share his memories and the extra bonus of a 1943 U.S.G.S. topographical map of the Camp Clark layout 67 years ago. Thankfully, really not much has changed.

CAMP CLARK RECOLLECTIONS
Joseph S. Larson

I first came to Camp Clark as a camper in the summer of 1948, along with my friend Brian Handspicker. We were from Malden, Mass. Just about all the rest of the campers and counselors were from the greater New Bedford area. We were there because the camp Director, G. (George) Latimer Hannum, had previously been head of the youth program at the Malden YMCA. He had hired Brian’s older brother Meredith “Jerry” as a counselor, so Brian and I tagged along as campers. All three of us had been to a Boy Scout camp for two or three summers in New Hampshire so this seemed to be a chance for a new experience with friends. Brian and I turned out to be the oldest campers that summer.

Sandwich MA 1943 (revised 1947) USGS map.

One of the rituals at Camp Clark at that time was to require each new camper to either perform a feat or give a speech at the campfire. I chose to give a speech. I forget what the overall theme was but at one point I referred to all the counselors, who were sitting on logs at the fire’s edge, as “bumps on the logs.” That went over big with the campers and the Director seemed to laugh harder than anyone else. Pretty brash for a new camper from “foreign” parts, however.

Brian and I had not signed up for the full summer, but the camp experienced a larger influx of campers at the time we were to leave. The second floor of the Craft Shop had to be opened (capacity 14 campers) and required staffing, so the Director asked Brian and me if we would like to stay on a sort of Counselor trainees (no pay, just room and board). We did, largely because it would elevate us above the campers who seemed much younger than we and we liked the camp better than our experience at the Scout camp. I think that the Senior Counselor I served with was Ellsworth “Brookie” Baker.

This was the first time, other than baby-sitting, that anyone had given me responsibility for other people and it proved to be an important turning point in my life. I was short on self-confidence and had a limited circle of friends at home. That’s where the rest of the counselor staff came to the rescue. Despite not being from southeastern Mass. I was accepted into their ranks and there were many whom I liked and admired. And they knew how to have a good time while still taking good care of their campers. Peter Mandell and Jim Shepley were two who I looked to for examples. Pete had been at Camp Clark since dirt had been invented and had a great sense of humor. Jim exhibited a gruff exterior but was a good practical soul underneath the surface. Others, like Dick Davenport and Bruce Bochman were both good leaders and good athletes. I began to observe their leadership skills and practical child psychology. Dealing with homesick kids and the occasional smart kid determined to run away to home were periodic challenges. Learning that a few rules plainly stated to campers and consistently applied was more effective than a long list of do’s and don’ts. Keeping a cap on a potential bullying and reinforcing the egos of shy campers were part of my learning as well.

I guess that I passed muster that first summer because I was invited to return as a Junior Counselor the next summer serving first in Y Cabin with Norm Purdy as the Senior Counselor and working with him in the Craft Shop. Because, unlike most of the other counselors, we worked inside, Pete Mandell referred to us as the “mushroom growers.” Pete served on the waterfront and sported a great tan. I recall that summer also produced a higher than planned enrollment of campers and again I was pressed into service for larger responsibility. Brookie Baker had managed to pretty much cover himself with creosote while treating the exterior of some of the cabins before camp opened, got too much sun, and had to return home for medical care. My recollection was that I was put in charge of the 14 camper lodging in the second floor of the Craft Shop. The youngest camper was age 7 and the oldest age 14. The 7 year old was too young for camp, came with a stuffed doggy toy and was terribly homesick. One night I came back from the dining hall to find the 14 year-old, Lynn Duckworth, up in the rafters chasing a bat. I think that the only reason that I was given this assignment was that the lodging for the Assistant Camp Director, Ben Wilson, was next to the bunk room on the second floor and he could come to my rescue if necessary. It was never necessary, but probably just knowing that he was only a partition away may have helped kept the lid on the older campers.

Flush toilets were few at the camp and most everyone used the outhouses. Hot water showers were non-existent and most of us took a dip in the pond right after flag-raising every morning – rain or shine. Sunday morning dips were mandatory for all campers and staff. Electricity was available in most camp buildings – except the three cabins of the Junior Section and Ike Babbitt cabin. All camper bunks were made of a sheet of heavy canvas hung between a couple of planks. Counselors had spring cots.

I liked reading stories to the campers after taps to get them settled at night, but I did venture to cook up a ghost story.

After telling the story one night I went to a counselor’s meeting in the dining hall. After the meeting I returned to the campers, walking up the outside stairs of the Craft Shop to the second floor bunk room. I found the screen door latched shut and had to open it by slipping a blade of my jack knife between the frame and door jamb. I then found the storm door shut as well and had to push hard to get it open. It was blocked by a pile of camper’s trunks. As I stumbled into the bunk room I was caught in the cross beams of about a dozen flashlights and submitted to a hail of shoes and sneakers. When the cabin lights came on I saw that most of the campers were on top bunks with a supply of footwear for ammunition. The campers all claimed that when they heard steps on the stairs they thought that it was the ghost and were ready to repel boarders. Who was I to say otherwise?!

I continued to serve as a counselor though the summer of 1953. Our family did not have a car, so I would pack a big trunk and have it picked up at our home by Railway Express who would see that the trains would deliver it to the Sandwich rail station a few days before I arrived. I would carry a small luggage bag and my sleeping bag to the Malden train station and take a train to Boston’s North Station, then take the Boston Elevated Railway to South Station and board the train to the Cape. Someone, often Hap Greenhalgh, would meet me at the Sandwich station with the camp truck. We would go to fetch the trunk from the Railway Express office in the center of the town and head for the Camp to put in a week opening up the camp – fixing screens, painting boats, creosoting the cabins, etc.

The basic length of time for a camper to stay at camp was two weeks. Parents and friends were told that the Sunday between the two weeks was not a visiting day, but someone would always ignore that and arrive, making new campers who had cast off homesickness start all over again. The Camp Director usually avoided this problem by sending the entire camp out for a hike along the back Cape roads right after lunch. Any unplanned visitors who arrived were warmly greeted by Ben Wilson, Assistant Camp Director, who would profusely apologize that everyone was out of camp on a trip and would not be back until supper.

Taking campers on overnight trips was always fun. Junior campers would hike to Spectacle Pond where we would use a row boats to ferry them over to an isolated beach on the north shore, sleep on the beach, fix breakfast there in morning, row back and hike to Camp the next day. Seniors would go on longer trips usually to another pond site often for more than one night. The annual 7-mile hike from Camp to the dunes of Sandy Neck, Barnstable, on Cape Cod Bay was always memorable. At that time there was little public access and use of the dunes. The new U.S. Route 6 had not been built and we passed few homes until we got near today’s Route 6A. Today there is a paved road from 6A to the dunes, a public parking area and people everywhere. The camp truck took supplies for two or three nights, plus our sleeping bags. On the dunes we could let the campers roam pretty freely and play in the surf because we could see just about everything on the landscape. Those who had contracted poison ivy at camp learned how sea water would help clear it up. We slept out on the dunes in sleeping bags and the campers learned to leave their shoes and sneakers upside down in the sand when they went to bed to prevent the night dew from wetting the inside of the footwear. Lying on the dunes at night looking for shooting stars and lighthouse beams and watching the sun rise up out of Cape Cod bay and the fishing boats tend their fish traps was a treat. Breakfast was cooked on the dunes by counselors and other meal supplies had been brought by truck.

I had Ike Babbitt cabin as the sole counselor for part of one summer. It was prized because of its remote location uphill behind the dining hall and was without electricity. I told the campers that they were specially selected for this cabin. They were all about 11years old, still able to be organized as a team when necessary but just starting to take on individual responsibility. They liked their “special” status and they turned out to be one of the best camper groups I ever had.

I later became Head Counselor of the three cabin Junior Section-also without electricity. My Junior Counselor was Jim Brown, a waterfront sailing person, and the bat-chasing Lynn Duckworth was a counselor under my charge in one of the other three Junior cabins. I continued to read to the campers at night, but milder stuff than the ghost story. The lack of electricity gave me an edge in getting the kids to sleep. We had a kerosene hurricane lamp in each of the three cabins. The lamp wick mechanism in these is such that the lit wick casts thin line of light to each side when the flame burns low. I would start reading the story with the wick set for full light output (without smoking up the glass chimney) from the lamp wick, and as the story progressed periodically and slowly turn the wick down until there was just enough light shining down the line to my book. The cabin had darkened, and when the story ended, half the campers had fallen asleep and I would blow out the lamp.

Over the six summers I spent at Camp Clark, my job as a Craft Shop counselor changed to Nature counselor. I was interested in the natural outdoors and nature lore. Director Hannum had the camp pay the $25 fee for me to take a nature counselor’s course at the Museum of Science in Boston. I caught hog-nosed snakes at camp, feeding them toads, and took campers on nature walks. Years later I became a professional wildlife biologist and eventually a professor at UMass, Amherst. I often looked back at the summers at Camp Clark, knowing that had I had more training and experience, I would have been a much better nature counselor.

I can’t think about Camp Clark without automatically thinking about my fellow counselors, some of whom I first met when they were campers: Jim Brown, Lynn Duckworth, Bob Mills, George Wright, “Nick”, Jim Shepley, Bruce Bochman, “Duke” Davenport, Norm Purdy, David Breneke, “Zeo” Zimmerman, Pete Mandell, “Hap” Greenhalgh, Jim Whitehurst, and others. Floyd Reed and his wife ran the kitchen for most of the summers that I was there and fed us well, although having to put up with our criticism of his pudding. “Uncle” Bob Hastings was a camp legend in those days, appearing periodically to check things out. Years later, when I returned to UMass Amherst as a faculty member, I would became well acquainted with his brother Donald and sister-in-law Phyllis and their daughter Cindy, who ran track and cross country with our older daughter. The Amherst branch of the Hastings family owned and operated an old-time news and stationery store in the center of the town that is still operated as “A. J. Hastings” by a family member today.

My Camp Clark experience was one of the best that a young guy could have at the point where one’s life begins to come together. The people I knew and worked with filled the “my gang” role that I never had in Malden - where only one friend was interested in joining me in exploring the woods of the nearby Middlesex Fells Reservation. The setting of Camp Clark was beautiful and still is today, thanks to the efforts of former counselors and campers who fought off the efforts of misguided people who wanted to sell it to a builder of sub-divisions. I feel glad that I had a small part in that effort every time I think of or visit the camp or see it from across Lawrence Pond from Great Hill Road. It is great that the site continues, as YMCA Camp Lyndon, to serve campers from the Cape communities.

December, 2010
Pelham, Massachusetts

This is the full section of the Sandwich MA (1943) map that Joe Larson provided. The small section above is the section of Lawrence Pond and Camp Clark..

Photos, pennant, swimming and membership cards. Thanks Brian Cormier

2010-11-30T19:04:00.108-06:00

These great additions to the website were emailed to me today. The were sent by Brian Cormier Acushnet Mass.

These two cards are great. The first one has the Camper's name Brian Cormier And Robert M. Hastings (Uncle Bob). The second card is a swimming award card. In this case Minnow. If memory serves me right Minnow was the first award you earn in Y.M.C.A. swimming programs. This card has Alan Hastings signature on it. At the time he was the Aquatic Director.

These 4 cards span the years 1967-1970.

Written on the back of this picture. Kevin Reese he lives Brooklyn, NY his dad is a chef.

Dan Murphy writes: Kevin Reese was one on my favorite campers. He was from NY city, and incredibly good natured. Couldn't swim worth sh*t. I was a either a councilor or a JC in New cabin when I had Kevin.

Written on the back. Pat Whitehurst from Maryland and Kevin Bamford from Yarmouth- I do not think the Kevin identification is correct as I remember him as being skinny and with blond hair.

Written on the back... a picture of Craigleigh Cabin and on the back it says- first cabin.

Additional notes from Brian Cormier Acushnet Mass email.....

[My] Mom's body may be failing but her mind is sharp as ever and she says that the first year I went to Clark I stayed in Craigleigh which is supported by the picture, the next year I stayed above the craft shop ( I think this was Cowah?), the following year I stayed up behind the mess hall I do not recall the name of this cabin and then the next two years I believe I stayed in Gordon cabin.

I also have some pages from the Camp Clark Bullfrog Bulletin but attempts to scan them do not go well as they are old mimeographs on colored paper and are barely readable after scanning.

Additional photos at Camp Clark. Taken in 1997 on my day of rediscovery.

2010-11-14T09:15:00.003-06:00

The photos in this post were taken in 1997 on my surprise rediscovery of Camp Clark. Now called Camp Lyndon. All of these photos were taken by my sister Cheryl. For a short time (2 weeks) in the early 1960's my Mom 'volunteered' to serve as the camp cook. She packed her bags and my sisters bags and drove to the camp to fill in for the cook who quit just after breakfast. So for two weeks that summer my Mom, sisters and I were all at Camp Clark. To read how I rediscovered Camp Clark read this.

Boathouse viewed from what used to be the entrance to the swimming area.

Look close in these two photos. Just to the right of the building, before the dock, sitting in the grass is a boat with a mast. I believe that is the "Duck" sailboat that I learned to sail.

This photo was taken up toward the boathouse. Look carefully straight back and you can see the dinning hall and below that the flagpole and baseball field.

On the day we returned to Camp Clark in 1997 this building was the nature shack. At least that is what it's content led me to believe.

Old and for that matter current campers should recognize this as the dining hall. During my time at Camp Clark we ate three meals in this large room. It was also used for evening activities. An occasional movie. And activity space on rainy days. One of my favorite memories was singing camp songs after the noon and evening meals.

This was my Mom's kitchen for a brief two weeks in the early 1960's. Although at the time the ceilings had open rafters will a little overhead storage. On at least one occasion the rafters were the 'high ground' for a water balloon fight that my Mom was the target of. She was always a great sport and she worked hard to control the workers so no one got hurt while laughing and ducking the balloon. Now boys, boys lets not get to carried away......SPLASH! Oh what a memory it still makes me smile.

Ah! the dish room many a former worker remembers this room. Although at the time the room was reversed from this arrangement. The dishwasher was on the wall between the dish room and the kitchen. This view is looking toward the back of the building toward the camp fire area. Behind the photographer is the kitchen, the front of the building and the lake.

It's summer. It always brings thoughts of Camp Clark. New ex-camper.

2010-06-10T11:43:00.002-05:00

Danny Butler 1966-1970 writes:

I attended Camp Clark from about 1966-1970. CIT and junior counselor. Lots of memories of events and activities, very few of names. My last two summers I was there all summer; the first few for shorter sessions. My best memories were massive games of Capture the Flag, winning the most archery awards, helping to run the nature cabin, and some occasional mischief.

I have added Dan to the email list. Hope this post and email find you all well.

Camp Clark 2009. How about a reunion in 2010 or 2011? Thanks Paul D.

2009-10-13T19:36:00.009-05:00

Fireplace in the Dining Hall.

Dishwasher room.

Dining Hall from the road.

Camp fire. Behind the dining hall. The wooden walk ways are probably new in the last two summers. They were not there in Feb 2007.

The stage in the dining hall.

Ike Babbit and Ted Babbit.

Lawrence Pond 2009.

Boathouse and swimming dock 2009.

Swimming area.

View from Brownbread.

View from Brownbread.

Y-Cabin.

Jr. Cabins

Gordon Cabin.

Whitehurst cabin.

Uncle Bob's cabin.

Northfield. From the Comments:

That photo labeled Northfield is a huge field, about the size of two football fields. It is flat and not rocky at all. (I never remember any field that wasn't rocky)
It is located up behind where Ike Babbit used to be. They must have just bulldozed out all the trees and leveled the whole thing. It has a climbing wall and a rope course and looked to be set up for soccer when I was there.
Paul

Swimming award from the jewelry box.

2009-07-21T19:37:00.002-05:00

My wife Donna just handed me this small pin. When I asked where it came from she said it was hers and she had it in her jewelry box.

Her question to me was "do you know how hard I had to work to earn this".

My answer was yes I do. All beginning swimmers work very hard to earn at the very least your beginners award.

At some point... the first day.... the first hour or ...the first minute you're sure you are going to drown.

Getting beyond that is hard work.

On my must do list. Fly fish Lawrence Pond for Largemouth Bass.

2009-07-20T20:26:00.009-05:00

I have lots of fond memories of the days I spent at Camp Clark. Learning to swim, sail, water ski, paddle a canoe and row a boat. All of these activities / skills I still use today. The one thing I have no memory of is fishing. Although I fished with my dad all around the Cape. I never "wet a line" on Lawrence Pond.

A quick Goggle of Lawrence Pond fishing provide these resources.
See here. And fish survey here. And here for a little history.

Ron Sousa (1970) provides some cool memorabilla. Thanks Ron.

2009-03-01T17:18:00.011-06:00

Hi Mom, When you sent me all the gum,Uncle Bob opened it and took it out.So I didn't get it. I told you don't send me gum. Hope the kids are o.k. How are you feeling,did pinky win any ribbons.Ma I made a lanyard. And a recipe holder. I passed chief boatsmens mate. Love Ron.

Now for a little explanation-Hope the kids are o.k.-refers to my four brothers, How are you feeling-refers to my mothers slipped disk in her back, did pinky win any ribbons-refers to pedigree rabbits we owned and brought to 4-H fairs and they were judged and awarded prizes

HI Wayne,this is Ron Souza again,well my mother and I found the postcard that I had sent to my grandfather and there is a postal stamp on it with a date/July 23,1970 ,which is about a week before my 10 th, birthday,I turned 10, on August 5th. Ron

The writing on the back says -I am feeling very well.the activity I liked best today was:arts and crafts,I made 8 things. Boating is fun to.Hope your feeling well grandpa. I'm having a fun time. Love,Ronald

T-Shirt Logo. Again Jonathan Rodwin has the cool stuff.

2008-09-12T21:55:00.001-05:00

Cool shirt.

This style logo with the straight block lettering is a newer generation than I remember. I have photos of t-shirts and sweat shirts in the early sixty's where the Camp Clark lettering looks like the letters are made from logs. Notice that the bugler and the bugle have been re-worked from the version that was on Jonathan's hat.

This is the version I remember.
Does anyone have a t-shirt or sweatshirt that shows the logo clearer than this shot.

Two submitted photos.

2008-09-12T21:14:00.002-05:00

Bill Pulver. Circa 1970-1971

Paul Daffinee. Circa 1998

Thanks for the photos.

Wayne

I found the Hastings family.

2008-09-12T10:56:00.001-05:00

For several years now I have been trying to locate the Hastings family. All of us I'm sure have fond memories of Uncle Bob and most of us have memories of his wife and children.

Today I had a light go on. The 62 year old brain doesn't work as quick as it use to.

So a couple of phone calls later I had a lead. It was my lucky day because I was able to get the YMCA Retirement Fund to call Alan Hastings and ask him to call me.

Twenty minutes later the call came in.

Alan Hastings... the 3 year search for any family member was over. I found them all.

It saddens me to report that Mrs. Hastings and Uncle Bob have passed away.

But the kids are still here.

Alan, Donald, Warren and Janet.

Alan and I spend twenty minutes on the phone talking about his dad the camp and yes some of you guys.

As luck would have it Alan will be attending a family wedding this weekend and his brothers and sister will be there.

Alan gave me his email address and I have added him to our growing email list. I gave him the website address.

Hopefully we will get additional informations from Alan and his siblings.

Uncle Bob. This is the way I remember him. I'm sure he has a pipe in hand and his breast pocket contains his tobacco pouch. May he and Mrs. Hastings Rest in Peace.

Thanks again to all

Some comments and picture ID's from Dan Murphy

2008-09-10T21:08:00.000-05:00

Dan writes.... I'm Dan Murphy, 54 years old, currently living in Hopkinton MA (where the Boston Marathon starts). I was at camp from '64 (10 years old) until '71 as a counselor. I worked mostly on the waterfront, boating, and sailing. Camp years have given me some of the best memories of my life. After the camp was sold, I went to Camp Burgess just down the street on Spectacle Pond, and was a counselor there for just one year. Burgess had a little bit more money than Clark, and also had a great bunch of people working there.

These photos are from a previous post (March 08)

PHOTO #2

Dan ID's two guys in the above photo.

Two guys holding kids in the water are Mike Robinson (with hat) and Dick Riley.

Riley's name has been bugging me all day, and it finally popped into my head. He was probably the waterfront director at the time.

Mike Robinson was part of the Maryland contingent, and was my counselor at Ike Babbitt in '65, my second year. He was a very large guy, all muscle. Huge. Was a wrestler in college and I think he played football - would have been a great running back. Very intimidating guy because of his size, yet had a very quiet demeanor, perfect gentleman in a southern kind of way, big ear-to-ear grin, an "aw shucks" kind of guy. But don't piss him off. Mike actually had at least one date with my sister (6 years older than me). In later years, I think he had his wife with him at camp. Mike also became the waterfront director after Riley left.

I was in a junior lifesaving class with Mike as the instructor. Part of the class involved learning how to release holds a panicked victim may put on you. One requirement was the "water wrestling" component. You go out to deep water with another swimmer, he (as the victim) tries to drown you, and you try to break his holds. Very simple. Now, imagine your opponent is the captain of the U of Maryland wrestling team, you're treading water face to face, about 3-4 feet from his 22-inch neck and shoulders as wide as a pickup truck, trying to figure out how to get out of this alive.

PHOTO #4

Dan writes... There's a line of kids on the right side of the table. The fourth kid (blonde) has his arms stretched out holding a bird feeder(?) and wearing a striped shirt. I'm pretty sure that's me.

PHOTO #5

Dan writes... That's Harriet behind the counter on the right.

Another nugget from Jonathan Rodwin.

2008-09-10T20:10:00.000-05:00

Yet another great piece of memorabilia from Jon.

Maybe we can get Jon to auction off this great hat. What do you say Jon?

Anyone else jealous?

Well in any case Thanks for sharing.

Three recent views of Camp Clark (now Camp Lyndon)

2008-09-09T22:08:00.000-05:00

Google Earth view of Lawrence Pond. Looks kind of like the shadow of a bird or a bat. With that in mind. The camp is in the area of the "head". The small square is the swimming dock.

The junior section from the boat house. Left to right the cabins were:Kiwanis, Rotary, Craigleigh and Co-Wah (above the arts and craft shop). Thanks to Dan Murphy

The top of Brownbread hill. Looking across the lake. The camp bay is to my right side in this picture. The back bay is to my left. I'm standing on the crest of the hill that is now mostly over grown. I remember a set of log steps that formed an amphitheater down the hill toward the back bay.
None of that appears to be there now it is all over grown.

A question answered. Fifty years later.

2008-09-09T22:06:00.000-05:00

Tonight has been a great night. Over the last few days several new ex campers have contacted me. We have been exchanging emails and memories. More of these exchanges in days to come. But tonight I found the name of the cabin behind me in this picture. It was the Rotary cabin. I have search my memory for years but could not remember it's name.

Another piece of Camp Clark history.

2008-09-06T20:28:00.000-05:00

This "history" was originally written on February 23, 2004 by Pete Mandell and can be seen on this website.

Pete Mandell writes...

I know where it was. I was there for about 14 years – 1940 – 1954, as camper, counselor and finally Assistant Waterfront Director.

My best guess is that the year is about 1944 - because the tent just visible on the extreme right (“Tent Two” ) was replaced by a cabin (“Gordon Cabin”) in 1945.

Camp Clark began on that site, operated by the New Bedford (MA) YMCA in 1928 on the former farm owned by a Mr. Clark. It was sold by the New Bedford Y to the Cape Cod YMCA in 1971 (’72?) and renamed Camp Lyndon – as a memorial to the late, youthful Lyndon Lorusso.

This information added by Shutterwi.

Additional charitable works of The Lyndon Paul Lorusso Charitable Memorial Fund can be seen here, here and here. The Lyndon Paul Lorusso Charitable Memorial Fund honors the memory of Lyndon Lorusso, who died in 1971 at age 17. It was founded by Lyndon’s parents, Paul and Lila Lorusso, and has provided millions of dollars to help the youth of Cape Cod.

The Lorusso family provided funding to the Cape Cod Y to purchase the camp. It’s current address is 117 Stowe Road, Sandwich, MA. Basic info on Camp Lyndon can be found here.

Camp Clark maintained a mailing address in Marstons Mills throughout the 1940's and ‘50's, changing it to Sandwich sometime following that period.

The New Bedford YMCA wanted to sell the site to private developers in the early 1970's. The writer and a group on concerned former campers and staff banded together to prevent that from happening and were finally successful in having the campsite sold to the Cape Cod YMCA.

How I rediscovered Camp Clark.

2008-08-27T19:24:00.001-05:00

In a previous post I promised I would explain how I rediscovered Camp Clark. Well here it is.

I spent many summers at Camp Clark in the late 1950s early 1960s. My last summer was probably 1961 or 1962. In October 1965 I enlisted in the USAF.

Sometime during that four year enlistment I received a call and I believe a written correspondence from former Camp Clark campers via my parents. The campers were trying to save the camp from being sold to a land developer. I believe my parents and I sent money or made a pledge to send money to the committee. At that time I was a medic in the USAF and did not have direct contact with the organizers of the group trying to save the camp. I do remember at some point receiving a message that the camp had been sold.

I know my parents and I believed for many years that the camp had been sold and we imagined it was now a housing development. Over the years my mom and I often talked about Camp Clark.

After getting discharged from the Air Force in 1969 I moved back to my hometown. I got married and started a family. In 1973 my wife Donna and I had our first son Scott. Life went on. I would often think about the camp usually in the warming spring and summer months. The thoughts were joyful and depressing at the same time. The joys of remembering the great days of swimming, boating, crafts and nature walks were quickly accompanied by the depressing thoughts of a housing development sitting on the shore of Lawrence Pond.

In 1978 we moved to Wisconsin. Many times over the years I would think of Camp Clark. I'm sure I told and retold some of my favorite stories. The stories of learning to water ski and sailing a boat. The stories of the time my mom volunteered to be the camp cook after the camp cook left one morning between breakfast and lunch. Stories about Uncle Bob and DC (Dave Cowell). I know I tried to find gimp on more than one occasion so I could may a lanyard. A craft skill I learned at camp. I know I've made more than one lanyard over the years and still use one as a key chain.

For the next 30+ years life moved on. Thoughts of the camp were never far away especially during the warm summer months.

Over the years when we would return to New England for a visit we would always visit Plymouth and the Cape. Oh how I wanted to see Camp Clark just one more time. Unfortunately I never had the desire or the courage to seek out the site of the "former" Camp Clark. Instead I choose to hold on to my memories of that great place.

On one visit to home in 1997 I was "down on the cape" visiting my nephew who, at the time was living and working on the cape. Ryan was working at a local Cape Cod lumber yard in the Sandwich area. Ryan, his mother Cheryl, my wife Donna and I were out doing a little sight seeing.

At some point along the way I started to talk about Camp Clark. I'm sure over the years Ryan had heard some if not all of my stories. I'll bet he even started to roll his eyes and thought here we go again the old camp stories. But, this time something was different, this time I said something that may him pause and ask me exactly where the camp was. I said somewhere around here on a small clear water pond. I then started to describe the camp as I had remembered it. At the entrance it open to a large field on the left with a large building, the chow hall, on a small hill with a flag pole out front and the water front on the right and....he stop me and said that camp is still there unk (short for uncle).

Then we started an all to common give and take between Ryan and myself.....No it's not!....yes it is unk!....I've been there delivering lumber.....You couldn't have it was sold in the late 1960s.....unk it IS STILL THERE!....It's not!.....It is AND I'll show you!

Twenty minutes later we drove down a long sand drive that didn't look at all familiar. The drive open onto a large gravel parking lot that was not an entrance to the Camp Clark I remembered. On the right I could see water but it was to open and to treeless to be Camp Clark. Then there was a sign at the back of the parking lot that read Camp Lyndon. Nice try Ryan but this isn't.........wait STOP! On the left the chow hall, the flag pole, the field, on the right the water front, the boat house. Camp Clark oh what a feeling of being there again. I told you unk it is still here. He was right and he had a I told you so smirk on his face.

I'm sure I was getting out of the car before it stopped. I head straight toward the chow hall. The moment I walked in the front door and heard the screen door slam behind me I knew I was in the place I had remembered. It even smelled the same. Tears of joy and laughter.

For the next few hours we all wander the camp grounds while I told new stories of the nature shack and the sail boats and the early morning swims we all had to take each morning.

Then in the middle of all the joy of seeing the camp for the first time in 30+ years I suddenly had a moment or real sadness. It was 1998 my oldest son Scott was now 25 years old and he didn't get the chance to spend anytime at Camp Clark. If I had only known it was still there In April of 1973. Or the summer of 1980 or 1981 when he was 7 or 8.

Later that day we went to my parents home and picked up my mom and drove back to the camp so she could see it. Later that week we returned to the camp and stayed a couple of night in the new family camp ground built adjacent to the junior area.

A recent visit

Scott and I did get to spend a great afternoon at the camp this past February. This is the same chow hall and flag pole I remembered from my first summer at camp. I hope that we will get to spend a week at the camp. Maybe next summer.

The original Camp Clark entrance sign!

2008-08-26T19:16:00.000-05:00

I want to thank Jonathan E. Rodwin for contacting me and sending these photos. It sure is good to see that entrance sign again.

What a great treasure for an old Camp Clark camper to have. I'm jealous!

The sign in Jonathan's basement.

Jonathan writes...
"Its only been on display a few weeks, after spending 37 odd years in my parent's attic. I brought it back with me to Buffalo a few months ago, when my parents insisted I finally clean out some of my old stuff from their house, and I put it in the utility room in our basement. But my wife, sensing that the sign had a mysterious hold over me, surprised me one day in early August by putting the sign up in the basement. Maybe that's what got me thinking about Camp Clark, and made me decide to Google the camp this past weekend."

Jonathan's memories:

I was a camper, CIT, Junior Counselor and Counsel at Camp Clark. At the last council fire of the year, each of us threw pine cones into the fire, one pine cone for each year we attended camp. I believe that in my final year at camp, I had 7 pine cones to throw into the fire, one for each year I was there.

I loved Camp Clark -- even today, many of my fondest childhood memories are from Camp Clark. I was at Camp Clark as a counsel in its last year, 1971, before the camp was sold.

I have what is perhaps the "holy grail" of Camp Clark memorabilia -- the approx 3 foot by 4 foot sign that was against a tree by the dirt road entrance to camp. I found the sign abandoned at the entrance to the camp in the late fall of 1971 (my last visit to the camp property), so I rescued it. For many years the sign was in the attic in my parents' house in Connecticut, but I re-found the sign, brought it back to my house in Buffalo, New York, and it is now on display in my basement.

I have a variety of other Camp Clark memorabilia at my house and some still at my parent's house. I'll make an effort to take pictures and send them to you. I know I still have my Camp Clark hat (red hat with the camp logo on the front) because I brought that back to Buffalo with the sign. Somewhere, deep in my dresser, I think I still have my Camp Clark counselor's polo shirt (very worn).

And finally........

Did I see something on your blog speculating about how the council fire was started? I can give you the details of how the "exothermic chemical reaction" was created if you are interested -- it was my job for a time to prepare the council fire!

Current directions to Camp Clark. Camp Lyndon.

2008-05-10T19:02:00.000-05:00

Cross the Sagamore Bridge onto the Cape.

Camp Clark (Camp Lyndon) is located at the red arrow on Lawrence Pond.

Do you remember this!

2008-05-10T17:06:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Ron Sousa for the photo of the Camp Clark patch.

Here are some of Ron's memories

I went to Camp Clark around 1970-1971, the picture of the Camp fire and awards ring sent shivers up my spine ,it looks exactly the same except for the picnic table,I remember we used to do archery somewhere behind the mess hall also,I am 47 years old now,and just last night I had asked someone I know who lives near sandwich,if he knew where camp Clark was because I too want to go back and revisit,he told me it was located at Spectacle pond,I remember we used to sleep about 8 kids to a cabin in bunk beds,I remember that there was an arts&crafts building right near the swimming area,the ball field was to the right of the mess hall,I remember the boat house and the house that was up a hill just past it,I remember having to get naked and bathing in the pond,with a bar of soap,I don't think there were any girls there except maybe one that lived in the house past the boathouse,my mother told me today that she still has a letter that I sent her telling her to stop sending me bubblegum because it was getting me in trouble,she also has a letter that I had sent my grandfather,I still have a patch that was on a hat from camp Clark, I hope there is a date on the letter to confirm what year I was there, I am so happy to see these pictures, I live in New Bedford,MA. the city never should have sold that Camp,what a mistake that was. I loved Camp Clark it played an important role in my
growing up as a youngster.The two things I liked best as a youngster was Lionel trains for Christmas and going to Camp Clark.

Aha! .... Mrs. Johnson and her daughter Juliet.

2008-04-14T20:58:00.001-05:00

Click once on the photo above to see the larger version. Look in the upper left corner of the group. I believe that is Mrs. Johnson.

For months I have tried to remember the name of the camp cook. Tonight for whatever reason out pops "Mrs. Johnson". Strange how memory works. Struggle for month to remember a name with no luck. Then out of the depths of memory pops Mrs. Johnson. I'm pretty sure that was her name. I'm also fairly sure her daughters name was Juliet or Julia. Hopefully one of the visitors to this site will either confirm that and / or correct my mistake.

Update:
Marshall R.
Mrs Johnsons daughter was named Lydia. In the group picture right in front of the flag pole is Warren Hastings. The tall guy to the right is Pete Upton. Next ot him is his brother Joe,then Spike Denny and Uncle Bob with Janice right in front of him. 2 kids to the left of Pete Upton is Clark Dagget. The 6th head to the left of the flag pole is Allen Hastings, the 8th is Bill Eckert

Marshall R. Please email me directly at shutterwi@gmail.com. If memory serves me right you and I were at Camp Clark at the same time.

Swimming Awards.

2008-04-14T20:01:00.001-05:00

In a previous post I wrote about learning to swim at Camp Clark and "Award Nights" at the end of session Campfire. These are the patches that were handed out at those award nights. I can still remember the feeling of hearing your name being called and walking up and getting your award.

Another website about Camp Clark.

2008-04-09T19:44:00.000-05:00

While doing a Google search for Camp Clark I stumble on this website.

Where Was Camp Clark?

Quite a few old campers have left comments including the following:

1. The camp has been around since the early 1940's
2. It was built on the site of the "old Mr. Clarks farm".
3. One of the cabin names was Gordon Cabin (1945)

The best comment was:

"I'm here to tell you that it was one of the greatest camps possible. It was populated by a corps of counselors who had largely been campers themselves, which led to long traditions and a corps of campers who came back for years."

That was the Camp Clark I remember.

I emailed the web master and hope to hear back.

A special thanks to PJ Richardson and his staff.

2008-03-30T20:55:00.000-05:00

Thanks to PJ and his staff for their hospitality during my recent visit to Camp Lyndon. PJ has provide me with a box of old photos and color slides from the Camp Clark era. I will be sorting, scanning and posting these photos up at this web site. I hope to attract former campers and their families. I would like to organize a reunion of old Camp Clark campers at Camp Lyndon.

Recent photos. February 2008.

2008-03-30T20:13:00.000-05:00

This is the sign at the front entrance. The road between the beach and the chow hall / flagpole is in the same location. The road is now lined with a split rail fence.

Looking toward the swimming beach. My son Scott and I in late February 2008.
For the "old timers" the beach should look familar although more open, less trees than I remember. Notice the junior cabins to the right of the photo.

This is the dedication plaque that is on the rock in the picture above.

My son Scott at the flag pole. Same flag pole and chow hall. I recently spent sometime inside wandering around. Old timers will still feel right at home. It brought more than one tear to my eyes. Same wooden floors. Same stage area. Kitchen and dish room have had a face lift but still look the same. The ceilings have been sheeted. No more open rafters.

Junior section taken from the boat house dock.

View toward the chow hall and softball field.

Camp fire and awards ring. Just over the hill from the back of the chow hall.

The boat house taken from the swimming beach.

Current Nature Shack. I think this is a new Nature shack. The old shack was in the same general location as I remember it.

This is the back bay it was a "secret swimming area" used by the some of the workers. It was behind the Nature Shack and at the foot of the hill where we would have Sunday night services.

Old photos. Do you know anyone in these photos?

2008-03-30T20:02:00.000-05:00

PHOTO #1

Circa 1967. This photo is a photocopy. I believe it was supplied by Brian E. Sandlin.

Update: April 19, 2008 - Back row far right is Jim Whitehurst. He was a PE teacher some where in the Baltimore area during the year. His wife's name was Harriet. Thanks to the Anonymous poster.

Back row center. Striped shirt..Paul D. Back row left..Dick Lindsey. Far right second row from top..Janet Hastings. Thanks Paul D. IDing these individuals.
I believe back row second from left...Spike(?).

PHOTO #2

Circa 1965. Notice the boat house now has a deck on the front. See the photos above.

PHOTO #3

Circa 1965. I learned to row a boat, paddle a canoe, sail, and water ski from this area.

PHOTO #4

Circa 1964. From the craft shack I learned to make and lanyard using gimp. I'm proud to say 45 some years later I can still whip out a lanyard. Water skiing however isn't quite as spontaneous and easy.

PHOTO #5

Circa 1963.

Update: April 19, 2008 - Back - Women is Harriet Whitehurst the wife of Jim Whitehurst (Assistant Camp Director). Thanks to the Anonymous poster.

PHOTO #6

Circa 1962.

PHOTO #7

Circa 1962. I believe the boat driver Bill Eckert. This is the Boston Whaler I learned to waterski behind.

PHOTO #8

Circa 1962. The adult in the upper left is Uncle Bob.

PHOTO #9

PHOTO #10

Circa 1962. Most of these photos were taken by: Commercial Photographer David L. Richards, 16 Davis Road, Braintree MA. Anyone know if the studio still exists?

Old Photos

2007-09-19T15:05:00.000-05:00

This is me and my younger sister Deb (see update below) circa 1957. I'm standing on the side of the first cabin I stayed in. I cannot remember it's name but hope to figure that out soon. This was my first day at Camp Clark.

Update: One of us appears to have failed math. She contends she is 3 in this picture and that it must have been taken 36 years ago. That would make her say 39 now. Here is the math problem. That would mean I'm 46. Understand being 46 is not the problem. Being 46 in the 60 year old body IS the problem.

This is me at roughly the same spot 40 years later and a "few" pounds heavier.

This is me circa 1960.

This was "Uncle Bob" Hastings in the early 1960's.

This is "Spike" circa 1960. I cannot remember his real name.

This I believe is Warren Hastings circa 1960.

This is a group photo taken circa 1960. Notice the flag pole and the chow hall that are both still there. Or at least they were in 1997. That's me the 5th from the right front row with the Camp Clark sweatshirt. I think the kid to my right is Donald Hastings.

The women on the left side of the photo was the camp cook. One day for what ever reason she up and quit. Packed her bags and left mid-morning. At that point we had no cook for approximately 100 campers. That's where my mom and sisters come in. I'll tell that story soon.

One little teaser. I had a teenage sister that summer. She got to spend several weeks at an all boys camp. Oh and did I mention that without showers we all had to take an early morning swim each morning. Oh one more thing no bathing suits this was bath time not swimming lesson time..

Memories of Camp Clark. Circa 1956-1966

2007-09-17T18:57:00.001-05:00

Google Earth Photo.

This is a Google Earth Photo of a YMCA camp on Cape Cod Mass.

CAMP CLARK as I remember it.

A-Uncle Bob's cabin and camp offices.
B-Boathouse that I "helped" build. I remember pounding nails in the new floor.
C-Chow hall and rainy day activity center.
D-Water front.
E-Junior campers cabin areas.

Camp Clark was owned by the New Bedford YMCA in the 1950 and 60's.

Now it's Camp Lyndon.

Summers at Camp Clark has to be one of my fondest childhood memories.

My Mom and Dad somehow managed to scrape together enough money to send me to this wonderful place.

Each day at Camp Clark started like THIS.

It was here that I learned to swim, sail, water ski and paddle a canoe. It is here that I learned to love nature. That I learned the basics of plant and animal life and exploring the outdoors. It was here that I learned to make a lanyard out of gimp.

I can remember the steam rising off the early morning water front and the sound of the screen doors slamming on the chow hall.

I can still see Uncle Bob (the camp director) and smell the sweet aroma of his pipe.

09/17/07 Update: Uncle Bob's assistant was a guy we called Spike. I'm sorry I cannot remember his name. Uncle Bob's family was from Marion MA where he lived at 48 Main Street until 1981. His family: Wife -Evelyn. Sons - Alan, Donald and Warren. I believe there was a daughter and she was the youngest.

I can still remember the end of session camp fires that included the great magic of a bonfire that started with a great flash of flames and a loud W.O..O..S..H you could hear and feel. NO matches NO flares and NO torches...just "magic".

This magic was created by an appropriate incantations of a senior councilor and as I learned many years later a well timed exothermic chemical reaction assisted by a commonly available accelerant. GAS! See the update below.

Maybe this is why they always had lot of shiny hand pumped fire extinguishers available. They were worried about the candles!

A campfire that included games and fun competitions like laying head to head on the ground with a mouthful of water and a flaming candle on the ground between the each contestant. The object being to extinguish thecandle.

A camp fire where we each received our awards for swimming (minnow, flyingfish, shark, junior and senior life saving). I can still remember the pride of hearing your name being called and getting a badge or certificate to signify your success.

I can still remember the chow hall with it's long tables. One table for each of the many cabins. A long table with the campers and their counselor and CIT (counselor in training). The food served family style. The boxes of cold cereal the we would cut open along the dotted H line and simply pour in milk. Platters of pancakes, french toast, and bacon.

I can still remember the camp songs sung in the chow hall after the noon meal.
Two of my favorites.
Bill Grogan's Goat. Lyrics here.
There's a Hole at the Bottom of the Sea. Lyrics here.

I can still remember the dish-room it's sound and smells and the time I had to spend cleaning dishes when our cabin pulled kitchen duty.

I can still remember the required afternoon rest periods in our cabin bunks.

I can still remember the Sunday evening services on Brown Bread Hill with it's very own "Old Rugged Cross". It was a YMCA camp after all. Lyrics to the Old Rugged Cross HERE. Listen HERE.

I can still remember the the sorrow of seeing mom and dad's car pulling away on that very first Sunday of my very first summer, the tears and the fears of them leaving me at this strange unknown place. And yes, I can still remember the disappointment of the Saturday morning two weeks later when I had to go home. I can remember begging them to let me go back. PLEASE! PLEASE!

And of course, I STILL have great memories of this great place on Lawrence Pond on Cape Cod Mass.

Today some fifty years later it still is a summer camp where boys and now, girls learn to swim, sail, have campfires and learn crafts.

Today it is called Camp Lyndon. Still a wonderful place and a wonderful story.

A story of how my 25 year old nephew in the summer of 1997 helped me re-discover the "lost" Camp Clark... The story of the day 45 years later when I returned to these fond memories and sights.... This story I will tell someday soon. Hopefully, with pictures if I can find them.

Updates: Here is that promised story with pictures.

Each day at Camp Clark ended like THIS.
Day is done, gone the sun,
From the hills, from the lake,
From the sky.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.

09/16/07 UPDATE: Today I posed the following question to a local college chemistry professor "what commonly available chemicals might be used to start a fire by an exothermic reaction". His answer was dead on. Read this. Read the section that describes USES. OH by the way DO NOT try this at home.

This solves an old mystery for me. I guess it wasn't the incantations after all. Thanks R.D.

Alumni site for YMCA Camp Clark Sandwich MA

2007-09-17T14:30:00.000-05:00

Welcome!

I'm hoping to make this site a gathering point for former Camp Clark campers.

I spent many summers at Camp Clark circa 1957-1962.

Camp Clark is now Camp Lyndon and you old campers will be glad to hear that it is alive, well maintained and for the most part has not changed much.

This is the website for: Camp Lyndon

I want to thank "PJ" from Camp Lyndon for taking the time to talk to me and encourage this endeavor.

I'm hoping to organize a reunion at the camp on Lawrence Pond.

If you have access to a computer try visiting this site for a great satellite view.
Google Earth website