Figure 1.--Here we see a cabin at Camp Mowana. It was a boys' camp with a required uniform rather like the Boy Scouts. |
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Summer camp is a long established ritual for American boys which has roots in the late 19th century. It is a tradition that has now spread to many other countries. It is noted in lesser annals of the American national saga that organized camping for children began just a mite over a century ago, in 1861. Founding father and spiritual leader of summer camping was one Frederick W. Gunn. The two most important groups involved in American camping have been the Scoutsm both Boys and Girl Scouts anf the YMCA/YWCA. The Camp Fire Girls, now Camp Fire were also important. Many private camps for affluent children appeared in the 1920s, some earlier. Many of these camps also had uniforms, often short pants. For some boys, the only shorts they wore were their simmer camp shorts. Many other camps did not have uniforms, but boys often wore shorts. Many camps in 1920s through 50s had camp uniforms that all the boys wore. These were often the expensive fee-paying camps for children from affluent families.
Summer camp is a long established ritual for American boys which has roots in the late 19th century. It is a tradition that has now spread to many other countries. It is noted in lesser annals of the American national saga that organized camping for children began just a mite over a century ago, in 1861. Founding father and spiritual leader of summer camping was one Frederick W. Gunn, a Yale man, whose inspiration it was to hitch several boys to a wagon and a cow, thereby insuring a fresh supply of milk, and blaze a trail into the wilds of Milford, Connecticut, where they set up a camp-site. "Gypsying," it was called in those days. Mr. Gunn might be at a loss to know what to call it now. Among professional camping people it is no idle question, having split their ranks and poised them upon the sharp edge of an agonizing reappraisal: What, they ask "eying the $1,000 tuitions, the toirid pursuit of Culture, the gentle amenities of plumbing, screening, and innerspring mattresses" what the devil is camping in these splendidly appointed times?
Summer camp is a long established ritual for American boys which has roots in the late 19th century. It is a tradition that has now spread to many other countries. The popularity of summer camps has varied greatly from country to country and over time. We have noted that summer camps are especially popular in America, France, and the Netherlands. Summer camps in other countries such as England, Germany,
Italy, and the Sovirt Union were more associated with the youth organizatios in hose countries which were in some cases state supported. Some counties like American and France had programs to provide summer camp experiences to poor children, variously supported by private or state charities.
The two most important groups involved in American camping have been the Scoutsm both Boys and Girl Scouts anf the YMCA/YWCA. The Camp Fire Girls, now Camp Fire were also important. American Scouts who wore knickers until the 1940s and mostly long panys until the 1970s, did wear shorts for campong. The YMCA also was a major factor in promoting summer camp. I believe that some Y camps had uniforms--the only I attended in the 1960s did not.
Many private camps for affluent children appeared in the 1920s, some earlier. Many of these camps also had uniforms, often short pants. For some boys, the only shorts they wore were their simmer camp shorts. Many other camps did not have uniforms, but boys often wore shorts.
The early summer camps in America were primarily focused on outdoor activities like camping and hiking. An outgrowth of camoing became fireside proograms. There were also skits which became a part of evening programs. Wide games were another popular activity. Sports were not a major focus, although they were no entirely absent. This varied from camp to camp. What was present at most camps were water activities, especially swimming and boating. Boating activities varied, but canoeing and sailing were usually very important. Another popular activity at early camps was handicrafts. I am not sure, but I think a factor here may have Dan Beard and his influence on Scouting. Gradually the programs at cazmp expanded, especially after World War II. This has lead to the modern situation in which there are a wide variety of summer camp programs with many specialized camps.
Many camps in 1920s through 50s had camp uniforms that all the boys wore. These were often the expensive fee-paying camps for children from affluent families. Often the uniform was a "t" shirt, often with a camp logo, and short pants--usually simple boxer shorts--sometimes with a side strope. While comfortable, they had the disadvantage that there no or few pockets. This was a major disadvantage for any red-blooded American boy who liked to put away little treasures from frogs to rocks. Often less expensive or charity camps did not have uniforms.
We would like to collect some information about individual summer camps but have not yet been able to find very many accounts. One reader has forwarded information about Camp Mowana for Boys. Early camps often had Native American names. Most early camps were for boys and when girl's camp first appeared they were separate fromn the boys' camps. Camp Mowana was located for Boys on Echo Lake, Readfield Maine. The camp had a variety of activities. There were black cooks, but no black campers. The campers competed for all sorts of awards. The camp had a required uniform rather like a Boy Scout uniform (figure 1).
Early camps did not have uniforms. One of the leading groups prompting summer camp was the Boy Scouts which of course did have unififorms. American Scouts who wore knickers until the 1940s and mostly long panys until the 1970s, did wear shorts gro campong. The YMCA also was a major factor in promoting summer camp. Many private camps for affluent children appeared in the 1920s, some earlier. Many of these camps also had uniforms, often short pants. For some boys, the only shorts they wore were their summer camp shorts. Many other camps did not have uniforms, but boys often wore shorts. Ecventually a style of short pants appeared in America that was specifically designed for camping. Theswe camp shorts hada major impact on the American Scout uniform.
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