Camp Atwater facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Camp Atwater
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Shore Rd., North Brookfield, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 67 acres (27 ha) |
| Built | 1921 |
| NRHP reference No. | 82004477 |
| Added to NRHP | April 15, 1982 |
Camp Atwater is a historic summer camp located on Shore Road in North Brookfield, Massachusetts. It was started in 1921 by Dr. William N. DeBerry. The camp sits right on the shores of Lake Lashaway.
The camp was first called St. John's Camp. In 1926, it received a large donation of $25,000 from Mary Atwater. She wanted to honor her late father, Dr. David Fisher. Because of her gift, the camp was renamed "Camp Atwater."
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What is Camp Atwater?
A Special Place for Summer Fun
Camp Atwater had a very important mission. It aimed to give African-American boys a fun summer experience. This was at a time when most summer camps kept different races separate. Camp Atwater offered a welcoming place for everyone.
The camp mostly served middle- and upper-class African Americans. Kids came from all along the Atlantic coast to attend. It became a very popular and special place for many families.
Who Attended Camp Atwater?
Many notable people attended Camp Atwater over the years. These include Coleman Young, who became a mayor. Others were Clifford Alexander, Jr. and Clifton Wharton, Jr.. Hazel O'Leary, Dennis Hightower, and Wayne Budd also spent summers there.
Camp Atwater was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. This means it's recognized as an important historical site. Today, the Urban League of Springfield owns and runs the camp.
Exploring Camp Atwater
What Does the Camp Look Like?
Camp Atwater covers about 75 acres of land. It's located on the northern shore of Lake Lashaway. Most of this land is covered in woods. The main buildings are found between Shore Road and the lake.
The camp has 325 feet of lakeshore. It also owns a 3-acre island on the lake. Most of the camp buildings are arranged around a U-shaped road. These include the main hall, a recreation hall, and a dining hall.
There are also many camper cabins. The camp has fourteen cabins in total. Each cabin can house between 8 and 25 campers. Counselors also stay in these cabins.
The oldest building at the camp is White Cabin. It was built around 1760. This cabin is one of two buildings that were there before the camp started. White Cabin is just north of Shore Road. It was where the very first campers stayed during the camp's first season.
The camp also has great sports facilities. There are various sports fields for different games. You can also find basketball and tennis courts there.
