Camp History

Established in 1896, Norwich is one of the ten oldest resident camps in United States.

Located in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains, the camp property includes 137 acres of picturesque land extending nearly ¾ of a mile along the spring fed Lake Norwich.

Norwich Camp and Retreat Center in Huntington, Massachusetts has been a part of the YMCA of Greater Springfield’s story since 1896 when George Hannum and a small group of boys hiked to the banks of Lake Norwich from Springfield and pitched some tents. The resulting camp became one of the ten oldest in the United States and the first YMCA camp in New England.

Written notes and records state the first building erected there was a dining hall in 1900. By 1910 the camp had a growing attendance. A brochure from that year tells the story of a typical summer day for a camper. A 7:00 A.M. dip in the lake was compulsory as was chapel attendance after breakfast and mandatory Bible reading. Food was fresh and nutritious with butter, eggs, milk and vegetables obtained from a nearby farm. Boys came to camp in two different time periods; one for ages twelve to fourteen, and one for boys aged fourteen to sixteen. A low cost of $5.00 per week was charged.

Lincoln Hall was added in 1911 to the camp. Growth continued and the camp adapted to the demands. By 1920 the first of the lodges, platforms with a roof and canvas siding and bunks, were built. A well stocked infirmary followed in 1925, and in 1926, through the generosity of Horace A. Moses, a new dining hall was built and fully equipped by the philanthropist. Electricity was installed in 1927 and spring water was piped down from the top of the hill to the Moses Dining Hall.

By 1929, Norwich Camp and Retreat Center was a modern facility and was recognized as an enriching experience for young boys. A new camping concept was centered on the Lodge Family as the unit of camp life. The family was composed of seven boys and a leader and there were eighteen lodges. Growth continued and the Hoover Memorial Library was built for the campers. The Springfield Kiwanis Club donated an office for the director, as well as new athletic field with a baseball diamond, volleyball court, tennis court, quoit grounds and a marble ring. 1937 brought the luxury of flush toilets and hot and cold showers. Bible reading also became optional around this time. A new log cabin Nature Museum and the grand additions of a radio in the Hoover Library, a telephone at the camp, and springs and mattresses for the boys were added during the 1939 season.

Changes were made every year, but the one constant was the popularity of the camp. The fiftieth season was celebrated in 1946. By then the cost had risen to a modest $15.00 per week. Some changes in camping philosophy arrived in the late 40’s. Camp Olympics started in 1948 using team competition as a major goal. It proved successful camp wide. Trips off the site were also initiated. Two popular excursions were the hiking trip to Mt. Mousilanke in New Hampshire and a ten-day canoe trip to Lake George. The boys were driven to the lake and then paddled to Fort Ticonderoga and back. Those that participated never forgot the experience.

Wear and tear of the camp and its buildings were only natural, and by the 1950’s much work needed to be done to repair damage. In 1958 the new Lee Dining Hall was built with a new dishwasher and hot water booster, but maintenance issues were ever present.

1963 brought the arrival of girl campers for the first time, and as always adaptations were made. The Dale Memorial Chapel was built in 1964; an addition to the infirmary followed in 1966 and a Wilderness Area was added in 1968. By 1969, Norwich had three distinct camping programs. There was the regular camp for boys and girls, the Wilderness Camp for boys twelve to fifteen, and the Leadership Training Program for high school age youth composed of programs and training for junior Counselor-in-Training (CIT’s), senior CIT’s and junior counselors.

The grounds and facilities at Norwich Camp and Retreat Center were ideal for a family camping program that became very popular. By 1978, the camp had record-breaking enrollment and added six new tennis courts for camper and family use. In 1986, Norwich Camp and Retreat Center celebrated ninety years of camping. That year saw the introduction of a camp “farm” with animals for the campers to care for and to learn about and new wilderness trips to the Delaware River and Cape Cod and the islands. Besides the residential and family camping programs, the camp served the community through retreat opportunities for church groups, schools and other organizations.

Sad news reached the shores of Norwich Lake in 1989; the YMCA’s Board of Directors voted to close the camp at the end of the 1989 season. Many of the camp’s facilities were in dire need of repair, and overwhelming financial problems at the Y’s downtown facility made the difficult decision a reality. The camp did remain in the YMCA family, however, as it was sold to Springfield College in 1994. The college’s original plan was to develop the site as a year-round conference and retreat center but on-campus priorities have resulted in the decision to sell the property back to the YMCA.