Camp Centennial Milestones

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YMCA Camp Abnaki

North Hero, Vermont
Established: 1901
Camp Details

- Byron “Dad” Clark founds Camp Robinson at Cedar Beach.  Camp Robinson became Camp Abnaki at North Hero in 1916.
- First flight by Wright Bros. Had not yet occurred
- Horse and Buggy most popular mode of personal transportation

1926
- Camp Abnaki celebrates 25 years by building Administration Building, Infirmary, and cabins along the waterfront (now in Mehkoa and Tamakwa Villages)
- Vermonter “Silent” Calvin Coolidge is President

1951
- “Chief” Clyde Hess is director for Abnaki’s 50th Anniversary
- All cabins were painted gold to celebrate the Golden Anniversary
- Baby boom generation beginning

1976
- Norm Van Gulden is director, has been since 1960.  Van would be director for 27 years.
- Gerald Ford is defeated by Jimmy Carter for the Presidency.

2001
- The Internet is huge and used by almost everyone
- July 10th is declared Abnaki Day by Governor Dean and the Vermont State Senate
- Camp celebrates the 100th anniversary
- Camper attendance is at all time high
- The state of Vermont is 210 years old

2007
- Camp Abnaki has had only 14 Directors
- Camper numbers reach  1158 per summer
- Barry Bonds surpasses Hank Aaron’s home career home run total.