Camp Palmer

Camp Palmer was a Catholic boy's summer camp located in Oxford, Connecticut. It was founded by the Knights

of Columbus in 1922. The camp closed in the early 70's.

Early History:

October, 1922 Columbia Magazine

Since the Fortieth Supreme Convention of the Knights of Columbus the idea of a Junior Knights of Columbus has been silhouetted against a background of the general achievements of that convention. We find America and responsible Catholic reviews and newspapers welcoming the idea, and secular newspapers have drawn an augury from it, citing the Knight’s success in work for adults as an index to their certain success in work for juveniles.

Hence it is particularly interesting to learn that in New Haven, Conn., where the Order originated in 1882, a new and important work has been launched, which if successfully copied throughout the country, will be one of the finest and most productive in social and religious benefits of the numerous achievements of the Knights of Columbus.

The Columbian Summer Camp for Catholic Boys, Inc., operated by the five councils of District No. 1, Connecticut, including New Haven and Branford, is the official name of this new movement. It originated, as most movements do, by one man having a single thought. Thomas J. O’Brien, Past Grand Knight of Elm City Council, of New Haven, desiring to send of his young sons to a summer camp, found, in 1921, that the only camp within reasonable distance was the one operated under non-Catholic auspices. There were opportunities for the establishment of a camp for Catholic boys near New Haven, so Mr. O’Brien framed and presented a resolution to his own council calling for cooperative conference with the other councils of the district; these companion councils passed similar resolutions; with the result that this year there was opened on the banks of the Housatonic River, about three miles from Derby, Conn, and fourteen miles from New Haven, the first summer camp for Catholic boys operated exclusively under the auspices of the Knights of Columbus.

A well-known member of the Fourth Degree, Mr. William H Palmer, of Oxford, Conn, former United States Marshal, donated the site for the camp – ten acres in extent and situated 200 feet about the road level, with woods on all sides. There are fourteen tents in the camp, which is known as Palmer Camp, each donated by a Knight of Columbus, and seven boys – their ages ranging from ten to sixteen years – are assigned to each tent in charge of a tent leader. There is a chief camp director, Mr. F.J. Fitzgerald, and two assistants, one of who is a medical student who is in charge of the infirmary tent. While the New Haven Knights attend to the business management of the camp, they do not interfere in the slightest with its actual operation, the director being in supreme authority, with power to dismiss any recalcitrant lads, who break the rules, which are wholesome, though strict.

There is a fine refectory, where the very best food, thoroughly wholesome and scientifically the best for growing boys, is served, being prepared by two cooks. There is a strict limitation on the consumption of sweets, ten cents’ worth a day being each boy’s quota. Of course there is a baseball field, volley-ball field, ample space for boxing, wrestling and other games, and swimming, boating and hiking galore.

Each boy on entering the camp, is required to bring a kit containing necessary articles, both religious and human. There is a strict daily routine, beginning at seven in the morning with prayers, physical exercise and a swim, followed by breakfast, until nine-fifteen at night, when, after a camp fire hour of reading, etc, and evening prayers, the boys retire. A genuinely practical honor system is maintained in the camp, aiming to direct the boys in moral, mental physical and social worth. It is so well balanced that it is worth producing here in extenso:

1922 CAMP PALMER HONOR SYSTEM

Junior (boys 11-14), first degree; total possible credits, 350; required to win degree, 280

I. MORAL

Say morning and evening prayers 25

Conduct and attitude during mass 25

Be recommended by leader to C.D. (Camp Director) for self-control, unselfishness, good habits and conscientiousness 25

Show by your attitude and conduct that you are all a Catholic boy should be 25-100

II. MENTAL

Help tent groups in performance of some task for the betterment of the camp, approved by camp director 10

Write a report of a camp educational talk, have same graded by assistant and send home 30

Attend a talk on the value of good habits 10

Be recommended by leader to C.D (Camp Director) for showing good judgment and initiative 15

Compose a song or yell for camp 10-75

III. Physical

Promptness, erect carriage and earnestness in setting up camp 10

Gain made in physical development during the time in camp 5

Care in personal appearance 5

Cleansing teeth each day 3

Promptness in rising and retiring 2

Take a hike of at least 3 miles with other campers 5

Participate in at least 8 league games, show sportsmanship 10

Know and play at least 4 group games 5

Swim 50 feet, any stroke 10

Compete in athletic meet, entering at least 4 events 25

Members of winning tent get 5 points extra

Be recommended by leader to C.D. (Camp Director) on right attitude toward entering all athletic activities 20-100

IV. Social

Give evidence to your leader that your tent discipline and relationship have been satisfactory, including faithfulness in camp duties, care of personal and tent mates' property, 25

Participate in evening entertainment 15

Save 10 percent of spending money for camp period 10

Be recommended to C.D. (Camp Director) for loyalty self sacrifice and sociability 20-100

The system shows a keen understanding of the workings of a boy mind.

The religious needs of the youngsters are amply cared for. Once a fortnight, Rev Father Killion, chaplain of a neighboring U.S. Health Service Hospital, celebrates Field Mass for the lads, and on other Sundays they go to Derby to fulfill their religious obligations. When Father Killion comes to camp every other Saturday every boy goes to Confession and, in the morning, to Holy Communion.

While the venture has cost the New Haven Knights some thousands of dollars, non the less it is substantially self-supporting – each boy’s bill being five dollars per week. The deficit during the first year of operation, 1922, for a period of 9 weeks operated by four periods of two weeks each and one of one week, was $4,200, made up by the Knights.

Approximately five hundred boys enjoyed the privilege of a vacation in the camp this summer. Prominent men like Supreme Knights James A. Flaherty and Supreme Secretary William J. McGinley visited the game to address the boys. The coordination of the healthy physical life with the fine spiritual and mental discipline strictly enforced makes the camp ideal for the growing minds of the boys attending it.

To men life Dr. Thomas H. Corbett, chairman of the Registration Committee, Walter J. Walsh, General Chairman, John Holmes, Secretary, and Thomas J. O’Brien, Assistant Secretary, the New Haven Knights gladly assign the lion’s share of the credit for this innovation, which has definitely shown that with enterprise and earnest effort councils of the Knights of Columbus can definitely take a much-needed leadership in caring for Catholic boys during the time when, probably, they most need intelligent care, their long summer periods of relaxation.

References

https://www.facebook.com/groups/camppalmerct/

https://patch.com/connecticut/oxford-ct/the-history-of-camp-palmer-in-oxford

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