Springfield College Day Camp

Item Information

Title:
Springfield College Day Camp
Description:
This is a film taken during a day camp at Springfield College. The film shows the children attending the camp and completing numerous activities during the day. The camp most likely was The Springfield College Day Camp or Camp Massasoit as it is called today. Some of the activities in the film are swimming, sailing, listening to stories read by the camp counselors, attending the fire and cooking, shooting, and archery. Originally known as Springfield College Day Camp, the first summer session of what is today called Camp Massasoit was held in 1934. At that point, camp ran for two one-week sessions, cost $3.50 per week, and initially included 190 boys, ranging in age from 9 to 14 years old, and eight staff members. W.M. Grimshaw was the camp’s first director. Since that first season, the camp has been in operation each summer, with the exception of 1944. In that year, the Sunday Republican reported that “the area was taken over by the Navy for recreational purposes.” The camp proved to be so popular that the 1935 season was extended to six weeks, and the 1936 season ran for seven weeks. In 1966, the program was extended to eight weeks, with four two-week periods of camping. Springfield College Day Camp added a program for girls in 1937 that began after the boys’ session ended. The success of the girls’ program led to the establishment of a coed camping program the following year, with boys and girls in separate units. The director of the boys’ unit was Mr. B. Sargeant; his wife was the girls’ program director. The Sargeants directed the camp until 1942, when Springfield College Professor L.K. Hall took over as director for two years. Camp Massasoit provides campers ages five to 16 with programs that are developmentally appropriate for each stage of their physical and cognitive growth. Striving to maintain a balance between skill development and sheer enjoyment, campers learn about the four areas of respect. The theme of respect is discussed every morning in opening ceremonies and is practiced throughout the camp day by our staff. This appears to be what the readings given to the younger children at the camp are based on; the ideas of respect. Film Technician note: "Slightly shrunken. Good condition."
Date:
[1930?–1970?]
Format:
Film/Video
Genre:
16mm; Black and White; Silent
Location:
Springfield College Archives and Special Collections
Collection (local):
College Archives Digital Collections
Series:
Camp Massasoit Records
Subjects:
Springfield College
Springfield College--Campus
Camp Massasoit
East Campus
Springfield (Mass.)
Camps
Camping
Children
Childhood & youth
Reading
Sailing
Swimming
Archery
Shooting
Places:
Massachusetts > Hampden (county) > Springfield
Extent:
00:05:22
Link to Item:
http://cdm16122.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15370coll2/id/23284
Terms of Use:
Text and images are owned, held, or licensed by Springfield College and are available for personal, non-commercial, and educational use, provided that ownership is properly cited. A credit line is required and should read: Courtesy of Springfield College, Archives and Special Collections. Any commercial use without written permission from Springfield College is strictly prohibited. Other individuals or entities other than, and in addition to, Springfield College may also own copyrights and other propriety rights. The publishing, exhibiting, or broadcasting party assumes all responsibility for clearing reproduction rights and for any infringement of United States copyright law.
Contact host institution for more information.
Publisher:
Springfield College
Identifier:
day-camp