Figure 1.--The photograph here taken in 1950 shows the boys wearing a kind of uniform, a "T"-short with a B and shortpants with stripes. I believe such uniforms were common in the 1930s-50s, but by the 1960s it was more common for campers to wear their own clothes at Y camps.

Many "Y"s organized low cost summer camp programs for urban youth. The Y played a major role in the summer camp program. Our information is still limited, but I believe that the summer campmovement was founded in America during the late 19th century and the Y played a major role in that movement. There must be some research done on the American summer camp movement, but I have been unble to find a helpful study yet. I would be interested in any informative sources that readers may have found. The Y popularized the summer camp program for American boys--making the experience available to boys from families of modest means. When the BSA was founded in 1910, 400 local YMCA summer camps were already serving 15,000 boys. Summer camp can be quite expensive. The Y camps were not free, but they the fees were modest bringing a camp experience possible for a wide range of American children. The photograph here is from YMCA Camp Belknap which was founded in 1903. It is located at a beautiful site on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hapshire. Thousands of boys have attended Camp Belknap since 1903 and it still operting. It is operated as a typical Y camp which emphasizes leadership development with a rich tradition grounded in the philosophy of spirit, mind and body. The photograph here taken in 1950 shows the boys wearing a kind of uniform, a "T"-short with a B and shortpants with stripes. THere were also baseball caps with a "B". I believe such uniforms were common in the 1930s-50s, but by the 1960s it was more common for campers to wear their own clothes at Y camps.

Y Camping

Many "Y"s organized low cost summer camp programs for urban youth. The Y popularized the summer camp program for American boys--making the experience available to boys from families of modest means.

American Summer Camp Program

The Y played a major role in the summer camp program. Our information is still limited, but I believe that the summer campmovement was founded in America during the late 19th century and the Y played a major role in that movement. There must be some research done on the American summer camp movement, but I have been unble to find a helpful study yet. I would be interested in any informative sources that readers may have found.

Boy Scouts

The Y played a major role in the develop of the Boy Scouts in american and Scout camping. When the BSA was founded in 1910, 400 local YMCA summer camps were already serving 15,000 boys.

Fees

Summer camp can be quite expensive. The Y camps were not free, but they the fees were modest bringing a camp experience possible for a wide range of American children. The photograph here is from YMCA Camp Belknap which was founded in 1903.

Individual Camps

We havev begun to develop some information on individual Y camps.

Belknap

Camp Belknap was located at a beautiful site on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hapshire. Thousands of boys have attended Camp Belknap since 1903 and it still operting. It is operated as a typical Y camp which emphasizes leadership development with a rich tradition grounded in the philosophy of spirit, mind and body. The photograph here taken in 1950 shows the boys wearing a kind of uniform, a "T"-short with a B and shortpants with stripes. There were also baseball caps with a "B". I believe such uniforms were common in the 1910s-50s. Boysc in 1919 were wearing a similar shirt. By the 1960s, however, it was more common for campers to wear their own clothes at Y camps.

Letts

I worked at Camp Letts at Edgeville, Maryland during the Summer of 1962 and 63. The camp was located on the Chesapeake Bay. There was no uniform at the time. Thev boys brought there own clothes. Most boys wore short pasnts, but many boys also brfought jeans to camp.