Senate Resolution No. 5820

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMEMORATING the 50th Anniversary of Kamp Kiwanis

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to honor those
illustrious individuals and institutions of the State of New York whose
purposeful endeavors serve to enhance the quality of life in their
communities; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the
50th Anniversary of Kamp Kiwanis; and

WHEREAS, Owned and operated by the New York District Foundation,
Kamp Kiwanis serves youth with many forms of disabilities and health
impairments without regard to race, color, sex or national origin; and

WHEREAS, The site of Kamp Kiwanis was originally a privately owned
property which served as a station for the Underground Railroad, a
sanctuary for those fleeing enslavement and oppression in the South
during the Civil War; and

WHEREAS, The Rome Kiwanis Club purchased the property in 1930, and
incorporated as the Rome Kiwanis Recreation Association; the Kiwanis
Health Camp for Boys was established later that same year, operating for
28 years; and

WHEREAS, The New York Foundation and Kamp Kiwanis was officially
founded on December 16, 1968, after the Kiwanis Club of Rome offered the
existing camp to the Foundation for just one dollar; and

WHEREAS, Kamp Kiwanis' official opening took place in the summer of
1971, with six cabins and a new administration building as a six-week
program for underprivileged boys; just one year later, the camp's
capacity was doubled with the construction of six additional cabins; and

WHEREAS, In 1976, a new in-ground swimming pool was constructed at
the camp, and from 1984 through 1988, the Pride Drive and the SMILE
DRIVE raised significant funds, providing tools, tiles, a van, a car, a
pool table, a video slide show of the camp, electrical fixtures, a lawn
tractor and a fire system for the kitchen; and

WHEREAS, Kamp Kiwanis became co-ed in 1988, before serving
adult/senior citizens the following year; furthermore, the camp was
officially opened as a wheelchair accessible facility on June 18, 1990;
and

WHEREAS, Throughout the 1990s, numerous projects were completed at
the camp, including the Morgenroth Drama Center, the Commemorative Wall
honoring deceased Kiwanians, the Sun Shelter, and the construction of
the East Meadow Cabin; and

WHEREAS, Pete's Pool was constructed in 2002, replacing the original
pool and dedicated to the memory of Pete Haller; in 2005 a new Infirmary
was added to the Administration Building, and 2012 saw the dedication of
a new Kamp Library; and


WHEREAS, Located six miles from Rome, New York, Kamp Kiwanis
currently offers 102 acres of woodlands in the rolling western foothills
of the Adirondack Mountains; for five decades, this vital facility has
provided an extraordinary camping experience for youth, adults and those
with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, The success of Kamp Kiwanis is in direct correlation to the
efforts of its dedicated staff, whose involvement is, and always has
been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled
enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all
endeavors on behalf of the organization and the community it serves; and

WHEREAS, In light of its commitment, dedication and successful
efforts, it is the custom of this Legislative Body to extend its highest
commendation to Kamp Kiwanis of Taberg, New York; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Kamp Kiwanis; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Kamp Kiwanis.