Senate Resolution No. 797

BY: Senator LITTLE

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the North
Country Camps

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that the quality
of life of the citizens of New York State is greatly enriched by its
exceptional cultural, educational and recreational facilities; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the North Country Camps with a
myriad of events throughout the upcoming season, beginning with a dinner
on Saturday, April 6, 2019, at the Hackley School in Tarrytown, New
York; and

WHEREAS, The North Country Camps, Camp Lincoln for boys and Camp
Whippoorwill for girls, is located on the shores of Augur Lake near
Keeseville, New York, in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains; and

WHEREAS, Founded in 1919 by Colba "Chief" Gucker, the family-run
camps have offered children and counselors alike the opportunity to live
together simply in safe, healthy, cheerful, and challenging outdoor
surroundings; and

WHEREAS, Through the last century, four generations of the Gucker
family and many dedicated and long-time staff members have empowered
children to spend the summer in a place where life is dynamic and
purposeful, yet unhurried and free from the burdens of technology; and

WHEREAS, After the Chief's death in 1973, the Chief's Memorial
Campership Fund was established by long-time staff members to provide
scholarships to those children in need; and

WHEREAS, In 2018, the North Country Camps Foundation was formed by a
group of alumni to support the Gucker family in their continued
endeavors; and

WHEREAS, Camp Lincoln and Camp Whippoorwill are organized
independently from one another, however, they operate on the same
schedule and campers regularly join together for a variety of
activities; and

WHEREAS, Each year, 90 girls and 90 boys attend these family-like
camps, and 80 percent of them return year after year; in fact, many of
the campers are the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of
former campers; and

WHEREAS, Children ages 8-15 engage in daily outdoor activities such
as kayaking, canoeing, sailing, windsurfing, swimming, archery, art and
woodshop, and a variety of field sports; campers also partake in
numerous wilderness trips, giving them a chance to explore nature and
learn to live self-sufficiently, yet comfortably in the great outdoors;
and

WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, the North
Country Camps may take just pride in its purposeful growth, as it looks
forward to continuing to serve the recreational needs of the community;
and

WHEREAS, Since its inception, the North Country Camps have helped
generations of children to develop confidence, independence and a sense
of stewardship for nature and the Adirondack region; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
establishments of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the North Country Camps; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the North Country Camps.