The Young Men’s Christian Association has been the pioneer in establishing camp life for boys and young men.The first Association camp for boys was held nearly a half century ago and was known as Camp Dudley, at Westport, N.Y., on Lake Champlain. The camp is still carried on with fine equipment operated by the State Executive Committee of New York, with H. C. Beekman, Camp Director. Today there are 90,000 boys enjoying camp life under Y.M.C.A. auspices.
Although in 1898, the Pawtucket Y.M.C.A. conducted a joint camp with the Providence Association, the first recorded camp for boys of Pawtucket and Central Falls was held at “HALL’S CREEK,” Quonset Point, in the year of 1899 and was called “CAMP HARTWELL”. Forty-three boys attended. The camp was held in cooperation with the Providence Association. The Superintendent was David Pollard, Physical Director of the Pawtucket Association, assisted by J. Henry Weaver and Fred Smart.
The camp of 1900 was held at “HALL’S CREEK” under the leadership of President William H. Worrall, boys of Pawtucket and Central Falls participating. Physical Director MacDonald directed the Physical activities. Seventy-five boys attended. The camp was called “CAMP IDLEWILD”. The camp of 1901 changed location and went to Prudence Island, where it was directed by J. Henry Weaver. It has an attendance of nearly 100 boys and was known as “CAMP IDLEWILD”. The camp of 1902 secured a new location known as Cedars of East Greenwich on the west shore of Narrangansett Bay. It was conducted by President William H. Worrall and for the third year was known as “CAMP IDLEWILD”. The camp of 1903 was again located at Prudence Island with Walker Miller as Camp business Manager and J. Henry Weaver as Camp Superintendent. 100 boys attended. That year the Association purchased its tent equipment and the Board of Directors considered leasing a location at Prudence Island for a term of years. The camp was named “CAMP JEFFERSON” in honor of Rev. A. W. Jefferson who rendered a great service to the Association by giving illustrated talks on Friday nights to the boys. That year the young men organized a camp for one week. CAMP JEFFERSON”, 1904, was held at Prudence Island with Physical Director William L. Nase in charge, assisted by Edward J. Rathi, Chairman of Boys’ Work. "CAMP JEFFERSON”, 1905 was held at Prudence Island with Physical Director Nase in charge, Edward A Rathi and R. B. Moore assisting. “CAMP JEFFERSON”, 1906, at Prudence was under the supervision of Rev. Taplin J. Winslade, Pastor of Park Street Church, Providence. A new portable cookhouse was added to the equipment and is still a part of the equipment at Camp Westwood. “CAMP JEFFERSON”, 1907, was held July 5-19, two weeks being the time allotted each year thus far. The camp was in charge of Physical Director Nase and Assistant Rutherford Moore.
As there was no Boys’ Work Director at the time the 1908 Camp was held, General Secretary Peabody took charge. The camp was held at Prudence Island, and was named “CAMP STRATTON” in honor of former Arthur T. Stratton. “CAMP STRATTON”, 1909, at Prudence Island was in charge of Boys’ Director T. Walter Taylor, W. L. Nase and Secretary Peabody. “CAMP STRATTON”, 1910, was in charge of General Secretary Peabody and William L. Nase. Rev. Gideon A. Burgess of the Darlington Congregational Church attended the camp and gave very helpful talks to the boys each night. "CAMP STRATTON”, 1911, at Prudence Island was in charge of Boys’ Work Secretary Ernest R. Potter, General Secretary Peabody as business manager. The camps of 1914 and 1915 were held at RAM ISLAND, Point Judith Pond. The cookhouse was moved from Prudence Island. These camps were in charge of Ernest K. Potter and L. A. Price.
During the Fall of 1915, it was thought best to search for a permanent campsite. L. A. Price and others scoured Rhode Island for a desirable place. Mr. William R. Gillespie of Coventry suggested to President Johnston that it might be possible to find a location at Quidnick Lake, Coventry. He thought that the Bennett Farm might be purchased for the purpose if the location proved advantageous.
In November a delegation including President Johnston, State Secretary H. W. Gibson of Boston, Dr. B. U. Richards, L. A. Price, Secretary Peabody and others drove to Coventry to investigate the Bennett Farm as a possible site for the permanent camp. It did not take long to come to the conclusion that the Farm had great possibilities for a camp.
In the spring of 1916, President Johnston asked C. H. Lawton and General Secretary Peabody to go to Coventry to see what deal could be made for the purchase of the 65-acre farm of said Bennett. The committee met Mr. Bennett at Black’s store in Summit, and surrounded by meal bags, the dicker began. It was finally decided to make the price of $1,500 for the farm and buildings, and on April 8, 1916, General Secretary Peabody met Mr. Bennett at the Brick office at Washington, Rhode Island, and “ secured the deed to the property for the aforementioned sum”. At the time of the purchase of the farm there were living in the old house, Mr. and Mrs. Bennett and eight children.
President Johnston had made it possible for the Association at last to have a permanent camp. The camp of 1916 was held in two tent houses and a big canvas mess tent, with L. A. Price in charge. The next year saw a great stride in the development of “CAMP WESTWOOD”. President Johnston gave the attractive dining and recreational hall, the “Mirimichi”, and four more tent houses. Mr. Johnston named the camp “CAMP WESTWOOD” after his charming niece, Miss Arlene Westwood.
Much credit is due to L. A. Price for his pioneer work and for following the details of the development of Camp Westwood for the first two years. In connection with the development of Camp Westwood it should be known that much money was spent by President Johnston on the lower road entering the camp property. It has a heavy foundation of rocks. This road had practically been abandoned. The stone pier at the lake was also a generous gift of Mr. Johnston.
CAMP WESTWOOD of 1918 was in charge of L. W. D. Morton. Following the Boys’ Camp, a Men’s Camp was held for two weeks, at the conclusion of which the men presented President Johnston with a loving cup and several cans of Westwood blueberries. Late in the season, Mr. Henry Vigeant, the builder of Mirimichi; Mr. Robert Monahan, the architect; and Mr. William Meilkejohn spent a few days at the camp and built two tent houses, one of them being the house on the hill. At the Men’s Camp of 1919, a large framed picture of President Johnston was presented by the campers to Mirimichi.
CAMP WESTWOOD 1919, 20, 21, 22, and 23 was in charge of L. W. D. Morton. Each year some improvements were made on the property. A chapel by the lake shore was one of the projects. Another, the sundial, which was given by the boy campers and placed at the left of Mirimichi.
The CAMP of 1924, 25, 26, 27, and 28 was under the leadership of George A. Reavill each year since friends have come to the rescue to help boys who could not otherwise go to camp. Before camp opened in 1925, two houses were built on the hill for the families of the Superintendent and Director.
In order to further protect camp, Mr. Johnston made another gift in 1928 of eleven acres of land to the south of the original property. This was a very valuable addition.
CAMP WESTWOOD 1929 was directed by Physical Director High Connor.
CAMP WESTWOOD 1930-31 was directed by Boys’ Work Director Kenneth S. Dale with Hugh Connor as Director of Athletics. A new feature was the addition of the younger boys, known as “Cadets”. The Men’s Camp was instituted by General Secretary Peabody and conducted by him for eight years. C. W. Harvey conducted the camp for one year, and Hugh Connor for four years.
From 1932-1935 Camp Westwood operated under the leadership of Kenneth S. Dale with Milton S. Locke as associate. Director of Boys’ Work Milton S. Locke has served as Camp Director for 1936 to date. A signal improvement was added to Camp Westwood in 1937, through the generous gift of an electric lighting plant for the Mirimichi by Mr. Am. J. Thornley. In that year the old ice house, after some reconstruction, was converted into a hospital.
A great amount of damage was done in the September hurricane of 1938, which destroyed four tent houses, a double garage, back stops on the tennis court and baseball field, tool house, and damage to the roof of the Mirimichi. However, a great deal of repair work was accomplished during the Fall and Winter in order to prepare for the 1939 camping season, by Hi-Y boys, a group of Dads and interested committeemen. Enrollment was again at high peak and folding costs were used extensively to take care of over-capacity camp. As many as three extra cots were used in some tents.
On Saturday, March 25, 1939, the YMCA staged the biggest Camp Reunion ever held with invitations extended to any camper who had attended one of the “Y” camps dating back to 1899. Over 300 were present. Reservations had to be curbed because of limited space.
In 1939, a Season Campers’ Club was formed which provided a special outing each week for boys who were registered for the eight weeks season. Tents 3, 4, 5 and 10 were rebuilt due to damage caused by the hurricane and a new septic system was installed. Due to the drought in 1939 an emergency pipe-line was extended to the waterfront to supply water for dishwashing in order to conserve well water for drinking and cooking purposes. Much in the way of repair and maintenance was accomplished that year and it was successful camping season. Plans were made to establish two new tent houses the following year to take care of excessive enrollment.
In 1940, Tents 2, 3, 4 and 5 were moved in order to better carry on the unit camping idea. Another septic system and appropriate building was added to camp facilities and a new camp truck purchased for Boys’ Camp. Again this season a great amount of preparatory work was achieved. C.C.C. workers helped to remove fallen trees due the hurricane. Two new tent houses were built as well as a new dock at the waterfront.
In the Spring of 1940, the “Y” Mothers’ Club was instrumental in helping many deserving boys attend Camp through scholarships by promoting the first annual Camp Westwood bridge party. There were a number of innovations and features in our 1940 program including the White Mountains trip for older campers, Red Cross demonstrations, and waterfront exhibitions on Sunday afternoons.
In 1941 Westwood is operating at capacity. Over 200 different boys are registered. The Mirimichi, with a new roof, new foundations, and new steps to the porch, is in excellent condition. Again thanks to Mr. Johnston.
1899 Camp Hartwell - - Quonset Point
1900 Camp Idlewild - - Quonset Point
1901 Camp Idlewild - - Prudence Island
1902 Camp Idlewild - - East Greenwich
1903 Camp Jefferson - - Prudence Island
1905 Camp Jefferson - - Prudence Island
1906 Camp Jefferson - - Prudence Island
1907 Camp Jefferson - - Prudence Island
1908 Camp Jefferson - - Prudence Island
1909 Camp Jefferson - - Prudence Island
1910 Camp Jefferson - - Prudence Island
1911 Camp Stratton - - Prudence Island
1912 Camp Thornley - - Prudence Island
1913 Camp Thornley - - Prudence Island
1914 Camp Thornley - - Rams Point, Point Judith
1915 Camp Thornley - - Rams Point, Point Judith
1916 Camp Westwood - - Coventry
In these forty-three years of the Y.MCA of Pawtucket through its camping programs has made inestimable contribution to the spiritual, moral and physical well-being of over 5000 boys and young men. Camp Westwood continued to grow and change through the years. Girls were introduced as first an independent camp and later co-ed. Fifteen additional acres of land was donated to Camp Westwood. Quidnick Reservoir was purchased and turned over to Pawtucket YMCA.
In the 1940’s a group of land owners and the YMCA approached the Quidnick Reservoir Company and purchased the property owned by the Quidnick Reservoir Company which included the dam and water flowage rights. This property and these rights were turned over to the Pawtucket YMCA.
1974 - Change in direction – Family camping and Day Camp and Community Programs added
1985 – Resident Camp was cancelled because of low enrollment
1987 – Child Care program started at Washington Oak in Coventry
1989 – Child Care program began at Wawaloam Elementary School
1990 – Child Care program at Wawaloam moved to Metcalf Elementary School in West Greenwich
1993 – Child Care program began at Western Coventry Elementary School
1998 – Child Care Kindergarten program began at Wawaloam Elementary School