Celebrating 100 Years of Camp Sargent

By: Christopher O’Herren, a Champlain College student who is completing an internship with the Y.

It’s well known that summer camp has a lasting impact on the lives of children, positively affecting their skills around relationships, achievement and belonging. And for those that have been going to or taking their kids to Camp Sargent, it’s a tradition that’s been running for 100 years strong now. To celebrate the 22 acre camp which opened in 1924, we invited families to visit, explore and reminisce to mark this milestone.

Imagine a typical summer day at Camp Sargent: people playing in the front field, swimming and boating at the lake, and arts and crafts at the crafts cabin. The goal of the 100 year celebration was to recreate the experience of camp for both alumni and current campers. In addition to offering camp activities such as boating, archery, the playground, there were also bouncy castles, a Barbecue lunch, a photo booth, and even a snow cone truck.

A walking museum of the camp’s vast history was created in honor of this historic event. Each cabin held a whole array of documents and photos for each decade the camp has been open, from the 1920s to the most recent 2000s. You’d be surprised with the things you might find from old adverts back when it was still an overnight camp to photos depicting the rec hall as more of a mess hall. Not to mention, a whole collection of camp songs from countries like Poland and Ukraine were all compiled into one book. Since most photos didn’t have labels, the staff openly encouraged visitors to look at these old photos and see if they remembered anyone from their old camp days. Counselors and volunteers who helped run the event stated it was “A nice trip down memory lane”.

Camp doesn’t only affect the children who attend but the adult alumni who worked as staff or families that lived on the property which created lasting memories. Executive Director of Community Impact Lynne Boyer noted, “It literally changed my life. My first Y position was here at Camp Sargent, I met my husband here, my children attended camp here, and now one of them even works here. Camp Sargent has made a huge impact on my life and my family’s. It will always remain a very special place for us.”

Camp Sargent was founded in 1924 by Eaton Sargent, a pillar in the community at the time. Now a day camp, Camp Sargent was originally created as a resident camp for youth. The youngest camper that first season in 1924, was a 10 year old by the name of Fred Shaw. Fred would go on to become a very influential community and Y leader and philanthropist. He served on the Y board for many years and traveled the world to advocate for Ys in many countries. Many years later, in the 1963 George LaRocque became the Director of Camp Sargent and remained so for over 20 years. Around the same time Barbara Strong was the Waterfront Director for camp, a position she held for a lengthy time. During the 20+ years that the LaRocque and Strong Families worked at camp, they also lived there during the summer. They each had a cottage owned by the Y onsite that they called home. Camp Sargent was the family playground for all of those years and the children became staff as well. In talking with both families, they shared so many wonderful memories of growing up at the camp and having it as their home.

All four of these families have remained legacies of Camp Sargent and were all well represented at the celebration with multiple generations and family members attending, some traveling from across the country to be present. Towards the end of the event on June 22 the Shaw, LaRocque and Sargent families were presented with naming rights to the three different cabin villages the camp boasts. It was a wonderful way to recognize their legacy and commitment to the camp.

CEO Mike LaChance and current Y staff especially made sure to thank the support of all those who came and reminded us that “Your support and encouragement is the base of our success.” They reminded us that these traditions are important ones that we must continue. Here’s to another 100 years of Camp Sargent, and many more community youth, members and staff that are positively impacted by the magic it creates.

Be sure to visit our Camp Sargent’s 100th Anniversary Facebook Photo Album to see all the activities and families having fun reliving their camp experiences!

Help us continue the legacy of Camp Sargent by donating to our “Send a Kid to Camp” campaign. Your donation will provide scholarships for children, allowing them to enjoy unforgettable camp experiences, develop important life skills, build self-confidence, and create lifelong memories.