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OUR PAST…
YOUR FUTURE
History
Since 1910, there had been talk of
establishing a summer camp for boys from all across the state. The Senator Edward
Hazen, a native of Haddam who had made his fortune in publishing, was the driving
force behind the plan for such a camp. Unfortunately, the First World War interrupted
these plans as the Y focused it’s efforts on supporting the troops in Europe. But with
Armistice in November, 1918 attention could once again focus on the home front.
This was one of those times when the will and the resources for such a project had
come together at just the right time. The only difficulty, it seemed, was finding the
right piece of land. A seven man committee met throughout 1919 trying to find the
perfect spot—something on the edge of a forest, by a lake and easily accessible from
all across the State. When the Committee next met on the evening of April 7th, Mr
F.A. Stanley, the State YMCA Boys Work Secretary, was appointed Director of Camp
Hazen. The price was set at $7.50 per week and the summer set up in four, two-week
sessions. In the very first advertising brochure, the new director, ‘Pop’ Stanley,
explained his plan to perspective parents — ”When the books are laid aside and the
long summer vacation begins for that boy of yours, what then? Here he lives in “the
great out doors”, rubs shoulders with the other fellow, learns the secret of the woods,
imbibes the spirit of the campfire, learns the lessons of nature...experiences which
send him back home thrilled for higher attainments in his own life and conduct.”
In the early years, traditions were formed that continue to this day. Campers still
enjoy campfires, cabin chats, singing, camping out in the woods, and the revered
Candlelight Ceremony.
It’s hard to believe that over 100,000 campers and staff have spent their summers on
the shores of Cedar Lake. So much has changed since our first summer of 1920, and
yet—so much remains the same. Our facilities have grown and expanded; our
activities and programs have changed and developed over time. Our campers and
staff, once from just Connecticut, now come from throughout New England, the
United States and from around the world. What remains the same is the nervous
anticipation of going to camp—whether it be your first time or your 10th; that
excitement you feel when you first pull in the entrance; the smile on your face when
you see your friends, the sense of confidence you feel when you push beyond your
comfort zone and try something you’ve never done before; that feeling of acceptance
when you realize that this is a place where you can be yourself; that calm,
peacefulness that you feel when looking out over Cedar Lake at yet another perfect
sunset.
Hazen has a long history of strong leadership. Since 1999, Denise Learned has been
Executive Director, following in the footsteps of Tim Milbern, Sue Edmonds, Russ
Gormley, Howard Bunting, Archie Knowles, and Pop Stanley. Under their careful
watch, the tradition and history of Camp Hazen has been passed from one generation
to the next.
Today, we continue to build strong kids. With an exceptional summer camp program
and a school group program that is unlike any other, Hazen remains committed to the
growth and development of kids.
THIS IS WHY:
OUR PROMISE:
Your child is our #1 priority.
Everything we do, every decision we
make, has your child’s safety and
well-being in mind.
OUR VALUES:
Our community is based on the
YMCA pillars of Caring, Honesty,
Respect, and Responsibility. We use
these values in our cabin groups, at
meals, and throughout the day.
OUR MISSION:
Camp Hazen YMCA is committed to
helping youth develop valuable life
skills through camping experiences
that build healthy bodies, open
minds, and awakened spirits.
OUR VISION:
To be a time and place in people’s
lives that they look back on and
smile. We hope we are a place
where people are always happy to
arrive, and hesitant to leave.
OUR CAUSE:
We believe that children should have
a Hazen experience, regardless of
their family’s ability to pay. Camp
Hazen YMCA has instituted a
voluntary 4-tier pricing program for
our Summer programs.
OUR BELIEF:
Camp Hazen YMCA is an inclusive
organization. Our doors are open to
everyone, from across all
dimensions of diversity, creating the
opportunity to learn from each
other. It is our belief that, in a
diverse world, we are stronger when
we are inclusive. We have a culture
of acceptance, and we know that it
is our differences that bring us
closer together.
OUR COMMITMENT:
We will continue to work for equity
for all, by questioning our personal
bias’ & privilege and the part we
play in systemic racism in our world,
in order to make camp a safe space
for all our campers and staff.
Philosophy
Camp Hazen YMCA has had over 100 years of creating experiences for
campers to enjoy activities, appreciate the outdoors, learn about
themselves and others, and grow as people. Our impact is measured by
the thousands who have attended Hazen throughout the years, who
know camp is so much more than the activities done and skills learned.
We believe that the community formed during a camp session allows
your child to gain experiences that peers at home may not, and these
positive experiences give your child the confidence to excel in so many
other aspects of their lives. A camp experience will bolster children’s
socialization skills, provide opportunities for leadership development,
and help them achieve their full potential.