Mission Statement

Camp Hazen YMCA is committed to helping youth develop valuable life skills through camping experiences that build healthy bodies, open minds and awakened spirits.

History of Camp Hazen YMCA

We woke each morning, changed activities, knew it was time to eat and went to bed to the sound of our camp Bugler, Gib Mather.

Gib was 12 years old and lived in Deep River and had read in the local newspaper that Camp needed a bugler.  He contacted Pop Stanley and in exchange for his camp fee, of $7.50 for a two week session, became the Camp's first bugler. He returned each summer for several years.

Gib went on to school, became a successful businessman, raised a family and was a respected community leader. Gib once told me ?Camp Hazen taught me responsibility to be a caring adult! While the camp slept, I had to get myself up early to play reveille. If I did not get up the whole camp slept in, if I didn't play mess call the camp did not know meals were ready, and I was the one who played taps before we all went to sleep.?

Gib is still present at Camp. Following his death, in 2000 his family started an endowment fund that each year provides financial assistance for other campers who otherwise could not afford to attend camp. Gib's life was the best of the Spirit of Camp Hazen YMCA.

In May of 1919 The State YMCA voted that ?Steps should be taken at once to secure a suitable site and equipment for the character development of the boys in Connecticut in connection with the advantages and favorable aspects of camp life? 
Today we know this as the four pillars Responsibility, Caring, Respect, and Honesty and camp is for both boys and girls. 

Having grown up in the next town I knew of this site, then known as the Stodt Farm, which would be a perfect place for a camp. In March of 1920 I purchased the original 29 acres here on Cedar Pond.  The State YMCA honored me by our camp, Camp Hazen and in the summer of 1920, the first camping sessions were held.

 Pop Stanley, the man Stanley Lodge is named after, was the first Camp Director

 The first summer was a success with boys from 10 to 20 years of age coming here from around the state.  The boys built their own tents, did calisthenics drills in pajamas, swam, attended chapel, played sports, and yes they had tents inspection and siesta too!

 

 

My name is Edward W. Hazen and I am one of the founders and namesake of Camp Hazen YMCA.  Yes Camp Hazen YMCA is named after a real person.

Born on February 13, 1860, in Middletown Connecticut, I was a teacher, then a book publisher who lived in Hartford, Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. In 1915 I moved my family back to Haddam, CT and became active in my community serving in both the Connecticut Legislature and as a State Senator.

 

Modern Times:
When Mr. 'B' retired in 1977 he was honored by having the Bunting Dining Hall named after him.  His successor, Russ Gormley was instrumental in developing our horseback program, our ropes course program, the naming of Tamarack Village and the biggest change in Camp Hazen YMCA history - going co-ed!  Our first female Executive Director, Sue Edmonds, was appointed in 1988 followed by Tim Millbern in 1995 who started our popular day camp program.  Since 1999 Denise Learned has lead Camp Hazen YMCA with the same focus as all of her predecessors, to 'help youth develop valuable life skills through camping experiences that build healthy bodies, open minds, and awakened spirits.' During this time the co-ed Village Onandaga was formed, allowing 10th grade campers to keep coming back to camp.  All our cabins have been updated and a Post & Beam Maintenance Barn was added.

Located on 150 acres on Cedar Lake in Chester, Connecticut, Camp Hazen YMCA  provides positive youth camping experiences for over 1500 boys and girls each year from throughout the state. Group camping includes over 6000 participants annually. Camp Hazen YMCA  serves youth from throughout Connecticut, New England and many states around the country.  Each summer, Camp Hazen YMCA is also home to campers and counselors from more than 25 different countries. Campers come from all socio-economic backgrounds, and range in age from 5 to 18. Over 800 campers were provided with financial assistance in 2009. These funds, over $205,000, were provided through the generosity of individuals, foundations, businesses and service clubs.

Volunteers are a vital part of our organization. Camp Hazen YMCA has a 27 member Board of Directors. In addition, there are seven standing committees including: Executive Committee; Marketing and Communications; Board Development; Resource Development; Program; Building and Facilities; and Alumni Development.

Mr. 'B':
Howard Bunting was appointed director in 1955 and, along with his wife, began the longest era of Directorship in Camp Hazen history.  Mr. and Mrs. 'B' were camp administrators for 22 years and were witness to major events such as the naming of Junianta, Mosakwa, Sachem and Oska Villages, the first night of the summer of 1967 when the Dining Hall burned to the ground, the replacement of the old cabins to the ones we see today and the Independence of Camp Hazen YMCA from the State YMCA of Connecticut

The war years:
In 1940 'Pop' Stanley retired after 20 years of incredible service as our Camp Director and because of the uncertain times associated with the War and rebuilding, we didn't have another long-term Director until Archie Knowles in 1948.  During World War II finding counselors was a tough assignment because so many of them had been drafted to fight.  For some campers, it was not unusual to wake up and find their counselor packing their belongings and heading off to 'boot camp'.  Quite often the only replacements for the staff were the older campers and sometimes this was thirteen year old boys!

After the war ended in 1945, camp flourished under Archie Knowles' leadership. The introduction of a leadership program, which was based in Oskalee Village, as well as a permanent teen trip program were some of the most significant program changes of this era.  In the seven years that Archie was our Camp Director he managed to restore many of our facilities, expand our program and stabilize our finances.  He is honored today by Knowles Lodge.