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Camp Atwater

Camp Atwater Camp Atwater - Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Camp Atwater is a summer camp on Shore Road in North Brookfield, Massachusetts. Originally named, St. John's Camp, it was established in 1921 by Dr. William N. DeBerry on the shores of Lake Lashaway. The camp gained the name "Atwater" when Mary Atwater donated $25,000 to Dr. DeBerry in 1926. They were funded to honor her late father who was Dr. David Fisher. Camp Atwater's mission was to provide a summer recreational experience for African-American boys, at a time when summer camps were generally racially segregated. The camp catered primarily to middle- and upper-class African Americans, and drew attendees from up and down the Atlantic coast. Notable attendees include Coleman Young, Clifford Alexander, Jr., Clifton Wharton, Jr., Hazel O'Leary, Dennis Hightower, and Wayne Budd. The camp was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. It is now owned and operated by the Urban League of Springfield. Read more on Wikipedia

Source: en.wikipedia.org