| Camp Sankaty Head | |
|---|---|
| Location | Siasconset, Massachusetts |
| Coordinates | 41°16′20″N 69°58′14″W / 41.272087°N 69.970689°W |
| Type | Drive In |
| Website | campsankatyhead.org |
Camp Sankaty Head is a summer camp for teenage boys, founded in July, 1930. It is located between the eleventh and thirteenth fairways of the Sankaty Head Golf Club in Siasconset, Massachusetts, on Nantucket Island. Camp Sankaty Head is known as the last caddie camp in the country. [1]
In 1961, Charles M. Goetz led the establishment of the Sankaty Head Foundation to support and develop policy for the operation of Camp Sankaty. That year, a certificate of incorporation was issued, and in 1964, the foundation received tax-exempt status as an organization operated for charitable and educational purposes.
Donald M. Smith, physical director of the Worcester YMCA, was the first Camp Director, a position he held until 1960. In 1962, Norman L. Claxton became Camp Director. He held that position until 1985, when Douglas Ellsworth was named Camp Director. Norm remained on as Senior Adviser to the Camp Director, until his death in 2001. In 2008, Ellsworth stepped down as director and Peter Montesano was named as his successor.
Camp Life and Overview edit
Camp Sankaty is designed to develop high mental, spiritual, social and moral standards in boys aged 13-18. Currently, approximately 60 boys attend as campers and 10 young adults attend as staff members each summer, beginning in early June and lasting through Labor Day.
Every morning at 7:00 AM, the campers are woken by the attending staff members to begin the day. [2]Throughout the day, the campers are called up to the clubhouse by the Caddymaster and are sent out to caddie for the members and guests of Sankaty Head Golf Club. While not caddying, campers are assigned various tasks around the camp, in order to maintain a quality of self-sufficiency. The camp is run by a group of former campers, age 18-24, who have been promoted to staff positions, assisted by a group of older campers, age 16-18, who excelled throughout their time at camp.
Each camper is responsible for part of the cost of his room and board($5 a day), the Sankaty Head Foundation subsidizes further operational costs. In turn, campers earn money by caddying for the members at the club. Fees in addition to tips, give each boy the opportunity to earn and save some money with which to return home at the end of the summer. Campers are also eligible to be considered for numerous college and pre-college scholarships.
Sports edit
A vigorous competitive group and individual sports program emphasizes physical fitness and involves and motivates the boys. The events within the program consist of:
Team Sports [3]
Individual Competition [4]
- Senior and Junior Golf
- Caddy-Caddy Tournament
- Golf Contests (driving, hole in one, putting)
- Swimming Contests (individual medley, freestyle, diving)
- Table Tennis
- Chess
- Checkers
- Modified Senior and Junior Marathon (length of the golf course)
- Two-on-two Basketball
- Horseshoes
- Three-on-three Volleyball
Alumni edit
Former campers are very active in the maintenance, well-being, and updating of the camp. The Camp Sankaty Alumni Association was founded in 1986 and holds its annual meeting the first weekend in June every year. [5]
References edit
- ^ Lipsey, Rick. "Happy Campers". Sports Illustrated, 09/02/1996, p. 188.
- ^ Stowe, Stacy. "At Camp Sankaty Head, Young Caddies Learn To Carry That Weight". New York Times, 07/22/2009 Sports.
- ^ Claxton, Norman L. Camp Sankaty Head Chronicles, 1996
- ^ Claxton, Norman L. Camp Sankaty Head Chronicles, 1996
- ^ www.alumniflashes.com
[[Category:Summer camps in Massachusetts|Sankaty]] [[Category:Nantucket, Massachusetts]]