The Roots of Camp Tousey

YM C A C a m p i n g
&

The Birth of Syracuses YMCA

The first American YMCA was formed at Boston in 1851.
Other cities followed. In Syracuse, men from several
Protestant churches held the first local organizational
meetings in 1858. Early programs, in rented facilities,
focused on social, educational and religious activities
for adults. The YMCA, however, wanted to offer physical
recreation, as well. That led to construction, by 1886,
of its own building in downtown, with a full gym.
YMCA Building In Syracuse, c1910
This Montgomery Street building has served as
the YMCAs local headquarters since its 1907
construction. It was underwritten to a large
degree by a donation from Benjamin Tousey.
OHA Collection

Benjamin Tousey (1837-1911)

This portrait was commissioned by the
YMCA to commemorate his vital support.
Courtesy YMCA

Who Was Benjamin Tousey?

Born in 1837, Benjamin Tousey was the son of
Sinclair Tousey, who had founded and made a
fortune as head of the American News Company, a
nationwide wholesaler of newspapers, magazines
and books. Benjamin, although wealthy, lost his
hearing at age 20, probably from disease. Living in
New York City, he decided farming in Upstate might
be a more suitable occupation. He bought land
on Oneida Lakes South Bay in the Town of Cicero
and later, also a home in Syracuse on East Genesee
Street.

Summer Camping Starts

Equally concerned about programs for youth, the Syracuse
YMCA began a 2-week summer camping experiment in
1897 for 50 boys at a location called Oak Orchard, along
the Oneida River in the Town of Clay. Within a few years,
this was expanded when wealthy Syracusan, Benjamin
Tousey, began offering his Oneida Lake property for YMCA
camps.

Basketball at Camp Tousey

The YMCA had a major role in spreading basketball
throughout the United States and it found its way
to the organizations camp programs, as well.
OHA Collection

Camp Touseys Changing Locations

In its early years, the YMCA summer
campground was set up at different sites.
It started at Oak Orchard. By 1904,
annual two and three week programs were
being called Camp Tousey, due in part to
its setting on Benjamin Touseys Oneida
Lake farm. That site continued until Mr.
Touseys death in 1911. Afterward,
his son William, who had a large farm
on Cross Lake, offered his property
for the annual Camp Tousey summer
gathering.
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By 1914, the YMCA decided it was

time to own its own camp grounds, so
it purchased an old hotel on a strip of
land between Lake Ontario and Sandy
Pond in northern Oswego County.
It would be home to Camp Tousey
through 1929.

Moving to Millsite
In 1930, the Y made a final move for
Camp Tousey. A new site of 441 acres
was purchased six miles southeast of
Alexandria Bay. It would be Touseys
home for the next 60 years.

Dormitory Tents at Camp Tousey on Sandy Pond, c1920

Benjamin had been a generous donor to his church

in Syracuse, First Baptist. In 1900, he was
approached by the Syracuse YMCA to make a $3000
donation. He agreed and became an enthusiastic
supporter. He would later donate over $117,000 to
enable the Y to expand into its present downtown
building in 1907, an amount worth over $2 million
today.
Locations for the YMCAs youth camping facility
would change over time, but were dedicated to
Benjamin Touseys name, to honor his generosity to
Syracuses YMCA.

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OHA Collection

The Roots of Camp Tousey

YM C A C a m p i n g
&

The Location
The 1930 choice of a camp site on the western edge
of the Adirondacks reflected an historic pattern.
Beginning in the late 19th century, youth camps
were established by dozens of organizations in the
Adirondacks. YMCA chapters were leaders in that
movement. Many of those youth camps have closed in
recent years, but several continue to this day.
Camp Tousey came to comprise 500 wooded acres
of pine and birch trees on the shores of Millsite and
Sixberry Lakes. The terrain was rugged, with a tall
rocky cliff behind the buildings of the main camp,
which were clustered along the lakeshore. The cliffs
provided a spot for amazing camp fires and enjoying
picturesque sunsets.
Millsite was part of the Indian River system. Those
waterways had been the location for several mills in
the 19th century. Millsite Lakes shore housed iron
works in the 1850s, perhaps the source of its name.

Millsite Lake, 1977

Courtesy Scott Kelley

The Grounds & Facilities

The Andrews Cabin at Camp Tousey, c1950
OHA Collection

Physical additions to Camp Tousey grew over

time. Initially, accommodations were rustic:
about a dozen tents on wood platforms, with
bunks, for 100 boys ages 8 and up. A dining
hall was added to the kitchen in 1935, which
also served as an indoor meeting place. By
the 1940s, log cabins were replacing the
tents. There were 13 cabins in 1947. They
were usually named after prominent families
that supported the Syracuse YMCA, such as
Marsellus, Hancock, Edwards, and Andrews.
There was a small beach on the shore, open
fields for sports and an outdoor chapel
overlooking the lake for spiritual talks.

Later Additions
For the 1959 season, Camp Tousey enjoyed
the opening of Salisbury Lodge, a new
recreation hall sponsored by the Salisbury
Family of Syracuse. It featured a large
fireplace and sat behind Bryant, Richards and
the H. W. Smith cabins.
The following season brought more
improvements to meet the expanding demand
for the camping program. A grant from the
Gifford Foundation funded three new camper
cabins, an infirmary, a new bathhouse and
an enlarged dining hall. During the summer
of 1960, 374 campers enjoyed the fresh air,
freedom and friendships provided by Tousey.

Camp Boathouse, 1977

Courtesy Scott Kelley

A Gathering by the Lake for Lessons, c1950

OHA Collection
Camp Tousey Beach, c1950
OHA Collection

Association Island
Even with new facilities, Millsite could not accommodate
the number of applications. So in 1963, the Camp Tousey
program was split. Younger boys stayed at Millsite and
those 13 and older moving to Association Island on Lake
Ontario, near Henderson Harbor. An even bigger change
would occur as Camp Tousey entered the 1970s the
admittance of girls!

A Campfire Sunset from the Cliffs, 1977

Courtesy Scott Kelley

The Roots of Camp Tousey

YM C A C a m p i n g
&

The Female Side

The late 1960s and early 1970s saw
many changes in America. Hairstyles were
one, as counselors changed from crew
cuts to long locks. More significant, was
the opening of Camp Tousey to girls in
1973, reflecting equality aspects of the
womens rights movement.
Girl-only camps had a long tradition in the
Adirondacks, but increasingly, boy camps
began to turn co-ed by the 1970s, also to
help increase registrations. This led to
the introduction of female counselors and
the potential for some summer romances
among the high school and college-age
leaders.

Campers at Tousey Entrance Sign

Courtesy Ed Kelley

Adventures, Games, Arts &

Crafts and Daydreaming
A 1973 ad for Camp Tousey listed the
following activities for the two-week
experience:

Female Counselors at Camp Tousey

Traditions & Rituals

Days started with the playing
of Reveille and ended with Taps.
Bugle calls also announced
camp-wide activities. The camp
bell rang to signal boats to
return to shore.
Each weekend had a changing
theme, perhaps the Old West
or Pirates. Weekday mornings,
after the raising of the flag at
assembly, campers would attend
Morning Watch, a brief spiritual
program at Sunrise Point. Days
ended with a short reading or
story by a counselor to campers,
by the light of a candle-lit cabin.
For meals, a designated camper
from each cabin would serve as
waiter for that cabins table,
guided by a green and red light
system for when food was ready.
Following lunch, another camper
went to the camp store, picking
up that cabins mail and placing
his groups order for candy.

Evening campfire gatherings

would include the telling of
ghost stories and group singing,
sometimes accompanied by a
staff member playing guitar.
Each campfire gathering would
end with the Camp Tousey alma
mater.

A Counselor With Campers

Courtesy Scott Kelley

Hiking

Water Skiing

Swimming

Canoeing

Sailing

Riflery

Archery

Arts & Crafts

Dramatics

Additionally there was

baseball, basketball,
volleyball, overnight
camping, tether ball, and
horseback riding. These
events provided exercise,
learning opportunities,
a spirit of adventure and
fun. There were also down
times, chances to discuss
with friends your opinions
about counselors, the
food, and the playful,
imaginative visions of
youth.

A closing campfire was held on

the last night of each two-week
period. Campers and staff would
gather at various locations,
by age, to celebrate. Awards
were given for participation or
achievement in various activities,
and skits were performed. The
honor camper of each unit
(Mohawks, Cayugas, Tuscaroras
and Algonquins) was named, and
the singing of the Tousey alma
mater closed the final campfire.

Ribbons Were Awarded for

Various Activities
OHA Collection
Counselors Ready for Pirates Weekend
Courtesy Scott Kelley

Freedom and Friends

The End

In its over 90 years, specific activities at Camp

Tousey may have changed with the times, but the core
experience of youth camping remained. The setting
with its natural beauty - blue waters, green forests,
stunning sunsets and star-studded nights produced
an idyllic retreat. And although there were camp rules
and chores, the overall atmosphere evoked a certain
independence, free from parents, school work and
teachers.

By the 1980s, Camp Tousey, like other

Adirondack youth camps, was having
trouble attracting sufficient numbers.
Many were closing. Children of the
Baby Boom generation seemed to have
numerous, competing opportunities during the
summer, especially the growth of summer sports
leagues. The Syracuse YMCA, itself, was facing even
bigger financial challenges. The board struggled
to find ways to make both Camp Tousey and the
Syracuse Y survive. Financial pressure finally
forced the camps closure and sale in 1991.

For some, there was initial fear of being left alone,

perhaps for the first time, but counselors helped
smooth the way. Budding friendships took hold, some
to last for years.

Sailing and Canoeing on Millsite Lake

Courtesy Scott Kelley

Nature Lore

The Roots of Camp Tousey

YM C A C a m p i n g
&

Map Courtesy of Syracuse University Archives

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Camp Tousey at Millsite was dedicated

on June 29, 1930 and lasted through
the summer of 1990. The property was
put up for sale in 1991, broken up into
several parcels and purchased by private
individuals. One parcel was acquired by a
few former camp counselors where a small
reunion of counselors is held annually. Not
much of the physical Camp Tousey remains,
but the fond memories continue.
Although the Tousey Program has ended,
the Syracuse YMCAs camping tradition
continues with Camp Iroquois, a day camp
program based in Manlius, New York, and
founded in 1934.

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