"The History of Camp Wauwepex"

Camp Wauwepex is one of the oldest Boy Scout camps still in operation, and as such has a long and interesting history. I've put together a brief time-line of some of the events in Wauwepex's past, but would love to get more details if anyone can help. If you know the year a particular building or campsite opened, for example, please send along the details.

Local newspapers carried numerous stories about the early days, and I have linked to some of them below.

1878 - An early newspaper article noted Deep Pond was 75 rods in diameter and 54 feet deep.

1892 - The earliest reference I have found to date of the word "Wauwepex" appears in a newspaper article. This is the Wauwepex Scientific Society at Cold Spring Harbor. It's not directly connected to our camp but shows others were aware of the word. Articles refer to it as meaning "good water".

1900 - A road was cut around the shore of the lake. Edgar C. Woodhull sold 149 acres of what would later became Camp Wauwepex to two men from Brooklyn, John C. Grennell and Robert J. Graves. Woodhull had called the area "Lake Lotowana" but local maps used the name Deep Pond for the lake. The land had been owned before Woodhull by Josiah Lupton, then Robert Woodhull, who willed it to Edgar C. Woodhull.

1903 - The property was threatened by a forest fire.

1905 - The Lake Lotowana name came from an Indian term for white water lilies, which were in great display on what we call Deep Pond.

1907 - A group led by William K. Vanderbilt assembled a 600 acre parcel for use on a planned motor parkway. This would eventually become Camp Wauwepex. In addition to Woodhull's property it also include a farm owned by Elihu Miller.

1908 - William K. Vanderbilt and partner Harry Payne Whitney announced plans for a $25,000 club house to be built on the property. It is believed the house was never actually built. Vanderbilt made the news when his Mercedes got stuck in the sand while touring the property. Deeds were transferred to Vanderbilt for the camp land. Some of the previous owners included W.D. Crawford, E.S. Miller, S. Miller, the estate of I. Terry, and the partnership of Grennell & Graves.

1913 - Thieves broke into Vanderbilt's bungalow and boathouse, then set fire to them. It appears Vanderbilt had not visited the property for the past five years. At first it had been thought that the damage was caused by sparks from other fires in the area. The house had been built by John C. Grennell.

1921 - Camp Wauwepex had it's first season on the original site in Miller Place (many old newspaper articles also refer to it as Miller's Place). If you have any details on exactly where the camp was located please let me know. The name for Wauwepex was chosen by F. Howard Covey, the Chief Executive of Nassau County Council. Covey knew of the former use of the word by the lab at Cold Spring Harbor and selected it in part to honor Theodore Roosevelt, the U.S President who had been a founding member of the Nassau County Council, and who lived near Cold Spring Harbor. The camp was open July 14 to August 27 (a second source said the season started on July 16). Charles A. Jones was named at the first chef. The camp operated two divisions and was pronounced a success, running at full capacity. Swimming and aquatics were reported to be especially popular. Wauwepex campers held a skills contest with Scouts from Suffolk County.

1922 - Camp Wauwepex relocated to the current site in Wading River. If you have any details on what led to this move please let me know. The roughly 600-acre site was owned by railroad magnates Harry Payne Whitney and William K. Vanderbilt, and was leased to the Scouts for $1 per year. The camping season began on July 22.

1923 - The summer camping season at Wauwepex was reported to begin in July.

1924 - Wauwepex opened on July 12 for a six week season. This was comprised of three two-week sessions. The budget for the camp was $20,000; Scouts paid $7 a week to attend. Covey continued as the head of the camp with Irving F. "Southy" Southworth named as his assistant.

1925 - Summer camping began on July 11. Attendance was reported as high and the dining hall was expanded to provide additional capacity. New programs were added in forestry and woodcraft. Charles "Grisly" Jones returns as the camp's popular cook for his fifth season.

1926 - This year marked a major turning point for Wauwepex. The Council had tried to buy the property in the past but owners Whitney and Vanderbilt had rebuffed all approaches, wanting to hold on to the land for a planned railroad expansion. When that plan fell through they announced the property was available. The railroad men made the Scouts a very generous offer, giving the Council an option to purchase the site for half of the offers received from real estate investors, but the Scouts needed to come up with $250,000, a formidable number at that time. The actual sale price was set at $180,000 but additional funds were needed to maintain and operate the camp for three years. On May 13 an option to buy the property was given to the Scouts, with Scoutmaster Charles Hewitt providing the initial funding of $100 for the Council. A series of fund-raising events were held across Nassau County. Among the more unusual efforts was selling oranges (a predecessor of today's popcorn sales?) and capturing tent caterpillars, which had been raising havoc with local crops. Mortimer Schiff, whose family later played a major role in paying off the debt for Wauwepex, spoke at a fund raising gala in Garden City. Villages across Nassau County joined in the campaign, pledging to raise the money. On July 30 the contract for the sale of the property was signed, with the Scouts making the first payment of $60,000. While all of this was underway camp opened on July 10 for the six-week summer season. Incidentally this was also the year the Scouts in Suffolk County purchased their camp at Baiting Hollow. A special winter camping program was held at Wauwepex in December 1926.

1927 - A group of twenty Scouts spent a week getting the camp into shape for the summer season. Scout World, the Council's official magazine, carried a story about Wauwepex. The Buckskins, a predecessor to today's Order of the Arrow, continued to grow and established formal rules for membership. On August 7 the Council took possession of the deed to the property. More than 2,000 spectators attended the ceremonial transfer. Nassau County District Attorney Elvin N. Edwards spoke at the event and praised the Boy Scouts for "real Americanism." Popular camp doctor John H. Sharf wrote a letter to the Scouts saying goodbye when he was recalled to practice in the city. Later in the year plans were announced for the second winter camping program, which ran from December 27 to January 1. A total of forty-five Scouts attended.

1928 - Twelve thousand seedling trees were planted at Wauwepex as part of a reforestation project. A crew of 14 Scouts accomplished the task in just two days. A fire on May 13 threatened several structures at camp but was extinguished by Scoutmasters who were on site for a training weekend. A total of 133 Scouts attended the first session of summer camp. It was reported that there were four divisions operating at camp that summer. With the camp operating at full capacity, plans were announced to expand the program for the following summer. In addition to the usual Scoutcraft activities, several sporting competitions were held, pitting each of the divisions against each other for the championship. The camp also held minstrel shows and water carnivals. One newspaper article described the acts in the show in great detail. On August 5 a celebration was held to commemorate the one year anniversary of the Council receiving the deed for the property. August 28 saw four Scouts who had won a contest flying over camp and dropping a message in a bottle into Deep Pond for a greeting to those at camp. A $75,000 program to build log cabins and other structures over the next three years to replace the tents used for many functions at camp and to increase capacity. While 500 Scouts had enjoyed the summer program, an equal number was reported to have been turned away due to a lack of space. A third winter camping season was held.

1929 - A special weekend is held at camp February 9-10 to celebrate Boy Scout Week. Sixteen Scouts and two leaders spend a week training together at Wauwepex before sailing to England for the World Jamboree. Summer camp opened on July 6 with 150 campers enrolled. $30,000 worth of improvements are made to the property.

1930 - Plans were announced to add an Indian village for older Scouts, thereby raising the camp capacity to 325 Scouts per session. Summer camp ran from July 5 to August 23. Afterwards several Scout leaders praised the council for improvements at camp. The Nassau Training Center opened on April 1.

1931 - The Council budget for the year included $3,624 for the operation and maintenance of Camp Wauwepex. The Indian village had a second season. Mortimer Schiff, President of the Boy Scouts of America died on June 4. His family later donated $45,000 to clear the remaining debt on the Wauwepex property. Paul Siple, who developed the wind-chill temperature system, visit camp on August 9.

1932 - A newspaper article on summer camping in the area shows tents and a log cabin at Wauwepex. The summer camp season ran from July 9 to August 27. A crew of 12 Scouts worked for a week to prepare the camp for opening. A simulated ship is built to train Sea Scouts at Wauwepex before they take an actual cruise. Summer camp activities included a play about buried treasure, track meets, and aquatic competitions on Deep Pond. A memorial is built to honor Mortimer Schiff. On August 14 several hundred people watched as the mortgage to the camp was burned at a ceremony honoring the Schiff family. The summer camping season ended with awards for the camp's Olympiad competitions.

1933 - The annual report for the Council stated there had been a 100% increase in the number of youths served at Wauwepex in the past year, and that the property was open for year-round camping. The budget for Wauwepex for the year was $4,925. The summer camp season began on July 15. During the summer the Scouts enjoyed a trip to Wildwood State Park for a barbecue. Attendance for the summer was reported as the highest ever. Herbert Grace became the camp ranger on September 1 and served in that role for 23 years.

1934 - Irving F. "Southy" Southworth returns to Long Island and is named assistant to Covey for Wauwepex. A short wave radio station is operated at camp. A news story mentions 180 Scouts for a session of summer camp. Scouts and staffers joined in for a "circus" in August. Seventeen Scoutmasters attended a special training event at camp, and six Scouts were admitted to the Buckskin Sons. Famed WW I ace Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker visited the camp in August.

1935 - Several camp structures were lost in a series of fires that swept the local area on April 27. At first it was feared the whole camp could be lost, and firemen raced to the scene from across Nassau County to fight the blazes. Some crews traveled more than sixty miles, then laid more than 2,000 feet of hose from Deep Pond to protect the main camp buildings. Happily they were aided by heavy rains that arrived just in time. Although some stories reported the camp as having been destroyed the actual losses were relatively minor. Council executives were quick to announce that summer camp activities would not be impacted. It was later reported that attendance was running at the highest level since 1929. The theme for summer camp was announced as "happiness". The Council was undoubtedly happy when it was later announced the camp was running at full capacity.

1936 - A group of Boy Scout mothers purchased an auroscope for use in the Health Lodge. The camp was actively being used by Boy Scouts and Sea Scouts in the off season. Newspapers carry several stories of troops enjoying winter sports at camp. The bounty on tent caterpillars continues. Sixty-eight Scouts came out in the cold for one winter weekend. Even icy roads couldn't keep some troops from making the trip. The summer camp season began on July 4. A new "H" shaped dock was added, along with two cabins suitable for winter use. In an article about place names on Long Island it was explained that Wauwepex was the Indian name for the harbor at Cold Spring Harbor. Winners of the tent caterpillar hunt were honored at camp. A new 60-foot pier and a rifle range were added. More than a dozen canoes were built at the Craft Lodge. Registration was reported to be the highest since 1929; an outpost camp was operated for older Scouts; the "land ship" for Sea Scouts was still in operation. The Sea Scouts also had use of boats on Long Island Sound. An elaborate musical show was done in pantomime. Other activities included a boxing match and rodeo. Three Scouts received their Eagle awards at the last campfire of the summer season. The National Red Cross awarded the camp the highest rating given for waterfront camps.

1937 - The summer camp season opened on July 10. Additional staff were added to the Craft Lodge, with plans to build 40 canoes during the summer.

1938 - The summer camp season began on July 9. Registrations were reported to be higher than last year. The list of camp staff was printed in local papers. A new record of 158 Scouts attended the first week of summer camp. Capacity is listed as 3,100 Scouts. The third annual Indian pageant was held on August 14. Several outside performers were used in the Indian pageant. A special ceremony is held to present Eagle awards to the sons of a camp staff leader. At the end of the summer season it was announced that 544 Scouts had been in attendance.

1939 - Planning for the summer season began with a meeting of the Camping Committee on February 20. Major changes were announced in the camp staff. Carl Stedman Brown, long-time president of Nassau County Council and instrumental in the purchase and growth of Wauwepex, died unexpectedly on August 4. The "Buddy System" was in use at the waterfront. Approximately 540 Scouts attended summer camp.

1940 - The Council announced plans for a stone gateway and museum at the camp entrance to honor the late Carl Stedman Brown. A newspaper listed all Scouts then at summer camp. The camp had an active museum and library, and announced plans for the annual Rodeo. The museum staff also stocked the lake with a variety of fish. More than 600 Scouts attended summer camp.

1941 - The annual Council Camp-O-Ree was held at Wauwepex May 24-25. Scouts at the Camp-O-Ree would be judged with winners taking part in an 18-state camping excursion sponsored by Newsday. More than 800 Scouts were expected to attend. Summer camp opened on July 5 for a seven week season. There was some conjecture on the origin of the camp's name. The camp experienced record attendance. The Health Lodge had two doctors and an orderly. The memorial to Carl Stedman Brown was dedicated on August 13. The annual summer pageant was "Benedict Arnold, Patriot and Traitor". The summer season ended with an Olympic meet. At the closing banquet the camp staff presented Camp Director F. Howard Covey with an electric clock.

1942 - It was reported that 4,000 Scouts went to summer camp in 1941. The Council camporee was held at Wauwepex on May 23. Accommodations had to be made to deal with rationing for World War II. This included taking a train to camp instead of cars, starting on Fridays instead of Saturday, and Scouts needed to bring their ration books with them. The camp again held a minstrel show. The show received a rave review in Newsday. A banquet was held at the end of the summer to thank the staff.

1943 - The year began with the Council declaring there was no truth to rumors that Wauwepex would be turned over to the government for use as a concentration camp. Summer camp registrations were reported to higher than the prior year. Summer camp activities included Olympics week, a circus, rodeo, and barbecue. Half of the camp was burned in a forest fire but the buildings were spared when the road around the lake acted as a fire break.

1944 - The summer camp season ran from July to to August 25. Scouts again traveled to camp via train. Newsday found humor in the press releases coming from Council.

1945 - The Buckskins announced that the annual musical pageant would return on August 19 after a three year hiatus due to the war.

1946 - A team of seven scouts was given special training to act as leaders at summer camp. Newsday published several photos from camp: Page 1 - Page 2. Wauwepex was reported to be operating at full capacity. The camp continued to hold its annual circus; the "Wanka Waste" award was presented to scouts for being "good campers." More than 200 Buckskins and Scout executives attended a dinner in December honoring camp staffers.

1947 - Two Camp-O-Rees were held at Wauwepex before the start of summer camp. Summer camping began on July 5 for a seven week session. The theme was "Camping in the Open". Newsday had a pictorial on Scouts enjoying camp. The annual pageant. put on by the Buckskins saluted the life of President Andrew Jackson. F. Howard Covey promised it would be the most spectacular pageant. ever produced at Wauwepex. A training course for adult leaders was held in November. The Council launched a fund drive to help build more cabins at camp.

1948 - A retirement dinner was held on June 5 to honor F. Howard Covey, who had announced plans to retire at the end of summer camp. The American Red Cross helped train the waterfront staff. Scouts from Woodmere donated $1,050 to build three lean-tos in honor of recently deceased Scoutmaster Nathan Wiener. Rodeo Day was held on August 4. Covey was honored for his years of service at a special ceremony at camp. New Scout Executive Richard A. Blauvelt announced that Covey's successor running Camp Wauwepex would be Robert F. Parkinson. Covey had a remarkable 28-year run as the camp director.

1949 - The Council announced there would be three types of camping available for the summer - troop camping, provisional troops, and an outpost camp for boy staying four weeks or longer. A group of 80-100 Scout leaders worked to get the property ready for summer camp. The summer program started on July 3. The camp's capacity was 300 Scouts, and 250 had to be turned away. A construction program was started to double the size of the camp, including the building of a new dining hall. Three cases of polio were discovered at camp. This followed an earlier medical problem when 20 Scouts had severe cases of diarrhea, sending several to the hospital. As the summer drew to an end health authorities announced that polio was "under control" at camp. Newsday published a pictorial on the summer program: Page 1 - Page 2. Sadly one of the polio cases later passed away.

1950 - The Council announced that while each Scout was charged $15 for a week at Wauwepex the Council was subsidizing an additional $3. The second annual turkey shoot was held at camp January 28-29. Newsday again published a pictorial on summer camp. Bloodhounds were brought in to help search for a 14-year old Scout who had gone missing at summer camp. A 14-state alarm was broadcast for the missing boy. It was reported that he had failed to win his First Class award and left camp before his parents arrived for a visit. Authorities became concerned when the search went into a second day. Happily on the third day he was discovered by Scout Executive Richard A. Blauvelt in a disused lean-to far away from the main camp sites. It was decided to give him the First Class award. He had been living on food he snuck out of camp facilities.

1951 - The Council received a gift of $50,000 to help building a new dining hall. A cold weather camping weekend was held in January. Wauwepex opened for its 31st season on June 30, with 3,500 Scouts expected for the summer. There were problems getting bread delivered to camp due to a bakery strike, forcing the camp cooks to bake it and cookies. Members of Nassau County's Community Chest visited camp. Newsday published a pictorial: Page 1 - Page 2. Proof that the "Buddy System" works - two Scouts were awarded the Medal of Merit for saving a drowning Scout.

1952 - The new Hayden Hall dining hall was dedicated on June 19. A $50,000 donation from the Hayden Foundation was essential in seeing the building constructed. F. Howard Covey returned for the ceremony. The camp capacity was now rated as 750 Scouts at a time. Newsday again did a pictorial on summer camp: Page 1 - Page 2. The first year for the acorn-shaped summer camp patch. Approximately 70 Scouts were struck by a mystery illness at summer camp.

1953 - Training for the upcoming National Jamboree was conducted at Wauwepex by Region 2 of the Boy Scouts. Herbert Grace retired after serving as the camp's ranger for 23 years.

1955 - US Navy Seabees built lean-tos on May 21. The annual Cub-Dad Weekend was held July 2-3. The Council announced in late July that attendance was up 30% from the prior year's record numbers. "Hiccups Hall", the newest dining hall serving the Frontier Division of camp, was dedicated on August 7. It was a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Charles V. Hickox. Newsday ran its annual pictorial on summer camp: Page 1 - Page 2. The first Catholic Scout retreat was held this year.

1956 - Expansion plans for camp included Jewish and Protestant chapels, a rifle range, shower-house, cabins, and first aid stations. The three camp chapels were dedicated on June 22. Last year for the acorn-shaped summer camp patch.

1957 - Robert Geary became the camp ranger.

1958 - Three Scouts were sent home when they faked a stabbing incident just outside camp. The off-duty police officer who came across their performance was not amused. Ten Explorer Scouts took part in an Air Force training exercise that didn't quite go as planned.

1959 - Camp attendance is reported at 1,250 Scouts per week, with an estimate of more than 7,000 for the summer. An additional 700 per week were attending Onteora. The crash of a Boeing 707 jetliner less than half a mile from camp led Council executive Richard A. Blauvelt to announce plans to sell the property, stating it was too close to the Grumman airfield in Calverton. A statement from the Council several days later contradicted Blauvelt's announcement, saying abandoning Wauwepex had not been discussed with the board. In a lengthy statement the Council expressed a commitment to keep Wauwepex open even as it was expanding Onteora and negotiating to buy Alder Lake. First summer for the classic tepee-shaped summer camp patch. The fifth annual Catholic Scout retreat was held October 2-3.

1960 - Camp ranger Robert Geary died while serving as a volunteer fireman. The Catholic Scout retreat was held October 1-2. Johnnie Jones took over as the camp ranger on December 15 and served until 1982.

1961 - Record attendance was forecast for both Wauwepex and Onteora. The Catholic Scout retreat was held September 30-October 1. Several Scouts painted a new backdrop for the altar at the Catholic chapel.

1963 - Scouts from Troop 179 in Baldwin (my old troop) hiked the 50 miles from Wantagh to Wauwepex. Wauwepex received an A-100 inspection rating from the National Council. The ninth annual Catholic Scout retreat was held September 28-29.

1964 - The camp was used for National Guard war games. The Catholic Scout retreat was held on October 3-4. The increased enrollment in Scouting meant a second retreat was held a week later at a Catholic camp for those unable to get a spot at Wauwepex. Summer camp began on June 27. Newsday ran a full-page story on summer camp. Wauwepex again received an A-100 inspection rating from the National Council. The Catholic Scout retreat was held October 2-3.

1965 - Last summer for the tepee-shaped summer camp patch.

1966 - The Catholic Scout retreat was held October 1-2.

1967 - Jewish Scouts held a conclave at camp June 17-18. A three-day camporee was held July 2-4. A reunion weekend for past campers and staffers was held on July 15 as part of the Council's 50th anniversary celebrations.

1968 - The Catholic Scout retreat was held October 5-6.

1969 - F. Howard Covey, the man behind the creation of Wauwepex, died at age 86 on May 6. Another obituary for Covey. The Area 2-J Conference of the Order of the Arrow was held at camp on September 5. The Catholic Scout retreat was October 4-5.

1972 - Suffolk County proposed buying the property to preserve it as parkland. The site was described as 450 acres, down from 600.

1973 - Co-ed camping was approved for Explorer Scouts. Concerned Scouters began a "Save Camp Wauwepex" campaign. Faced with vocal public backlash Suffolk began back pedaling on the idea. It was noted that attendance had been declining and the summer program was being cut from eight weeks to six. Those opposed to the sale kept up their campaign. The Council valued the property at $5 million and noted it was $900,000 in debt.

1974 - Yet another fire endangered the camp.

1975 - Irving F. "Southy" Southworth died at age 85 on April 21.The Council voted to sell the camp to Suffolk County. A group of Scoutmasters immediately spoke out in strong opposition to the plan. The Scoutmasters then brought local politicians into the battle. The Council refused to meet with the Nassau County Executive's office. The Suffolk County Executive had to defend himself after a barrage of letters from Scouts against the sale. The Scoutmasters set up a fund to fight against the sale. The proposed sale of another nearby camp added to the sense of urgency to preserve Wauwepex. Happily the Scoutmasters prevailed and the Council dropped the plan.

1976 - This was the last year for summer camp for Scouts at Wauwepex. Summer programs in future years were geared towards Cub Scouts. Strapped for cash and unable to sell Wauwepex, the Council explored selling off the Harkness Training Center at the headquarters in Roslyn. Meanwhile, Suffolk Country was still considering obtaining the Wauwepex property. Finally, when federal funds were not available, the Suffolk County Executive decided to drop plans to acquire Wauwepex. The Council announced that Harkness was up for sale. The Catholic Scout retreat was held September 25-26.

1977 - A newspaper columnist shared his memories of Wauwepex in 1930.

1981 - The 20th annual Lutheran Scout retreat was held October 17-18.

1982 - Johnnie Jones retired as the camp ranger on February 1 and was succeeded by his son, Wally.

1984 - The Hendrickson family donated $1.3 million to the Council, with a portion of the money earmarked for Wauwepex. It was the largest donation ever received by the Council at that time.

1985 - The first annual Rough Rider bike rally was held April 21.

1989 - The Council announced it was considering moving the summer camp operation from Onteora to Wauwepex to save money. Andy Johns, who would later become the Council president, spoke out against the plan.

1990 - The Council requested that Wauwepex be split into two parcels, intending to keep the 419-acre main portion of the property while selling a 131-acre portion on the southern side of the camp for use as a golf course.

1992 - The Long Island Rail Road donates the caboose to camp.

1995 - Newsday notes that Deep Pond is the largest privately owned lake on Long Island.

1996 - The golf course plan resurfaced. This time around the Council asked for permission to sell 147 acres while mainraining 403 for use by the Scouts. A Newsday editorial urged the state to buy the land from the Scouts. Governor Pataki expressed interest in the idea; meanwhile the Council announced the headquarters in Roslyn was for sale. Newsday applauded the governor for considering the deal.

1997 - More than 400 Scouts braved the cold in January for a weekend at camp. Following lengthy negotiations with the state's Department of Environmental Conservation, public fishing is offered on Deep Pond for limited hours.

2001 - Hickox Hall burned to the ground on November 1, 2011.

2005 - The Wauwepex Society was formed to help support the camp.

2014 - A free fishing clinic is held at Deep Pond on June 14.The replacement for the burned Hickox Hall is completed. It is currently being called "the New Dining Hall".

2022 - The camp's 100th anniversary is celebrated on October 22 with tours of the property and lunch.