OUR HISTORY

Founded in 1901

Established by the Hartford YMCA in 1901, Camp Jewell YMCA first took shape on the shores of Tunxis Island in the Long Island Sound with just three tents, simple cooking utensils, and a pair of rowboats. The camp was named in honor of Colonel Charles A. Jewell, the Hartford Y’s president at the time, who generously contributed the first $150 to purchase the essential supplies. By 1903 camp had moved to Lake Swanzey, New Hampshire, and attendance had grown to 75 boys—many of whom traveled by train to New Hampshire, then biked, hiked, or rode horseback to reach the lakeside retreat.

While our history is undeniably rooted in pivotal moments and locations, it is truly the people—campers, staff, alumni, and friends—who have shaped Camp Jewell YMCA into the vibrant community it is today.

The camp and its leadership continued to expand over the new few decades. By 1920 cabins and other facilities had been completed, and in 1923 one of camp’s most influential leaders had joined the ranks. Archie “Pal” Knowles served as Jewell’s seventh director until 1945. Walt Malins, who served camp as director after Pal, regarded him as a gifted leader. “Archie Knowles was the most beloved youth worker in the whole New England area,” he once said. “Everybody looked to him. He was a true Christian, a religious man, and everyone he worked with took on an aura from him.”

Mr. Malins served as the director from 1946 to 1960, overseeing the move from Swanzey to Colebrook location we still call home today. As Lake Swanzey became a popular vacation destination, it lost its remote and tranquil feeling and the search for a new home began. The Colebrook site was purchased for $55,000 in 1951. Four years later Jewell opened its doors in Colebrook for the first time.

Shortly after Camp Jewell YMCA made its move to Colebrook, one of its most memorable figures arrived: Doug “Scoobie” Ahrens. Considered the longest-serving and most influential staff member in Camp Jewell’s history, Scoobie’s ever-evolving role can be summed up as being responsible for “All Things Camp Jewell.” Many past and present team members fondly recall his famous “Scoobie Snacks,” offered nightly at 10 p.m. in the dining hall—just one of the traditions that solidifies his enduring legacy at Camp Jewell.

Over the years, many individuals have shaped Camp Jewell YMCA’s culture and forged strong relationships within our community. Among the most notable is Charlie Hanscomb—affectionately known as “Mr. Chuck”—who served as director from 1960 to 1965. During his tenure, he introduced new adventure trips to expand our activity offerings and opened the “YMCA Outdoor Center Ski Area,” which we now simply call the ski hill.

As time passed, Camp Jewell continued to evolve, with improvements to existing cabins and the addition of new facilities such as Centennial Lodge, the Council Ring, and our high and low ropes courses. However, the most significant shift came in 1970, when Camp Jewell transitioned from an all-boys camp to a co-ed program—ushering in a new era of inclusivity and growth for generations of campers

During the 1970s and early 1980s, Camp Jewell YMCA flourished under the guidance of three influential leaders: Allen Beavers, Paul Berkel, and Gordon Hodne. Their vision and dedication laid the groundwork for many aspects of modern-day camp, including the beloved Ranch program and the candlelight ceremony on the final night of each summer session. Paul and Gordy were affectionately recognized as a dynamic duo, and they continue to inspire a devoted community of former campers and staff whose time at camp overlapped with theirs.

Under the leadership of Executive Director Gary Forster and Summer Camp Director Paul Kamin in the 1980s and 1990s, Camp Jewell achieved new levels of excellence—emerging as one of the premier YMCA camping programs in the United States. Today, Camp Jewell YMCA remains deeply rooted in the cherished traditions cultivated over its 100-plus-year history, offering transformative experiences that keep our vibrant legacy alive for future generations.