Agawam’s History
Defining Our Journey
Camp Agawam is a place with a rich history, filled with moments over its 100+ year existence that have shaped its legacy.
1919
Camp Agawam founded by “The Governor” Appleton A. Mason
1920
Camp Agawam opens for its first season on rented property on Stinson Lake in Rumney, New Hampshire
1923
Agawam moves to newly purchased property on Rattlesnake Pond (now Crescent Lake). The Dining Hall, Earl Hall (now the woodshop), Mayflower (now Dartmouth), Harvard, Bowdoin, and Columbia were constructed.
1925
First Council Fire held, based on the writings of Ernest Thompson Seton and his Woodcraft League of America
1927
Ags v. Wams competition begins
1934
Totem Society founded to recognize campers that fully embody the spirit of the Woodcraft Laws
1939
Following the death of “The Governor” in December 1938, Appleton A. Mason, Jr. assumes the directorship
1939
The Governor Trophy first awarded
1942
Katiaki instituted
1947
The Cargill Trophy for Sportsmanship first awarded
1957
David W. Mason assumes the directorship
1971
The Main Idea program for Maine youth at Camp Agawam is established
1972
The Dave Mason, Jr. Trophy first awarded
1984
David W. Mason announces his retirement. Agawam Council established as a non-profit organization and a Board of Directors of dedicated alumni is selected.
1986
- Garth R. Nelson assumes the directorship
- The Mason Trophy for Service first awarded, replacing the Dave Mason, Jr. Trophy
- The Agawam Council Trophy for Leadership first awarded
1988
The Agawam Council makes its final payment to Dave and Peg Mason to complete the purchase of Camp Agawam
1991
Agawam purchases 3.5 acres of adjacent woodland
1992
Agawam Council Challenge capital fund raising effort begins. Donations establish an endowment for the Main Idea program and full-summer camperships, a Preservation Trust, and funds necessary to build Mason Hall and renovate Governor Hall.
1994
- Agawam Council Challenge reaches $1.25 million goal
- Mason Hall (including a new Dining Room, Kitchen, and Recreation building) completed
1995
Governor Hall renovated and expanded. Agawam purchases 20 acres of farm property at the top of the camp road
1997
Agawam Council embarks on an ambitious program to renovate the camp facilities. During this three-year effort, every camper cabin is raised off the ground, straightened, leveled, re-roofed and set on new supports. New Waysides (toilets and showers) are constructed for each camper campus, and several cabins are repositioned to create better campus focus.
1999
- Development of two very large athletic fields on the 20-acre farm parcel purchased in 1995
- Bob Fryer and Peter Gould, two very dedicated alumni, developed a wonderful video history of Agawam and presented it at Agawam’s 80th Anniversary celebration in August 1999
2000
- Thanks to the generosity of many friends and alumni of Agawam, all donors to our “Courts Campaign,” Agawam completes the renovation and reconstruction of our basketball court and four tennis courts
- Purchase 13.5 acres of adjacent woodland
- Master Site Analysis commissioned and completed to guide further long range planning for Agawam
2001
- Due to extra heavy winter snow load, Governor Hall collapses. An extraordinary effort by alumni, friends, staff and Council members resulted in its total replacement from April through the following winter.
- The Agawam community is deeply saddened by the passing of Appleton (Ap) A. Mason, Jr., eldest son of our founder and one of Agawam’s directors (1939 – 1956)
2002
- Re-dedication and opening of the new Governor Hall
- Purchase of 21 acres of adjacent woodland
2004
- Alumni reunite at Agawam, during a weekend in August, to celebrate our camp’s 85th anniversary. Dave Griffiths compiles a volume which chronicled interesting and important tales of Agawam through the years called Braves Give Ear…Voices From The Great Central Fire. It was presented at the 85th reunion weekend.
- The Agawam Christmas Ski Weekend is inaugurated at Sunday River report in Bethel, ME
- Agawam completes a project to irrigate its central campus area. A pipeline is also extended to the Upper Fields near the camp entrance.
- The Agawam community is saddened by the passing of George G. Mason, second son of Agawam’s founder
2005
- The Main Idea extends its age range to 14, and serves over 100 campers
- Renovations completed on the camp infirmary and Clausen House
- Irrigation completed for the first of the Upper Fields
- The Agawam Council Board of Directors commence visioning and strategic planning to guide Agawam’s programs and evolution in the future
2006
- Agawam Council purchases 3.5 acre Durwand Property, rejoining the divided Wabinoden parcels
- An existing house is subsequently sold off with a 2 acre reconfigured lot, successfully completing this strategic initiative
- The board authorizes a campaign to support the Wabinoden land purchase and the reconstruction and expansion of the boathouse
2007
- The Wabinoden/Boathouse campaign achieves its goal of $113,000
- The new boathouse is completed in time for the 2007 camp season
- Tall Pines is fully renovated and provides much improved living quarters for the camp director
- Garth Nelson announces his intention to retire as camp director after the 2008 season
- The board accepts the recommendation of its search committee and unanimously votes to appoint Erik Calhoun as Agawam’s 5th camp director
2008
- Renovation of activity buildings is completed with the renovation of the woodshop
- Renovation and expansion of Esty House is completed
- “Chief” Erik C. Calhoun assumes the Directorship, succeeding “Chief” Garth R. Nelson after 23 seasons as director, becoming the 5th director of Camp Agawam. “Chief” Nelson continues on as consulting director and director of development
2009
- Camp Agawam alumni reunite at Agawam for a weekend in August to celebrate camp’s 90th anniversary
- Upper fields are dedicated in honor of “Chief” Garth R. Nelson and named Nelson Fields
2010
- The Main Idea at Camp Agawam celebrates its 40th anniversary
- After 26 years of service, “Chief” and Barbara Nelson announce their retirement
2011
- Construction completed on two new senior staff cabins in honor of “Chief” Garth Nelson (Masconomo and Malm)
- New riflery range completed
2012
Renovations completed and music room opens
2013
- The Agawam community is deeply saddened by the passing of Garth R. Nelson, Camp Agawam’s director from 1985-2008
- Main Idea expands to include 15-year old campers with a wilderness canoe trip to Rangeley Lakes
2014
Camp Agawam alumni return to Agawam on Labor Day weekend to celebrate camp’s 95th anniversary
2015
- Agawam Council completes and adopts a strategic plan to guide Agawam into its second century
- Agawam Council purchases the property at 9 Frog Hollow Road and 8.4 acres near the top of the camp road (second parcel of Flanigan property)
- Agawam Council endorses the creation of the young alumni subcommittee
- Senior Club program is revamped to include more of a focus on certifications, community service opportunities outside of camp, more training in teaching and counseling and a capstone trip
2016
- Agawam Council begins the silent phase of the “Agawam, My Agawam” capital campaign
- Camp Agawam launches a new responsive website
2017
- Agawam Council purchases 2 acres near route 85 (86 Webbs Mills Rd)
- Agawam builds a new ropes course with all new elements
- Agawam breaks ground on construction of a new infirmary
- The Agawam community is deeply saddened by the passing of David (Dave) W Mason, youngest son of our founder and one of Agawam’s former owner/directors. Dave helped run Agawam with his brother Ap from 1939 until he and his wife Peg bought Camp Agawam from Ap and ran it from 1957-1985.
2018
- Construction completed on the new infirmary
- Purchase of new H-dock
- Construction begins to extend and level Ap’s Field and remake staff parking area into lacrosse practice area
- Construction begins to reroute Agawam’s entrance road to limit vehicles moving through program area. Project includes 80 spots in a new staff/visitor parking area, a new cul-de-sac to allow for easier access for deliveries and access to new infirmary. Bob’s Shop relocated to end of parking area for use until new maintenance shop and barn are built
- Work begins to relocate the archery and riflery ranges
- Construction begins to renovate the existing riflery range into new living space for kitchen staff. Demolition of old quarters.
- Construction begins to renovate old infirmary into 2 staff quarters
2019
- Camp Agawam welcomes over 600 alumni and friends in August to celebrate Agawam’s 100ᵗʰ anniversary
- Completion of construction of new Agawam entrance road, Ap’s field, new archery range, new riflery range including riflery structure, renovation of old riflery structure into living space for kitchen staff and renovation of old infirmary into new space for staff
- Construction begins on new maintenance shop and barn
- Purchase of ½ acre property along shoreline of Crescent Lake (52 Trails End Rd)
2020
Camp Agawam makes the sad decision to suspend its Main Idea and seven-week program due to COVID-19
2021
Agawam reopens for a successful and safe comeback summer with COVID-19 protocols in place. Completion of Bailey Maintenance Shop and Barn.
2022
Completion of construction of new Agawam Office