I was there for 2 weeks in the summer of 1965 with my cousin, Nicky whose is, sadly, no longer with us. I was 12 years old and he was 15; at the outer limits of how old you could be in those days and still attend: He realized this and sort of said goodbye to the place. He lived in Riverdale (Bronx, NY), where we had both grown up, and I was was in Somers, NY. I didn't want to go: My Uncle (Nick's) dad, sent me there as a "favor" , but all I wanted to do was stay home and listen to the Beatles & the Stones, ya know? Turned out to be the GREATEST 2 weeks of my life! The U.S. Marines came and I got to shoot an M1, which scared the crap out of me(the clip nearly hit me in the face as it was ejected from the rifle); they couldn't get away with that today...By the time my dad came to get me, I didn't wanna leave the place: I can STILL here that cannon going off every morning at 6:20; it always got me outtabed... If anybody else out there wants to stay in touch about the place, I'd be glad to participate...
Siwanoy was special. I was a scout from Troop 9 in Pelham, NY and I attended Siwanoy in 61, 62 and 63. It was a really innocent time.
I wish I could go back and do it all over again: woodcarving, nature trails, swimming/boating, horsebackriding, archery/rifle range, sports at nite, working in the mess hall as we all had to do. What could be better and refreshing for the soul. The counselors were great, people you could depend on and learn from.
I was at Siwanoy with my twin brother in 62, 63, and 64. Such great memories! We did the 50 mile hike in 64. It was, and remains, the hardest physical ordeal of my life, but one of the best. We triumphantly marched into camp(only 5 of us out of 23 that started) right at inspection time, with the entire camp standing at attention. The camp director, Reno Zuccaro, announced our arrival and the entire camp broke into applause. What a moment! My brother, Ray, passed away a few years ago. We had lots of time to talk and recall the crazy adventures of our youth. Siwanoy was laughed about and warmly remembered. I like to think that kids still have those kinds of experiences, but it was a very different world. (Every generation probably says that).
P.S. I had a M1 clip from the Marines visit in my dresser drawer for many years.
I was there in 1973, it was two weeks of camping and learning, ill never forget the rope swing ,,lake and staying way out at seneca tribe ,, troop3 from mamaroneck ny.., thx john w
This is great stuff. I attended Siwanoy from 1976 through 1981. Mohicans Camp. Great memories. All of my brothers went there as well in the 60's and early 70's- Dakota Camp. The land is privately owned now, and fenced off completely from Duel Hollow Road. Who remembers Jack the Ranger?
The staff had a reunion the summer of 2014 and a large group of us were allowed in by the current owners to view the property. Three buildings remain. The Larchmont and Rye cabins have been COMPLETELY restored and polished with added indoor bathrooms. The rec hall and lower trading post are there although the rec hall roof is gone. Lake is beautiful. No docks. Kevin Wiggers Troop 9 Pelham, Sagamore/Sachem of the Mohicans.
9 comments:
wish i could go back and camp there by the fort again. Is it possible?/
Unfortunately, no. The camp is closed now and has been since 2001.
I was there for 2 weeks in the summer of 1965 with my cousin, Nicky whose is, sadly, no longer with us. I was 12 years old and he was 15; at the outer limits of how old you could be in those days and still attend: He realized this and sort of said goodbye to the place.
He lived in Riverdale (Bronx, NY), where we had both grown up, and I was was in Somers, NY. I didn't want to go: My Uncle (Nick's) dad, sent me there as a "favor" , but all I wanted to do was stay home and listen to the Beatles & the Stones, ya know? Turned out to be the GREATEST 2 weeks of my life! The U.S. Marines came and I got to shoot an M1, which scared the crap out of me(the clip nearly hit me in the face as it was ejected from the rifle); they couldn't get away with that today...By the time my dad came to get me, I didn't wanna leave the place: I can STILL here that cannon going off every morning at 6:20; it always got me outtabed...
If anybody else out there wants to stay in touch about the place, I'd be glad to participate...
Siwanoy was special. I was a scout from Troop 9 in Pelham, NY and I attended Siwanoy in 61, 62 and 63. It was a really innocent time.
I wish I could go back and do it all over again: woodcarving, nature trails, swimming/boating, horsebackriding, archery/rifle range, sports at nite, working in the mess hall as we all had to do. What could be better and refreshing for the soul. The counselors were great, people you could depend on and learn from.
So sad it's gone.
I was at Siwanoy with my twin brother in 62, 63, and 64. Such great memories!
We did the 50 mile hike in 64. It was, and remains, the hardest physical ordeal of my life, but one of the best. We triumphantly marched into camp(only 5 of us out of 23 that started) right at inspection time, with the entire camp standing at attention. The camp director, Reno Zuccaro, announced our arrival and the entire camp broke into applause. What a moment!
My brother, Ray, passed away a few years ago. We had lots of time to talk and recall the crazy adventures of our youth. Siwanoy was laughed about and warmly remembered.
I like to think that kids still have those kinds of experiences, but it was a very different world. (Every generation probably says that).
P.S. I had a M1 clip from the Marines visit in my dresser drawer for many years.
Lee Wolfson
I was there in 1973, it was two weeks of camping and learning, ill never forget the rope swing ,,lake and staying way out at seneca tribe ,, troop3 from mamaroneck ny..,
thx john w
This is great stuff. I attended Siwanoy from 1976 through 1981. Mohicans Camp. Great memories. All of my brothers went there as well in the 60's and early 70's- Dakota Camp. The land is privately owned now, and fenced off completely from Duel Hollow Road. Who remembers Jack the Ranger?
The staff had a reunion the summer of 2014 and a large group of us were allowed in by the current owners to view the property. Three buildings remain. The Larchmont and Rye cabins have been COMPLETELY restored and polished with added indoor bathrooms. The rec hall and lower trading post are there although the rec hall roof is gone. Lake is beautiful. No docks. Kevin Wiggers Troop 9 Pelham, Sagamore/Sachem of the Mohicans.
I am from N Pelham and I was in Troop 8 Troop 6 seemed to be for the kids that attended St Catherine's School.
I can't recall Trrop(s) from Pelham Manor and suspect 9 was from Colonial school in the heights.
Very sad to learn the camp closed. Wonder what Blind Paul thinks of this.
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