A Long & Rich History
Founded in 1907 by Dr. George Alexander Kohut, Kamp was originally created as a refuge from the heat and pollution of the city. Dr. Kohut was a literary scholar and educator who ran a boys’ school in New York (“Kohut’s School for Boys”), and was convinced an outdoor experience in the Maine wilderness would be very healthy and character building for his students.
For more than a century, Kohut’s program has indeed promoted healthy living and fine character in young people in various ways. While activities originally focused primarily on outdoor living skills and competitive sports, Kohut has consistently retained its commitment to enriching young peoples’ lives and helping them grow. In 1936, Kamp’s award-winning literary magazine “The Kronikle” (Columbia University Scholastic Press) wrote:
“Kamp Kohut completes thirty years of successful camping during which the purpose of camping has increasingly changed. The theory of play for the sake of play now means play for the purpose of developing initiative, leadership, co-operation and teamwork as well as the attitudes of the individual boy. Facilities for the discovery of a boy’s talent have become a necessary part of summer camping.”
In 1939, “Fishing, long hikes, archery, shop, outdoor theatre, rustic benches increase the values of camping – by limiting activities associated with city life;” and then, in 1940, “Continued stress on broad program to meet individual needs and aptitudes in cultural and physical development…”
These values and principles have remained true through decades of Kohut’s history, as vintage “Kronikles” tell of continued programmatic growth and development, and Kohut’s long history pays tribute to its core values. Numerous interesting historical notes display Kamp’s fine reputation and diverse connections worldwide. For example, in 1913, Admiral Peary came to speak; in 1925, Governor & former U.S. Senator Fernald opened the July 4th ceremonies; in 1940, Kamp was honored by the visit of Maestro and Mrs. Arturo Toscanini. The fascinating history of how one camp has attracted and molded so many different amazing people, famous and not-so-famous, successful in many different ways, could fill an entire book.
Fast forward to the current Owners/Directors of Kamp Kohut, Lisa Tripler and Dan Rapaport, who took over in 1992 and introduced girls to the Kohut population. As they celebrate three decades as owners of Kamp Kohut, Lisa and Dan are humbled by the long and rich history of Kohut, and are grateful for the opportunity to provide boys and girls an incredible, healthy and character-building experience.