 
Senate Resolution No. 5820
 
BY: Senator GRIFFO
 
        COMMEMORATING the 50th Anniversary of Kamp Kiwanis
 
  WHEREAS,  It  is  the custom of this Legislative Body to honor those
illustrious individuals and institutions of the State of New York  whose
purposeful  endeavors  serve  to  enhance  the  quality of life in their
communities; and
 
  WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud  to  commemorate  the
50th Anniversary of Kamp Kiwanis; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Owned  and  operated  by the New York District Foundation,
Kamp Kiwanis serves youth with many forms  of  disabilities  and  health
impairments without regard to race, color, sex or national origin; and
 
  WHEREAS,  The  site of Kamp Kiwanis was originally a privately owned
property which served as a  station  for  the  Underground  Railroad,  a
sanctuary  for  those  fleeing  enslavement  and oppression in the South
during the Civil War; and
 
  WHEREAS, The Rome Kiwanis Club purchased the property in  1930,  and
incorporated  as  the  Rome  Kiwanis Recreation Association; the Kiwanis
Health Camp for Boys was established later that same year, operating for
28 years; and
 
  WHEREAS, The New York Foundation and  Kamp  Kiwanis  was  officially
founded on December 16, 1968, after the Kiwanis Club of Rome offered the
existing camp to the Foundation for just one dollar; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Kamp Kiwanis' official opening took place in the summer of
1971, with six cabins and a new administration building  as  a  six-week
program  for  underprivileged  boys;  just  one  year  later, the camp's
capacity was doubled with the construction of six additional cabins; and
 
  WHEREAS, In 1976, a new in-ground swimming pool was  constructed  at
the  camp,  and  from  1984  through 1988, the Pride Drive and the SMILE
DRIVE raised significant funds, providing tools, tiles, a van, a car,  a
pool  table, a video slide show of the camp, electrical fixtures, a lawn
tractor and a fire system for the kitchen; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Kamp  Kiwanis  became  co-ed  in  1988,   before   serving
adult/senior  citizens  the  following  year;  furthermore, the camp was
officially opened as a wheelchair accessible facility on June 18,  1990;
and
 
  WHEREAS,  Throughout  the 1990s, numerous projects were completed at
the camp, including the Morgenroth Drama Center, the Commemorative  Wall
honoring  deceased  Kiwanians,  the Sun Shelter, and the construction of
the East Meadow Cabin; and
 
  WHEREAS, Pete's Pool was constructed in 2002, replacing the original
pool and dedicated to the memory of Pete Haller; in 2005 a new Infirmary
was added to the Administration Building, and 2012 saw the dedication of
a new Kamp Library; and
 
 
  WHEREAS,  Located  six  miles  from  Rome,  New  York,  Kamp Kiwanis
currently offers 102 acres of woodlands in the rolling western foothills
of the Adirondack Mountains; for five decades, this vital  facility  has
provided an extraordinary camping experience for youth, adults and those
with disabilities; and
 
  WHEREAS, The success of Kamp Kiwanis is in direct correlation to the
efforts  of  its  dedicated  staff, whose involvement is, and always has
been,  characterized  by  an   impressive   commitment,   an   unbridled
enthusiasm,   and  an  uncompromising  standard  of  excellence  in  all
endeavors on behalf of the organization and the community it serves; and
 
  WHEREAS, In light  of  its  commitment,  dedication  and  successful
efforts, it is the custom of this Legislative Body to extend its highest
commendation to Kamp Kiwanis of Taberg, New York; now, therefore, be it
 
  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Kamp Kiwanis; and be it further
 
  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to Kamp Kiwanis.
Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Kamp Kiwanis

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