 
Senate Resolution No. 789
 
BY: Senator STEC
 
        COMMEMORATING  the  80th  Anniversary  of 4-H Camp
        Overlook
 
  WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize  and
pay   tribute   to  those  organizations  of  high  purpose  and  worthy
accomplishment whose endeavors have faithfully served the welfare of the
youth of the State of New York; and
 
  WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and  in  full  accord  with  its
long-standing  traditions,  this  Legislative  Body  is  justly proud to
commemorate the 80th Anniversary of 4-H Camp Overlook; and
 
  WHEREAS, 4-H Camp Overlook, located in the hamlet of  Mountain  View
on  a  scenic  25-acre Adirondack Mountain setting, has been a cherished
institution  for  80  years,  offering  educational   and   recreational
experiences  to  children  and  adolescents  from  local communities and
across New York State and beyond; and
 
  WHEREAS, In 1910, Edwin J.  Irwin,  an  official  of  the  New  York
Central  Railroad  built  "Camp  Jeanne" in honor of his wife who passed
away in 1939; Camp Jeanne and the numerous building  on  the  site  were
willed to Jeanne Irwin's brother, Edwin Dimelow; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Edwin  Dimelow  undertook the conversion of the main lodge
into  Hotel  Overlook,  establishing  a  full-service  dining  room  and
creating  a  popular  destination  that attracted visitors from near and
far; and
 
  WHEREAS, In 1945, the 4-H Boards of Directors of  Franklin  and  St.
Lawrence Counties purchased the property for $12,000, acquiring multiple
buildings-including the main lodge, a workshop, the guest house known as
"Little  Moose,"  two  boathouses-and approximately 1,600 feet of scenic
waterfront along Indian Lake; and
 
  WHEREAS, Since that time, Camp Overlook has been owned and  operated
by  Cornell Cooperative Extension of Franklin and St. Lawrence Counties,
providing affordable, wholesome, and engaging outdoor experiences  in  a
safe, supervised environment; and
 
  WHEREAS,   4-H  Camp  Overlook  offers  traditional  overnight  camp
sessions for youth ages 8 to 19, allowing campers to  participate  in  a
wide  variety of courses including canoeing, kayaking, sailing, archery,
rocketry,  STEM  activities,  drama,  eco-exploration,  and  more,   all
designed to challenge and inspire young minds; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Over  the years, more than 60,000 youth have attended Camp
Overlook; in addition to the formal summer camp, thousands of youth from
area schools have been brought to Camp Overlook  for  outdoor  education
activities and classes; and
 
  WHEREAS, The camp offers specialized programs such as Cloverbud Camp
for  younger  children ages 6 to 8, introducing them to the independence
 
of overnight camp through age-appropriate classes  and  activities,  all
guided by trained counselors; and
 
  WHEREAS,  4-H  Camp  Overlook places a strong emphasis on leadership
development through  its  Counselor-in-Training  (CIT)  programs,  which
offer   teens   valuable   mentorship,  teaching,  and  camp  leadership
experience, preparing them for future employment as counselors; and
 
  WHEREAS, The camp also offers adventurous outdoor programs  such  as
the  Mountaineer,  Alpine  Adventurers,  and Pathfinder (MAAP) Programs,
which provide opportunities for campers to  learn  backpacking,  outdoor
skills, and to experience the beauty of the Adirondack High Peaks; and
 
  WHEREAS,  4-H  Camp Overlook's programs foster personal, social, and
educational growth while promoting environmental awareness, healthy life
skills, and a sense of community, leaving campers with lasting  memories
and a deep connection to the natural world; and
 
  WHEREAS,  For  eight  decades,  the dedicated staff, counselors, and
volunteers of 4-H Camp Overlook have worked tirelessly to  maintain  the
camp's  tradition  of  excellence  and ensure its continued success as a
beacon of outdoor education and personal growth for  the  youth  of  New
York State and beyond; now, therefore, be it
 
  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 80th Anniversary of 4-H  Camp  Overlook,  to  honor  its
significant contributions to the development of the young people of this
great  Empire State, and to express its deep appreciation for the camp's
ongoing legacy of providing enriching and transformative experiences for
generations of campers; and be it further
 
  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to 4-H Camp Overlook.
Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of 4-H Camp Overlook

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