The Camp Lakeland Association began in 1910 as the Young Women's Benevolent Society. Its sole purpose was to run a small Fresh Air Camp, which began operation on the Canadian lakeshore. Shortly thereafter, the Eli D. Hofeller family donated a
13-acre gift
of land and the Jewish Fresh Air Camp was established in Angola, New York. Its philosophy and the belief of the young women who created it were to get poor children off the hot city streets and into the country for 2 weeks. There was no fee charged,
for the whole operation was then run by the volunteer members of the of the Benevolent Society. Children and their mothers all came to camp for fresh air, clean clothes and wholesome meals. In 1937, the Jewish Fresh Air camp became part of Buffalo's
Jewish Federation and in 1946 the name of the camp was changed to Camp Lakeland and the name of the Society became the Camp Lakeland Association.
Camp Lakeland, from its inception in 1910 until 1974, was owned and operated by the volunteer Camp Lakeland Association Board of 27 Jewish women and a Volunteer Advisory Board of 37 men. In its "heyday", the Lakeland Association had over 700 members who
paid annual dues. In addition to setting camp policy, its purpose, then as now, was to provide funds for its scholarship campers, ferret out contributions and donate money for buildings, program supplies and camp equipment. It did this by establishing
its "Joy Fund" which is the precursor to the current Association "Gift Fund."
In 1970, Camp Lakeland moved from its urban Angola site to rural Franklinville in Cattaraugus County, and in 1974, Lakeland became part of the Jewish Center of Greater Buffalo. Today, the total operation of Camp Lakeland is under the auspices of the
Jewish Community Center and its volunteer resident Camp Committee. The Camp Lakeland Association — still going strong after 95 years — is one of the oldest organizations of its kind in the U.S. Although it has shifted its primary function, the Association
still donates money to Lakeland for camper fee assistance, program supplies and equipment on an annual basis for camp.
What began as the "Joy Fund" in 1937 is now the Lakeland Association "Gift Fund" consisting of 24 different funds designated by their donors according to their personal interests and the needs which arise at camp.
In addition, the Association Board works on several annual fund raisers to help raise the monies it has pledged to Lakeland. The proceeds from the sale of Entertainment Books, "Campy Waiter Nite" Dinner and the Gala Art Festival all go towards the
Association's annual obligation to the campers who attend Camp Lakeland.
Unlike a "private" summer camp, Camp Lakeland is a Jewish community camp where no youngster is turned away due to an inability to pay the full camp tuition. This is what differentiates Camp Lakeland from all the other camps. Camp Lakeland has the same
quality programs, staff, food and facilities as many other camps, but is partially supported and subsidized by the JCC, the Camp Lakeland Association and the Jewish Community.
As it begins its 95rd year of delivering quality camping services to children in our community, the Camp Lakeland Association takes pride in the legacy it is providing for the future.
In an exciting development for the Jewish Community of WNY, the JCC Board of Directors, on December 8th, 2000 authorized implementation of a plan to move ahead with a $2.1 million development project for Camp Lakeland.
We have completed:
Construction of 16 cabins, plus renovation of six existing cabins, complete with bathrooms, showers and electricity.
Improved and new land sport facilities, including two new tennis courts, a basketball court and roller hockey rink
Construction of a new 75ft X 45ft swimming pool
Cabin villages with indoor activity centers
And upgrades to all existing buildings at the camp
Camping is a vital part of community life for our children, says Task Force Chair Bob Berghash. We look forward to continuing our tradition of offering enriching social summer experiences that provide our youth a range of sports activities,
learning and fun in a Jewish environment.
