Camp Menotomy, Meredith, NH

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Family camps have become increasingly popular in the Lakes Region. In addition to the Appalachian Mountain Club's Three Mile Island, two more camps worth mentioning, which have been in continuous operation for more than 100 years, are Sandy Island Camp and the Geneva Point Center.

Sandy Island, possibly the only YMCA camp for young adults and families in the country which has been in continuous operation for over 100 years, is located near the middle of Lake Winnipesaukee. Walter Jones's The Sands of Time, published by the Boston YMCA, 1998, relates the following:

In March of 1899 a committee from the Boston Association visited Lake Winnipesaukee, situated in the foothills of the White Mountains. After crossing over the ice to inspect the 66-acre island, the Association leased it from the owners, Walter A. and Agnes E. Brown, at an annual rental of $100. Sandy Island was a part of the estate of the Brown family who had settled on Long Island in 1821.

Due to its magnificent location and composition of the island, it was only appropriate that it be named Sandy Island. To the northeast lies the Ossipee Mountain Range; to the southwest, the Bclknap Mountain Range; and to the north, a fantastic view of the Presidential Range in the White Mountains. The island is well endowed with pine groves, sandy beaches, and sheltered coves for fine boating, bathing, and total relaxation. Appropriately, the first prospectus was captioned "Spring and Summer Days: How and Where to Spend Them," and the camp was described by the Boston YMCA as "a summer resort for young men working on small salaries and receiving short vacations where they could enjoy healthfully and economically their summer outings."

During the early years of the island's development, the camp was rather primitive and rugged. However, this enterprise became so successful that the Boston Association bought the island in 1900. The first buildings to be constructed were a combination dining room and social hall and two dormitories that could house 50 campers. By 1905, a boathouse was built on the north shore and further additions to the dormitories were constructed so as to accommodate more campers.

During the first 25 years, the camp continued to expand its facilities. First the dining hall, known as "Alhambra," was enlarged to include a second floor for sleeping quarters and a screened-in, open-air dining hall. A row of tents was established along the shore, which could accommodate from 8 to 12 campers. Later, after the acceptance of women campers, the larger tents were replaced by cabins suitable for family units, each commanding a vista of the lakes and mountains.

Today, Sandy Island is a family camp under the general supervision of the Camping and Outdoor Recreation Branch of the Boston YMCA. A Camp Committee, composed entirely of campers, acts as an advisory group which makes recommendations to the Camping Branch Board relative to policies and major projects for the island camp.

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