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Children and Youth
(Click on Camp Title below for more information)
THE AMERICAN LEGION DEPARTMENT OF MARYLAND, INC.
WESTERN MARYLAND DISTRICT |
CAMP
WEST-MAR |
THE AMERICAN LEGION DEPARTMENT OF MARYLAND, INC.
SOUTHERN MARYLAND DISTRICT |
YOUTH
CAMP |
THE
AMERICAN LEGION DEPARTMENT OF MARYLAND, INC.
WESTERN MARYLAND DISTRICT
CAMP WEST-MAR |
| The American Legion, Department of Maryland believes in supporting the development of
our youth in our local neighborhoods. Toward that end, the Western Maryland District of
the Department of Maryland has developed a summer camp. A description of that camp
follows. |
| In November, 1959 at a meeting of the Western Maryland District of The American
Legion, it was agreed upon to hold a summer camp for boys (ages 9 thru 12 years) on a
trial basis. Further, it was established that the boys would be from financially depressed
families, broken families or be juvenile delinquents. They would need to be recommended by
either their school principal, minister or social agency. Boys would be selected from
Carroll, Frederick and Washington Counties. |
| The first encampment was held in the summer of 1960 with forty (40) boys in
attendance. The all-volunteer staff held the camp for one week at Camp Summit near
Emmitsburg, MD. That first encampment was deemed a success and the Western Maryland
District decided to continue with future encampments. |
| From 1960 thru 1971 various sites were used for encampment; i.e., Camp Echo Lake, Camp
Airy and Camp Summit. In 1972 camp was held for two (2) weeks at our present sit on Brown
Road, off Route 77 in the Catoctin Mountains. We are very proud that the Western Maryland
District purchased this land and went on to construct the camp, known today as Camp
West-Mar. To date, this site consists of 6 cabins, an Olympic size swimming pool with bath
house, rifle range, archery range, man-made fishing pond, all-purpose court, mess hall,
ball field, outdoor chapel and a pavilion. |
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1959 - 1999
Camp West-Mar
Celebrating 40 Years! |
| The American Legion’s Camp West-Mar is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this
year! Camp West Mar is the only all volunteer American Legion camp in the country, as such
the Western Maryland District is proud of the staff and their accomplishments in providing
leadership, learning and fun to the boys who have attended the past encampments. Many more
such encampments are envisioned |
| In the past 39 years of operation over 3,200 boys have attended the two week
encampment, and 10,000 to 12,000 hours of volunteer time is spent each year. Many
volunteers stay 24 hours a day for the 2 week duration of the encampment. Of the original
Legionnaires and staff, many are in their 70’s and 80’s and still active! |
| Activities scheduled each year for the boys include: softball, basketball, swimming,
fishing, archery and rifle range shooting. The camp tries to include a police day,
helicopter tours and demonstrations, military shows, shotgun shooting, fire department
equipment and personnel; as well as, many other activities including bingo, movies and
crafts. Two favorites of the boys has always been our day trip to Hershey Park and an
evening trip to watch a Frederick Keys baseball game. |
| The American Legion Camp West-Mar is very proud to have operated an all volunteer
encampment for 40 years. Won’t you consider giving your time and talents to the
encampment? Those interested should contact the local American Post in Carroll, Frederick,
or Washington counties. |
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THE
AMERICAN LEGION DEPARTMENT OF MARYLAND, INC.
SOUTHERN MARYLAND DISTRICT
YOUTH CAMP |
| The Department of Maryland's Southern Maryland District is in the process
of developing a youth camp near the state of Maryland's Boys Village in Cheltenham,
Maryland. The aim of The Southern Maryland Youth Camps is to provide camping and
recreational activities for our young people, including those with disabilities. |
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| Objectives of the Youth Camp include but are not limited: |
- To nurturing traditional values, support democratic ideals, and to provide educational
opportunities that may not otherwise be available.
- To provide an opportunity to mainstream interactions between children with disabilities
and those who are not.
- To promote a better understanding of nature through a direct interface with the
environment
- To help teach youth how to live in harmony with their environment in order to promote
the preservation of natural resources.
- To provide primitive camping facilities for organized youth groups.
- To provide domiciliary and recreational facilities for all youth.
- To provide facilities for picnics, hikes, athletic contests, and other events.
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Youth Camp Management |
| The Youth Camp is managed by the Youth Camp Board of Directors and Youth
Camp Operations Committee. |
| The Board of Directors is composed of Legionnaires from the Southern
Maryland District of The American Legion, Department of Maryland. The Board is elected by
their respective American Legion County Councils and is responsible for administration and
Youth Camp policy. |
| The Youth Camp Operations Committee, consists of Legionnaires and members
of select organizations appointed by the Board of Directors. It is responsible for the
construction and day to day operations of the Youth Camp. |
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Camp Use Eligibility |
| The facilities and programs are available to all youth, regardless of
sex, race, color, creed, or religious belief, provided: |
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- Those wishing to use the Youth Camp must belong to a bonafide youth group that
subscribes to the above criteria;
- A requesting group must complete an Application for Use and return it to the Youth Camp
Operations Committee 90 days prior to the requested date of use;
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Additional Youth Camp
Information |
Additional information may be obtained by calling telephone number
301-782-3338. Leave a message and a representative of the Youth Camp will return your call.
The mailing address of the Youth Camp is: |
Southern Maryland District Youth
Camp
P.O. Box 30
Clinton, Md. 20735 |
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