Helping Kids Experience the Joys of Summer and Build Dreams

By Jody Adams | July 27, 2007

One afternoon in mid-June, Jack Connors called and asked if I would like to take a ride to see his camp -- Camp Harbor View on Long Island in Boston Harbor.

It had been a day of meetings and computer time, so a field trip to a camp was a welcome interruption to my day. Over the years, Jack and I have shared stories about business practices as well community service. Jack had spoken about his camp and I was curious to see what it was all about.

Since the 17th century, Long Island has had many uses -- from farm, to hospital, to military fort, to shelter for the homeless. This new life as a camp is the result of the collaboration between two Boston patriarchs, Mayor Thomas Menino and Jack Connors. The Mayor and Jack came together to realize their shared commitment to providing at-risk Boston kids with a safe and dynamic summer camp. Jack convinced the mayor to lease him the land for $1/year in exchange for building the camp. A deal was struck.

As Jack and I drove across Long Island, I felt like I was entering another place and time that existed parallel to my life on the main land. We drove slowly through a rural landscape and then came upon a quiet village of low worn buildings -- some were boarded and abandoned whereas others were in use. We passed a large vegetable garden and then saw a handful of shirtless men playing basketball in a cracked courtyard. There was a small chapel with the "O" missing in its name -- Hpe Chapel. There was a deserted bright plastic playground shaded by tall trees. At first glance, it was not clear whether the village was slowly falling into disrepair, or being rebuilt. It is currently the sight of a homeless shelter with 500 residents in the warm months and 2000 in cold weather. I wondered where the camp fit into this unexpected landscape.

We drove through the village and headed down a shaded, tree canopied hill where we were stopped by 3 young counselors who spoke to Jack about the camp basketball team -- they asked for team shirts. Jack said yes and yes to soccer shirts as well and gave them his card in case they needed anything else. We continued down the hill and suddenly the trees ended and we were in a clearing surrounded by water. We were in the middle of Boston Harbor, and there was the camp. It took my breath away. Playing fields, extreme rope challenge courses, a beach and a beautiful welcoming grand hall with a huge porch with rocking chairs overlooking the water. It feels like a place in Maine. It is remarkable and it all happened in five months.

Later we walked to the outer edge of the Island and explored the remains of Fort Strong. We could have been walking down a lane on the Cape -- it looked and smelled right. Jack described his vision for this part of the island -- that it would be renovated into areas for storytelling and performing, for history and fantasy.

On July 2, 2007, quiet Long Island woke up to the arrival of 600 Boston kids who were expected to run, jump, laugh, play and make as much noise as possible.

"Camp Harbor View is the result of great work by an extraordinary group of people who want to help a bunch of kids have a great summer," said Jack. "We hope to bring them joy, inspire them to dream, give them confidence -- and perhaps even change a life or two." My bet is that by the end of the summer, Jack will have not only changed a life or two but also put that missing "O" back in Hope Chapel.

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Learn more:
"Fun and Games, and Hope" by Bob Herbert. The New York Times, August 18, 2007 (subscription required)