Born as an idea in a Penfield Rotary meeting on June 15, 1956, Camp Haccamo has served handicapped children in Monroe County for the last 50 years. It’s first President, John Parks of the Penfield Rotary, along with many other Rotarians from the Rochester area helped organize the first tentative corporation. Tasked with setting up a camp in the mold of the already successful Sunshine Camp at Durand Eastman Park (Sunshine accepted only students from within the Rochester city limits), Parks held the post for 10 years.

One year after that initial meeting, Camp Haccamo opened for a two week program at the rifle range used by the Culver Road Armory in Rush, NY. Eighteen children participated in that two week program. The camp director was Don Ciaglia, of the Al Sigl Center. From these modest beginnings the camp quickly grew in size and scope.

As the Rush rifle range was only available for 2 weeks a year, and was hardly a superior setting for students with special needs, the Camp moved into its current location in 1960. Emil Muller, the developer of Penfield Plaza donated the land behind that plaza and that land was turned in to the Camp Haccamo we know today. Cabins were constructed and each supported by a different Rotary from around the Rochester area. Throughout the ensuing years the camp has undergone numerous upgrades and expansions to its facilities and programs.

Haccamo currently offers a summer long program meeting the needs of children and young adults with special needs from throughout the Rochester region. Headed by current President Don Milton of Penfield Rotary, the camp is in the process of seeking accreditation from the American Camping Association and the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. The process, which will take several years, is expected to dramatically improve the already successful camp operations.

6/9/2007