New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-07-06
LAKE OSCAWANA
Y. M. G. A. Camp Not Designed
for Luxury but Comfort.

for Luxury but Comfort.
Lake oscawana, n. Y, July 5.-Border-
ing the clear waters OF Lake Oscawana,
in the heart Of the Hudson Highlands,
nine miles from Peekskill. lies the sum-
mer camp Of the Young Mems Christian
Association Of New York City. Though
not featured on the official maps, 1t Is
place OF great Importance to the eighteen
thousand members of the fifteen branches
In the New York association. which In
cludes Manhattan and The Bronx, since
IT is the spot to which many OF them turn
for a few days or weeks OF recreation
after the years work. IL is conducted
not for profit in dollars and cents. but
for the distribution of dividends in
health. good fellowship and right living.
Camp Oscawana was established ten
years ago, and its popularity has in
creased with every year of the subsequent
decade. One Of it's several attractions TO
high spirited young-men is that no at
tempt is made to maintain oppressive dis
cipllne. Each member is made to feel
that his rights end only where those Of
his comrade begin. There is a rule
against liquor, firearms and dogs, but
that is no stricter than the regulations OF
the national parks. All adult members Of
the city association are welcomed, ana
the fact that many men go TO the camp
year after year proves that they have
good time. 1t is as fine place for whole
some amusement as can be found any
where near the broad region known as
the metropolitan district
There are no frills In Oscawana. The
campers go about in old clothes. bathing
suits. tramping toys, baseball and tennis
fiannels and costumes that are a compro-
mise OF all the other apparel ANY chap
who went there and tried TO put on dog
would find himself conspicuous, even II
nothing else happened TO him. Tennis
flannels' does not mean the Immaculate
array OF Newport courts. Some of the
"niftiest" racquet wielders In camp do
their playing I'm shirts and trousers
which they wouldn't dream Of wearing
in Central Park. AS for the ball players,
II is noticed that the best batsmen, box
men and felders lope over the diamond
In suits that would be looked a askance
IS many a sand lot team. OF course, when
the Oscawanas play the Peekskills or
some other crack team. they usually at
tire themselves little more formally
But for ordinary games on the really
excellent diamond, comfort takes prece-
dence over style every time.
The Young Mems Christian Association
member who has spent a vacation In Os-
cawana and knows what Is needed there
leaves his trunk at home and fills suit
&c ses with towels, ancient garments, rub
Der soled shoes known affectionately as
sneakers" a raincoat, a sweater, bath
ing suit. baseball and handball gloves. he
will take banjo or other musical instru-
ment, If he knows how TO play one, and
II he is OF a luxurious nature. sheets and
pillow cases. The association does not
supply sheets. IL reasons that the MEM
beers are there for camp life, and the true
camper scOrns sheets as much as rose
petals But IL "A visitor positively cannot
sleep without sheets and is very, very
reticent about II. it's all right for him 10
take them Pillow slips are more perious.
Oscawana is we'll equipped in the mat
ter OF essentials. II has heavy side-wall
tents. with flies, board floors cots, mat
tresses. pillows and blankets So much
for the sleeping arrangements. For In
door entertainment there is the lodge, a
frame building, containing, besides the Of
fee, dining room and kitchen, social
room with a piano. a billiard table, fire.
place, a library and games. The camp
has roomy boathouse. well stocked with
rowboats and canoes Not far from ii is
n pprinuhna ri
and diving tower. There is good hand
ball court, and the baseball field Is
smooth enough for some pretty snappy
games Oscawanas fans have not yet
lured the Giants or Hghlanders to their
ball ground, but they live in hope
II is in the realm Of outdoor sports that
the camp chiefly shines. In addition to
all the various kinds OF ball games played
on land, the campers have water polo.
canoe races canoe fitting, swimming
matches and other aquatic pastimes. The
dry land ball games include volley ball
and basketball. In the water swimming
instruction is given 10 beginners, and last
summer the campers had expert instruc-
ton from George G. Hyde, as result or
which many of them became not only
first rate swimmers. but excellent divers,
too. Weekly competitions in field sports
and aquatics are held, and there Is an
annual carnival in August which is at
tended by large number of visitors not
enrolled on Oscawana's roster
Good food, well cooked and plenty OF
IT," is the watchword of the camp cuisine
but II you should say cuisine" in the
hearing of the campers you might find
yourself an object of curiosity. II is the
experience Of the camp leaders that lack
Of appetite is not among the weaknesses
OF the members.