Pok-O-MacCready: A Brief Camp History

Dr. Charles Alexander Robinson founded Camp Pok-O-Moonshine for boys in 1905.  In it's earliest years, the camp served as a setting for both summer education and recreation.  From the beginning, a loyal and enthusiastic staff and campers from around the world helped camp to thrive.

The camp was named after a nearby mountain with sheer cliffs, Poke-O-Moonshine, from an Algonquin word meaning “Pohqui” (broken) and “Moosi” (smooth). 

The Boating Docks, circa 1918.

The camp prospered under Dr. Robinson's tutelage and in the 1940s his daughter, Sarah Robinson Swan and her husband, Col . H.T. Swan, assumed the reins and set about the task of expanding Camp Pok-O-Moonshine.  Under their guidance, the camp continued to prosper and grew considerably in acreage.  Their son, Jack, took over as director of camp in 1963.

Under the direction of Jack Swan, the camp has expanded enormously.  In 1967, Camp MacCready opened for girls.  Named for former staff member David MacCready, the camp started out with just 32 girls.  By the end of the 1970s, the two camps had fully merged to become known as Pok-O-MacCready Camps , with over 300 campers annually. 

Many other changes have occurred since camp’s inception. In the 1970s, the Pok-O-MacCready Outdoor Education Center and the 1812 Homestead were formed, enabling camp to operate as a year-round facility.

The Swans in 2000.

Throughout camp’s long history, the driving force has been the enthusiastic leadership of one family. While Jack continues to act as camp advisor, Jack's children, Margaret, Sharpe, and David serve as Assistant Directors for various summer and year-round operations.  In addition, several 4th and 5th- generation descendants of the Robinson-Swan family are campers and counselors, continuing to uphold the tradition of the world's oldest private camp under one family's direction.

Pok-O-MacCready Philosophy

Our philosophy is rooted in helping campers develop an awareness of and appreciation for the natural

You’ll hear it in the laughter, the jokes, the stories, and the songs. You’ll see it in the smiles, the hugs, and the sense of purpose from everyone.

environment, while participating in new experiences, learning new skills, and making new friends.    

Pok-O-MacCready will help your child to develop self-reliance, cooperation, interdependence. Above all, we strive to provide a safe, healthy, and enjoyable summer.

Camp life is about more than simply having a good time. It is an opportunity to learn about community living, develop respect for oneself, others, and the outdoors, and the self-confidence that invariably follows a summer at Pok-O-MacCready.

Each summer, our camp family fuels their energy with what we call "Pok-O-MacCready Spirit."  You'll hear it in the laughter, the jokes, the stories, and the songs.  You'll see it in the smiles, the hugs, and the sense of purpose from everyone.

Pok-O-MacCready Spirit in action!

"Pok-O-MacCready Spirit" is a mix of love, friendship, enthusiasm, sharing, pride, loyalty, trust and tradition.  Campers and staff alike share it.  It has been around from day one.  Although it is tough to describe exactly what "Pok-O Spirit" is, it is the foundation of what makes Pok-O-MacCready so unique and successful.

Additionally, we are extremely proud of the international reputation that our camp has maintained since its founding. In recent years, we have welcomed campers from Canada, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Colombia, Costa Rica, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Israel and Russia. 

Come and enjoy the summer with us and become part of the
Pok-O-MacCready family!

Pok-O-MacCready Camps, P.O. Box 397, Willsboro, NY 12996
800.982.3538  www.pokomac.com  info@pokomac.com