Alumni Moonshiner online

Willsboro, NY                     July 22, 2007                      since 1905

   An old barn and farmhouse. Tents scattered around a field. Add to that a few dozen campers, a small gathering of staff and a group of horses of questionable quality.

   That was the makeup when Camp MacCready opened it’s doors on July 1, 1967. Much has changed in the 40 years that followed and in July, 2007, Pok-O-MacCready honored the milestone with a birthday celebration held at Robinson Hall.

   Jack Swan, owner of Pok-O-MacCready Camps, spoke to the current campers and staff about his vision of creating a “sister camp” to Pok-O-Moonshine, not long after taking over as director in 1963. Also on hand for the celebration were Melissa “Missy” Livsey, director of the girls’ camp since 1996, and Sarah Lynch Disney, who ,since 1975, has served as a counselor, section head and assistant director of camp.

   The guest of honor was Jean Sidaras, director of Camp MacCready from 1973 to 1995. Sidaras is credited with taking a small satellite camp and making it a successful operation and equal partner to the long established boys camp. In 1984 Sidaras wrote: “Without a doubt, the best thing to happen to both Pok-O and MacCready was the movement into coed activities, especially the inclusion of the girls into Indian Games. As it is with the boys, this is also the highlight of the season for the girls. Big and little princesses forage, scavenge, dance, run and play hard alongside the braves. Cheers and Tears are equally shared.... Camp MacCready: ‘You’ve come a long way, baby!’”