Senate Resolution No. 780

BY: Senator PHILLIPS

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of Pierce
Country Day Camp

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor those esteemed organizations that provide significant
opportunities for fellowship and outdoor activities for young people in
this great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, A leader in its industry and nationally- renowned for its
dedication to youth development, Pierce Country Day Camp is one of the
oldest and best day camps in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Pierce Country Day Camp; this
auspicious event will be celebrated in July of 2017, when camp
owner-director, Will Pierce, braves the dramatic jump through the annual
hoop of fire into a swimming pool; and

WHEREAS, In 1918, Pierce Country Day Camp was launched by Forester
"Pop" Pierce in Deal, New Jersey; shortly thereafter, he moved the camp
to rented property in Nassau County, New York, where he purchased an
estate in Roslyn; there, he gave the camp its permanent home in the
1930s; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception, four generations of Pierces have been
involved in running the Day Camp; from its humble beginnings, Pierce
Country Day Camp has grown to more than 900 campers aged 3 to 13 in
attendance each year; and

WHEREAS, Currently, Will Pierce runs the operations with his cousin
Courtney, as well as three members of what they refer to as Generation
Three, Doug, Greg, and Forrester III; and

WHEREAS, Over the years, many moments of wholesome fun ensued; in
1943, Yankee baseball legend Babe Ruth visited the camp; during the
summer of 1992, the camp buried a time capsule in honor of its 75th
Anniversary, which they will dig up this July; and

WHEREAS, In the summer of 2014, five current owner-directors
participated in the Ice Bucket Challenge in front of the Entire Camp;
and

WHEREAS, One of the prominent themes of Pierce Country Day Camp is a
Native American theme; camp photos through the years show the Pierce men
in feathered headdresses and women in Native American dress at
traditional camp Pow Wows; and

WHEREAS, Known as one of the biggest camps on Long Island, Pierce
Country Day Camp maintains state-of-the-art facilities; in 2016, the
camp added an enormous treehouse called Treemendous and an outdoor
musical playground dubbed Musical Rhapsody which includes a piano,
xylophone and more; and


WHEREAS, Pierce Country Day Camp tries to keep a balance between
maintaining the spirit of old-fashioned camp days and meeting the
demands of providing a modern camp; the camp has added a STEM program as
well as a theater program, to suit the interests of the children; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the years, the Pierce Country Day Camp has
provided an invaluable experience to many young people as well as
increase athletic abilities, expand creativity and develop new
interests; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Pierce Country Day Camp in Roslyn,
New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Will Pierce, Camp Owner-Director, Pierce Country Day
Camp.