1914

Percy Jewell organized the first camping group on Pawtuckaway Pond, in Nottingham, NH

1923

YMCA Camp Ordway was established on Onway Lake in Raymond by Percy Jewell. The site was temporary and was outgrown in just a few years.

1926

·   Warren Tucker sold the Rockingham County YMCA 65 acres of land on the shores of Kingston Lake in Kingston New Hampshire to develop a permanent site to provide summer camping experiences to boys and young men.

·   Camp Lincoln was founded and was dedicated to the boyhood of Abe Lincoln.

1926

·   A Permanent dining hall and the first 8 cabins were built

1930’s-50’s

·   The camp was a one week overnight camp for boys ages 8-15. A few cabins were built and the capacity per session was 60-80 campers.

1960’s

·   In 1960 a unique speech and hearing program was developed in partnership with the state. Campers from across the region came to camp Lincoln and engaged in camp activities for the first time. In addition to the program the campers participate in the camp programs

·   In 1967 a capital campaign was conducted to raise $150,000 to build a variety of structures around camp. Less than half this figure was raised and ten cabins, a new beach, a ball field a craft center, and new administration center were built. A new dining hall, lodge, infirmary, and miscellaneous renovations on existing structures were not completed

1974

·   Wilderness Wanderers was offered as an 11 day backpacking and adventure trip for boys entering grades 9-11. The first trips went to Carter Notch, Franconia Notch, Mount Washington and Baxter State Park.

·   During the spring and fall Camp Lincoln is available for family and group use.

1981

·   Camp Lincoln becomes a co-ed day camp

·   Spring and fall adventure programs are offered for school groups, and year round programming at camp begins.

1986

·   The YMCA offers their first after school program in Hampstead

1990’s

·   The YMCA offers after school programs in 10 local elementary schools. The YMCA opened year-round.

1997

·   The New Hampshire YMCA breaks up and Camp Lincoln becomes the Southern District YMCA/Camp Lincoln and becomes an independent YMCA.

1999

·   In addition to the traditional day camp, specialty camps, a travel camp, and overnight adventure trips are offered.

·   A new ropes course is built

·   Year round offices are expanded

2000

·   A strategic plan is created to improve the conditions of the camp.

·   A climbing wall is built

·   Camp offices are winterized and year round offices expanded

·   Music and enrichment programs are offered after school in 6 local elementary schools

2003

·   Over 1,400 campers spend part or all of their summer at Camp Lincoln

2004

·   Over 450 children are enrolled in the year round after school program in 12 local elementary schools

·   5,000 school age children participate in camp programs throughout the school year.

2005

·   The driveway into camp is widened from 14-24 feet

·   The worlds largest Adirondack chair is built and sits proudly at camp Lincoln

·   Lights were added to the pavilion

·   The driveway into camp is widened from 14-24 feet

·   The worlds largest Adirondack chair is built and sits proudly at camp Lincoln

·   Lights were added to the pavilion

2006