Our History
1913 - The Rockingham County YMCA was founded to meet the needs of young boys through recreation and leadership programs. Since then, camp and community programs have developed to meet the needs of the community and expand the YMCA's mission.
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 dedicated to the boyhood of Abraham Lincoln.
1926 - A Permanent dining hall and the first 8 cabins were built.
1930s - 1950s - 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 - 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.
1967 - A Capital Campaign was conducted to raise $150,000 to build a variety of structures around camp. Less than half the amount 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.
The Rockingham County YMCA Board of Directors transferred the ownership of the camp to the New Hampshire YMCA in hopes that camp could be stabilized by a single strong organization. Began teaching Environmental Education Program
During the spring and fall Camp Lincoln become 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.
1990s - The YMCA offers after school programs in 10 local elementary schools. The YMCA office is open year-round.
1997 - The New Hampshire YMCA breaks up and Camp Lincoln becomes Southern District YMCA/Camp Lincoln and 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 and year round offices are expanded.
2000 - A strategic plan is created to improve the conditions of the camp. A climbing wall is built and camp offices are winterized and year round offices expanded. Music and enrichment programs are offered after school in 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 and 5,000 school age children participate in YMCA programs throughout the school year.
2005 - The driveway into camp is widened from 14 to 24 feet and lights are added to the Pavilion. The world's largest Adirondack chair is built and sits proudly at Camp Lincoln.
2006 - $350,000 worth of renovations have been completed since 1999 including 10 renovated cabins and the building of a new field. The YMCA has raised $250,000 since 1998 to provide financial assistance and scholarships to families.
