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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
Camp Lincoln's 100th summer has arrived! Join us as we celebrate our first century of Camp Lincoln with a free family event Sunday July 26, 2026.
Who are Camp Lincoln alumni?
YMCA Camp Lincoln alumni are all over the world! Who are they?
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Campers who attended one or more weeks of overnight camp from 1926 to 1980.
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Campers who attended one or more weeks of day camp since 1981.
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Students and teachers who visited Camp Lincoln for a team building field trip.
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CIT's who volunteered their time to learn and grow as leaders while supporting camp.
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Staff members who worked at Camp Lincoln for a season, a year, or more!
CAMP LINCOLN HISTORY
1926
YMCA Camp Lincoln, as we know it, began in 1926 when Warren Tucker sold the Rockingham County YMCA 65 acres of land on the shores of Kingston Lake in Kingston, NH. With the construction of a dining hall and eight cabins, the Y developed a permanent summer camp for boys and young men. The site was dedicated to the boyhood of President Abraham Lincoln and, as such, founded Camp Lincoln.
1930
During the 1930s to 1950s, Camp Lincoln offered one-week overnight camping sessions to boys age eight to 15. Each session offered space for 60-80 boys.
1960
In the 1960s, camp facilities were expanded to include a beach, ball field, craft center, administration building and 10 new cabins. With the facility expansion, a unique partnership with the state allowed campers with speech and hearing needs to attend camp and participate in specialized activities as well as camp traditions.
1970
In 1974, the Rockingham County YMCA Board of Directors transferred ownership of Camp Lincoln to the New Hampshire YMCA in hopes that a single strong organization would stabilize the camp for the long term. Under this new leadership, camp expanded availability to spring and fall for families and groups. And, environmental education programming began.
1980
Finally, in 1981, Camp Lincoln welcomed girls and began to offer year-round opportunities. Day camp programming expanded, and school field trips brought more local children to camp than ever before.
1990
The New Hampshire YMCA dissolved in 1997 and Camp Lincoln became Southern District YMCA/Camp Lincoln, Inc. In 1999, Camp Lincoln built the ropes course and expanded programming again to offer specialty camps, travel camps and overnight adventure camps.
2020
Programming has expanded to meet camper needs over the years, but camp as you know it looks a lot like it did in the early years – cabins situated in beautiful, natural settings; children engaged in creative and physical activities; and campers making friends. YMCA Camp Lincoln strives keep modernity and rustic ambience in balance working tirelessly every year to maintain facilities and add amenities as needed.
