Tradition-Leadership-Brotherhood-Spirit are all traits with unique Avoda character and history which hold the fabric of Camp Avoda together today. And it’s been holding generations of campers together non-stop every summer since 1927. In 2002, in honor of the camp’s 75th anniversary, the Camp Avoda Archives (renamed in 2007 the Thomas Leavitt Camp Avoda Archives) was dedicated to:
THE AVODA SPIRIT
which has fostered
LEADERSHIP & BROTHERHOOD
since 1927 and to all
GENERATIONS OF AVODIANS
past, present, and future,
for keeping the Spirit alive.
Summer 2002
It is this permanent facility which houses decades of Avodabilia and ephemera from all periods. Items include:
- an extensive photographic collection(dating back to 1927), yearbooks, camp magazines, and marketing brochures(a 1940’s brochure shows summer tuition at $150!)
- camp awards including patches, emblems, certificates, and trophies
- Color War flags, shirts, score books, song sheets, and play scripts
- videos including film of camp dating back to the 1930’s, Color Wars, alumni reunions, and more
- beanies, t-shirts, jackets, and pennants
- Bunk 14 Last Will and Testament items, softballs of historic significance, swim manuals from the 1960’s, and letters from alumni detailing their memories of camp.
- an area(to house t-shirts and other items) which recreates the locker area of each bunk.
During the summer, the archives becomes an end destination for returning alumni and an adventure for today’s campers to explore the past. Each bunk visits the archives to learn about the history, traditions, and values of Avoda which have stood the test of time. And it’s not unusual for today’s campers to find photographs of their fathers, uncles, grandfathers, and great uncles. The tradition continues! For more information, to donate Avodabilia and/or other Avoda ephemera, or to make a donation to support the archive,
please email Tom Leavitt.
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