Welcame to tamarack camps

After visiting Camp Wise in Cleveland, Ohio, Miss Blanche Hart was convinced of the need to create a real resident camp experience. In 1904, an old house in Kingston, Ontario, was rented for $50.00. This camp opened for two weeks to a group of 25 women and children. Unfortunately, the water supply ran out and put an end to their experiment.

The women were undaunted by such problems, and even more convinced of finding a resident site. In 1908, another house was purchased in Roseville, Michigan. This house accommodated 50 guests. The guests cooked, did house work, and took care of the grounds and boats. The counselors of the time were called "chaperones."

A more permanent setting for the camp was found at Venice Beach on Lake St. Clair, about four miles away from Mt.Clemens. Miss Blanche Hart was able to raise $10,000.00 to purchase this site. After its renovation, this new Fresh Air Camp at Venice Beach accommodated 200 participants and opened in 1912. Due to the increasing number of children who needed to be served, the spaces set aside for mothers were eventually eliminated. Under the leadership of Miss Hart, Mrs. Edith Heavenrich, Mrs. Henry Wineman, and many others, the Fresh Air Camp served thousands of children between the years 1912-1925. By the early twenties, however, the routing of highways past the camp entrance and the pollution of the lake made it necessary to look for a new site....