Original Daily Schedule (from 1927)
6:45: First call
7:00: Reveille
7:25: Flag Raising
7:30: Breakfast
8:00: Camp and Personal Services
8:30: Inspection
9:00: Instruction
11:00: Life Saving Classes
12:00: Free Time (crafts, games, swimming)
12:15: Recall
12:30: Dinner
1:00: Rest Period
2:00: Club Meetings
3:00: Recreation
4:00: Swimming
5:30: Recall
6:00: Supper
7:00: Flag Lowering
7:05: Inspirational Period
8:00: Camp Fire
9:30: Taps

1927
4-H Camp Shankitunk opened on July 1, 1927. The land was loaned to John A. Lennox (the 4-H Club Agent) by the Honorable John D. Clark. The only building on the land was an old sap house, now known as "the old nature lodge," which is off limits due to the fact that it is structurally unsound. When camp opened, the sap house was used as a kitchen. A tent was used as a dining room, boards on sawhorses as tables, and blocks of wood as chairs. A contest was held to decide the name of the camp. The winner was to receive a free week of camp. Virginia Oestrich of Walton chose the winning name. "Shankitunk" is an Indian word meaning "Woody Place." Campers didn't have a pool. They waded in the river. Campers in the first few years received guided tours through the Clark Estate. The Clarks had a huge, beautiful house. Tents, cots, and dishes were rented from the Walton Armory. Camp was two weeks. 41 4-H members attended camp. There were five tribes: Seneca, Onondaga, Cayuga, Mohawk, and Oneida.

1928
After the success of the first camp season, a more permanent set up for the camp was discussed. It was decided to lease ten acres of land from Mr. Clark for ten years. The rent was to be planting one hundred trees on the land each year. The dining hall was moved into the old sap house/kitchen. A fireplace and an outside entrance were added. There was still a dirt floor, but there was a U-shaped table with slab benches. Archery, astronomy, pack baskets, and moccasins were added as classes. Vespers was created this year, run by the campers out of a book called "Vespers in the Open." After vespers, the campers participated in the camp fire by the "totem pole" and "council rock." A third week was added for adults. There was a leader training week for adults. Campers washed their own dishes. Tribes chose their own names. There were bugler competitions; the prize being a free week of camp.

1929
In the past, there had been a week for girls, a week for boys, and a week for adults. This year it was divided into older girls, younger girls and boys. There were about seventeen campers per day at the camp. There was a nurse this year, sponsored by the Walton National Bank. There was now hot and cold water in the kitchen. The County Agent's father recommended a mascot for the camp. "Maggie the goat" came to camp that summer. There were four weeks of camp and 112 campers.

1930
The pool was built. A swine house was given to the camp. A second story was added and the porch was painted white with green clovers. It was used as a craft shop originally, but is now used as the camp shop.

1933
A week's stay at camp costs $7.

1934
Floors were put in the tents. 130 campers and 19 counselors attended camp. Burgin bull visited camp.

1935
Camp fee was raised to $8. If five or more from one 4-H club attended, a discounted rate of $6 was available.

1936
Mr. and Mrs. Abraham John Jeremy, a Micmac Indian family, stayed at camp and taught basket making.

1937
39 boys, 90 girls, and 27 counselors attended camp.

1938
A new Recreation Hall was built by the National Youth Administration. This building is now used as the Craft Hall.

1939
A drought keeps the pool from ever filling. The "Recreation Hall" (present day craft hall) was finished. Flush toilets were installed in addition to the old stone outhouse.

1940
A new floor and addition are added to the dining hall. Tents were pitched in the pines planted as rent to Mr. Clark as opposed to in the field.

1941
Earth Houses (mud huts) were built by the National Youth Administration Boys for the kitchen staff behind the dining hall.

1942
Tribal names are changed to Army, Navy, Marine, and Air Corps. Instead of nature study and hikes new classes are offered: Home Nursing, First Aid, physical ability, victory gardens, salvage, and food preservation. The war is taking it's toll even at camp.

1943
Closing camp was considered, due to the war, but enrollment was it's highest ever this year with 204 campers. Mr. Lennox left Delaware County for the state 4-H office at Cornell. John D. Merchant became 4-H agent and Camp Director.

1944
Another drought caused the pool to leak. Water had to be pumped from the river. Girls had to help as counselors during boys week.

1945
Harold Carley took over as 4-H agent. Electric lights, water heater, and a new concrete floor were installed in the kitchen. Betty McElroy, the assistant 4-H agent, had to serve as cook.

1946
Mrs. Lennox, who had been at camp 19 straight years, did not spend the entire summer at camp. Fund raising began for the purchase of the camp.

1947
Camp had health insurance on all campers for the first time. Classes were signed up for ahead of time.

1948
$.33 was charged for each meal. 188 campers attended camp within four weeks.

1949
146 campers, 25 counselors attended camp. New courses offered: recreation, leadership, conservation, and woodcrafts.

1950
Government surplus food was used for the first time.

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1952
Archery is a new class.

1953
Staff arrived on July 12 for training, campers arrived on July 13.

1954
127 campers attended camp within three weeks of camp, the first being for younger girls.

1955
Conservation was the main focus of boys week. NYS Conservation Department taught the classes.

1956
Though there were usually three weeks of camp, this year there were only two with 129 campers.

1957
Only two weeks of camp, but 149 campers - largest attendance in five years.

1959
Ward MacMillen is the new 4-H Agent and Camp Director. Two weeks of camp brought 170 campers and counselors.

1960
Scoharie County 4-Hers came to Shankitunk, because they had no camp of their own. 220 Campers within three weeks.

1961
$14 for a week of camp. There were three weeks, with parents night every Friday from 7:30-10. Campers went home on Saturday at 1:30.

1962
The fee is now $15 per week.

1963
A new dining hall, units 1 and 2, and staff house were brought from SUNY Delhi to camp. Electricity, Newspaper, and Outdoor Cooking are added as classes.

1964
CIT, Hunter Safety, and Entomology are offered. A filter is put into the pool. Wednesday night BBQ, a tradition that is still carried on today begins this year.

1965
Three weeks of camp, each costing $17.

1966
Fee is raised to $19 per week.

1967
The 4-H office was closed from 10 to noon so the staff could work at camp.

1968
Fee is raised to $20 per week.

1969
Delaware County purchases the camp from Tom Dent. A slide for the pool and a new shower building are the additions at camp. 310 campers who, for the first time were not only 4-Hers, but all residents of Delaware County.

1970
Brian Miteer is the new 4-H Agent and Camp Director.

1971
Tom Kaufman was summer assistant, Vicki Gavett was Camp Director.

1972
Photography was taught for the first time using a Polaroid Black and White camera.

1973
Government surplus mobile home becomes the infirmary at camp.

1974
Jim Rice is 4-H Agent and Camp Director.

1975
First year of coed camp. The pool was shortened to fix a leak. A new kitchen with a walk in cooler was installed. This kitchen and dining hall was located where the science center is. It was used as a science center after the current dining hall was built and before the new science center was built. Bob Stark was the Program Director. Horse was offered as a class for the first time.

1976
Horseback riding was held at SUNY Delhi. Tie dying shirts was a popular activity. 441 Campers within 4 weeks.

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1977
Camp's 50th anniversary! A new recreation hall was built by the Walton National Guard and dedicated to John Lennox. This rec hall is still used today. Fee is raised to $40 per week.

1978
Campership were given from the family of Raymond and Janet Dann. Ellen Faigle was the first winner.

1979
Tennis added. Two campers win the Dann Campership.

1980
Bing, backpacking, and canoeing High Adventure trips are led by Jack Mallory, who is also the camp program director this year. Fee is raised to $50 per week.

1981
There are now 25 classes. Dramatics, needlepoint, gymnastics, and biking are the new ones.

1982
Fee is raised to $60 per week.

1983
Four weeks, $65 per week.

1985
$5000 donated to the camp for camperships. Scott Oles, Camp Director, Jim Rice, Camp Administrator. Five weeks

1987
John Lennox dies, leaving his estate to the camp. Farm children can attend camp for half price due to Mr. Lennox's generosity. Four memorial camperships were offered to campers.

1988
The present day dining hall is built by students from SUNY Delhi.

1989
Lennox fund allows farm children to come to camp for free. Six weeks.

1990
Bicycle trip to Montreal, Canada offered for campers. Many international counselors worked at camp.

1991
Mark Finney, Camp director. 26 classes are now offered. The fee becomes $100 per week.

1992
New pool is built. Dining hall is heated.

1993
Astronomy added as a class.

1994
Bike trip to Hudson. Pete Naples, Camp director

1995
Bike trip to Bar Harbor Maine. George Morgan, Jr. Camp Director. $140 per week

1996
Bike trip to Quebec, Canada. History Mystery class to celebrate Delaware County's bicentennial.

1997
Bike trip from Niagara Falls to Delhi. $150 per week

1998
Advanced backpacking class offered for older campers. Patti Hoyt, Camp director

1999
Walter B. Gladstone Science Center is built. Woodworking and a backpacking class for younger campers are added as classes.

2000
New archery range opens. $160 per week.

2001
Camp's 75th anniversary!

2002
New ropes course is completed. Menu is changed. Ford Hall built which houses the nurse's station, staff lounge, and housing for staff; Diane Oles Director.

2003
Wind Storm on July 21 which closed camp for the remainder of the week while repairs made; Camp fee increased to increased to $180 for Delaware County residents.

2004
Jim Rice retired as Camp Administrator; the Staff Annex was built and John Hannum was hired as the new Camp Administrator

2005
Lisa Huyck Director; Edna B. Gladstone Director’s House is completed; Camp Fee for Delaware County residents is $200.

2006
Camp’s 80th Anniversary; Bathhouse is remodeled; menu is changed