Bill Text: NY J02629 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Dunkirk Camp and Conference Center

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2022-05-17 - ADOPTED [J02629 Detail]

Download: New_York-2021-J02629-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 2629

BY: Senator BORRELLO

        COMMEMORATING  the  100th  Anniversary  of Dunkirk
        Camp and Conference Center

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that  the  quality
of  life of the citizens of the State of New York is greatly enriched by
the availability of exceptional recreational facilities; and

  WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern  and  in  full  accord  with  its
long-standing  traditions,  this  Legislative  Body  is  justly proud to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Dunkirk Camp and Conference Center;
and

  WHEREAS, Established in 1922, the Dunkirk Camp and Conference Center
(DCC) is 110 acres of woodland, streams, playing fields,  open  grounds,
and nature trails overlooking Lake Erie; and

  WHEREAS,  Associated  with the United Church of Christ, DCC has been
home to thousands of visitors over the past century, welcoming  everyone
and  encouraging  diversity;  from its guests drive through the pillars,
the Dunkirk Spirit can be felt and remains long after the visit; and

  WHEREAS, Whether attending one of its sleepover  summer  camps,  day
camps,  retreats,  or  a  wedding,  DCC  provides  its  guests  with  an
unforgettable experience; and

  WHEREAS, Dunkirk Camp and Conference Center began over 100 years ago
when Reverend Dr. Theodore Mayer, pastor of  Friedens  Church  in  North
Tonawanda,  New  York,  dreamt of creating an outdoor ministry along the
shores of Lake Erie that would serve as  a  training  facility  for  the
Evangelic Sunday School Teachers; and

  WHEREAS,  In  October  of  1921,  Reverend Dr. Mayer, along with his
search committee, settled on a grape vineyard three miles  west  of  the
City  of  Dunkirk,  New  York; work then began on the neglected farm and
vineyard in March of the following year, and the Evangelical  Leadership
School was born; and

  WHEREAS,  During  its  humble  beginnings, people slept in tents and
cooked over open fires; evening services,  known  as  Vespers  Services,
were  held  on a very picturesque point overlooking Lake Erie, coined at
the time, Mayer's Point; and

  WHEREAS, Construction of buildings began in 1923, starting with  the
administration building, a cabin, and a dining hall; by 1925, there were
over 10 cabins, an education building, a meeting hall, bath house, snack
shack  and  Mother's Memorial, an auditorium built through the donations
of mothers who had lost their sons in World War I; and

  WHEREAS, By the 1930s, the Conference Center was used by many groups
within the Reformed and Evangelical Churches which led to a name change;
the camp was now known as the Dunkirk Conference Grounds; and

  WHEREAS, The first Family Camp was formed in 1933, and campers  were
charged  just  10  dollars  per  person  for the week; the fellowship of
friends and family in such a beautiful location kept people coming  back
summer after summer; and

  WHEREAS, The breakout of a second World War had a profound impact on
the  camp, with many of the men going off to war and women filling in in
the workforce working manufacturing and wartime production; and

  WHEREAS, The 1950s saw a resurgence of the camp; the merger  of  the
Evangelical  and  Reformed  Churches  brought  people  from all over the
country to the Dunkirk Conference Center; and

  WHEREAS, Over the next 70 years, the camp grew to almost 30  cabins,
which  were  filled every week for nearly 15 straight weeks each summer;
during this time, more camps  were  being  developed,  from  local  high
school  band  camps  and  swimming  camps  to  train lifeguards, to most
recently, a day camp for young children in the surrounding  communities;
and

  WHEREAS,   With   a  steadfast  and  unwavering  commitment  to  its
community, Dunkirk Camp  and  Conference  Center  has  hosted  countless
events,  including  Music  on the Shores, Halloween Happenings, the Walk
for DCC and the DCC Flea Market and Craft Show; and

  WHEREAS, Furthermore, in 2019, the camp was  one  of  the  locations
utilized  in  a  blockbuster  movie  sequel  and  in  2020, this beloved
establishment closed  for  the  very  first  time  during  the  Covid-19
pandemic; and

  WHEREAS,  Remaining true to its mission, Dunkirk Camp and Conference
Center inspires and enriches people  of  all  ages  through  fellowship,
learning, and fun in a welcoming Christian environment; and

  WHEREAS,  Today,  generations of families, friends, and staff of DCC
are gathering to celebrate its 100th Anniversary, and to set forth plans
for the next 100 years of sunsets, the laughter of children,  fellowship
and faith; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Dunkirk Camp and Conference Center;
and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to Dunkirk Camp and Conference Center.