Back to Camp Kokosing
Kay oh, Kay Oh, Ess eye en gee, Kay Oh, Kay oh! ess eye en gee. That was our song long, long ago when each summer I boarded a bus in Brooklyn with forty mostly New Yorkers and traveled to Thetford Center, Vermont to camp.
It was not just any camp, it was Camp Kokosing, and there was a lake, and cabins and pretty girls and more black people than I had ever hung out with. There were plays, and music, and driving to field trips in the back of a stake truck, and a camaraderie that reflected the ’60s. We used to sing antiwar songs in the back of that truck.
Heading down to New York City tonight…to a reunion of the Camp Kokosing crowd. What is it like to go see people you haven’t seen in more than 35 years? No way I am gonna recognize them, but hey, they have a place in my heart so I am going to go and catch back up.
October 19, 2007 @ 5:18 pm
Hi—I went to Kokosing when it was all boys–and only one black–named Clancy Hogan! It was 1946—-Just read your blog–and thought I’d send you this comment! Steve–1212-929-3846
December 13, 2011 @ 10:45 pm
Hi! My name is Helvio. I ‘am Italian and I live in Rome and Montreal. I’ve found this blog while I was looking for some information about Cam Kokosing on the web,
Actually I have already tried many times in the past but never found anything until tonight,
I was Camp Counselor there in summer 1964 and and I was involved in the Art and Crafts and in the Bicycle and Canoe trips Groups.
Such a fond memories, wonderful place and wonderful people mostly New Yorkers….
I remember them all by face , but only few by names… Bill ( one of the owners) Pat, Dave…
Always wanted to go back someday but did not remember exactly where it was. I could only remember that it was in the middle of Vermont near the New Hampshire border.
Your blog definitely helped me to find the place … I will visit there soon.
Thank you so much!
Kay oh, Key Oh, Ess eye en gee, K O K O S I N G !!!
Helvio
July 28, 2016 @ 4:53 pm
I attended Camp Kokosing back in approx.1974-’75. I still have some very vivid memories.
The lake. Taking the raft test, the 1/4 mile test. I remember the waterskiing counselor Jerry Faison mooning my friend Amy Harrison and myself. (I was all of 8 years old). Good memories. Socials, plays, mud sliding when it rained.
On a whim I googled Kokosing, not expecting too find any info, pleasantly surprised, I read a few blogs. Took me right back too those days. I wonder if anyone remembers the name Lisa Chosed.
February 18, 2023 @ 9:58 pm
Hi.I went to Kokosing in 1953,54,56 as a camper.I also remenber the raft test,1/4 mile and later the 1 mile swim,with a counselor accompanying me in a rowboat.I remember the canoes,where I went by byself after dinner and caught pickerel,which were cooked by the staff- tasted great.I remember the canoe tests.The beautiful pond (lake),early morning swims,the archery program,the plays,the other campers.It was a great experience all around.
February 24, 2023 @ 11:33 pm
You pre-dated me by at least 20 years Bob.