Mahackeno — the Westport Weston Family YMCA camp just south of the Bedford Center — has a long, storied history.
It’s as old as the Merritt Parkway. And as new as the work currently be done there, not far from the Saugatuck River site.
The Y opened its camp in 1938. Six years later they were offered 30 acres of land — including the site of the present camp.
Enjoying the Saugatuck River, at Camp Mahackeno back in the day.
F.T. Bedford — son of the Y’s founder, Edward T. Bedford — said his family’s trust would pay half the price, provided the town ponied up the other half.
Within a few weeks, Westporters pledged their portion: $10,000.
In March of 1945, the Y took possession of the property. That summer, 72 boys attended “Camp Bedford.” One of the highlights: a rope swing, dangling from the nearby Merritt Parkway.
A year later — at F.T. Bedford’s request — the name was changed to “Mahackeno.” That honored “Mahackemo” (with an “m”), a sachem (chief) of the Norwalke Indian tribe who in 1639 met Roger Ludlowe and traded land between the Saugatuck and Norwalk Rivers — including that very spot — for wampum and other goods.
Over the years, Camp Mahackeno grew. It added girls, a pool and other amenities. It (reluctantly) packed away the rope swing (and an enormous military-style float that it’s a miracle no one ever drowned underneath.
Summer Camp has been part of growing up for decades. In 1953, Westport artist Stevan Dohanos used Camp Mahackeno for this Saturday Evening Post cover.
This year, Mahackeno opened its new, now 34-acre facility. After a year of construction there’s a new amphitheater, archery range, climbing walls, 2 slides and 5 rainy-day pavilions.
A counselor gives an assist at a new climbing wall.
The basketball court, Beck Lodge and swimming pool have been renovated (with a new splash pad too). Playing fields were leveled.
The refurbished pool. Y members can register to swim for one hour slots on weekends.
Every tree of 8 calipers or more has been replaced by 2 new trees. Oh, yeah: the port-a-potties are shielded too.
Westport Weston Family Y CEO Pat Riemersma checks out one of several new wood chip paths.
250 or so boys and girls attend one or more of 9 week-long sessions. This being a pandemic, they remain in strict groups of 10, with the same (masked) counselor all week.
Scroll down for some photos of Camp Mahackeno, 2020. It’s not 1938 — but then again, what is?
Between canoe sessions, a counselor sanitizes railings.
Gaga is a ground-level form of dodgeball.
Two new slides are a huge hit.
The new amphitheater seats 360 campers and staff members.
No camp is complete without an archery range.
The newly renovated basketball court gets plenty of action.
Rainy day pavilions: shelter from the storm.
The all-new playground.
A classic camp scene.