DPF 4-H Camp History
Nassau County 4-H Youth Development Programming 1914-Present
Programs for youth began as part of the Nassau County Farm Bureau (now
Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Nassau County- CCE-NC) for Boys
and Girls Club Work in 1914. The theme for our youth programs continues to be
learn by doing- with the goal of 4-H summarized in its pledge that highlights the
meaning of the 4 H's- Head, Heart, Hands and Health:

    I pledge my head to clearer thinking,
    My heart to greater loyalty,
    My hands to larger service,
    And my health to better living
    For my club/camp, my community, my country, my world.

Based on ever changing community needs, the programs offered by Cornell
Cooperative Extension of Nassau County have constantly evolved. Outdoor
education/camping became part of the Nassau County program in 1924 when the
camp program started. Since 1939 the Dorothy P. Flint Nassau County 4-H Camp
has been located at its present site on Sound Avenue in Riverhead.

The property contains one of the few remaining undisturbed Long Island
ecosystems that is recognized both locally and nationally. The camp property
contains environmentally sensitive and rare natural communities that are utilized
for educational purposes in a park setting.

In the 84 years of our camping program (1924-present), close to 500,000
youngsters and adults have been reached through year-round programs. The
volunteer efforts of adults and youth have helped to build and maintain most of the
structures located on the property.

The focus of our year round 4-H camp program is to instill in Nassau County and
Long Island youth an understanding an appreciation for the unique ecology of
Long Island, as well as the important role that each citizen plays in maintaining a
strong and healthy environment. 4-H camp programs are designed to help
develop individuals to the best of their abilities, improve health, and help
youngsters find life goals.

To insure continuing high quality standards, the Dorothy P. Flint Nassau County 4-
H Camp continues to be accredited by the American Camping Association.


Dorothy P. Flint Nassau County 4-H Camp History
1924
 The first Nassau 4-H Camp was established in 1924 by Dorothy
Powell Flint at Long Pond (Lake Panamoka). The goals of the 4-H
camping program were …cooperation, self-discipline and an
appreciation of nature by living out-of doors... to develop leadership.
1928
 The Nassau 4-H Camp moved to Wildwood State Park. Here a
permanent camp was established with the construction of a lodge
that was built by volunteers who raised one third of the cost. For 10
years Nassau youngsters camped at this site until New York State
prohibited camping on state property.
1939
 Dorothy P. Flint's mother, Margaret Hale Powell, purchased the
35-acre Cavandish estate on Sound Avenue in Riverhead and
rented this property to the Nassau 4-H Association for 10 years.
Volunteers helped clear the land, built roads, moved the dining
lodge from Wildwood State Park, put in electricity, constructed
cabins and maintained the land.
1949
 At the request of the Nassau Farm & Home Bureau/4-H
Association (this was the name of the total organization now known
as Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Nassau County)
Nassau County purchased the Powell property (35 acres) for their
use. The property was leased to the CCE-NC until 1959 for $10
year. Cabins were designed and built by volunteers; Kiwanis Club
of Nassau gave and built Kiwanis Hall. The camp became a living
laboratory in leadership development.
1950-
1970
 As the 4-H camping program grew the need for more camping
space and environmental park areas also grew. Year-round
camping began in 1957. The CCE-NC volunteers and staff sought
contiguous property and with funds from the 4-H Camp Land
Acquisition and Contingency Fund and provided the funds to
Nassau County to negotiate the purchase of properties to expand
the camp to the current approximately 140 acres.
1970
 After the death of Dorothy P. Flint, the staff member who started the
4-H Camping program and had provided leadership since 1924,
County Executive Eugene Nickerson and the Nassau Board of
Supervisors passed Resolution No. 994-1970: …RESOLVED, that
the camp facility presently known as the Nassau County 4-H Camp
is hereby dedicated as a memorial to the late Dorothy P. Flint and
shall henceforth be known as the Dorothy P. Flint Nassau County 4-
H Camp.
1971-
present
 The camping program of the Dorothy P. Flint Nassau County 4-H
Camp continued to offer Nassau youngsters the opportunity to live
out-of-doors in an environmental park learning educational center.
As technology advanced, our Nassau 4-H camping program gave
youngsters an opportunity to live and learn in a safe, rustic,
out-of-doors environmental setting. Camp programs included Teen
Camping, kayaking, adventure ropes, surf-fishing, small animals,
equitation. Year-round camp programs offer groups the opportunity
to use outdoor/environmental programs. Currently there are 104
buildings on the property that have been built and maintained by
4-H youth and adult volunteers and CCE staff. As dual working
families and single head of household families increased, our
camping experience became an important part of families summer
plans.
84 Years!!
1924- 2008

The Nassau County 4-H camp
program is the longest running
in New York State!
Nassau County DPF 4-H Camp
- operated by the Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Nassau County
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