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Inside the Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield

August 12th, 2015

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]
By Snoop Junkie

Since 1955, Camp Haccamo has been a fun filled getaway for both adults and children with varying mental and physical disabilities. First established on Panorama Creek Drive in Penfield external link (just behind Panorama Plaza), Haccamo was free to the 300 plus campers per year who participated. But in 2009 camp organizers ended their relationship with the town of Penfield and moved to Rush, NY – while, oddly, leaving quite a bit of stuff behind…

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]
Haccamo was operated by the Monroe County Rotary which also ran the Rotary Sunshine Camp external link in Rush. Both camps were funded mainly with private donations, including $200,000 annually from Wegmans. But in 2008 Wegmans notified them that funding would be eliminated.

According to this article external link Wegmans gave the camps a one-time payment of $1 million as incentive to merge together at that time, and the land was put up for sale.

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]
As for our walk through, it was a beautiful early Sunday morning and we were ready to go to camp!

When arriving at the entrance, I couldn’t help but notice how strange it felt that we were just off a main road in the heart of Penfield, yet I felt like we were so far away, isolated and cut off from society. It was definitely an unnerving feeling.

The 10 acre camp consists of 24 separate building units, including sleeping cabins and recreational buildings for activities such as music participation and arts & crafts.

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]
What struck me most about Haccamo, was just how much of it was left behind.

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]
It almost seemed as though this place was abandoned in quite a hurry. Mostly junk and worthless supplies remained, but also a number of pianos, bedding, a pool table, music equipment and other various items were left to rot in the elements.

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]
Moving through these rooms we touch nothing except what’s under our feet. We don’t want to cause any more damage then has already been done by who ever (or what ever) rolled through here before us.

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]
Many photos strewn about show us how these spaces were used – spaces that were once alive with activity.

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]
The building structures for the most part are intact yet coming apart at the seams slowly and surely. It’s questionable whether or not much of this place could be salvaged or reused for anything at this point.

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]
From what we saw, it seemed as though this was a quite great place at one time for people with physical or mental hardships to go and enjoy themselves.

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]
There are many different social spaces…

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]
Games…

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]
Entertainment…

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]
Art…

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]
And music…

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

All of these activities are sure to make campers tire out. Let’s see what the sleeping quarters are like…

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]
The layout of the camp is fantastic and the grounds are heavily treed to give the illusion (as I mentioned) that you’re somewhere far off the beaten path.

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]
That being said, the youngster in me couldn’t help but tremble a bit at the thought of a machete wielding hockey masked mad-man lurking in the brush, waiting to ward off any uninvited guests.

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]
The central building contained kitchen facilities as well as a great room for gatherings in front of a large cobblestone fireplace…

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]
Imagine the stories told and the camp songs that might have been sung here by the fire.

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]
…or the massive quantities of baked beans and red hots served out of this place.

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]
Um, Scooby, I’m starting to get a bad feeling.

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]
Boy, the pool does look tempting. Wish I had brought my suit.

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]
The grounds are lightly maintained still, but it’s really something to see how mother nature begins to reclaim her territory over just a few short years. The outer grounds contain an array of trails for hiking, and areas for various sports.

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]
Like mini golf!

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]
This building connects to a deck overlooking a large man-made pond…

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]
WITH a dock for boating – or doing cannonballs off of.

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]

Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield NY. [IMAGE: Snoop Junkie]
Last I knew, the land has been for sale ever since the organization shipped out to Rush, but rumor has it that this site may in fact be revitalized to serve as working camp grounds once again! Not entirely sure about that though.

Maybe there’s someone out there who can shed a little more light on this story – what’s the status of the property, and why it was left the way it was?

Anyway, that just about brings us to the end of our Haccamo tour. As always, drop a comment below. And happy camping 😉

• • •

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 12th, 2015 at 11:11 pm and is filed under Rochester History, Rochester Images, Urban Exploration. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

45 Responses to “Inside the Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield”

  1. Ruth Nederlk says:

    This is the first I have ever heard and seen of Camp Haccamo and I am shocked that valuable furniture and piano and expensive equipment were left here like hat which were no doubt donated People that are so much in need can’t even get taken care of and these organizations just take it for granite. Discusting Then Wegman’s gives them more. Why doesn’t Wegman’s help people who are old and disabled by doing their shopping and deliver to them. Wonder how many more ungrateful organizations do this. Of course the donater’s take it off of their expense account

  2. vicki gouveia says:

    Disturbing photos. How sad that the camp could leave these things behind when there are organizations and people who are in need of such items. Why does the town of Penfield not hold the camp responsible for what was left behind? Very sad.

  3. Bob s says:

    It strikes me that in many cases not for profits have no concept of money or what things cost. Everything in the pictures could have been moved, sold or stored out of the elements. Now it’s all junk. How sad for the folks who donate money or goods to these groups to then see these pictures. The Rotary is a good, civic minded group but someone dropped the ball here big time.

  4. Paula says:

    For the life of me, I don’t understand why things like pianos are just left behind to rot.

  5. Aaron says:

    Being a former counselor from 2003 – 2005, it was great place for campers from 6-26 with special needs could go and enjoy swimming, kickball, arts and crafts and normal camp activities for a week (and the parents could get a break too!). When I heard it was going to be closed, I felt sad for what was truly lost and now even sadder that nothing has become of the grounds and facilities.

  6. I was a counselor at this camp for 5 summers. Seeing these pictures is heart wrenching. So many fun memories and long hours worked on these grounds and in these buildings.
    I hope it gets used for something!

  7. Ex counselor says:

    I enjoyed working there years ago. It’s so sad to see the state that The Rochester Rotary clubs left it in when they abandoned it and consolidated the services provided with those at Camp Sunshine. It’s sad to see the money and resources that were wasted in their haste to vacate, but what’s even more tragic is the loss of services provided by Camp Haccamo to the kids and young adults that knew the camp as their summer home, if even just for a week or two every summer.

  8. teardman says:

    I worked here for 8 summers, until 2004. If you ever want the truth of what a great place this was for children and adults with developmental disabilities, I’m sure I can wrangle at least 30 former counselors for you. The suburban rotary clubs, not Rochester can be contacted regarding the land and buildings left. Last summer a few of us went to explore what’s left. It breaks our hearts that the 8 week camp, that accepted most applicants is now down to a 2 week session on borrowed property.

  9. Sarah Brayman says:

    Looking at these photos was bizarre and actually brought me to tears. I recognize many of the names marked on the wall in the nature building, as I was “Sarah Nature” (the Nature Specialist) for a summer. I spent three years working at this camp, and it’s surreal to see what it’s like now. Like the people who commented above, I don’t understand why so much was left behind… However I absolutely *do not* think that the organization was ungrateful, took advantage of donations or wasn’t thinking about others when they were essentially forced to relocate. I know that they wouldn’t have left it like this unless there was a reason.
    Camp HACCAMO (the Handicapped Children’s Camp of Monroe County) and the people who worked there went out of their way to provide an amazing experience for the campers. Often this was the only camp experience those young people had ever been able to have. There were counselors who came back year after year. We called them “lifers” because even though they could work somewhere else (at an easier job!) and make a lot more money, they wanted to be there and they were passionate about the work they did. You don’t do a job like that for money, you do it out of love, compassion, commitment and empathy.
    That $200,000 that was given by Wegmans every year barely covered the cost of liability insurance for the 8 weeks per year that the camp operated. This was well over half of the camp’s total budget for each year. Wegmans’ taking away that money was a death sentence for HACCAMO. Many of those who had been involved with the camp rallied together and tried to save it, holding a fundraiser/memorial run in the name of a former counselor who passed away after earning her Special Education degree. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough to save it.
    HACCAMO changed and enriched the lives of it’s campers, but also it’s staff. Many of us went on to pursue careers in social services or education. Nothing about this camp was selfish or greedy. It put the kids/young adults first. It was a FREE camp. If it had switched to charging for attending it, it would still be in Penfield, but for many of the campers, having to pay would have made it so they couldn’t attend. Merging with the other camp made it possible for anyone with special needs to attend, regardless of financial standing. I wish it didn’t have to happen the way it did, but by moving they were able to stick with their mission – to provide a free, quality camp experience for those who otherwise would never have an opportunity to go to camp.

  10. jcongilaro says:

    I had the honor of being J-Nature for a summer,not only did I spend 8 weeks there as a counselor (i actually slept on that boat rack) many of my friends worked there for years . The folks who worked there gave every ounce of thier heart,soul and body to make sure thise kids had a good time. We willingly put our minds and bodies through epic levels of sleep deprivation and physical punishment that I have yet to experience again in life (and im a nurse). We did it gladly and working there was one of my greatest life moments, seeing these pictures brings back a lot of good memories but also fills me with sadness.

  11. George Havens says:

    I’m a former camper that attending every summer there from age 7 to age 18. So it breaks my heart to see how someone can do this to this wonderful place. I have so many memories I know I will carry with me for the rest of my life. 🙁

  12. Meg says:

    This is heartbreaking. I have so many great memories of that place. My husband and I met working as counselors at Haccamo. It was the hardest job I ever had, but the most rewarding. So sad that it has been abandoned in such a way.

  13. Molly says:

    Looking at this pictures absolutely breaks my heart! I was a counselor there for 3 summers which were the hardest yet most rewarding summers of my life. The joy we were able to give the campers at Camp Haccamo is something that I will cherish. So many of the buildings are unrecognizeable!It is a shame to see such a wonderful place that provided so much joy and forever memories in shambles and forgotten.

  14. bri says:

    YES! i explored here once. VERY ERIE. we saw a police officer here before we went which concerned us, but we moved onward. we explored a bit but then saw that the underground storage shed (idk what it’s called) was wide open. we ran out really quick

  15. Dan -- Pres of Haccamo BOD says:

    HANDICAPPED CHILDREN’S CAMP FOR MONROE COUNTY, INC
    P.O. Box 25177, Rochester, NY 14 camphaccamo.org
    {Phone: (585) 381-5710} {Fax: (585) 381-5789}

    To: Author of the Camp Haccamo article on the website of Rochester Subway.
    From: Dan Hedberg, President of Board of Directors for Camp Haccamo (865-1453)

    I was quite surprised and shocked to see the article on Camp Haccamo appearing on your website. To my knowledge, we were not contacted for information or for any interviews prior to the publication of this article. It would be my suggestion that we meet to have a conversation in order to question assumptions, surface some facts, and clarify the misconception portrayed in the article. To further explain:

    • Our campers (special kids with special needs) have always been our number one priority. Prior to the sale of our old camp site at the Penfield location at fair market value, our Board took diligent efforts to sell any and all items of value to other camps and to the community (i.e. held garage sales and auctions), to raise additional monies for the continuation of our Camp Haccamo programs at Rotary Sunshine Campus. To this day, Camp Haccamo continues to provide free camping experiences to more than 200 campers with special abilities on an annual basis and respite for their families. Refer to our Mission below. Also, refer to our website: camphaccamo.org.

    • The Penfield facility had been sold in the Fall of 2014. Further, we no longer have access to that property. All buildings were boarded up at the time of the sale. The camp was not left in the condition shown and appears to have been vandalized after the sale — which substantiates the history of vandalizing in the past, which can be verified by checking with the Monroe County Sheriff’s office.

    • I truly believe that the misinformation conveyed by the article is unfortunate. I would be very happy to meet with you and clarify the article by having an open and honest conversation that deals with facts. The next page identifies eight facts from our view.

    • Thank you for your consideration and attention to this matter. Yours, Dan

    ——————————————————————————————————————
    Mission: To Provide a Safe, Fun-filled Camping Experience for Children and Young Adults with Special Needs, Respite for Families, and Personal/Professional Growth for Counselors.
    Eight Facts Regarding Old Site of Camp Haccamo

    1. Property was not abandoned but sold to a buyer on September 10, 2014. No camping had occurred on the site since 2008 while the property was up for sale. During that time we maintained the property in a neat and safe condition at considerable expense to the camp in order to preserve its value.

    2. All structures were left in a boarded up and safe condition at the time of closing. We have had no access or responsibility for the property in nearly a year. We do not know what the new owner intends to do with the property.

    3. Every effort was made to salvage as much of the personal property on the site as possible. Most personal property was disposed of through transfer to the Sunshine Campus site, sale or gift. For instance, the camp spent a considerable amount to move the famed “Haccamo Train” to the Sunshine location which is now used not only by Haccamo campers but all the campers using the Sunshine Campus facility

    4. Property that had no value and could not be disposed of was left on site to be disposed of (by the new owner at his expense). We were not responsible as to how the new owner protected the site or disposed of the property but it did relieve the camp of an expense in disposing of this basically worthless property.

    5. The buildings have obviously been damaged by vandals or other trespassers since the closing, which was also a chronic problem while Haccamo owned the property. Fortunately insurance reimbursed the camp for most of its losses during that time.

    6 Since 2009, Haccamo has continued to flourish at the Sunshine Campus location serving 200-300 children and adults with special needs each summer at a “state of the art” facility just as it has been doing since 1956 at the Penfield location.

    7 We take our stewardship of donated funds and property very seriously to be sure that it is applied appropriately to provide a camping experience to a very needy population, at no charge to the camper or the family.
    We are dependent on funds raised and donated by the 16 Monroe County Rotary
    Clubs to maintain this critical program. There are no public tax dollars involved in support of the camp.

    8. Except for the staff and counselors hired to run the camp itself this is a volunteer organization made up of Rotarians from across Monroe County that have worked hard for almost 60 years to build, finance, and operate a camp for children and adults with special needs, at no expense to the camper’s families.

    It is very discouraging to see photos of the former site which was sold nearly a year ago posted on a web site with the implications of negligence and mismanagement it suggests without even checking with the camp itself as to the pertinent facts.

  16. Thanks for the update Dan. We’re happy to hear the camp was sold last September. Do you know who the new owner is?

  17. Chris Stone says:

    Um… hello, Town of Penfield Code Enforcement Office?

    http://www.penfield.org/Building_and_Zoning.php

  18. Snoop Junkie says:

    Dear Mr. Dan,

    Thank you for your interest in this article.
    I can assure you that neither you or your organization was thought of as a villain throughout this exploration and write-up. As we sifted through all of your camps disregarded rummage, I couldn’t help but think that there had to be some sort of rational explanation. And you sir, have provided just that…

    I appreciate your insight, as I had none, other than what I could find on the internet as well as my visual assumptions as I was walking though these once fantastically vibrant grounds.

    I am not a paid or certified journalist, or one that provides data based only on absolute fact, though we try.
    Myself and the Rochester Urban Exploration Squad are firmly entrenched in the art of exploring the neglected and decaying component of man-made environment in and around Rochester NY, and informing the public based on what we witness with our own eyes. I or we as a whole do not reach out to sources connected to our visited locations, as that could compromise the anonymity by which we adhere to with absolute solidarity.

    We left this article by saying…
    “Maybe there’s someone out there who can shed a little more light on this story – what’s the status of the property, and why it was left the way it was?”

    I’m assuming that maybe you missed this last little portion? As it was very important for us to add.

    We don’t always know the situation or scope of what transpired in the event of a situation like this, and welcome the input as we had stated.

    Much of what came across as painting a negative light on what was left behind seems to have come from the comments of others who are judging based on what they see through the photos that we provided.
    So I’ll assume that your criticism or frustration is more-so aimed at them rather than us.

    Thank you Dan, for all that you and your organization does for the folks in need around this great city. We need more people like you, who care. If there is any further information that you wish to share with us or this thread, feel free to do so. We’re all very interested.

    Sincerely,
    The eyes that follow the fleeing shadows…

    Snoop Junkie

  19. jpkayakin says:

    Growing up in the late 70’s/ early 80’s my Dad was a member of the Pittsford Firemen’s Band and they played at Camp haccamo to entertain the campers. It was great to see the campers enjoy the music!

  20. The camp’s current owner has proposed to turn it into a “high end dog hotel.” If required zoning changes are made the site could be cleared as early as January. Full story…
    http://www.rochestercitynewspaper.com/rochester/high-class-dog-hotel-planned-for-penfield/

  21. Jack Sutherland says:

    Thanks for these photos, and for prompting the comments left by many here who were impacted by this property over the years. I was fortunate to have been granted permission by the Rotarians to run Camp Talkalot on this property for 4 summers (2001-2004), a support program for children who stutter. The buildings that have now been vandalized were at that time being maintained with great attention and care, and the facilities were ideal for small camping programs for many of the reasons you touched on in your article. When the Rotary announced their intent to sell the Penfield property my non-profit group went so far as to submit a Letter of Intent on how we would like to develop the Camp to create experiential learning opportunities for youth and college students, who we would help implement community service projects around their areas of interest. Unfortunately our proposal wasn’t what the Rotary was seeking for the property at that time. Lots of good memories of using these rustic buildings to help create amazing growth experiences for so many special needs people over the years. Simple it may have been for some, but many of us loved this facility! All the best to the new owners.

  22. Jack Lamphier says:

    Some folks just love to destroy things, especially porcelain fixtures, don’t hey ? Disgusting.

  23. Erica Cline says:

    I went that camp haccamo when I was 13 the summer of 2007 counted going there till they moved to rotary sunshine camp but looking back to where the old place of camp haccamo brings back fun memories

  24. Androcles says:

    Hey I actually was here just the other day and made a video!

  25. jack sutherland says:

    Nice video. Camp deteriorated alot since the prior video was posted back in August. From looking casually at Penfield Town Board recent meetings, the current owner and/or attorney briefed plans to remake the property into a hotel for dogs. Lots of good camp memories are recalled from looking at these buildings again, lots of joy experienced by the campers, and the staff & Rotary volunteers who made it possible year after year.

  26. Androcles says:

    Jack,

    Yes I should have mentioned that in my comment. The camp looks much more run down and overgrown these days than what is shown in these picture. There is no maintenance, or any attempt at keeping people out. No signs, or gates. In fact there are still signs in the shared parking area showing the direction of the camp and you could literally drive right into the place. Also, many of the windows and doors that have been nailed shut with plywood are mostly all open now. It looks like the place gets a good bit of foot traffic as well.

  27. Michael says:

    Was there today8/7/16. It is amazing how much destruction there has been since these photos were taken. A lot of looting, too.

  28. Kevin says:

    Went a couple weeks ago and they were in the process of demolishing it.. I heard it is completely gone now.

  29. Christopher Playford says:

    When was this camp established there? Never knew it was there.
    Went to Dupree Day Camp which was just a bit south of it and now in general area of the Linerar Park and parking area off the old Panorman Trail Rd.
    What became of the train and tracks?
    Also I’m confused about the Rotary Sunshine Camp as I went to it back in early sixties at Durand Eastman Camp. Were there two of them or did they relocate from Durand Eastman to Penfield then Rush or just to Rush?
    Thanks for any info on this!

  30. Christopher Playford says:

    My mistake!! Dupree Day Camp was off N Washinton St where Channing H Philbrick Park is now. Know there was a sewer treatment plant in the area after the camp closed.

  31. Driver says:

    Now it’s tacticle training ground. Law enforcement, SWAT, Bomb squad, you get the idea. The opposite of family fun.

  32. Rachel Graf says:

    As of February 4th, 2017 Camp Haccamo is nothing more than a pile of twisted scrap metal and wood. The dock to the pond is still in tact but nothing else remains. Last night 2 of my friends and I explored the grounds searching for any signs of the camp and found nothing other than creepy stuffed animals. The first stuffed animal we found was a little Big Bird stuffed animal which we brought along with us as a joke. As we delved deeper along the trail we didn’t come across anything, so we headed back to the pond where the dock was located. Upon arrival we found a teddy bear’s head ripped off of the body and the body was no where to be found. Next we found a goat stuffed animal with no eyes.My friend Dan was taking photos of the goat while my friend Natalie and I continued to the exit. Until suddenly we hear eerie piano music, thinking it was Dan adding background music to a video of the creepy stuffed animal we were laughing and having fun, until we look past Dan in the distance and we see a large black figure carrying a large item in his left hand. Upon seeing the figure we bolted back to the car. We didn’t look back. Has anyone seen this?

  33. samajm says:

    As of 1/2017 all the buildings have been torn down by new owner.Alls i saw left was steps to dock and 9×12 floating dock. R.I.P Camp Haccomo

  34. Hailey says:

    I actually was a camper at camp Haccamo and started there when Haccamo started in Rush. The Rush Sunshine Campus is so much nicer than Camp Haccamo in penfield in my opinion. It’s very nicely laid out and the cabins are larger and so is the pool, there is also a rock wall and a zip line and they recently added a wheelchair accessible treehouse. Dan is right, the Haccamo train still remains in beautiful condition and works wonderfully. The Sunshine Campus has a lot of things that the Haccamo property didn’t. It has a splash pad right near the train, a larger and more complex mini golf corse, a more detailed playground (or at least it used to be, it deteriorated over time and things were removed, there used to be a seesaw) solar panels to provide electricity, an AMAZING (and new) sensory building, a nature center building (there was an older nature center without a whole building but it isn’t in use anymore) ropes courses, and A frame tents for some of the other camps that the sunshine campus allows use for. It’s a truly beautiful place and being a camper for over 6 years there has made me see how happy it makes the campers that have much more severe mental disorders than me. I’ve been there long enough to create amazing memories that have stuck with me, and see a little bit of what goes on behind the scenes. Sunshine Campus allowed over I think 7 camps to operate on their grounds throughout the year, and camp Haccamo has very well trained and caring staff that put so much effort into every camper. Haccamo IS still in fact free to the families of campers, which is amazing to give parents a little break and not make them have to worry about the cost of such a wonderful camp. I would never have been able to go to Haccamo if it wasn’t for the fact that it’s free. And I think you all are underestimating exactly how hard it is to keep a camp free. You need to be able to pay all your staff, including counsellors, kitchen staff, lifeguards, nurses, maintenance people, administrative workers, and any other workers. You also need to pay for maintenance of the camp which is expensive. And then there is the prices of supplies, because Haccamo provides lots of extra things like toiletries. They rely a ton on donations from not only the Monroe county rotary clubs, but also countless other donation sources. While it may be true that camp Haccamo in penfield was in terrible shape (because of vandals) and now is destroyed, the current camp haccamo in my opinion is thriving. We even have a thing called hike for haccamo.

  35. Trista says:

    Is it still ok to go visit this place is the public allowed to go there and explore? I have been to beechwood girls scout camp and loved it and seen this and would love to go explore it so was just wondering if it was open to public??

  36. Royce Breslawski says:

    As of August 2017 camp haccamo has been completely demolished. Nothing remains except a picnic lodge and part of the dock shown in the pictures. Looks like it was bulldozed sometime in the fall .

  37. Dan says:

    Dang… demolished… That was one of the best places to play paintball ever.

  38. Cole says:

    ALL GONE!!! Bulldozed away. Picnic pavilion remains, everything else has been turned into a dirt lot. The woods nearby was also cleared. Looks like something is going to be built! Will keep you all updated here.

  39. Bill Heinrich says:

    Christopher Playford: Interesting you mention the Dupree day camp. The Duprees rented a house across from us on Dale Rd, about a mile and half west off Penfield Rd. The building they used for the camp is now the American Legion Post. The swimming pools were behind it, in the area now covered by 441.

  40. samajm says:

    Fire Hits Abandoned Psychiatric Center (rochester Ny) …Jul 7, 2019
    20
    Some 60 firefighters responded last night when fire broke out at the old Rochester Psychiatric Center on Elmwood Avenue.

    Firefighters found a rubbish fire on the second floor and people trapped by smoke on the roof. They had to shelter in place until the smoke cleared. Authorities also escorted five people out of the building. It’s been abandoned for about 20 years, but urban explorers and people who want to investigate rumors that it’s haunted often break in…A department spokesman says firefighters worked through the night to make sure nobody was left in the building… 5 people were rescued and escourted out of bld and may be facing charges .

  41. Jessica Tice says:

    I have grown up in the panorama area for awhile, practically my entire life. With now living right up the hill now for almost 4 years it saddens me deeply to see that camp haccamo is totally demolished along with the trails and most of the nature that surrounded it. Flattened out to the bare minimum to be used for who knows what. It breaks my heart to see so much being damaged for people’s demands. I have pictures from over the past 3 years to now.

  42. Jason Caternolo says:

    I remember going to Haccamo from when I was 13, to around when I graduated. I had some happy memories of The Haccamo (as many of us called it). I especially remember the spirit chants we did at meals (We got spirit, yes we do! We got spirit, how about you?).

    It is a shame that the original site closed down, although I am glad Haccamo lives on at the other site.

  43. angie says:

    does anyone know if this is still there or did everything get torn down?

  44. July 25, 2022
    To whom it may concern:
    I am a former counselor with cerebral palsy who was there in the summer of 1971. It was such a wonderful time. It certainly looked a lot nicer back then. The administration really cared about the kids! I will never forget Agnes Bauman who was head of the kitchen! The meals were amazing! My favorite was strawberries & bananas! She knew how to cook!
    Being a camp counselor then, and seeing these current photos, it is such a shame to see such a wonderful place destroyed.


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