Camden Rod & Gun Club History
Derived from memories of members and sparse documents
Discovery of a membership card in the club identifies the start of the club in 1927 or possibly sooner. It may have started earlier, but there is no way to tell. At that time and up to circa 1969 it was not a landed club.
World War II put the club in a hiatus until circa 1946.
A gentleman named Army Anderson donated land to the club to become a “landed” club circa 1969. The size of this gift is not firm, but it estimated to be from ten to fourteen acres.
The club was officially incorporated in New York state Aug 21, 1970
The club house was built in 1970 …..
The indoor pistol range was built in 1979 and headed up by Bruce Falison.
Several shacks were on the property for storage in the years that followed until the club saved the money to have a metal sided and roofed storage barn 30’ by 40’ built in 2003. The task was assumed by club member Tim Stagner who did an excellent job. The building was dedicated and named for Bill Swart who had headed up the trap/skeet/sporting clays at the club.
In August of 2011 the IRS awarded the club tax status of “exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c) (7) of the Internal Revenue Code.” The letter of award was signed by the famous (or infamous) Lois Lerner.
An archery tower and range was built in 2014…………
In 2017 the club purchased twenty six acres from Mike Hawks to insure that no one would build behind the rifle range backstop and be exposed to any hazard.
In 2019 the club suffered a flood that was never before seen. Apparently a stream near the eastern border of the club over flowed from a torrential rainfall that flooded over the road and down to the club house. Ten inches of water saturated the club house and indoor pistol range, causing dangerous mold build up that required significant remodeling of the entire club how and loss of cabinetry, dry wall replacement and a complete do over of the meeting room and significant rebuilding of the kitchen. Many club members donated toward this project and several people donated time and expertise to accomplish this huge task. (Insert names here?)
The club was closed March 21, 2020, for the duration of the COVID19 crisis. Other than the hiatus during WWII it is the only time it was closed to members with a secret change of the combination. Membership was informed by text messages and by announcement on the club website. The club was reopened and the combination was reset to the general membership code June 6, 2020.
Fred Kenfield Memorial Kids Fishing Derby
The Club sponsors an annual kids fishing derby for children on the second Saturday of June every year. The Camden reservoir is the site of the event and is free to all who attend. Each child is awarded a prize purchased with donations from many businesses and the club. Hot dogs and soft drinks are also provided free for the children. Adults accompanying the children can also partake of the food and drink for whatever they choose to donate. The derby was jointly run by the club in cooperation with the Camden Lions Club circa 1963 until circa 1993 when the club took sole responsibility for the derby under the leadership of Chris Carle who, along with his lovely wife Yvonne ran it through 2019. The DEC do stocked the reservoir with trout for us each year. The derby was cancelled for first time ever in 2020 as a result of the COVID19 crisis. Chris has had some health issues and who will head up the derby is currently in doubt as of this writing.
Christopher Hawks and Vernon Walker Memorial Scholarship
The club has donated money for scholarships for high school graduating seniors who plan on careers in the outdoor sports industry or DEC, members of the youth marksmanship program, and who provide civic service to the club, and for family members of club members. To date the club has provided twenty scholarships of $1000. Basically two, and in special circumstances three, scholarships are paid annually.
Yourth Marksmanship Program
The club is dedicated to the promotion of outdoor sports, primarily hunting, fishing, firearms proficiency and above all, SAFETY. As such the club sponsors a Youth Marksmanship program for those up to twelve years of age to learn shooting skills with technologically advanced air rifles. This team is most successful and has been invited to travel for national competitions with notable success. Ed Jones has dedicated years of weekly training, practice sessions for the youths. The club has purchased technologically advanced air rifles for the project.
Classes:
Hunter Education classes approved by New York State DEC are conducted by the club annually and are considered outstanding for the promotion of firearms and archery hunting safely and legally. These courses are provided free of charge and are in great demand.
Pistol/handgun courses are conducted by individual members certified by the NRA and the relevant counties. Check the website for availability and contact information.