Urban League’s Camp Atwater Receives Federal Funding

SPRINGFIELD (Oct. 31, 2022) – Camp Atwater has reason to celebrate this Halloween.

On Thursday, Oct. 27th, it was announced that the camp will receive $450,000 to rejuvenate its facilities.

The camp, which was a home away from home for many black children within the Springfield area, is run by the Urban League of Springfield (Springfield, MA). The camp is in North Brookfield, with 40 buildings, a three-acre island, and offers children various activities such as horseback riding, fishing, swimming, and other physical activities. It also provides children with performing arts and educational classes.

Alumni of the camp include former U.S. attorney of Massachusetts Wayne Budd, and Oscar award winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter.

Another alum, Cheryl Stanley, now vice president of education programming and advocacy for the Urban League, said of her experience, “It was like going to an HBCU college because of the number of campers that would come from all over the country. I still have a friend that I met at Camp Atwater when we were 12 years old.”

U.S. Representative Richard E. Neal, who announced the funding, said, “For those of you who have been to Camp Atwater, it’s the most beautiful setting. We can all celebrate the achievements of Camp Atwater and the good work that they’ve done.”

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