Message From Owner | Camp Akiba

A MESSAGE FROM OUR OWNER

Camp Akiba. It sounds so good to talk about it in the present and future tense. Yes, after 25 years, it is back.

It is really difficult to memorialize or to explain to someone what the overnight camp experience is unless you have lived it personally. Finding the right words to describe the emotions, memories, and firsts seems nearly impossible. Camp friendships and experiences resonate with you for your entire life. Akiba forever.

My family acquired Camp Akiba in 1999, but my Akiba roots date back further. My sister and I joined the Akiba family in 1980. I was hired by Howard’s father, Lenny Gordon and Howard Batterman as a “specialist” and cabin counselor while my sister was a camper. Uncle Lenny left an indelible mark on both of us, as he did with everyone he encountered. One of the most important events in my life was meeting his son, Howard. We remain the closest of friends to this day, and I am excited to navigate this adventure with him by my side.

During Camp Akiba’s sabbatical, our facility was host to a very successful children’s health and wellness camp. Our health and wellness camp became one of the largest and most successful in the industry. Howard remained as one of the camp directors for its entire twenty plus year run. It has always been my desire to return the facility back to its origins. Simply, as we approach our 100th year anniversary as an overnight camp, what better time to bring Camp Akiba out of hibernation.

The last Camp Akiba reunion was six years ago and it was so special to see so many Alumni return to reconnect and reunite in our treasured summer home. On display in Alumni Hall were many of the bunk plaques, color day plaques and camp mementos. Close to a hundred years of memorabilia. While scanning the names and years one by one, I stumbled across my father’s bunk plaque from 1944. Bunk 13. It simply made me smile. A few years later, I found pictures of my father in front of that cabin with his counselors and bunk mates. That plaque and those photos still sit in my office today.

BUNK PLAQUE

BUNKMATES

When I think of Camp Akiba, I remember how we offered one of the most comprehensive programs in the overnight camp business. We paved the way with our 300 acres of top-notch facilities. We were able to offer so many activities on our private lake—an amenity that not many camps can claim. We were one of the first camps to offer jet skis, radio station, roller blading, inground heated pools, and more. I was lucky enough to be at Akiba during our renaissance, when enrollment swelled to over 500 campers and 200 staff.

It was Camp Akiba’s mantra to be the first to have, and always to have the best for our campers. We look forward to continuing this mantra in providing the best for our campers as we embark on our reawakening. During the past six months, we invested more than two million dollars to augment the activities, cabins and the overall infrastructure of the property. It is nothing short of spectacular. All of this was done to once again reign as one of the finest camp facilities in the United States, and more importantly, with the thoughts of bringing back Camp Akiba.

I am also excited to announce that Camp Akiba will remain a family entity. I am very proud that my daughter, Chase, will represent the third generation of Robinson Akibaites. Chase is actively involved in all things Akiba. As we approach our facility’s 100th operational year as an overnight camp, it seems the perfect time to re-open our doors to our Akiba family. Needless to say, we are all very excited and look forward to welcoming you in the 2025 season.

Warmly,

Cary Robinson

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