Our History

JCC President Harold Nelson Signing the Loan for Center Day Camp, 1949

CDC Girls Group, 1950

Norman Godfrey, First Executive Director, Jewish Community Center (1938-1949)

No person had a greater influence on Center Day Camp’s birth and evolution than Norman Godfrey. A summer camp for the Jewish community was his vision from November 10, 1938, the day he stepped foot on the threshold of 341 Cumberland Avenue in Portland to provide leadership to the just born Jewish Community Center. The creation of a day camp, something Norman had obtained Board approval for early on in his time in Portland, was one JCC program he talked about endlessly, but never got to see. The Camp Committee found the camp property in the winter of 1949, two years after Norman’s untimely death from leukemia at age 36. 

After having spent a couple of summers running a day camp in Deering Oaks and at Sebago Lake State Park, a commitment to find a campsite to own was made by the JCC board of directors in 1948 on the condition it didn’t cost anything. (At that moment, the JCC had absolutely no money to buy CDC.). The committee searched all over for a suitable location. In the deep winter of 1949, a group of men met to investigate a potential site. A foot of snow had fallen the night before, and the site lay a mile and a half from the highway on an unplowed road. Despite the added challenge, they made their way to the end, discovering what would soon become Center Day Camp.

“The site had antiquated buildings, a terribly rocky beach and a price tag of $10,000. But to us, it was beautiful,” said Dave Astor, chair of the camp committee. “We had to get the Board to approve the final purchase price of $9,500. The camp committee packed that board meeting and had done a considerable amount of politicking. I reported the finding of a perfect camp site to the Board; Irv Small moved for its purchase; and Barney Shur seconded. A unanimous vote followed the discussion. Now we had no money, but a vote of confidence. We were committed.” 

What followed was a major fundraising effort. Six JCC members personally signed a note as guarantors to Casco Bank to get the $9,500 purchase price. Judge Louis Bernstein and others found $2,000 from a special building fund. But what of the rest, plus money needed for remodeling?  At a camp committee meeting held November 6, 1949, Harold Nelson, Board President, reported that it was the committee's intention to ask at least 100 people to contribute $100 each, payable over a four-year period toward the Norman Godfrey Fund. He further stated that this was not a drive, but that everyone contacted would undoubtedly feel that it was a pleasure to sponsor such a noble cause. Some 140 people pledged $100 each, and an additional amount from Casco Bank and free legal services from Sumner Bernstein led them well toward opening day that summer.

The first official camp cleanup event on May 16, 1949, chaired by Henry Pollard and Dave Astor. At least 75 families gathered with rakes and axes to chop trees and make paths to make bunk sites for rest periods and trails to the sand beach under construction. David Novick hired both a dump truck and bulldozer to build the beach. Boulders were removed, paint was splashed on buildings, structures were fixed up, and the camp was made ready. 

When the first camp season opened at the new site, it was a very proud day. The first season proved to be a great success under the directorship of Vic Taylor. The camp grew in prestige each year, with enthusiastic cooperation and fundraising efforts from the Center Women's Club, chaired by Dorothy Goodman and Ann Rothstein, creating a CDC Scholarship fund to ensure that no child would ever be left out of camp due to financial constraints.  

On the 13th birthday of the JCC, the proceeds from the Norman Godfrey Fund paid off the mortgage, and the Jewish Community Alliance has owned Center Day Camp free and clear ever since. 

Center Day Camp was one of the first Jewish summer camps established by people from Maine for Maine children. Norman Godfrey had persuaded his devoted friends that the best antidote to antisemitism would be to invite the larger world to share your table. 

One of the first policy decisions made was that Center Day Camp would be non-sectarian - an outstretched hand from the Jewish community to the broader community. 

From the Jewish Community Center Bulletin, May 13, 1949:

“The Center has its own campsite. The Day Camp committee, headed by Dave Astor, announces the purchase of a tract of land on the basin of Sebago Lake. The land has a 500 foot frontage on the lake, and includes four sand cove beaches which are perfect for the use of children – and adults. The area is largely wooded and extends back 1,000 feet from the beach. The campsite also includes a six-room camp and two bunk-houses. The committee was particularly pleased to be able to purchase this site- one of the best spots on the big lake. The site is only 17 miles from the Center, is easily accessible for the automobiles and busses. Children attending the Center’s Day Camp this summer, from July 5 to Aug. 12, will be able to use the new campsite five days of each week. A big summer is being planned, now that we have our own campground.”