Camp Alvernia

[4] It was originally named "Mount Alvernia" after the mountain in Italy where Francis of Assisi is said to have received stigmata.

Boys stayed in traditional cabins with names such as Nest, Bayview, Shady Rest, and Seaside that were separated according to their age.

The activities could include camper choice, soccer, tennis, boating, arts & crafts, dance, swimming, dodge ball, basketball, ping-pong, and for the little ones, many learned to swim for the first time at Camp Alvernia in addition to participation in age-appropriate aforementioned sports and age specific games like parachute, red rover, red-light green-light.

Before 2000, there would also be "field trips" excursions to the Commack roller skating rink, Vanderbilt the Museum in Centerport, the local arcade (on rainy days), and nearby beaches (Robert Moses for the older campers and Centerport for the younger campers).

Another important nostalgic element of camp was the garage where campers could visit the canteen, and purchase candy soda, little favorites from pocket with the money parents might give them throughout the week.

This point system bonded the individual groups even further as they learned to play fairly, work together, build character, and win and lose graciously.

They would ask all to hold their applause until the end and then depending on the age group and accomplishment they would give those campers a respective number of Alvernians.

This would sound impressive coming from several hundred campers in a dome, garage, or even on a hillside depending on where the awards ceremony was held that week.

There were awards for every area of camp activity specialty for boys and girls in every respective group from Mohawk all the way to Senaca in the form of a bronze, silver, or gold metal including an overall best female and best male trophy in that category named after a Franciscan Brother.

The award recipient was decided upon by the counselors in those respective age groups based on performance throughout the summer.

There were categories like boating, arts & crafts, soccer, softball, tennis, swimming, and track & field.

There was great anticipation of who would win the prestigious title every year and typically the individuals that were the 12 runner ups and winners were campers of high drive and athleticism.

In the summer of 2000, Camp Alvernia developed a course called "Leadership Skills in Community Youth Recreation."

[9] The Love of Learning Montessori method school moved to the grounds of Camp Alvernia in September 2004.

In 2012, the camp built two new pools to provide additional space for recreational and instructional swim programs.