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The Camp One of the first things Mrs.
Bowen did after purchasing the property was to bring in her personal gardener
to lay out the formal gardens in the form of a maze with a sundial. He also
put in vegetable gardens so the children would have fresh vegetables and
lots of open space. He laid out a ball field, playground and tennis courts.
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| Commons This probably was the largest building on the grounds. It was two-stories and housed the kitchen, dining room, laundry room, director’s office and upstairs sleeping quarters for the kitchen staff.  In
the dining room area of the commons were 20 tables that each sat eight campers
and one counselor. For every meal, each table had Blue Willow china dinnerware,
nine place settings and flowers. One camper from Camp French was the waiter.
The campers were served family style. Manners, courtesy and appearance were
observed. For example before you were allowed into the dining room your hands
and face had to be clean and your hair combed. The dining room had two sections:
the main dining room and the porch. The older boys and girls sat in the main
dining room. The mothers and babies on the porch. There were song sessions during and after every meal with counselors leading the songs. |
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Goodfellow
Hall This
was the recreation hall for dances, skits and other group activities. Within
Goodfellow Hall in its own room was the Library were campers could get reading
materials for non-activity times and sports equipment which could be used
on the playground and ball field that was adjacent to the library. |
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| The Hospital There was a five bed-hospital, which had a nurse on duty 24 hours a day; the nurse resided at the hospital. In the 1950s, the hospital was named in memory of Dr. and Mrs. Anthony Ippolito, both former campers and counselors who were killed in a train wreck. |
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Lilac Cottage This cottage was built for Mrs. Bowen, Miss Adams and Miss Smith so they could come and go without bothering the every day activities of camp. It was a large imposing colonial style home which still stands and currently houses the BCC memorabilia room and Waukegan Park District offices. |
| Pelham Cottage This was a two-bedroom cottage with a living room, fireplace and kitchen used for staff members, and guests. In the early days, this was also known as the Music Cottage. |
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