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Camp Gross will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2029.
In 1929, Robert Gross of Dunkirk donated the property to the Lake Shore Council of the Boy Scouts of America, which later became the Allegheny Highlands Council. His vision was for the property to be used as a camp for Boy Scouts.
In 1988, the Allegheny Highlands Council was no longer able to maintain the property. A not-for-profit corporation was then established, and the Camp Gross Foundation was incorporated to preserve Camp Gross as a camp for youth.
Over the years, Camp Gross has provided young people with opportunities to experience nature, the outdoors, learning and adventure. Usage has declined since COVID due to fewer scout units and youth groups utilizing the camp.
For many years, Camp Gross was also home to the annual Dunkirk Day Camp, which brought hundreds of children to camp each summer and introduced many families to the camp's natural habitat. The program also helped connect Camp Gross with many donors. With the financial instability of the program, Camp Gross has lost both its annual Day Camp and some of its most generous sources of support.
The decrease in scout units and the loss of the day camp is prompting camp officials to focus on fundraising, including its upcoming eighth annual Dr. John R. and Alona Forbes Golf Tournament and Basket Raffle. Camp officials are looking for golfers to participate in an 18-hole, two-person scramble on Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Cassadaga Country Club. Registration begins at 8 a.m. Call 716-595-3003 for more information or to register.
Basil Fredonia is sponsoring a hole-in-one car prize. Basket raffle tickets will also be available on Friday, Sept. 18, from 4 p.m. until dusk, and on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 8 a.m. until noon at the Cassadaga Country Club.
Those who want to donate a basket or gift card but cannot drop it off at Camp Gross, camp officials will pick items up by calling Sally at 716-410-1043, Marti at 716-673-6921, or Bryce at (716) 640-7384.
"As we look ahead to celebrating 100 years of Camp Gross in 2029, we hope you will join us in helping preserve this special place for the next generation of youth," camp officials said in a news release.