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  The site of the first and only Summer Camp for African American youth in Norfolk County.  The camp was established by the Young family of the Norfolk Journal and Guide newspaper.  Plummer Bernard “P.B.” Young the founder of the Norfolk Journal and Guide (now New Journal and Guide) newspaper was born in Littleton (Halifax County), North Carolina.  Today, the New Journal and Guide is the 3rd oldest black weekly in the nation.  When the camp closed, the site was purchased by the Norfolk City Board of Education.

Camp E.W. Young "Norfolk's Best Kept Secret Now Revealed!"

By Lendora Washington
NJG Summer Intern
Senior, Howard University

       An inviting entrance adorned with a colorful portrayal of cartoon animals enjoying the camp-life above a large blue welcome sign is the first sight of students coming to the historic Camp E.W. Young. Once past the inviting entrance, the students will be in the midst of “Norfolk’s Best Kept Secret”, a self-proclaimed title that the camp is evidently living up to. Established by Norfolk child advocate Eleanor White Young, wife of former Journal and Guide owner Plummer B. Young, Camp E. W. Young holds both a great history and new present purpose of which many are not aware.
      Approximately 60 years ago, Eleanor Young organized a group of like-minded community activists that agreed that African American youths from the city needed a place where they could enjoy a camp experience that otherwise may not be available to them. The camp was then named in honor of Eleanor W. Young in 1917, a year after her death. A 30-acre waterfront site of then rural Norfolk, now Chesapeake, was and remains the site of the first and only camp established for African American youth in Norfolk County. The area was purchased by the City of Norfolk and has since been run by the city. The Norfolk Public School Board currently runs the camp and secures funding through Title I federal funding.
      Camp E.W Young ‘s purpose has shifted since the era of its establishment, however it still has held fast to the idea of providing camp experience to youths that would not otherwise have the opportunity.
Today, Camp E. W. Young’s goal is to provide, in and outdoor settings, and active learning experiences in science. Since Camp E.W Young is a Title 1 Day Program, it services youth from Title 1 schools in the Norfolk Public Schools System. The children in grades 2-5 of those schools get an opportunity to come out to the camp during the school day for 1-2 weeks during the school year. The camp hosts 60-120 students a week.
      “We have 18 Title 1 schools, said Rhonda Ambrose, Site Coordinator of Camp E.W Young. “I set up a schedule for the 18 schools and then I do an orientation with each group before they come out to the camp.”

Posted May 28, 2008

      The camp’s staff, consisting of the Camp Coordinator, Science Teacher, Administrative Assistant, two Swimming Instructors, Cafeteria Manager, Nurse/Teacher’s Assistant, Caretaker, and Custodian, ensure the students get the most education and fun out of their week at the camp.  The week consists of lessons that focus on the Virginia’s SOLs in Science. The lessons are taught through hands on experience in a natural outdoor environment by using nature trails and other outdoor facilities. The camp has four trails equipped with trail boxes, which provides games, books, and instructional material. The camp is also equipped with an Indoor swimming pool, miniature golf, outdoor table tennis, playground, butterfly garden, outdoor bowling, and outdoor theatre. Active partnerships with the camp allow the students to learn off of the campgrounds.
      “The children go to Nauticus on Wednesday to learn environmental information,” said Ambrose. “On Friday, the last day, the children get a cook-out and make smores down by the water.”
      The cookout is the finale to the week at camp. During the cookout the students will partake in grilled hot dogs, corn on the cob and baked beans, while enjoying their last day on the campgrounds.
The historic campgrounds are also available to other youth groups and non-profit organizations during the summer.
      “Children from the special education department come to the camp for the whole month of July,” said Ambrose.       
      The participants of the Young Scholars Program, a middle school group and students in the Chrysalis Program, a program for students in an alternative school for children with behavioral problems also enjoy the camp during the summer.
      Camp E.W. Young provides a comfortable and fun outlet to nature for students throughout the year. Since it’s establishment, Camp E.W. Young continues to be a service and inspiration to the youth of Norfolk. Due to it’s history and present purpose, Camp E.W. Young won’t be kept a secret for much longer. 

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