Since its founding in 1903, Camp Wachusett has been in continuous operation every summer except three, during World War II.

Camp Wachusett was established in 1903 on Little Squam Lake in Holderness, New Hampshire where it remained until 1985. In 1986 the camp moved to its current location on Lake Hortonia, a 450-acre lake in Hubbardton, Vermont. The 40 acre campus had served as Camp Birchwood for girls until 1981 and continues to provide a beautiful setting, with spacious accommodations and facilities as Camp Wachusett for boys.

The Rev. Lorin Webster, Headmaster of the Holderness School in central New Hampshire, was Wachusett's "Founding Father." There were approximately fifteen boys during the camp's inaugural season. James Henderson was the head counselor that first summer. Years later he served as a chaplain, teacher, and coach with St. Albans School in Washington, DC; and each summer the camp continues to recognize our most outstanding youngster with the Henderson Trophy.

Wachusett is an Algonquin word for ‘near the mountains.’ There is a Wachusett mountain in Massachusetts. Our motto, “unaliyi” is a Cherokee word that translates to “a place of friends.”  From the beginning of our camp and up until about WWII Native Americans were on staff and shared aspects of their culture with campers. We still have memorabilia and photos from that time. We have great respect for the history of native Americans and strive to pass on their respect for nature and friendship through our program. 

In early 1986 Jim and Maria Weiss purchased the 40-acre property along Lake Hortonia, and the camp began operating in its new location. In late 2018, ownership transitioned from Jim and Maria Weiss to Phil Williams. Phil has had a long association with Camp Wachusett dating to 1976 as a camper, counselor, assistant director and now director.

Year after year the Wachusett staff has been a truly remarkable group! Most of our counselors are students and teachers who have enjoyed long associations with Wachusett—often as Campers, Counselors-in-Training, and Junior Counselors. They are an impressive and talented group who are committed to positive development of campers, hold an enormous affection for Wachusett, are dedicated to making the camp experience fun filled and substantive, and consider hard work to be a labor of love.

The values that have been characteristic of Wachusett for more than a century endure: a contagious enthusiasm that pervades every aspect of camp, a spirit of fun and humor, a special caring and attention to each boy, and a friendliness and sense of community that bond every camper and counselor.

There have been changes over the years—a change in location, modest changes in emphasis, and changes in sessions. The traditions and values that have been characteristic of Wachusett for more than a century endure the test of time: a remarkable enthusiasm that pervades every aspect of camp, a spirit of fun and humor, an emphasis on individual attention and caring for each boy, and a friendliness and sense of belonging that fulfills every camper and counselor. Wachusett is truly a camp where friendships grow!