The Adirondack Eagle is the highest honor that anyone can receive at camp. It's also the oldest award of its kind in America.
At Adirondack Camp we believe in recognizing the outstanding achievements and character of our campers. Awards are presented not only to those who have excelled in camp activities, but also to those who have demonstrated exceptional effort and improvement. Feats large and small are honored (ranging from ‘neatest trunk’ to ‘outstanding contribution to the kayaking program’), and every camper returns home with an envelope of certificates - tangible reminders of their accomplishments at Adirondack Camp.
At the conclusion of each summer camp session, we hold an awards banquet to present our highest awards. Here are a few waiting to be earned:
Activity Plaques & Cups: The back wall of the dining hall is lined with plaques for every activity in camp. Each summer the activity staff select the camper that has stood out and contributed the most to each activity at Junior, Intermediate and Senior levels. The honorees have their names engraved in their respective plaques and cups.
Activity Awards for Outstanding Effort: Special Certificates are awarded respectively, to those campers in each activity who have never given up. They have demonstrated true grit and have been an inspiration to others.
Camp award winners are engraved on plaques and have a permanent place in the century-old history of Adirondack Camp.
The Geoffrey Carrington Camp Trophy: Awarded for ‘Outstanding Spirit and Contribution on the Adirondack Waterfront,” this trophy recognizes that individual who has gone above and beyond all expectations on the camp waterfront. This person not only participates in the majority of water sports, but also excels and invigorates the activities with energy and a positive attitude.
The Henry J. Taylor Best Campers’ Cup: Excelling at Camp is not all about shining in activities. In fact, it is the camper’s character and attitude that we like to acknowledge more. This cup is given to the campers who have contributed the greatest positive attitude, respect for fellow campers, and just a general love of Camp.
The “Sir” John Halasz Spirit Award: This award is voted on by the entire Camp, including the campers. It is given to the person who contributes the most spirit to Camp all season long. It is named after "Sir" John Halasz who continuously embodied the spirit of Adirondack Camp for more than 30 years.
Camp awards are given for accomplishments big and small.
The Adirondack Emblem: Bronze, Silver and Gold Emblems are awarded, respectively, to Junior, Intermediate and Senior campers, based on points earned in activities for mastering specific challenges and acquiring specific skills along the way. The overall point winners also bring home a much sought-after Adirondack Camp jacket.
Adirondack Eagle: The Adirondack Eagle is the highest honor that anyone can receive at Camp. The oldest awards of their kind in America, the Bronze, Silver and Gold Eagles have been given only to a select few individuals, within, respectively the Junior, Intermediate, Senior and Counselor ranks. One doesn’t try to win an Eagle; one simply embodies and reflects, through his or her participation in Camp, the pure sense of wonder and fun and core values by which we stand: Responsibility, Creativity, Spirit, Growing, Independence, Effort, Courage, Sharing, Leadership, Cooperation.
