YMCA and AMC usually make some payment in lieu of taxes, but the value of the structures involved is still way below that of McMansions. Staffing is less expensive as people come back who just want to go back to camp and aren't looking for full pay or benefits. Most of the camps we remember, like most of the cottage colonies, were built 1930-1950. By 1970, most of those buildings needed to be replaced and/or upgraded. The motels went condo and the camps went McMansion--the retiring owners just couldn't afford the necessary upgrades. Like many family owned businesses, trhe next generation just wasn't in a position to take over.
Locally, our town bought a camp and now the parks department runs it as a thriving day camp. On the other side of the lake, the YMCA continues to also run a thriving day camp. The kids don't know they aren't on Winnipesaukee, and they have a great experience.
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