The Cradle Beach Spirit

THE EMBODYMENT OF THE “SPIRIT OF CRADLE BEACH CAMP”


I was 14 years old when I first met this young 21 year old counselor at Cradle Beach Camp. After five years as a camper, I was actually able to become a Pioneer Camper (PC) at Cradle Beach. Pioneer Campers were the 14, 15, and 16 year olds who worked in the kitchen, served and fed the handicapped children and helped out in many other ways. Cradle Beach Camp is perhaps the only camp in the United States that integrates well kids (mainly from the inner city) and physically disadvantaged children into a full program of joint activities. Jack Anthony was my first PC counselor. In my life, that summer was one of the most memorable ones that I have ever had.

I had originally been sent to Cradle Beach as a nine year old. I had been growing up as a rough and tough kid on the west side of Buffalo. Growing up there kind of made you that way. As a youngster, the quickest way to resolve a disagreement was to get into a fist fight and win. I had many at P.S. 76 when some kids would poke fun at my name. Although the Butler Mitchell Boys Club was nearby, Cradle Beach was a Godsend for me. Meeting Jack Anthony and having him as my counselor changed my attitude and life forever.

This tall athletic looking young man could relate to campers of all races, ethnic origins, social strata and physical handicaps. Our cabin of 14 was mixed with well and handicapped PC’s. Black and white kids got along well. Jack saw to that.

One day, in the afternoon during a “rest hour”, a fellow PC made some comment to me that I did not like. I jumped on his bed and was ready to punch him when I heard a voice call out my name. It was my counselor, Jack Anthony. His voice stopped me from fighting. Jack escorted me to the counselor’s room and proceeded to give me a lecture on the unacceptable use of violence to resolve conflicts. He did it in such an unassuming way that made me realize what a sincere, dedicated counselor this man was.

As time went on, Jack eventually became the Director of the camp and I served on his staff for many years. Jack’s directorship lasted for over 35 years. Jack Anthony’s tutelage both as a counselor and Camp Director has benefited so many campers in so many ways that will never be forgotten. What is known as the “Cradle beach Spirit” is embodied in Jack. That spirit is one that says regardless of your physical or social handicap, life does have something to offer you. Jack taught campers that life’s challenges can be met and overcome with a little patience, understanding, and taking pride in who you are, regardless of perceived handicaps.

The Counselors staff all had to meet Jack’s high expectation and standards in dealing with the campers. This was no ordinary camp. The counselors were taught how to deal with those campers who were physically handicapped. They were made aware of the challenge of dealing with the kids from the inner city. In the end, it all came together with two weeks of fun and sunshine. It was all for the kids.

There were campers in wheel chairs and well kids playing baseball, black and white campers being buddies at swim time, campers learning that they could do things that they never dreamed of doing before such as making things in the craft, hobby and woodshop.

Those few campers who had a hard time adjusting would be counseled by Jack and more often than not, return to their cabin with a positive attitude.

The atmosphere created by Jack Anthony was pervasive enough to influence so many campers who initially may have come to Cradle Beach with a bad attitude towards life, but left with a positive feeling not only about themselves but what they could accomplish in their future. If there were more Jack Anthony’s in the world today, then perhaps we could truly find peace on earth, good will to men.