A Brief Synopsis

For over six decades, Minisink Town House and Camp (formerly the Harlem Unit of New York City Mission Society) has provided quality programs and services to the youth of Harlem and Greater New York- programs which build character and leadership while giving enriching opportunities for cultural, moral, and ethical growth.

Minisink evolved out of the religious education and leadership training programs sponsored by New York City Mission Society in a variety of predominately Black Churches in Harlem, Bronx, and Brooklyn.  Under the visionary leadership of social worker Daniel Taylor, the first Director of the Harlem Unit and Alberta T. Kline, the program began to incorporate extended out-door experiences for youth through camping expeditions for girls on Staten and Long Islands as well as work and camp experiences for boys in upstate New York.

In 1929, a bequest from Jane Oliver Thompson, who worked many years for the family of NYCMS President, Dr. William Sloan Coffin, enabled the Society to purchase a 650 acre tract of land in the Shawangunk Mountains near Port Jervis, New York, for the youth of the Harlem Unit.  The camp took its name “Minisink” from the Indigenous Indian name of the region.  Many camp traditions are based on Indian lore.  1929 marked the first camping season of boys in July and girls in August.  This acquisition established Camp Minisink as one of the first residential camps for African American youth in the United States.

In 1945, a brownstone townhouse at 348 Convent Avenue was purchased to serve as headquarters for the inner-city programs.  Despite the untimely death of Daniel Taylor in 1946, the program continued to grow under Harlem Unit Director Alberta T. Kline, her protégé, Gladys V. Thorne, director of girls programs and Wilbert E. Burgie, secretary (director) of boys programs to include over 8,000 young people with activities in 22 churches.  New initiatives were launched which included the Minisink Choir of 300 youths, Release Time Scholls, Daily Vacation Bible School, Boys Cadet Corps, Drum and Bugle Corps, Leadership Training Classes, Order of the Feather Fraternity, Order of the Bonnet, Tapawingo Honor Society, Pen and Scroll, Phoenix Sorority, Rhythmic Choirs, Dance groups and Winter Camping.  Special events such as Candlelight Service, Carol Sing, Show of Shows, Family Day, Cadet Review, Women’s Luncheon, Men’s Breakfast, Bar-B-Que, Youth Conference, etc. were held annually to bring together all components of the Minisink Family for celebrations, financial support and empowerment.

The need for a larger facility led to the purchase of the site of the original “Cotton Club” at 142nd Street and Lenox Avenue.  The present Minisink Town House, designed by architect Edgar Tafel was built in 1965 with funds raised largely by Minisinkers.  A modern three-floor brick structure of 30,000 square feet, the Town House has offices, classrooms, a gymnasium/auditorium, a theater dining room and fully equipped kitchen.

In 1980, Camp Minisink changed its site from Port Jervis to the site formerly utilized by its sister, Camp Sharparoon to become part of the NYCMS Dover Plains Complex.

Through this legacy of generations of positive, progressive activity, Minisink has garnered the respect and admiration of the human service community as well as generations of youths, families and seniors who have benefited from the inspiration of its pioneers and the dedication of those who have followed after them.