In December of 1940, a corporation was formed under the name of Essex County 4-H Club Camp, Inc. There were nine members on the Board. They declared the purpose of the corporation to be: Establishing and maintaining a camp for the benefit of boys and girls who are eligible for membership in 4-H clubs for the personal development of boys and girls for their responsibilities as citizens for maintaining a camp for underprivledged boys and girls groups, and for rural school teachers groups and Grangers. The property, now fondly known as 4-H Camp Leslie, was purchased from Mrs. Annie G. Leslie of Haverhill, MA in May of 1940. At that time the property consisted of approximately 14 acres with water of 850 feet. Described on the premises was a large sheltered building with a broad plaza on three sides, containing an assembly hall with large stone fireplace, kitchen and two good-sized extra rooms. This building still stands and is known today as the Lodge. Camp sessions have been held at Leslie since the summer of 1939. The camp is a coeducational camp for youth ages 7 to 14. Present capacity is approximately 90 campers with a staff of 23. The major program areas are Sports, Swimming, Nature Studies, Ropes (Experiential Education), Archery, Arts & Crafts, Boating, Rocketry, and Astronomy. The camp is still operated by the same non-profit corporation that was formed in 1940, with a Board of Trustees comprised of 17 members. The members, listed below, are volunteers who give freely of their time and talent to keep Camp Leslie operating for generations to come.