What began as one man's dream has become a tradition for generations. More than 85 years ago, Sol 'Chuck' Amster took a journey to the Adirondacks in search of a serene setting where someday he could build a children's camp. Chuck, along with two other teachers, formed a corporation, purchased the property along the north end of Balfour Lake, and set to work clearing the land and building the cabins. After running Balfour Lake Camp for two years, Chuck sold his interest and purchased the eastern shoreline of Balfour Lake. This land had a natural beach and a spring fed water supply. It was there in 1922 that Chuck opened a small family camp. The following summer, together with his new wife, Cornelia 'Mother Cornell' Schwartz, Chuck created an environment that encouraged young women to explore the wonders of nature, experience the independence of group living, and excel beyond expectations.



Camp Baco opened in 1951 with about 50 boys by Sol and Cornelia Amster as the boys' counterpart to Che-Na-Wah. In 1954, Ruth Wortman (former head waterfront director at Camp Che-Na-Wah) and Mel Wortman (former head counselor of Camp Che-Na-Wah, and a New York City elementary school principal) became partners with the Amsters at Baco, and assumed full ownership after "Mother Cornell's" death.



In 1959 a former camper, Alice Sternin, with her husband Lester, became partners with the Amsters, and then on "Papa Chuck's" death in 1961 assumed full ownership. The Sternins sold the camp to the Wortman family in 1986.



Bob Wortman, son of Ruth and Mel Wortman, spent every summer of his life at Camps Baco and Che-Na-Wah. He met Barbara Press at Hofstra University. They were married in 1979 and together they continue to direct both camps. Ruth and Mel are still actively involved in the daily life of camp.



Greg Silver, a former Baco camper and grandson of Alice and Lester Sternin - former owners and directors of Che-Na-Wah - is the head counselor/program director at Baco. During the winter, Greg is an educator.