Leathercraft at Freshman Camp (1930)

This photograph shows a group of students making belts from leather under the shade of a tent. They are at the 1930 Springfield College Freshman Camp.Edgar Munroe Robinson largely organized and implemented the Freshman Camp. Robinson brought many of the boys’ work and physical education ideas from the YMCA and Boy Scouts of America to Springfield College and its Freshman Camp. He also assisted in building the two camp lodges: Pukwana Lodge and the Pueblo of the Seven Fires. The Freshman Camp tradition continues today with the College’s Outdoor Pursuits program for incoming students. Robinson was a graduate of Springfield College, class of 1901. After working with both the YMCA and the Boy Scouts of America, Robinson returned to his alma mater in 1927 as a faculty member. Robinson was granted an honorary Master of Humanics degree from the College in 1928