As the first year of the twentieth century began, Mr. Arthur Pierson, who was at that time State Superintendent of Fresh Air Work for Christian Endeavorers, spoke to a gathering of Hudson County Endeavorers on the hardships of the poverty stricken children of the city during the long summer months.  He told of the remedy that some Endeavorers in the state of New Jersey had applied - Fresh Air and Sunshine, Good Food and Fun.

The young people who heard him became interested.  Mr. Joseph K. Harriman, an active worker in the Union, and eight years later destined to become its president, was appointed a committee of one to meet with Mr. Pierson to discuss the possibilities of  the Union engaging in some work of this kind.  Mr. Harriman visited him at his office in New York.  The result of the meeting was a young man enthusiastic to see something begun.

A second meeting was arranged to take place several weeks later in the same office.  This time, in addition to Mr. Pierson, Mr. Harriman met the Reverend Mr. Mac Neir of the Pottersville (N.J.) Reformed Church and thus Pottersville for twenty nine years became the pivot around which our Fresh Air work turned.

Mr. Harriman reported back to the Union all he learned at these conferences.  The Union decided to undertake work along the lines suggested.  To this end a committee composed of Miss Duncan, Mr. Ray Doremus and Mr. Harriman was appointed to undertake the work.

The following year in the summer of 1901, twenty-nine mothers and children boarded a D.L. & W. train at the old Lackawanna Station in Hoboken, for Pottersville, where through the kind offices of the Rev. Mac Neir, the homes of the farmers in the neighborhood were opened to them.  That first season's work cost $219.00 which seemed to the Endeavorers of that day, quite a sum to raise.

The Union was so well pleased with the results that it was decided in 1902 to continue this philanthrophy as a definite part of its work.  Mr. Ray Doremus was made chairman of the committee in that year.  It was decided to hire a small farm house and entertain all the guests there.

Accordingly, the Quimby Farm of Pottersville, just off what is known locally as the River Road was hired.  Here with Mr. Doremus' mother, Mrs. Ada L. Doremus, as matron and with the only other help, Mrs. Crome, a cook, the second year opened.  During that summer, seventy-nine mothers and children were entertained.

Dr. Cornelius Brett, who was as that time State C. E. President, the oldest pastor in point of service, in the oldest church in the state, the Bergen Reformed of Jersey City, was approached for permission to use the name of Camp Brett in his honor.  This was gladly given, and so Camp Brett came into being.

The year meant hardship for the workers.  They bought an old horse and rig which was used to meet the volunteer workers, who came up each weekend, at Gladstone.  The miles from Gladstone to Pottersville did not seem so merrily as they do now in our new automobiles.  The roads were in bad condition and the horse was slow but the group persevered.  These volunteer workers did all they could during these week-ends to make it as easy as possible for the women in charge all week.

Late that summer, Mr. Amos Pickle offered to lease them a part of his farm and to put up a properly equipped house for them.  Consequently in 1903, on the old Pickle Farm, the buildings to be known for the next twenty-six years as Camp Brett were built on land leased from Mr. Pickle.  Mr. Doremus the chairman of the committee drew up the plans.  The third year one hundred and sixteen children were entertained.

For more than a quarter of a century, this camp served our needs, entertaining several hundred children.  As time went on, it was felt that a more modern camp was needed.  To this end, one tenth of the gross receipts for Fresh Air was laid aside for several years.  This was known as the Sinking Fund.

Early in 1928, it was felt that the time was ripe for the building of a new camp.  Therefore, a Camp Site Committee with Mr. James Glassey as chairman was appointed by Mr. Lionel Miles the president.  Week after week, in all kinds of weather, this committee gave of its time to look at property which might make a good camp site.  This work was carried on all during the summer, fall and winter until an excellent place was found at Lebanon, NJ, in April 1928.  This property which consists of 85 acres of fields and woods with two running streams were purchased from Mr. Carl Shirts during that month.

In June 1929, Mr. Shirley Mounce was appointed chairman of the committee on Recommendations for Designs and Construction, Mr. Henry Holly, Chairman of the Building Committee and Mr. Charles Brands Chairman of Finance.

The following April a financial drive under the leadership of Mr. Guy Pepper was held, opening with a banquet in the Y.W.C.A. of Jersey City.

As a result of the drive and the untiring work of the three committees in charge of camp construction, the new Camp Brett at Lebanon, New Jersey was dedicated in June 1930 and opened that summer to receive its first party of children.

Due to the financial crisis of 1930 and 1931 it was not until June 1931 that the dormitory building was started, at which the time the west-wing was completed.  It is hoped that some time in the near future all plans may be carried out.

May the years following find Camp Brett still active.  There will be different workers, perhaps a more beautiful camp, but may Camp Brett always meet the needs of the children of Hudson County, and show that the Heavenly Father cares.