Our History

The College Settlement of Philadelphia was founded in 1892 to provide social, cultural and educational programs for the immigrants of South Philadelphia. The Agency operated a Settlement House in Philadelphia at Fourth and Christian Streets. The College Settlement Camp was founded in 1922 by Anna Freeman Davies to augment the cultural, educational and recreational programs conducted in the city by The College Settlement of Philadelphia. Since that time, The College Settlement Camp has been providing camping services for people from the greater Philadelphia area. Services have ranged from an active summer program to weekend camping by Scout and community groups.

The College Settlement of Philadelphia operates overnight camp programs (ages 8-14) and Kuhn Day Camp offers day programs (ages 7-12) for children with financial disadvantages from the metropolitan Philadelphia area. Many of these children live in difficult situations and face challenging problems in their daily lives. We offer them an enjoyable, educational summer camp experience. 

Mabel Kuhn Cornell was the daughter of Henry J. and Willemina B. Kuhn. From her father, a varnish manufacturer, she inherited a considerable estate. With her husband, Dr. Walter S. Cornell, she made her home on Drexel Road in the Philadelphia neighborhood of Overbrook and attended the Overbrook Presbyterian Church.

Dr. Cornell served for 31 years as Director of the Division of Medical Services of the Philadelphia Board of Education. Born in 1877 in Philadelphia, he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Medical School in 1901. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of The College Settlement of Philadelphia.

The College Settlement of Philadelphia wished to acquire an additional site for a day camp. When land adjoining the camp property became available, the Cornell’s purchased it and incorporated it as The Henry J. and Willemina B. Kuhn Day Camp, in memory of Mrs. Cornell’s parents. The camp became a separate facility of The College Settlement.

Mrs. Cornell died in 1965 at age 79; her husband in 1969 at age 92. In 1966, three funds were set up as trusts under Mrs. Cornell’s will, with income from one going to the Kuhn Day Camp.

Our Day Camp campers are bused to camp or dropped off each day and are fed breakfast, lunch, and a snack. Basic to the Camp’s function is the belief that no child should be prevented from participating in the Camp’s program due to a lack of funds.