Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck has evolved with the changing times

From its humble beginnings as a summer respite for children afflicted with polio, a dreaded disease that cast a shadow on summers until Jonas Salk’s breakthrough research developed a vaccine that became widely available in 1955, through its current iteration as a beloved local treasure, Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck has continued a tradition of service and recreation for special-needs children since 1941.

Early on, it was to sponsor 40 children for six weeks of outdoor activities, supervised play, nutritious food, and physiotherapy under the direction of an orthopedic surgeon, so their treatment could extend throughout the year. Donations in the form of “gifts” were sent to Rotary treasurer Dr. Lewis Foster of Center Moriches.

In May 1950, The Patchogue Advance published Rotary’s appeal to raise the $7,500 (about $104,000 today) needed to support the 40 children suffering from “polio and other crippling disease” for six weeks of camp life.  Rotarians pledged to donate $10 each (about $140 today) annually to its “1200 Club” in an effort to continue support of its $12,000 operating costs.

In September 1972, the article, “Annual Duck Barbecue at Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck Draws Record Crowd,” in The Long Island Advance announced in its Sept.  14 issue. More than 500 people attended the fifth annual dinner and “sports day” on Sept. 10 and included a guest from Japan, Rotary’s exchange student Kazuyo Yamanchi. Many new and older community residents turned out for the potato sack and three-legged races, the winners of which were awarded ribbons. “Performance ribbons” went to those who excelled at horseshoe pitching, archery, golf-chipping, softball and rowing.

Moriches Rotary president Herb Guthrie and camp president August Stout Jr. presided. Refreshments were available all day and dinner was served from 4 to 6 p.m.

The duck barbecue replaced the previous lobster dinner fundraising event when only about 150 attended and the event lost between $600-$700.  It was decided that the $20-$25 ticket prices (about $140-$283 today) were largely responsible for the poor turnout.The presence of at least 10 local duck farms in the area assured an available replacement, and a steadily increasing number of attendees.

The year also saw the introduction of the “Pa-Qua-Tuck Squaws,” women volunteers who acted as a dedicated fundraising group.  They became the Pa-Qua-Tuck Fundraisers in 2023.

Four years later, The Long Island Advance announced in 1976 that 1,000 dinners were served, the menu expanded to include hot dogs, and a visitor from South Africa, Rotary Exchange Student Andrea Durbach, helped serve, while much-appreciated cleanup was provided by the East Moriches Fire Department. Dinner cost $7.50 and 250 happy campers enjoyed the summer.

On Saturday, Sept. 18, more than 250 bicyclists set off from the Sunrise (now The Sea Cove) Restaurant at 7:30 a.m. The fundraiser event was sponsored by the Paquatuck Squaws.  Applications were available at the Moriches Pharmacy or The Center Moriches Bike Shop. Sponsors pledged $10/mile to support riders and raise funds for the “Rotary Club-sponsored facility for crippled children.”

1977: The 10th annual barbecue and sports day was held on Sept. 11, marking the 31st anniversary of the camp’s founding. Admission to the “sports day” events was free and included volleyball and boating. Dinner was served from 4 to 6 p.m. and required an $8 advance sale ticket.

1980: The Observer reported that the Sept.  7 event saw the inclusion of a “country fair” and dinner hours expanded from 3-6 p.m., likely to accommodate increasing crowds, at a cost of $9 pp. to support “physically handicapped children.”

1985: The Country Fair, now an official feature of the event, started at 11 a.m. and the barbecue dinner was held from 3-5:30 p.m. on Sept. 8, at an increased rate of $16, as reported in The Southampton Press.

1987: On its 20th anniversary, the event moves closer to mid-September and is now officially a Duck Barbecue and Country Fair. No mention is made of the sporting events. Advanced sale only at $18.

In its Aug. 31, 1989 edition, The Suffolk County News listed the upcoming 22nd annual event; dinner was served between 3 and 5 p.m. on Sept. 10.

On Sept. 7, 2000, The Southampton Press gave notice of the Duck Race and Barbecue to be held on Sunday, Sept. 10, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The “Duck Race” would commence at 4 p.m. at Kaler’s Pond and you could purchase your “Adopt-a-Duck” ticket at $10 apiece. Dinner tickets to satisfy those hungry participants were $20.

In 2011, Jurgielewicz Duck Farm, the last of its breed locally, closed. In 2013, the Moriches Rotary Club hosted its 45th and final duck barbecue event in July, transitioning its September event to an Oktoberfest it had started in 2008.

You can “visit” one of the last Duck Barbecue events and hear from its some of its earliest organizers at “Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck Duck Race and BBQ Fundraiser” on a Long Island TV segment from Nov. 11, 2013 (MyLITV Nov. 11, 2013 on YouTube)). The video includes comments from some of the people inspired by the opportunity to give and help others in this long-cherished community effort.