Culver Summer Schools and Camps saw its beginnings with the launching of The Summer Naval School- at the suggestion of Culver Military Academy commandant of cadets at the time, Maj. Leigh Gignilliat – in 1902.

The program grew from 20 boys its first year, to 206 by 1906. These boys were from 25 states and China, Ecuador, and Mexico, a

foreshadowing of the international success of the program as it evolved. The Naval School’s first catalog noted a desire “to afford boys of the middle west the opportunity heretofore enjoyed in the seaboard states alone, of acquiring a practical knowledge of seamanship and elementary naval science.” By 1907, the program was “recognized and equipped” by

the U.S. Navy Department.

The Summer Naval program’s “ships of the line” have included many an iconic vessel, but perhaps none so treasured as the largest inland ship on Indiana waters, the R.H. Ledbetter (originally the O.W. Fowler, first built in 1940). The three-masted schooner became part of a Culver tradition recognized across the Midwest when the annual Moonlight Serenade – during which the Naval Band plays as the boat makes its way along the shoreline of Lake Maxinkuckee – was inaugurated in 1943.

In 1947, notes New York architect Jens F. Larson was commissioned to

design a Naval Building for use in the program. Its construction was significant in being the first major campus building not built from the Culver family’s own financial resources.

The Summer Naval School

Concerned about inertia and lack of health on the part of Culver’s steeds through the summer months, Black Horse Troop director Robert Rossow and Commandant L.R. Gignilliat conceived the Summer School of Cavalry in 1907. This also necessitated construction of the tent camp for the Cavalry, which served as

its home each summer until 1990, when Cavalry School cadets were moved into the main campus barracks. Starting around 1910, one of the most memorable summer Cavalry experiences spearheaded by Rossow was the adventurous, week-long 100 mile hike, which covered a radius of about 50 miles and extended as far north as southern Michigan. They often hiked and camped along the Tippecanoe River or one of several lakes in or near Marshall County. The Summer Troop’s horses are housed in the Jud Little Stables and Vaughn Riding Hall, which was originally designed by renowned architect Albert Knell and completed in 1917. It includes stables for over 100 mounts, and was hailed at its

completion as among the largest and one of the finest equestrian centers on Earth. Besides general equitation, “rough riding” for exhibition as well as cavalry training (in the early years) was part of Culver’s program. Rough riding and jumping are still a part of the Black Horse troop and Cavalry programs today.

The Summer Cavalry School

Culver’s Woodcraft Camp for boys aged 9 to 14 began in part to accommodate requests for opportunities for younger boys, In fact, the camp was conceived, planned, and initially led by the founders and architects of scouting both internationally and in the U.S. Sir Robert Bayden Powell of England is said to have conferred with Gignilliat on the idea during a 1911 visit to review the CMA corps. Also, the first camp director, Daniel Carter Beard, was one of the founders of the American Boy Scouts, and Ernest Thompson Seton, who helped design the early program and physical camp was a pioneer in the U.S. scouting, naturalism, and conservation. The Woodcraft Camp opened in 1912 and grew rapidly, incorporating nature study, scouting, athletics, a variety of areas of studies, and Indian lore. Within a decade, permanent traditions emerged in the form of the camp’s Saturday night Council Fires – held in a portion of Culver’s Bird Sanctuary forest – and the Tippecanoe River canoe trip, among others.

The Council Fire evolved gradually into the performance-based event that it is, focusing on the Indian dance skills taught to campers. In 1930, the camp incorporated the Bird Sanctuary into its holdings, as designed by world-renowned outdoorsman and naturalist William C. Vogt, in its day the only project of its scope

and kind in the country.

By 1963, the third and present day site of the Woodcraft Camp was established amid rolling hills east of the main Culver campus. Girls became part of the Woodcraft Camp in 1977, carving out their own traditions including the Mexican Christmas party.

Woodcraft Camp

While a small number of faculty daughters had been allowed to attend classes at Culver Military Academy in the late 1950’s, the opening of Culver’s summer program to young women not related to faculty marked a new era for both summer and boarding

school at Culver. It paved the way for the establishment of the non-summer Culver

Academy for Girls (today, Culver Girls Academy) in 1971.

The first co-ed summer offering at Culver was the Summer Theater program, which ran from 1960 to 1965 and was home to some 25 to 30 young women each summer.

In 1965, the doors were opened for girls to become part of the Culver Summer Schools and Camps experience when the Culver Summer School for Girls, under the direction of Catherine Martin, was opened. 104 girls attended the first session. By 1989, girls had become full participants in all facets of the program, including marching in retreat parades and participating in Troop and Naval Band.

The Addition of Girls

Culver Summer Schools and Camps have seen a number of its participants go on to fame and fortune.

Among its best-known alums are:

The late movie and television star Jonathan Winters (who attended as a summer Trooper in 1941)

Racing mogul Roger Penske (Woodcraft ’50)

Robert Vlasic of Vlasic Foods (Troop ’43)

Late Tennessee Titans owner K.S “Bud” Adams (Troop ’37)

Late New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner (Woodcraft ’44)

Former Indiana Governor and Senator Evan Bayh (Woodcraft ’69)

Country music superstar Dierks Bentley (Woodcraft ’88)

…just to name a few!

Famous Alums

 ABOUT THE MUSEUM & GIFT SHOP: Museum guests will journey through time by way of early uniforms and other attire worn by the school’s famous cadets, midshipmen, woodcrafters, and girls. You’ll also see Culver Academies through the eyes of the world in the form of countless features lauding Culver over the past century-plus in a host of media formats, from the pages of renowned publications, to original novels centered around the school; from early sheet music and recordings of Culver’s memorable songs as well as musical tributes to Culver, to the thrills of Hollywood spectacles filmed at or about the Academies with some of the great stars of the day. See early artifacts, the evolution, and beloved traditions of Culver’s Summer Schools & Camps, developed by American scouting pioneers like Daniel Carter Beard. The museum continues to comb the nation and Culver’s own rarely-seen collections to bring to light artifacts in always-evolving displays featuring original postcards, medals, fine silver and china both used at – and used to promote – the various schools through the years, flags, vintage photos, and many other items dating back to the turn of the 20th century and before, al to tell the story of Culver’s past. Browse through Roll Calls, photos, and artifacts online in Culver’s Digital Vault.

Museum Hours: Monday, Thursday – Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.