Child and Family Services’ Kiwanis Hall at Camp Spaulding succumbed to the weight of snow and collapsed yesterday flattening two-thirds of the building.  Since it is the off-season, no one was in or near the building at the time. 

             

The standing one-third of the building is the part that houses the gas power equipment including lawn mowers, tractor and golf carts.  The collapsed section housed all the camp’s waterfront equipment and kayaks. 

             

Kiwanis Hall was one of the original buildings at Camp Spaulding.  Built in the 1920s, it originally served as a dining pavilion and was later enclosed and used as a dining hall.  For many years, it was the center piece of the camp, providing recreational and activity space as well as dining space, until 2000 when a new dining hall was constructed in the camp expansion.  Kiwanis Hall, however, continued to serve as activity space in which campers enjoyed arts and crafts and more during the camp season.

             

Kiwanis Hall was supported each year by the Kiwanis Club of Concord, which provided financial assistance and yearly maintenance.  It is one of several buildings that are sponsored by Concord area community and civic organizations.

             

Nestled on 55 wooded acres along the Contoocook River in Penacook, New Hampshire, Camp Spaulding is an overnight summer camp that serves boys and girls ages 8 to 14.  As a program of Child and Family Services, Camp Spaulding hosts nearly 400 children each summer and is unique in its dedication to serving children from low-income families throughout the state.  Camp Spaulding is preparing to open its 2008 season, which runs June 30 through August 22. For further information, call 1-800-640-6486 or visit www.campspaulding.org.