Local History Columns Switched
Editor’s Note: The Hometown Oneonta and Freeman’s Journal history columns were switched in this week’s editions of our newspaper. Follow the links below to connect:
40 Years Ago
The computer is going to summer camp. James LeMonn, a spokesman for the American Camping Association said his organization’s “Parents Guide” for 1984 lists 180 camps with computer instruction programs. The fad started about two years ago, he said. “We view it as a temporary phenomenon,” LeMonn said. He pointed out that camps providing foreign language classes were very popular in the 1950s. When schools started including more complete language programs, the camps faded. He predicts the same thing will happen with computers. LeMonn said there are a handful of camps operated by computer manufacturers where each camper has a terminal and there is intensive instruction. For most of the camps, the computer instruction is but one of many opportunities offered. Computers notwithstanding LeMonn said the prime purpose of camping remains unchanged: “The real focus is group-living in the out-of-doors.”
February 1984…