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MRS. ALBERTA THOMAS KLINE

Alberta Thomas Kline aka “Ma Kline” to thousands of youth worldwide was co-founder with Daniel Taylor of Camp Minisink, Port Jervis, New York.  She served as Director of New York City Mission Society (NYCMS), Harlem Branch for forty years. During her tenure, she expanded and diversified all areas of the program, from its humble beginning of roaming pop-up tents throughout Staten Island, 7 tents with 29 girl campers at Port Jervis to splendiferous facilities on 650 acres at Camp Minisink, Port Jervis and the Minisink Town House (348 Convent Ave)/Community Center (521 W. 155 St.). Mrs. Kline spearheaded Co-ed Leadership Training for Teenagers and the importance of Fundraisers to support existing and new Program Activities.  Annual events, such as the Women’s Cooperative Committee Luncheon, the Men’s Guidance Council Breakfast, “Show of Shows”, Cadet and Drum & Bugle Corps Reviews were implemented for financial independence in Unit Programing. “Ma Kline” will always be remembered for her Inspirational words of wisdom/mottos at the beginning of each Camp Season.

Equal Opportunity Means Equal Responsibility. Each day a new beginning. By serving today’s needs we build for tomorrow. What I do today matters forever.

These words were later put to music by Margie Drew and sung by the Minisink Co=ed Chorus as a surprise Tribute to Mrs. Alberta T. Kline.

MR. DANIEL TAYLOR

1929, a year that most people associate with the crash of the stock market leading to the Great Depression where banks failed, unemployment rose and people lined up for food rations. Still, there were those who were concerned for the young people of New York City. One of those organizations was New York City Mission Society (NYCMS). And within that organization were two (2) individuals gifted with the wisdom, and foresight to recognize the needs and potential in the youth of Harlem.

Daniel Taylor and Alberta Thomas Kline saw the potential in providing Harlem and East Harlem youth with summer camping experiences in addition to the after-school activities that were happening for them from September to June. They began taking youth camping in various locations. Daniel Taylor took the boys and Alberta Kline, who very quickly became “Ma Kline” took the girls to different locations.

NYCMS acquired land in the Shawanagunk Mountains, near Port Jervis NY, in 1929 for a permanent camp site, and named it Camp Minisink. It was one of the first camps in the nation established for a predominantly African American population. In the earliest camping seasons Daniel Taylor was director for boys in July and Ma Kline director for girls in August.

Daniel Taylor founded several groups within Minisink aimed at developing fellowship among the young men. He also placed an emphasis on recognizing and developing leadership potential among the youth. He was drafted to serve in WWII and returned to continue his work at Minisink in 1945. That year he started the group that became the Order of the Feather. Unfortunately, he passed away in 1946. Daniel Taylor encouraged the youngsters under his influence to “Follow the Gleam” as in that favorite Minisink hymn. Ma Kline and all who knew him held him in such high regard that those of us who never knew him still speak the name with the deepest respect and aspire to “Follow the Gleam”.

“This is My Work, My Blessing, Not My Doom…” * 

Servant of God, Pillar of Strength, Visionary, a Dynamic Lover of Poetry, Music & Song… 

MS. GLADYS V. THORNE

Gladys V. Thorne, affectionately known as Thornie, was born and raised in Harlem, NY. Short in stature she was a vibrant and incorrigible child. She attended public schools in NYC, received a Bachelor of Science cum laude, Master of Arts degree in Guidance from New York University School of Education and took advanced studies at Columbia School of Social Work. She was affiliated with many professional groups, social agencies and service organizations, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Kappa Delta Pi Society, Pi Lambda Theta Society and the American Camping Association. Thornie was a member of many local and national boards in education, health and welfare. She was recognized and honored with a plethora of awards and citations.   

Gladys was a member of  the Christian Girl’s Club supervised by Alberta T. “Ma” Kline, future Executive Director of the Harlem Unit under the auspices of the New York City Mission Society.  

“Ma” Kline recognized the dynamic energy Thornie possessed. A lifelong bond was forged between mentor and mentee. Thornie’s life’s trajectory was altered, as “Ma” Kline was convinced she would be the catalyst to ignite the Spirit of the Minisink Family. Through her formidable skills, Gladys founded Tapawingo (House of Joy) Honor Society in 1942. Initially, designed for teen girls much like herself. Tapawingo evolved into a co-ed Leadership Training Program which included a Counselor -In-Training component with rigorous academic, cultural and service projects to the community, nation and world as its focus. She directed a youth choir of over 300 voices and was noted for supporting oratorical ability, poetic knowledge and stage presence. She initiated The Candlelight Service and The Minisink Carol Sing, originally performed in Harlem churches. The Minisink Show of Shows, a musical revue, was showcased in Central Needle Trades High School, Hunter College Auditorium and Carnegie Hall. Thornie loved camp and over the years she elevated Camp Minisink to become one of the first non-racially segregated, residential camps for predominately Black children to one of the premier camps in the country. From Program Director to Executive Director of the Minisink Branch under the  auspices of the New York City Mission Society she served youth and seniors for over forty years. 

 The songs and poetry we learned have fortified us through the decades!! 

* Work by Henry Van Dyke 

MR. WILBERT E. BURGIE

His History and Legacy

Wilbert E. Burgie, was born in June 1928 in Brooklyn, New York. Burgie attended New York Public Schools in Brooklyn and was a member of the Boy Scouts of America. His scoutmaster was Mr. Herbert VonKing, one of the Founders of the Camp Minisink Order of the Feather. Mr. VonKing, introduced Burgie to Camp Minisink in 1946 at the tender age of 18. Burgie was hired as the Secretary of Boys Work with Camp Minisink. Burgie was responsible for the Boys program at Camp, as well as, the Order of the Feather, the Camp Minisink Drum and Bugle Corps, and the Boys Tapawingo Honor Society.

In the Fall of 1946, Burgie founded the after-school program known as the Camp Minisink Cadet Corps at Hood Memorial Church and then moved to St. James Presbyterian Church in Harlem. The Cadet Corps also included St. Augustine Presbyterian Church and Caudwell AMZ Church in the Bronx.
During the year of 1964, Burgie and the Cadet Corps, under the direction of Dr. David W. Barry, expanded its services to include several additional churches in the Harlem community with many additional staff members. The Cadet Corps remained on 155th street until the new Cadet Corps was built in June of 1972 on Jerome Avenue and 170th in the Bronx. At one point, there were more than 3,500 boys and girls enrolled in the Cadet Corps program.

Burgie was multi-talented, he could sing and direct choirs, and he taught Native American dance, and Native American law. Wilbert E. Burgie, was a mentor, a visionary, leader, and friend to oh so many. Mr. Wilbert E. Burgie served as the Executive Director of the City Mission Cadet Corps until August 1984. Burgie served the youth of New York City for 38 years and his Legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of thousands of Men and Women throughout the world.

“Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.” ~ Langston Hughes