CM7 Milestones 1981 - 2025

 Camp Mark 7 – A Storied History of Impact & Growth

1981 – The Mark Seven Deaf Foundation (M7DF) and Father Tom Coughlin outbid five other parties in bankruptcy court to purchase the historic former Mohawk Hotel property on 7.2 acres.

1982 – Camp Mark Seven (CM7) launches its first programs for deaf and hard of hearing children.

1990 – CM7 is featured in The New York Times.

1992 – M7DF becomes a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

1997 – CM7 pioneers the nation’s first Kids of Deaf Adults (KODA) Camp program.

1998 – CM7 earns accreditation from the American Camping Association (ACA).

1999 – Receives the ACA Eleanor Eels Award for Innovative Camping and Program Excellence.

2000 – Featured on the front page of The Watertown Times.

2001 – Launches a joint annual 5K & 10K Walk/Run with the Central Adirondack Association in Old Forge, NY.

2004 – First M7DF Capital Campaign begins, raising $300,000 over several years. The Friends of the Foundation donor recognition program is established.

2006 – Hosts a dinner fundraiser in Maryland featuring MLB player Curtis Pride.

2007 – CM7 celebrates 25 years and KODA Camp’s 10th anniversary with a major reunion. The Tree of LIFE donor wall is unveiled.

2008 – Surpasses Capital Campaign goal; completes Waterfront Beautification Project with fencing and lifeguard stations.

2010 – Hosts the Metamorphosis Gala at Lincoln Center, NYC, honoring Meredith “Muffy” Greenough.

2012 – CM7’s 30th anniversary; tennis court resurfaced and renamed the multipurpose court.

2013 – Launches the Deaf Film Camp (DFC) program.

2014 – DFC’s ASL rendition of Pharrell’s “HAPPY” goes viral, reaching 1.7M+ views and garnering national media coverage. Mohawk Lodge roof is replaced.

2015 – Tree of LIFE is updated and renamed the Tree of LOVE; M7DF hosts the CM7 Gala: A Green Carpet Premiere at the Museum of the Moving Image, NYC.

2016 – M7DF purchases the 4.7-acre Wilcox property next door, expanding CM7’s campus.

2017 – Installs new waterfront dock and builds a volunteer-crafted bonfire pit. Celebrates CM7’s 35th anniversary, KODA Camp’s 20th, and DFC’s 5th.

2018 – Holds a major Philadelphia-area fundraiser and wins the Best of Old Forge Award.

2019 – Purchases the former hotel waterfront property, uniting three adjoining properties. Hosts the first Polar Bear Swim fundraiser.

2020 – For the first time in history, CM7 closes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Demolishes five cottages and the Wilcox house for future expansion.

2021 – Limited reopening with family weeks, Active Deaf Adults, and ASL Immersion programs.

2022 – CM7’s 40th anniversary; fully reopens with record enrollment (54 Deaf Campers) and near-capacity KODA programs.

2023 – A landmark summer with maximum-capacity programs; acquires a Triton boat, 15-passenger van, and John Deere Gator thanks to an anonymous donor.

2024 – Renovations begin at Hilltop House, enhancing facilities for future guests.

2025 – CM7 enters its 43rd year, having served an estimated 7,500 campers and guests since 1982. M7DF hosts the CM7 Gala at the iconic TWA Hotel, NYC, launching the CM7 Million Campaign.

2027 – CM7’s 45th Anniversary Celebration will be held in the fall at CM7 in Old Forge, NY (date TBA).