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 hosted a successful CM7 Gala at the iconic TWA Hotel, NYC, on May 17th, launching the CM7 Million Campaign with 175 guests in attendance.

2025 - In September, the Mark Seven Deaf Foundation (M7DF) Board of Directors held their annual Fall meeting at CM7 and celebrated a major milestone with a groundbreaking ceremony to officially kick off construction of the new Boat Shed near the waterfront.

2027 – CM7’s 45th Anniversary Celebration will be held in the fall during Labor Day Weekend - Friday, September 3rd to Monday, September 6th, at CM7 in Old Forge, NY.