Chautauqua Camps
Chautauqua Camps were born out of the Methodist Church in part as an answer to a vexing (to Church Leaders) question; how does one reconcile sinful idle hands with the need for time away from labor? By the mid-19th century, it was generally agreed that rest away from constant labor was essential to mental and spiritual health, but in deeply religious American society idleness brought with it temptation, and thus needed to be avoided.
Chautauqua Camps began at Lake Chautauqua in western New York, near Buffalo, and offered a summer campsite which was originally intended to train Sunday School teachers in a bucolic, restful setting. This format later proved to be popular as a destination for whole families, and other camps, known as Daughter Chautauquas (daughters of the original camp, not necessarily intended for the daughters of clients) began to spring up around the country.
The camps competed to present motivational speakers and the best entertainers available during their sessions, provided the entertainment was of a wholesome nature. Visitors at the camps thus enjoyed a respite from their daily toil as part of their vacation without the trauma of idleness leading them toward the wages of sin.
Local Chautauqua Camps eventually included similar facilities which were in no way affiliated with the founders of the movement, but nonetheless offered similar amenities. Almost universally the camps were established near a lake or river, near a town with reliable and frequent rail services, and well isolated from the temptations offered by cities.
Circuit Chautauquas later appeared, usually as tent cities similar to traveling carnivals, which remained in an area until their operators determined that there was no more profit to be had before folding their tents and moving on. Chautauqua Camps still exist across the country offering a vacation free from carnal pursuits, including the original at Lake Chautauqua, New York.