All in the Family

Camp Playland in New Canaan welcomes its third generation of family management to the 18-acre summer camp.

In 1957, Camp Playland was founded by Walter and Pearl Bloom, who built the camp and its facilities from the ground up. Through the years Camp Playland remained within the Bloom family, and the tradition is continuing with 24-year-old Steve Bloom as he begins to learn the ropes this year. Like his father Gary (son of Walter and Pearl), Steve grew up on the camp.

"I remember my father purchasing the property and building the facilities," says Gary Bloom, the camp's owner and director. "My father was a schoolteacher and my mother was a bookkeeper; they worked three, four jobs to make [Camp Playland] happen. I grew up seeing that. It's rewarding to me that Steve has the same feeling for the business-it's a strong tradition in our family."

Three generations of the Bloom family (clockwise from top): Steve, Pearl, Barbara, and Gary Bloom

Claiming 18 acres in New Canaan, the camp provides a warm and nurturing environment where kids are encouraged to spend time outdoors to fully enjoy summer activities like swimming, fishing, and archery.

"We've always prided ourselves in a traditional day camp with athletics [and] cultural activities," says Gary, who has spent every summer of his life at the camp. "Every kid should enjoy the outdoors. The whole point of the summer is to have fun."

As a traditional summer camp, Camp Playland follows a six-period day for kids entering Pre-K through 6th grade, which allows campers to try a variety of activities. The camp also stays current and makes improvements each year to ensure kids who return (about 70 percent of campers) have something new to look forward to, including this year's additions: a 300-foot zip line and waterways on the playgrounds.