Then to Now

Established in 1951 by Clifford and Dorothy Pulis, Camp Thoreau was the fulfillment of a dream to create a day camp where they could share their love of nature, the outdoors and their camping expertise. Mr & Mrs. Click, as they were known by the locals, understood the value of a wholesome camp experience and believed children should learn about nature’s wonders. Incorporating their own wilderness camping experiences and a quote from Henry David Thoreau’s Walden, “Every morning an opportunity to make life of equal simplicity with nature,” the “Click” Pulis team created a unique camp environment that captured the feeling of the deep woods of Maine in rural Concord, MA.

In the seventies, a significant shift in the business model from a seasonal to year round focus came when Dot & Click’s son, Todd introduced introduced tennis and swimming. Todd saw the trend of tennis expanding across the nation. Americans were riding the tennis high with the news coverage of exciting games like Billie Jean King verses Bobby Riggs in the famous ‘Battle of the Sexes.’ Todd and the family became a leader in the leisure recreation industry. The club was a hubbub of excitement and their reputation spread throughout Massachusetts. Tournaments and activities were a constant and the local and surrounding communities quickly associated great tennis with Thoreau Club.

As the eighties approached, Todd, who had already made a name for himself as a successful entrepreneur, was now embarking on another major expansion into the fitness genre. This new direction received the further promise of significant growth and advancement when the Surgeon General released a report announcing the lack of physical activity was detrimental to one’s health. This landmark report poised the fitness industry, and The Thoreau Club, for a profound physical activity and fitness movement that would sweep the nation. The Thoreau Club emerged as the area’s premier family fitness and tennis club.

The future is full of promise and that is largely due to third generation, Faith Pulis, President and CEO. Having grown up in the camp and club environment and observed and experienced the evolution of the family business, Faith’s vision is centered around meeting the needs of each family and offering them choices to fulfill a healthy and enriching life.

Faith is responsible for adding on a full service day spa which focuses on relaxation and mind body awareness. In addition, Faith has successfully integrated wellness with the addition of programs like Pilates, Nutrition and a leading edge program called Fit Forever, a one of a kind coaching program to help members attain the healthiest life possible.

Camp Thoreau, Inc.’s growth over its 60+ year history has been significant and yet deliberate, always conservative and always in keeping with the family’s core values. What started as a traditional summer camp for kids to play and grow has developed into a complex year round fitness, tennis, swim and health club for kids and adults of all ages.