Camp Thoreau, Incorporated's roots began with the notion that education and recreation are valuable services to the community. Visionaries and founders, Cliff and Dot Pulis wanted to give something to the community of Concord. They recognized a need for outdoor experiences as well as swim instruction for the children of the area and so Camp Thoreau was formed in 1951. In 1967 their son, Todd, saw the need to extend the swimming program, thus building one of the area's first neighborhood swimming pools for the entire family. With the increasing popularity of tennis, two outdoor courts were added, hence creating a "club" environment. Expansion and opportunity allowed the Pulis family to strengthen the family goal of "integrating ourselves with this town that has given us such a wonderful place to live and raise a family." History often repeats itself and in 1998 Todd, along with his daughter Faith, moved The Thoreau Club, Camp Thoreau and The Thoreau Center to its current location on 70 beautiful wooded acres at Forest Ridge Road in Concord. The larger new space allowed for the addition of a state-of-the-art fitness area. Indeed, The Thoreau Club, Camp Thoreau and The Thoreau Center has been and always will be a family-oriented business, committed to serving the needs and interests of the community. "We want to show our gratitude by doing whatever we can to contribute to the benefit of others." Often we are asked, "Why the name 'Thoreau'?" To Dot Pulis, it was quite obvious. "Henry David Thoreau and Concord are synonymous. His love of the outdoors and his simplicity of living is our credo as well."