Camp E. W. Young was established by a Norfolk child advocate, Eleanor White Young, over 60 years ago.  The wife of the journal and Guide newspaper owner, Mrs. White organized a group of community activists who saw the need to establish a place where black youth from the city could enjoy a camp-like experience.  The Waterfront site in what was then rural Norfolk County, was selected and purchased by the city.  Norfolk has operated the camp ever since.

The school system took over the camp’s operation and began securing federal funding through Title I to finance it.  In 1947, a year after Mrs. Young died, the camp was named in her honor.