Our Mission & Vision
Mission
Camp Mark Seven (CM7) is a lakefront retreat center in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains that provides a wide variety of community services and spiritual growth, which finds its roots in the Catholic traditions and values. CM7's primary goal is to provide a comprehensive approach to full development and enhancement of individuals coming from all walks of life and faith, providing them with recreational, educational, leadership, and spiritual programs for the deaf, hard-of-hearing, Koda/Coda, and hearing participants.
Vision
CM7 is a welcoming and inclusive community motivated by the spiritual, moral, and social needs of our society. The location, facility, and seasonal programs create unique opportunities for life-long personal growth, companionship, and joviality of all participants at CM7. With these unique opportunities, CM7 offers to:
Empower the lives of individuals related to the deaf community.
Promote and cherish the beauty of American Sign Language.
Enrich the summer camp experience for deaf, hard-of-hearing, Koda/Coda, and hearing individuals through specialized programming.
Create a peaceful and nurturing environment of solitude and nature at CM7 for spiritual growth through prayers, faith-sharing, Deaf Bible Week seminar, and directed-retreats.
Provide opportunities for those in financial need to participate in various CM7 programs through campership and other financial support.
Implement opportunities for private retreats, community gatherings, and special events.
CM7 offers a diverse choice of programs for deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing individuals of all ages. CM7 is open to members of all faiths; everyone is welcome. A Catholic mass is offered for interested individuals when Father Tom or a visiting priest is on site. For those who wish to participate in private mediation, we have a chapel overlooking the woods with a view of Fourth Lake.
Our Journey Through
Time
The Mark Seven Deaf Foundation (M7DF) and Father Tom Coughlin outbid five other parties in bankruptcy court to
purchase the historic
former Mohawk Hotel property on 7.2 acres.
Camp Mark Seven (CM7) launches its first programs for deaf and hard of hearing children.
M7DF becomes a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
CM7 pioneers the nation’s first Kids of Deaf Adults (KODA) Camp program.
CM7 earns accreditation from the American Camping Association (ACA).
Receives the ACA Eleanor Eels Award for Innovative Camping and Program Excellence.
Launches a joint annual 5K & 10K Walk/Run with the Central Adirondack Association in Old Forge, NY.
First M7DF Capital Campaign begins, raising $300,000 over several years. The Friends of the Foundation donor recognition program is established.
Hosts a dinner fundraiser in Maryland featuring MLB player Curtis Pride.
CM7 celebrates 25 years and KODA Camp’s 10th anniversary with a major reunion. The Tree of LIFE donor wall is unveiled.
Surpasses Capital Campaign goal; completes Waterfront Beautification Project with fencing and lifeguard stations.
CM7’s 30th anniversary; tennis court resurfaced and renamed the multipurpose court.
Launches the Deaf Film Camp (DFC) program.
Tree of LIFE is updated and renamed the Tree of LOVE; M7DF hosts the CM7 Gala: A Green Carpet Premiere at the Museum of the Moving Image, NYC.
M7DF purchases the 4.7-acre Wilcox property next door, expanding CM7’s campus.
Installs new waterfront dock and builds a volunteer-crafted bonfire pit. Celebrates CM7’s 35th anniversary, KODA Camp’s 20th, and DFC’s 5th.
Holds a major Philadelphia-area fundraiser and wins the Best of Old Forge Award.
Purchases the former hotel waterfront property, uniting three adjoining properties. Hosts the first Polar Bear Swim fundraiser.
For the first time in history, CM7 closes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Demolishes five cottages and the Wilcox house for future expansion.
Limited reopening with family weeks, Active Deaf Adults, and ASL Immersion programs.
CM7’s 40th anniversary; fully reopens with record enrollment (54 Deaf Campers) and near-capacity KODA programs.
A landmark summer with maximum-capacity programs; acquires a Triton boat, 15-passenger van, and John Deere Gator thanks to an anonymous donor.
Renovations begin at Hilltop House, enhancing facilities for future guests.
M7DF hosted a successful CM7 Gala at the iconic TWA Hotel, NYC, on May 17th, launching the CM7 Million Campaign with 175 guests in attendance.
M7DF Board of Directors held their annual Fall meeting at CM7 and celebrated a major milestone with a ground-breaking ceremony to officially kick off construction of the new Boat Shed.
The Camp Mark 7 Hospitality
Whether you’re hosting a retreat, attending a conference, or simply looking to recharge in the Adirondacks, CM7 provides warm, rustic accommodations and flexible gathering spaces. Enjoy the comfort, the quiet, and the hospitality that make CM7 unforgettable.
Facilities
The Mohawk Lodge, which faces pristine Fourth Lake, is over 100 years old and is 1,800 feet above sea level in the heart of the Adirondacks. One may sit on a long veranda with lawn-facing lodge chairs. By the waterfront, there is our sandy beach with a long dock and a bonfire seating arena, next to a a multipurpose court for various games.
On the main floor there is a dining hall, kitchen, and a small chapel. There is also a lounge on the lower level with an original stone fireplace and two separate rooms where one can do arts and crafts or play pool. The large-sized multipurpose room can hold up to 100 people, and is ideal for group meetings or hilarious skits.
The dorm-style bedrooms on the upper floors vary in size, and have two to six bunk beds or twin beds. Guests may bring their own sheets or sleeping bags and towels. Each bathroom has individual sinks, stalls and showers, hostel style.
In addition to lodging fees, meals (breakfast, lunch, and supper) are provided at an additional cost.
Activities
CM7 offers many outdoorsy activities such as swimming, canoeing (available for use at no cost to guests), lawn games, basketball and various ball games. There are many nearby trails for enthusiastic hikers. We also offer a chapel for mediation, and a Catholic mass if a priest is onsite. The Adirondack mountains, especially north of Old Forge, the quaint little town, Inlet, and Lake Placid offer many beautiful sights.
Fees
Facilities Fee: $500
Lodging: $30 per person per day
Meals: Per person/day
Breakfast: $7
Lunch: $10
Dinner: $18
Reservations
To make a reservation, contact us today! The Lodge is also available for retreats,
conferences, or family vacations in late May, early June or from early to mid-
September.
CM7 Store
The onsite CM7 store sells T-shirts, sweatshirts, sweat pants and postcards.
Weather
A typical summer day is warm, in the 70s, with cooler evenings. Guests should bring a
variety of clothes. The June months tend to be cooler (60s), July is around 70s, while
the month of August can go up to the 80s.
ACA Accreditation
CM7 is proud to be accredited by the American Camping Association (ACA) since 1998. Developed exclusively for the camp industry, this nationally recognized program focuses on program quality, health and safety issues. It also requires CM7 to review every facet of our camp operations. Over the years, CM7 has voluntarily submitted to this independent appraisal done by camp experts and has continued to retain this mark of distinction.
CM7 is a smoke-free environment.
M7DF Board of Directors
Virginia Borggaard
Director Maryland
Dr. Gerard Buckley
Director New York
Father Tom Coughlin
Founder Member Kentucky
Jeffrey Dallos
Director Virginia
Frank Dattolo
Director New York
Kelly Decker
Secretary
New York
Dr. Brian Greenwald
Director Maryland
Deacon Billy Griffin
Director Delware
Manny Hernandez
Director Maryland
Charmaine Hlibok
Director Maryland
Dr. Kim Kurz
Chair New York
Dr. Susan Mather
Director Maryland
Jane Moran Breiter
Vice Chair New York
Jeffrey Nardozza
Treasurer Florida
Alicia Pena
Director Virginia
Don Peterson
Director Pennsylvania
Jim Tourangeau
Director New York
Gregoire Youbara
Director Washington, D.C.
M7DF Executive & Advisory Team
Kelly Lange
Foundation Director Florida
Isabella Sterly
Camp Director New York
Gregory Hlibok
M7DF Counsel Maryland
Juliane Hlibok
Fundraising Director New York
The CM7 Experience
Whether you’re hosting a retreat, attending a conference, or simply looking to recharge in the Adirondacks, CM7 provides warm, rustic accommodations and flexible gathering spaces. Enjoy the comfort, the quiet, and the hospitality that make CM7 unforgettable.
What We Stand For
Inclusion
Every camper’s voice (and hands) are valued here.
Language & Culture
We celebrate Deaf culture and ASL as our shared home.
Adventure
Nature builds confidence, courage, and curiosity.
Community
Lifelong friendships start here — and never end.
More Than a Camp
CM7 is where confidence grows, identities strengthen, and laughter echoes across generations.
Changing Lives Since 1982
Endless memories created across generations.
Be Part of Our Story
Every hand that joins CM7 — as a camper, volunteer, or donor — helps build a world of connection and belonging.
From Our Instagram
Camp Mark 7
@thecampmark7
Camp Mark 7
@thecampmark7
Camp Mark 7
@thecampmark7
Camp Mark 7
@thecampmark7
