Technology Christian Association

Historical Note

The Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) established a branch at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on January 17, 1895; by 1909 it was reorganized as the Technology Christian Association (TCA). Its goal was to "unite all Christian men of the Institute into one vigorous body, with the purpose of promoting the moral and spiritual welfare of the undergraduate." Their activities included promoting social gatherings, directing MIT students to local churches, and providing service to the Tech House in Roxbury, a home for the care of poor people.

An important part of the Technology Christian Association's work focused on new students and the production of a handbook for freshmen to help them adjust to life at MIT. The association published the handbook from 1895 until 1969, when the Institute administration began to publish HoToGAMIT (How to Get Around MIT). In addition to the handbook, the Technology Christian Association began holding annual Freshman Camps in 1926 to give incoming students the opportunity to become acquainted with each other and the Institute’s history and traditions. Upperclassmen, student leaders, administrators, and faculty were involved with these orientation activities. The outings were initially held at Camp Massapoag in Dunstable, Massachusetts. Technology Christian Association would go on to build a cabin at the camp for use of Tech students increasing capacity for the event; construction was completed in September 1930.The Freshman Camp was held on Institute grounds from 1942 to spring 1946. That fall, Freshman Camp activities were relocated to Camp Wonderland in Sharon, Massachusetts. By fall 1949, a committee of students, faculty, and staff assumed responsibility of running the Freshman Camp program. In later years the Technology Christian Association contributed to the MIT community with donations to the United Community Fund and by co-sponsoring the semiannual blood drive with the Red Cross. In 1957 the Technology Christian Association became the Technology Community Association.

Found in 4 Collections and/or Records: