Teachers' Camp has, for the past 100 years, served as a training center and venue for teachers

from all over the Philippines who come during the summer break to attend special courses in education. Within the pine-filled camp are classrooms, cottages and dormitories, mess halls and dining areas, administrative offices, plus assembly halls and social centers where many conferences, seminars and other activities are held. Teachers Camp also boasts of its own athletic oval where members of the Philippine Olympic team train. The athletic oval is also open for the use of the general public (a small fee is charged for its upkeep)

History & General Information

In December 1907, Benguet Governor William F. Pack conceived of the idea of putting a vacation camp for teachers in Baguio City. He then wrote to the American Colonial Government's Secretary of Public Instruction W. Morgan Shuster who responded quite enthusiastically. The plan to create Teachers Camp for this purpose was approved a month later, in January 1908. In April of that same year, just three months later, Teachers' Camp opened in what was soon to be officially designated as the Summer Capital of the Philippines, with the Baguio Teachers' Assembly as its first activity. Participants came from all over the Philippines: American school teachers, school superintendents, other teachers and even Bureau of Education officials, who all slept in tents pitched under pine trees. Two larger tents that had wooden floors served as the assembly area while two other large tents each served as a kitchen and a mess or dining area. In 1908, a Swiss-design dining area called "Kursaal," which was named after a building of similar design in Switzerland was built. It became a social center. The next four years years saw the construction of more buildings and an athletic field. In 1912, Benitez Hall, Teachers Camp's largest facility was built along with cottages for the officials of the Bureau of Education and the camp director. The next few years saw the appropriation of funds to build permanent structures on the property as well as roads and pathways that wind all around its sloping terrain to connect the same. Eventually there were more appropriations for more assembly areas resulting in Benitez Hall, Ladies Hall, White Hall, Tavera Hall and Teachers Hall. In 1937 The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) occupied a large portion of Teachers' Camp moving from its location at Camp Henry T. Allen to accommodate more cadet trainees. It was during that time that General Luna Hall was built (1937). After the war, PMA was reestablished at its former location at Camp Henry T. Allen before it moved to its permanent location at Fort Gregorio del Pilar.

Teachers' Camp Today

In April 2008, 100 years after it opened, Teachers' Camp was declared a National Heritage site. And on the occasion of its Centennial, the halls, buildings and cottages were refurbished; its roads and pathways improved with new rotundas (roundabouts) were constructed. The master plan also called for the construction of an amphitheater and a museum that contains 100 years of rare photos and other memorabilia.

SWOT Analysis Strengths -established retreat venue -unique location Weaknesses - Ghost rumors/stories -competition Opportunities -possible host to athletes of the 2013 SEA Games Threats -Ghost rumors/stories -competition