Cropsey at Camp

Almost thirty years ago, Lee Haring and Mark Breslerman wrote an article called "The Cropsey Maniac" for New York Folklore (1977). Their subject was the development and meaning of a legendary character who had terrified campers at a number of different sleepaway camps in New York State. According to the Cropsey legend's usual plot line, Cropsey was a respected community member who lived near the camp with his son. When a couple of campers accidentally caused his son's tragic death, Cropsey went mad and swore that he would get revenge. Running off to hide in a shack in the woods, he waited until the anniversary of his son's death. Then he randomly chose a camper to attack with an axe. The unfortunate camper died instantly. If I were a counselor telling this story to a group of campers huddled around a campfire, I would end the story with its usual clincher: "Cropsey is still out in these woods. Tonight is the anniversary of his son's death, and he may pay a visit to jour bunk at midnight. Good luck!"

Does the Cropsey maniac still terrorize New York campers? Anyone who has access to the Internet will quickly learn that the answer to that question is "yes." A number of camp web sites include fond-or not so fond-reminiscences about nights spent waiting for Cropsey to arrive with his axe. Other questions, however, are not so easy to answer. Is Cropsey a living maniac, or is he a ghost? And does he still represent the same kind of...