Camp David

Camp David is an official residence of the President of the United States.^[1] It is northwest of Washington D.C., in Catoctin Mountain park. Staffing is provided by the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps. Its official name is Naval Support Facility Thurmont.^[2]

Camp David lodge showing the swimming pool

History

President Franklin D. Roosevelt had it built to escape the hot summers in Washington, D.C.^[2] At the time he called it "Shangri-La. In 1953 President Dwight D. Eisenhower renamed it Camp David after his grandson David Eisenhower.^[2] During the presidency of Jimmy Carter, The Camp David Accords were signed by Egyptian President Anwar El Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin on 17 September 1978.^[3] This followed twelve days of secret meetings at Camp David.^[3]

Security problems

• On September 14, 2005, an 81 year old former worker who helped build Camp David walked onto the grounds to voice his concerns over security problems.^[4] He was later fined $15.^[4]
• On July 2, 2011, an F-15 escorted a small two-seat plane out of the area of the camp, while Barack Obama was staying there. They were released without charge.
• On July 10, 2011 an F-15 escorted another small two-seater plane out of the area of the camp, while Obama stayed there.