Camp Billings facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Camp Billings
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Camp Billings clocktower
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1452 VT 244, Thetford, Vermont |
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| Area | 10.8 acres (4.4 ha) |
| Built | 1906 |
| Architectural style | Bungalow/Craftsman, Adirondack Rustic |
| MPS | Organized Summer Camping in Vermont MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 05001524 |
| Added to NRHP | January 11, 2006 |
Camp Billings is a popular summer camp in Vermont, United States. It's a place where both boys and girls can have fun. The camp is located right on the beautiful Lake Fairlee. It sits between the towns of West Fairlee and Thetford, Vermont.
Camp Billings first opened its doors in 1906. This makes it one of the oldest summer camps around! It welcomes campers from eight to sixteen years old. In 2006, Camp Billings was recognized as a historic district. This means its buildings and land are important to history.
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Fun Activities at Camp Billings
Camp Billings offers many exciting things to do. You can try out different sports and creative arts. There's something for everyone to enjoy!
Here are some of the activities you can do:
- Sailing and windsurfing on the lake
- Boating, canoeing, and paddleboarding
- Swimming, snorkeling, and diving
- Waterskiing and other water sports
- Archery to test your aim
- Tennis for sports lovers
- Arts and crafts to get creative
- Music and drama for performers
- Fishing for a relaxing time
- Ropes course challenges, like zip lining
- Try the famous "Holy Cow Swing"
- Join the teen club or junior program
The camp also offers special trips. You can go on canoeing or backpacking adventures. These trips can be just for the day or even overnight!
The History of Camp Billings
Camp Billings has a long and interesting history. It started over a hundred years ago.
How Camp Billings Began
The camp was founded in 1906. It was first supported by the local YMCA. Dr. Gardner Cobb helped start the camp. So did Julia Billings, whose husband, Frederick Billings, was a famous businessman. The land for the camp was first rented. Later, the Billings family bought it. Camp Billings is thought to be the second-oldest active summer camp in Vermont.
Growth and Changes Over Time
The camp grew a lot in the 1920s. It kept growing even after tough times. This included the Great Depression and World War II. In 1957, the first director, Archibald Hurd, retired. Many volunteers helped out during this time.
Ralph Lawrence became the next director. He led the camp until 1995. John and Anne Freitas were directors from 1996 to 2000. Bob Green was the director from 2001 to 2018. There's a metal plate on the camp's clock tower that says, "Bob was Roasted here - July 29, 2018." This is a fun camp tradition!
Current Directors and Camp Today
Today, Anne and Sean Collins are the directors. They are both teachers. They also spent many years at Camp Billings themselves. They were campers in the 1990s. Then they joined the camp staff. Anne worked in the office for a long time. Sean trained new staff for almost ten years.
Camp Billings continues to grow and welcome new campers. It is now run by a non-profit group. It is no longer connected to the YMCA.
