Camp Dudley, YMCA facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Camp Dudley |
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Entrance to Camp Dudley
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| Coordinates | 44°08′41″N 073°25′13″W / 44.14472°N 73.42028°W |
| Established | 1885 |
Camp Dudley is the oldest summer camp for boys in the United States. It was started in 1885 by Sumner F. Dudley. This amazing camp is located in Westport, New York. It sits right on the beautiful shores of Lake Champlain. In 1993, the camp was recognized as a special historical place. It became part of the Camp Dudley Road Historic District. This district was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
Discover Camp Dudley: An Amazing Summer Camp
The Story of Camp Dudley
Sumner Dudley was very active with the YMCA. In 1884, he was asked to take young YMCA members camping. So, in 1885, he took seven boys for a week. Their first camp was at Orange Lake, New Jersey. The next year, they moved to Twin Islands. Finally, in 1891, the camp found its home on Lake Champlain in New York.
Mr. Dudley first called the camp "Camp Baldhead." Later, it was known as the Boys' Camping Society. After Sumner Dudley passed away in 1897, the camp was renamed Camp Dudley. This was done to honor him. In 2015, Camp Dudley became fully independent. It is no longer officially part of the YMCA.
Camp Numbers: Your Unique ID
Every camper at Camp Dudley gets a special "camp number." This number is given in order of when they first attended. The very first number, No. 1, was given to George Peck in 1903. Since then, over 27,000 people have received a unique number. This includes campers, leaders, and staff. At gatherings, people often like to see who has the oldest, lowest camp number. It's a fun way to connect with the camp's long history.
What Makes Camp Dudley Special?
Camp Dudley is now an independent camp. It is managed by a group called the Board of Managers. The camp still follows ideas from the YMCA. These ideas focus on developing your mind, body, and spirit. Camp Dudley welcomes everyone. It teaches important values, like its motto: "The Other Fellow First." This means putting others before yourself.
The camp's main goal is to help kids grow. They want to build good character, leadership skills, and physical abilities. All of this happens in a spirit of friendship and fun. The aim is to help campers live lives where they care about others. Many former campers and families support the camp financially. This allows Camp Dudley to offer scholarships. These scholarships help kids who need financial support attend camp.
In 2006, Camp Dudley added a sister camp. It is called Camp Dudley at Kiniya. This camp is in Colchester, Vermont. It was created so that girls could also experience the same values. Daughters of Camp Dudley alumni now have their own special place.
The Loyal Alumni Community
One special thing about Camp Dudley is its alumni. These are people who used to be campers. Their connection to Dudley often lasts their whole lives. Many former campers come back as leaders. Alumni and parents also help the camp with money. All friends of Camp Dudley are invited to alumni events. There is also a big reunion at camp in August. About 35 to 40 alumni gatherings happen each year. These events take place all over the country and even around the world.
Camp Dudley at Kiniya: A Sister Camp for Girls
In 2006, Camp Dudley officially bought Camp Kiniya. This allowed the camp to offer its traditions to girls. Camp Kiniya was started in 1919 by Helen Van Buren. It is located on the Vermont side of Lake Champlain. One fun tradition at Camp Kiniya is Kiwi Day. On this day, the whole camp celebrates campers and staff. These are people who have attended for four years or more.
Camp Dudley at Kiniya now combines traditions from both camps. It has 16 cabins for campers. There are also extra cabins for staff. The camp is split into two groups. These are the Junior Division and the Senior Division. Camp Kiniya is generally a bit smaller than Camp Dudley. The summer of 2018 was Camp Kiniya's 100th summer.
Campers and Leaders: Growing at Camp
At both Camp Dudley and Camp Kiniya, cabins hold different age groups. At Dudley, campers are usually 10-14 years old. At Kiniya, campers are also 10-14. Boys and girls are placed in cabins based on their age. The cabins are divided into different groups. At Dudley, these are Cubs, Plebes, Juniors, and Seniors. At Kiniya, they are Cubs, Cats, Juniors, and Seniors.
When you finish your last year as a camper, you can apply to be an Aide. This is the first step to becoming a leader. An Aide lives with younger campers. They still get to play on sports teams with the oldest campers. At 16 and 17, you can become a Junior Leader or Assistant Leader. These are paid jobs. They help support the main leader in the cabin. At 18, you can become a full leader. This is the main counselor in a cabin. You can also work as program staff. This means working in areas like Athletics, Arts, Outdoors, or Waterfront.
Life at Camp: Activities and Fun
Camp Dudley and Camp Kiniya offer many exciting activities. You can choose from different areas.
Sports and Games
There are many chances to play sports. You can join in activities like:
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Softball/Baseball
- Tennis
- Golf
- Ultimate Frisbee
- Dudley Handball
- Lacrosse
- Archery
These activities are part of a "major" block. This is a special activity time for each camper. They also have team competitions. Teams play against each other. This teaches respect and good sportsmanship.
Creative Arts
If you love to create, you can try:
- Theatre
- Arts and Crafts
- Theatre Tech
- Music
- Ceramics
Outdoor Adventures
For those who love nature, there are activities like:
- Hiking and Overnight Camping
- Challenge Course Elements (low and high ropes)
- Rock Climbing
- Camp craft
Water Fun
On the waterfront, you can enjoy:
- Kayaking
- Canoeing
- Sailing
- Paddle boarding
- Swimming
- Boating
- Windsurfing
- Diving
Sunday Chapel and Hymn Sing
Both camps have a special spiritual time. This is especially true on Sundays. The experience is welcoming to all. Crosses are in the chapel space. Songs with positive messages are sung. A camper or staff member says grace before every meal. The camp also offers bus service to a Catholic Sunday mass. This is for any campers who want to attend.
On Sunday mornings, there is a chapel service. A guest speaker shares encouraging words. This helps campers understand "The Other Fellow First" more deeply. It creates a feeling of togetherness. The speakers share many valuable life lessons. Campers and staff wear the camp's blue and white colors. Everyone is welcome, no matter what they wear. On Sunday nights, cabins gather for Hymn Sing. This is held in the old Witherbee Hall. Singing hymns together is a cherished tradition at both camps.
Shows and Special Events
Every Wednesday and Saturday, campers and staff put on shows. Wednesday nights are for talent shows. Saturday nights feature scripted plays. Each division also has its own "extravaganza." This is a themed day planned by the division's leaders. It happens once each session.
Dudley Cheers
Here is a famous Camp Dudley cheer:
“D-U-D-L-E-Y / Whitewashed cookies, chicken pie / Pink music, pickeral fry / Westport, Westport my oh my / All ye campers stand in line (line)/ Take your hats off just like mine (mine) / Bevo, bivo, boom get a rat trap bigger than a cat trap, (slowly)bevo, bivo, BOOM!
Famous People from Camp Dudley
Many notable people have attended Camp Dudley. Here are a few:
- R. Inslee Clark, Jr. (1935–1999) – He was the first Dean of Admissions at Yale University to admit women.
- Tate Forcier – A former quarterback for the University of Michigan. He also played in the Canadian Football League.
- Bruce Gehrke – A professional football and basketball player. He played for the NY Giants and NY Knicks.
- Oliver Jeffers – A well-known artist.
- Burgess Meredith (1907–1997) – A famous actor in film and television.
- Shaun O'Hara – A center for the New York Giants football team.
- Clark Peterson – A horticulturalist, someone who studies plants.
- Bob Pettit – An NBA Basketball Player. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1970.
- Andrew Weibrecht – A World Cup alpine ski racer. He won two Olympic medals.
- James Widdoes – An actor and director for film and television.
- Cameron Winklevoss
- Tyler Winklevoss
- Samuel Adams Wisner – A rapper.
- Quenton Nelson – An All-Pro NFL Guard for the Indianapolis Colts.
