For 48 summers, our “family” has returned to the shore of Lake Champlain to share and create lasting memories. No one lives here year round, but past experiences and future opportunities are embedded in every building, tree, and walkway. This summer we were able to share camp with our two daughters and their families, including our “now” four grandchildren, all under the age of four!

Pancake Breakfasts were served more than the usual once a week, Taco Tuesday was sometimes on Wednesdays, and Camp Fires were often out by 6:30 PM to accommodate early bedtimes. We were fortunate to have many staff create virtual activities and attend weekly Zoom meetings, all of which were enjoyable and rewarding for both campers and counselors. Swim breaks often lasted several hours (not the usual 30 minutes) and family water skiing quickly surpassed the usual “one big ski of the summer.” As of yesterday, three-year-old Max and Finn retired their life jackets, now capable of swimming on their own in shallow water.

Four areas of camp were set up as usual: the “blue barn,” the basement, the dock and one Tumbl Trak. Each became a daily adventure and necessity for the family. The float stayed on land, the pit became its own ecosystem, and the gym remained in storage mode. A new garden designed for 2020 campers was established, but pirate deer, hungry for a midnight snack, were a constant challenge. Tuna fish cans and fishing line have proved most successful.

We thank you for your understanding, support and encouragement - it has caused us to reflect daily on how blessed we have been over the years. We could not have built and sustained this version of Camp without the support of current and past generations of campers, counselors and their friends.

We are preparing and dreaming of 2021. An infirmary was created in anticipation of COVID 2020; we have been painting all available surfaces and using present manpower to update floors. Counselor/Cook Bridget arrived from PA, and together with Katie, we have been working on updating the Camp Cook Book, the Leadership Program (kids could focus on different strands-culinary, landscaping, carpentry, admin), and gymnastic programming.

Katie and Jenny will be returning to Denver and Delaware for the start of their academic year. We will be at camp until early October, when the threat of freezing temperatures impacts all of our buildings! Although a different and rewarding summer, we long for a return to the camp we fondly refer to as Dunkley’s.

With love~ Ruth and Dan