Attended camp from 2005-2017

She was a counselor and a camper

Earned her purple in 2012

Currently lives in Chicago, IL

A lesson she learned at camp that she still uses today is "you'll always feel better after you dance and sing with your friends" and how to cook campfire meals.

A personal goal she has achieved since earning her purple is to graduate nursing school and to keep in touch with her camp friends.

Her advice to future campers and counselors is : "shower at least once a week and stay in touch with camp friends, they're forever"

Contact info: maddyretherford@gmail.com

Attended camp from 2003-2010 as both a camper and counselor.

Earned his purple in 2008

His favorite camp memory is the purple neckerchief ceremony.

He currently lives in Nashville, TN

He is currently a Manager for Healthcare Compliance

A lesson he learned from camp is leadership but learning when to be vocal and when to step back and listen.

A personal goal he has achieved since earning his purple is graduating from law school.

Advice to future campers and counselors is: "Be as present as you can. It goes by so fast but the memories you make will be some of the best of your life."

Contact info: Alex.m.thompson1@gmail.com

Attended camp from 1974-1982

She was a camper

Earned purple in 1979

Currently lives in Skokie, IL

Her favorite camp memory is every camp memory.

Current occupation: artist

Her personal goal since achieving her purple is to keep making goals.

She still keeps in touch with her camp friends.

Contact info: kristindconneely@gmail.com

Attended camp from 2007-2018 as both a camper and counselor with one year as JL counselor.

Earned his purple in 2012

There are a lot of favorite camp memories but one of his favorites is when he and his friends took out a sailboat and broke the record for most tips in one g-swim. Also, winning color war as a pink team leader.

Currently lives in St. Petersburg, FL

A lesson he learned from camp is that is ALWAYS best to keep a positive attitude, enjoy the little things, and take short breaks.

A personal goal he has achieved since earning his purple is to live life out loud, take risks, and do best to help others and yourself.

Advice to future campers and counselors is: "Camp goes by fast, even 12 years isn’t enough time, so make the most of every minute even if you’re “too tired”."

Final note: Platz rule.

Contact info: Henrypierce087@gmail.com

Attended camp as a camper from 1959-1960 then as a counselor from 1969-1973. Also a waterfront director for 2 years and a program director for 1 year. Chuck was also Chairman of the Camp Edwards Board of Directors.

Earned his purple in 1972.

Favorite camp memories: "water skiing, sailing, morning dip, the slide in the swimming area, honors ceremonies"

Currently lives in Honolulu, HI

Current occupation: retired.

A skill he learned from camp that he uses today is, "I now realize the importance of the character study time and lessons"

A personal goal that he has achieved since earning his purple is retiring in Hawaii (good for you!!)

Advice to campers and counselors is, "The example you set is powerful to others who look up to you."

Final words, "In hindsight I now realize what a powerful turning point Camp Edwards was for me."

Contact info: nashtyman49@gmail.com

Attended camp from 1969-1980 as: Cabin counselor, trips counselor, outdoor Ed coordinator, winter maintenance, worked with Indian guides and princesses. Worked for family camps. Assisted with Project 600 and 006 for many years.

Earned their purple in 1973

Favorite camp memories include: Morning dip, teaching water skiing, teaching sailing.

Currently lives in Hawaii

Retired in 2019

A skill he learned at camp that he currently uses today is, "learning to work and guide many different type of people that I used in my management career."

A personal goal that he has achieved since earning his purple is to continue working with Big Brother and other mentoring programs.

Advice to campers and counselors: remember your roots

Finally, he wanted to share that he misses the old camp ways. Don't we all?!

Contact info: Griffith618@gmail.com

Attended camp from 2006-2018 as both a camper and a counselor. Cabin staff for 3 years and high ropes coordinator for one year.

Earned his purple in 2011

His favorite camp memories are: "As a camper, it was getting my face painted and doing a huge capture the flag game across all of camp. My whole JL experience was unforgettable. As a counselor, it was my 2nd year when my cabin did peel the banana skit for a camp activity night. "

He currently lives in Plateville, Wisconsin

He is currently a student in college.

A skill he learned from camp that he uses today is: people skills, time management, and organization.

A personal goal he has achieved since earning his purple is: "Everyday I do some random act of kindness for a stranger, even if it’s just holding a door open for them."

His advice to future campers and counselors is: "Don’t let one part of your camp experience ruin your whole week or whole summer, it’s one of the greatest times of your life and I wish I could go back to that again."

Attended camp from 2007-2015 as both a camper and a counselor

Earned her purple in 2011

Favorite camp memory: color war relay

Currently lives in Chicago, IL

Current occupation: Consulting

A skill she learned from camp that she uses today is personal responsibility and invisible leadership.

A personal goal of hers that she achieved since earning her purple is becoming financially independent.

Advice to future campers and counselors is: "Internalize both the honors system and the curious, have- fun attitudes of camp"

Attended camp from 1987-1996 as both a camper and a counsleor.

Favorite camp memory is singing at campfires.

Currently living in Phoenix, AZ

Current occupation: Teacher.

A skill she learend from camp that she uses today is how to be outgoing.

A personal goal she has achieved since earning her purple is to help others.

Contact info: kate.lw.stewart@gmail.com

Attended camp from 1989-1999 as a camper, counselor, and LIT counselor.

Earned their purple in 1993 or 1994

Too many memories to pick a favorite.

Currently lives in Madison, WI

Currently works as a lawyer to the Assistant Attorney General.

A skill she learned from camp that she uses today is: the ability to be flexible and lead a team.

A personal goal they have achieved since earning their purple is: being open to trying new things. You never know what you will love.

Contact info: lauramaq03@gmail.com

Attended camp from 1989-1991 as a counselor and assistant waterfront director.

Earned purple in the early 2000s

There are too many favorite camp memories to choose from but they all have to do with the people.

Currently lives in River Falls, WI

Current occupation: Teacher

A lesson she learned from camp that she uses today is: "Camp people are everywhere you go. Find them, they are your people."

A personal goal that she has achieved since earning her purple is "raising kids who love camp."

Advice to future campers and counselors: keep the focus on the campers.

Contact info: lynnmstubbe@gmail.com

Attended camp from 2005-2016 as a camper, counselor, and day camp staff.

Earned her purple in 2010

Her favorite camp memory is going to campfire.

She currently lives in Chicago, IL

Currently works as an elementary teacher

A personal goal she has accomplished since earning her purple is getting her first adult job and getting into grad school.

Her advice to future campers and counselors is to enjoy every second of camp.

Attended camp from 2004-2014 as a camper, cabin counselor, and JL counselor.

Earned her purple in 2009

Her favorite camp memory is bringing back the kayak trip and of course all of the people.

She currently lives in Oahu, HI

Currently works as a marine biologist

The things she uses that she learned from camp are: leadership, mentorship, clear communication, and handling emergencies.

A personal goal she has accomplished since earning her purple is graduating with her master's.

Her advice to future campers and counselors is to never underestimate the power of summer camp.

Contact info: Jenna.m.karr@gmail.com

Attended camp for 7 years as cabin staff and day camp

Earned purple in 2018

Favorite camp memory was helping with the drama skills and showing all the lies of the councillors.

Currently living in Manchester, UK

Current occupation: Priest

Skills that camp taught you that you use today are: Dance, drama, nature, and arts and crafts.

A personal goal he achieved that he is proud of after earning his purple: becoming a priest and getting into a PhD program.

Advice to future campers and counselors is to truly love God and everything else will follow.

Contact info: Augustine.ihm@gmail.com