Camp Dudley

Camp Dudley, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, committed to providing a comprehensive program for boys and girls including athletics, the arts, outdoor adventure, and spiritual traditions. Leadership development is a dynamic and integral part of the Camp experience. The Camp's motto, "the other fellow first," is the guiding light for daily life, and it is the aim of each camper who attends Dudley to gain appreciation for the impact they can make on the lives of others. While Dudley's heritage is christian, we welcome boys and girls of all faiths into our community. It is the diversity of Dudley's camper body that fosters an appreciation of difference. Camp Dudley's german and spain exchange programs help foster international understanding and cooperation with boys and girls who participate. Dudley has remained true to its original mission: to develop moral, personal, physical, and leadership skills in the spirit of fellowship and fun, enabling boys and girls to lead lives characterized by devotion to others. Camp Dudley, Inc. Operates two camps, Camp Dudley for boys and Camp Dudley at kiniya for girls. The organization is governed by a board of trustees that meets three times per year. The Camp directors report to the board and,with their staffs, are responsible for the successful operation of their camps. Through the Dudley kiniya alumni association (dkaa), alumni maintain contact with the organization, attend both physical and virtual open houses/reunions throughout the country and overseas, and assist in annual and capital fundraising activities. The organization's annual giving fund typically provides full and partial scholarships and discounts to over 520 boys and girls annually (approximately 56 percent of the camper population), totaling over $1.75m million and assuring the diversity of the camper body. The ethnic/racial diversity of the Camp runs between 20 to 28 percent each year. Campers (boys and girls) come from 32 states and 10 foreign countries. The top 5 states that campers gather from are new york, Connecticut, new jersey, Massachusetts, and California. Both camps maintain a leader to camper ratio of 1:3. Camp Dudley and Camp Dudley at kiniya seek to install a sense of duty and humor in their campers, and to help them to learn to express themselves and to gain confidence. Founded by sumner f. Dudley, a ymca volunteer, in 1885, Camp Dudley is the oldest, continuously operating Camp in america. The Camp is a leader in youth and leadership development, inspiring boys and men alike to seek something higher than their own self-interest. The Camp aims to have a positive, life-long effect on the boys it serves. For more than 135 years, Dudley has focused on developing boys' moral, personal, and physical skills in the spirit of fellowship and fun. Located on lake champlain in westport, new york, the Camp's 630+ acres are surrounded by the adirondack mountains. This setting invites both rigorous activity and time for peaceful reflection. The Camp contains 86 buildings, of which 40 are camper cabins, and it has an annual operating budget of approximately 4.25 million dollars. Camp Dudley enrolls approximately 300 boys ranging in ages from 10 to 15 years old, in each of its 3 and 1/2 week sessions. Daily activities at the Camp include arts and crafts, archery, band, baseball, basketball, canoeing, ceramics, chorus, drama, fishing, flag football, golf, hiking, high and low ropes courses, kayaking, lacrosse, lifesaving training, mountaineering, music, publications, riflery, rock climbing, sailing, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field, water polo, fitness training, writing, video, and volleyball. Camp Dudley at kiniya was founded in 1919 by helen van buren. Also a leader in youth and leadership development, Camp Dudley at kiniya values cooperation, respect, leadership, and a graduated sense of responsibility with a dedication to delivering a safe, loving, and quality camping experience for girls. Also on lake champlain, kiniya is located in colchester, Vermont and has many longstanding traditions such as kiwi day and big/little sisters. The Camp contains 42 buldings on 141 acres of land, with an annual operating budget of approximately 2.34 million dollars. Kiniya enrolls approximately 150 girls, ages 9-15 in each of its 3 and 1/2 week sessions. Daily activities at Camp include arts and crafts, archery, campcraft, canoeing, crew, dance, drama, gymnastics, hiking, kayaking, lacrosse, music, high and low ropes course, sailing, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, volleyball, and waterskiing.