GIVE to the 2014 Annual Fund!

DO YOU HEAR THE CALL OF THE LOON?

The Camp Huckins Annual Fund closes on December 31st!

Make YOUR gift today!

THANK YOU!

ONLINE – click here

MAIL – 17 Camp Huckins Road, Freedom, NH 03086

PHONE – 603-539-4710

QUESTIONS – amily@ camphuckins.com

 

Thought of the Day – Becca Fallon

“Out here, I’m finally taller than all of those giants I left in that place.”

Today is the last day of Camp. I pack my trunk, listening to the soft harmonies of Kate and Meredith. The real world, the world I ached for at my college graduation just two short months ago now towers over me, threatens to swallow me up. What happens when I drive out of the white gates tomorrow? Will I ever feel as strong, as important, as loved as I do in this haven between pines and lake?

Here, measured by the height of my soul (never better nurtured than by cool night breezes and Ossipee waters), I am tall. Out there, I am a cold 5’5” (on a good day). Among tall buildings and bustling strangers, I have not the intelligence of Hermione, the magic of Glinda or the spark of Tinkerbell. Will I survive in a distant city in a distant country?

Exhale. Of course I will.

I resolve to pack a box, contents:

• One fairy wand (multipurpose)
• One postcard from my co, complete with two buttons made in the Craft Shop (Queen Bey and Barack)
• Two awards commemorating program successes
• One strip of photographs with my housemates, taken at Big Change, featuring various strange hats
• Immeasurable Gratitude, Immeasurable Love

You can always carry things with you. Some take up space in a suitcase, and some take up space in your heart. Thank you especially for the latter, Camp Huckins.

–Becca Fallon

   

Becca was one of our Program Directors this past summer.  Over her past 11 years at Huckins, she has been a camper, counselor, and CIT trainer.  Becca graduated from Williams College where she received a BA in Anthropology and English.  Becca is currently working towards her Masters in Sociology of the Internet at Oxford University.  Her fairy wand has come in handy on many occasions in England.

We Give Thanks

As Thanksgiving approaches, all of us here at Camp Huckins are grateful for our community.  We have terrific campers, amazing counselors and staff, supportive parents, engaged alumni, and many thoughtful friends!  We feel very blessed for all of the people who make Camp Huckins so special.

We also honor the natural beauty of Camp on the shores of Lake Ossipee.  We appreciate that most of our time at Camp is spent outside in nature, “unplugged” from technology and instant communications.  The pace of life is slowed and simple pleasures outdoors are enjoyed.

 

The Waterfront, Small Crafts Beach, Craft Shop, Sports Field, and everywhere in-between, are places to learn new skills, grow, and have fun.  Dining communally and singing at the top of our lungs are also some of our favorite things to do!  Camp activities are the best!

At Candlelight, which brings each session to a close, we are thankful for the friends we have made.  We look forward to seeing our friends year after year for decades to come.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we wish each of you a wonderful holiday.  Huckins Hearts from all of us at Camp Huckins to you.

Alumni Reflections — Giving Back

Even though it’s been 20 years since I was a counselor in Cabin Q, Camp Huckins still plays an important role in my life. As an alumna, I want to do my part to ensure that Camp has the resources it needs and I was excited to learn that I can give to Camp through the annual United Way campaign.

Giving to Camp Huckins through United Way is easy. Once you determine how much you want to donate each pay period, you can designate that gift to a United Way agency – or agencies, if you’d like to split it between a couple of organizations. In my case, I split the donation between Camp (officially “Carroll County YMCA – Camp Huckins”), the YMCA of Greater Boston and my local United Way’s financial empowerment efforts. My employer, Bank of America, matches my donation, which means Camp receives even more support. Since the money is automatically taken out of my paycheck, the process is seamless.

Colleen with her daughters (and future Nellie girls!), Lucy (left) and Eliza (right).

I took my daughters Lucy and Eliza to our first Mother Daughter weekend this September. We had a blast staying in Cabin U, making s’mores with new friends and sneaking a golf cart ride with Jody. I loved the fact that Camp still felt very familiar, even though there had been some welcome changes like updated facilities. It takes a lot to maintain such a special place and I am glad to support it. Please join me, whether you make a gift to Camp through United Way, write a check directly to Camp or provide non-financial support. It all counts!

–Colleen Monahan Arons, 1986-1989, 1993

CAMP HUCKINS IS PARTICIPATING IN #GivingTuesday ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2nd. 

JOIN US!  @CampHuckins  #HuckinsHearts  #CNHAlumni  #GivingTuesday

The Camp Huckins 2014 Annual Fund ends on December 31st.  To learn more about giving opportunities, please contact: Amily Dunlap Moore at amily@camphuckins.com or 603-539-4710.

Make an immediate impact!  http://www.camphuckins.com – click “Donate”

THANK YOU!!

Thought of the Day- Tatum Mannion

Good morning!

Yesterday, as I sat on the beach at the waterfront, I gave outside area tests and discussed life with Marge. As I walked through the shallow water with timid test takers, and jotted down some of Marge’s anecdotes, I noticed a theme; a theme of fearing the unknown. Some of you know that I have moved back and forth across the country numerous times. I have gone from New Jersey, to Colorado, to Maryland, most recently to Michigan, and who knows what is next? We biologically fear the unknown because we feel as if we won’t be prepared. Although we have all felt those feelings of uncertainty in regard to what lays ahead, let me tell you: there’s no point. There are always people around yearning to help you or take you in, even if they barely know you.

That brings me to Camp. I want you to scan your eyes around this circle. Crazy, right? You probably passed someone who you once barely knew, but who has helped you or impacted your life in some way. And guess what? They’ll always be there.

Camp is Constant, Camp is True, Camp is Forever.

Camp is not going anywhere. So don’t fear what is ahead, because the best has yet to come. Today, I encourage you to meet someone new, try something different, give and receive help, love and be loved, and please at all costs, be a fountain, not a drain.

Have a Nellie Day!

–Tatum Mannion, SC in Cabin I, Chapel Talk given on July 12, 2014 This was Tatum’s 8th summer at Camp. Currently, she is a first-year student at the University of Michigan. At Camp she loves singing Father Abraham with all of her friends and campers, and vespers (though really she loves it all!). Tatum has two sisters who went to Camp, Allie and Kate, and also her cousins, Natalie, Meredith, and Ryan!

Tatum is second from the left.

Tatum with her campers on a day hike!

Mother-Daughter Weekend!

It’s almost time for Mother-Daughter Weekend!

In 24 hours, Margi (Rosenthal-who happens to live down my street) and I will be jammed in the car headed north playing our favorite game, pretending that we are campers! What am I packing? Who cares? A warm sleeping bag, all my Nellie Huckins wear (circa 1985), wool socks, and some jeans. Oh, and a bathing suit so we can swim to the island. That about covers it….Camp is the one place where pretenses dissolve and FUN reigns. Oh, but wait, there is something precious that we are bringing…our daughters. Yes, three Nellie girls who are still in the enviable position to go to Camp for 2 weeks every summer, filling their tanks with New Hampshire sun and Ossipee memories, new and old songs, the love of all friendships, and lots of carbs.

So thank you to CAMP for letting us continue this game. This wonderful dramatic play of being a girl again, and feeling big love and letting us bring our girls to experience it together.

— Muffy Pendergast, 1977-1985

Mother-Daughter weekend! (Muffy is on the right.)

Huckins Is My Space Bar

2014 – A world in which parents run with their children from school to sports, tutoring and music lessons…a world where work and home are often blurred…sometimes we can be seen ‘swatting the air’ from our laptops across the family room trying to signal somehow that we are on a conference call. 2014 is a world in which handwritten has become digitized and media has propelled us into fitting 36 hours of ‘stuff’ into a 24 hour period.

Our lives have become akin to words flowing from brain to keyboard; flying fingers that…if the space bar is not used…would run from one to another…hard to read and harder to understand.  Just as words need a space bar; we do as well.

Huckins is my space bar.

Labor Day Family Camp is the highlight of summer in my house.  It is a time of reflection as we transition from the carelessness of summer to the frenetic pace of school and schedules.  Rather than January, the beginning of September is the hallmark of every new year for the Cassidy household. For us there is no better way to ring in each new year than to be at Huckins; to be as involved as we wish to be with activities, capers and campfires.

Packing for this year’s Labor Day at Family Camp is just as exciting as it was 17 years ago. Crazy Hats, Nellie Wear, and Crazy Creeks will all find their way to my car this week; some are already in there, leftover from girls camp.  And while the activities have certainly changed over the years as my kids have gotten older; the Huckins Spirit continues to call us back and keeps us united.

Favorite family memories over the years include: chocolate chip pudding, giants, elves and wizards; archery; canoeing to Black Brook; ball field lunch, and the talent show.

Don’t forget to hit the space bar.

Thank you to Holly Cassidy for writing this reflection on Camp Huckins Family Camp!

Holly (Crooks) Cassidy, Family Camper 1997-2014, Camper and Counselor 1971-1979

Maddie Cassidy, Family Camper 1997-2012,  Camper and Counselor 2003-2014
Elle Cassidy, Family Camper 1999-2014,  Camper 2008-2014
Camm Cassidy, Family Camper 2003-2014,  Mother/Son Weekend 2011-2014

(L-R) Camm, Elle, and Maddie under the arch their father created!

(L-R) Elle and Maddie sailing at Camp!

Women’s Wellness Weekend!

Come to Huckins Camp where the breezes blow,
Come to Huckins Camp where we swim and row,
Come to Huckins Camp where you can…
Energize, Rejuvenate, and Revitalize your MIND! BODY! SPIRIT!

Join us for
Women’s Wellness Weekend!
Friday, September 26 – Sunday, September 28

Women’s Wellness Weekend is a wonderful opportunity to energize your spirits on the shores of Lake Ossipee.  This weekend is designed for you!  Indulge yourself and relax in an unhurried environment in nature…or try new exhilarating activities! 

Have a few days of CAMP HUCKINS FUN!! 

Activities will be planned and offered throughout the weekend, but your input is welcomed and encouraged!  Possible activities include: canoeing, kayaking, swimming, hiking, yoga, fitness training, campfires & s’mores, crafts, meals in the dining hall, singing, massage*, discussions on girls/women & leadership, and lots of laughter!

To download the registration for Women’s Wellness Weekend, click here.    
Please note this is an age 21+, women’s-only weekend. 
*May incur an additional fee.

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Jody’s 45th Huckster year!

Jody Hutchinson Skelton, our Executive Director, celebrates 45 years at Camp Huckins! 

Thank you for your leadership, service, boundless energy, and friendship!  Camp Huckins is so lucky to have you at the helm!  We love you Jody!  Alamen! 

From Jody’s Huckster Ceremony:

Jody Hutchinson Skelton

Cabins U, T, I, G, A, BW, CIT, JC in Cabin V, SC in Cabin S (4 years), CIT Counselor, Small Crafts Director (2 years), Waterfront Director (2 years), Program Director (2 years), Leadership Division Leader (2 years), Assistant Camp Director (14 years), Camp Director (11 years)

45 years at Huckins equals 158 two-week sessions – think of all the amazing memories, friends, and love that Camp Huckins has shared with me!  Thank you to each and every one of you for making Camp Huckins so special.  Thank you to my family for supporting me all of these years (my mom, dad, sisters, John, Jamie, Michael and Becca).

Below are some photos from the ceremony (and one from the early 80’s)!

 

 

2-0-1-4 at Huckins Camp…

Meet more of our amazing staff!

  (Mark, Jody, and Beth)

Beth Coffey McKay, Assistant Director
This summer is Beth’s 24^th year at Camp.  Beth began at Huckins in Cabin P in 1979 and was a camper, counselor, Waterfront Director, Program Director, Junior Division Leader, Middler Division Leader, and Director of Operations.  For the last seven summers, Beth has been Jody’s “right hand woman” on all matters relating to the day-to-day running of a residential camp.  Beth also met her husband, Dan McKay, at Huckins and they have two sons who attend Belknap.  Beth currently calls Gig Harbor, Washington home when she is not at Camp.  Beth grew up in Acton, Massachusetts and received her BA from Wellesley College.
Favorite “day” at Camp:  College Day
Favorite food: Rice Krispie Treats
Favorite color: Blue
Favorite Camp song: Purple Lilacs
Favorite Camp memory: The look of the Waterfront very early in the morning
What she looks forward to the most each summer: I love the afternoon of the first Change Day.  Camp is finally underway, and it is filled with the sounds of campers and staff.  All seems right with the world.

Mark Cadman, Director of Operations (summer) and Program Director (year-round)
This is Mark’s 10th year at Camp Huckins.  He originally hails from Telford, England and came to Huckins initially as one of our international staff.  Mark is a year-round staff member who focuses on many aspects of Camp – everything from managing staff to making sure we have enough ice cream on Store night!  Mark’s efforts help to make sure Camp runs smoothly.  He also spearheaded our first ever all-women’s Huckins Tri-Ath-Loon.  Thank you to our athletes who raised over $28,000 for scholarship (save the date for next year – Sunday, May 31, 2015)!  Mark met his wife, Maxine Wolfe, at Huckins and they got married at the Huckins Chapel in 2012.  Mark and Max make their home in Madison, New Hampshire with their dogs Jasper and Ollie.  Mark received his BA from the University of Wolverhampton.
Favorite “day” at Camp: Olympic Day
Favorite food: Joel’s homemade soup
Favorite color: Tie-dye
Favorite Camp song: We Come from the Mountains
Favorite Camp memory: Teaching archery
What he looks forward to the most each summer: When the campers arrive

  (Becca and Sara)

Becca Fallon, Program Director
Becca returned this summer for her 11th year at Huckins!  She has been a camper, counselor, and CIT trainer, and is excited to be back as a Program Director working with staff to ensure a fun summer for the campers!  Becca is from South Hamilton, Massachusetts and graduated this past May from Williams College where she received her BA in Anthropology and English.  Her senior thesis was titled: Facebook Official: Affirmation, Validation and Ambivalence on the Social Network and it focused on how millennial usage of Facebook changes their values and truths.  This fall, Becca will begin her Masters in Sociology of the Internet at Oxford University.
Favorite “day” at Camp: Olympic Day
Favorite food: Raspberries
Favorite color: Green (of course!)
Favorite Camp song: Pink Pajamas
Favorite Camp memory: Working the Small Crafts Beach under Captain Conway.
What she looks forward to the most each summer: Laughing harder in a single day than I have in nine months!

Sara Doverspike, Program Director
Sara Doverspike (aka “D Spike”) is thrilled to be back at Camp as a Program Director.  This is her 11^th year at Camp and she has been a camper, counselor, and CIT Counselor.  Sara is from Zionsville, Indiana and she attends Butler University where she is majoring in International Studies and Gender and Women’s Studies.  Sara is having a ball and loves spending time with all of the campers and staff!
Favorite “day” at Camp: Any day when I can wear face paint
Favorite food: Chocolate
Favorite color: Green and white (obviously!)
Favorite Camp song: Sardines
Favorite Camp memory:  The indescribable feeling of love at Candlelight.
What she looks forward to the most each summer: Watching girls grow, being inspired, and having a genuine good time!

Program Highlights!

First, second and third sessions were a blast!  The campers came with a lot of enthusiasm and energy and the counselors and program staff settled into their roles.  We were blessed with mostly beautiful weather (with only a little bit of rain!) and we enjoyed playing in the sunshine!

In addition to our daily instructional periods and free time each day, we have special program days.  Some of our highlights so far this summer included: Wizard of Oz Day, 4^th of July, College Day (way to go University of Maine!), Olympic Day (congratulations Poland!), Backwards Day, and Medieval Day!  We can’t wait to see what is in store for fourth session campers!

Make a gift! 
Thank you to our donors who support the mission of Huckins.  Every gift makes a difference!  We count on your help throughout the year.  Please join us!  Thank you!
http://www.camphuckins.com/donate/capital-campaign/index.html

Send us your news!!!
Do you have a new job?  Did you run a marathon?  Do you have a new addition to your family?  Have you tied the knot? Have you moved?  Did you travel somewhere exotic this summer?  Do you give your time to an organization you care passionately about?  Let us know!
Send your updates to: amily @ camphuckins. com

Register for our 2^nd Tri-Ath-Loon – Sunday, June 7, 2015!  Swim with the loons, bike beneath the pines and run for the FUNd!  http://www.huckinstriathlon.com/

Do we have your current email?  Would you like to receive updates from Camp Huckins?  Please send us your email address so you don’t miss out on Nellie happenings!  Send your updates to: amily @ camphuckins.com

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