When I think of Camp Duffield being sold, the lump in my throat grows so big I have to swallow hard not to break down into a gush of tears. Like so many others, my story with Duffield began at a very young age. I always smile when I look at pictures of myself at first timer?s camp. The funny boyish, salad bowl haircut and the short shorts with tube socks pulled up as far as I could get them. Aside from the functional camp attire, Duffield helped shape me into the person I am today. It is where I built upon my moral foundation and put it all into practice. Duffield is where I learned about friendship, forgiveness, and what it means to be good to people. I mean truly good to people. I was a dedicated camper from the beginning.

I wish I could give detailed, accurate accounts of every impacting event that happened for me at Duffield but I am afraid the list is too long. The memories have been jumbled together in my mental file folder titled- Some of the Best Years of my Life, like a box of photos waiting to be neatly organized into a scrapbook. Memory is a funny thing. My Dad somehow manages to have clear memories of events that happened to him in his younger days, some 60 years ago. He can recite the names of all his grade school teachers but then at the same time he struggles to remember what he had for lunch today. I think I have a similar memory. I may not be quite as good as him at remembering people and events from the past but when it comes to Duffield I have vivid memories of special moments and I can always remember the feelings. There were so many good lessons, good times and also some embarrassing moments. But even those embarrassing moments bring me good feelings because it reminds me of what Duffield meant to me. Duffield allowed me to be me, to the fullest extent, all the good, bad, silly and awkward things about me. Duffield gave me a safe place to let it all shine through and embraced me tightly with acceptance, forgiveness, and understanding. Then after that supportive embrace, just like my mom would do on my first day of school, Duffield supplied me with tools, turned me around and encouraged me to be the best person I could be as I stepped out into the world.

I remember a night around the campfire for vespers. The air smelled thick with bug spray and a hint of burnt marshmallows. We were respectfully quieting down for our time to ponder God and be thankful for the fun that was provided during the day. Jim and Marge handed out small sheets of paper as I am sure they had done with every camp that came before. This was an opportunity, Jim explained, for us to write down our sins on those little pieces of paper and then ask for forgiveness and throw the papers into the fire. I sat quietly a little hesitant at first that someone might actually find out all of my sins. Once I humbled myself, I began to write my extensive list of all the sins that a young teenager stuffs into her bag of inadequacies and regrets. Then, after our silent conversations with God, we each walked up to the campfire and one by one we watched those sins turn into bright orange bursts as we tossed them into the fire. Glowing as they curled up into black charred scraps. Smoldered. Gone. Forgiven. Even now as I remember that experience, I cry, because that kind of love was so strong at Duffield. I always felt so close to God at that place and I can only hope that the memories keep me connected to God as I go through my every day life.

I don't have much money to give to help save Duffield but I will try. I will try because I believe that other young people deserve the opportunity to learn kindness, goodness, forgiveness, acceptance, humility and love. I will try because everyone deserves to feel that tight embrace. And in the end, if we lose Duffield, I know in my heart that the community I grew up with and carry with me will always be connected by the memories. Camp Duffield, Camp Duffield sweet home of my childhood. Your spirit is with me we're never apart.

A while back, Karen asked me to write some stories from Duffield. I finally have a breather, and I'm not sure where things are at with all of your planning, but hopefully this will give you some sense of what the place means for at least one person... maybe others could chime in with their stories.

When I think of the 8 years I spent as a camper, I am flooded with memories: messy creek walks, making God's Eyes in the craft cabin, singing Gray squirrel up in Janeway, jumping and sliding in the clay pits, camping at the outpost. I remember formative conversations about life and God with friends and counselors from very different theological perspectives. I also remember sneaking over to the girls' cabin to french kiss my girlfriend of the week. The guys in my cabin would stay up late telling ghost stories and we would cry on Friday night knowing we had to leave the next day. I cannot forget a sense of awe - that God was very close - as we sang our Alleluias at evening vespers.

The two years of volunteer counselling marked a transition time... shifting from being a carefree camper to being in a position of responsibility... something that I didn't always do very well. A memory highlight from this time was the moment the camp burst with light as the local teens had coordinated a synchronized fireworks attack on the camp. Adrenaline pumping, we chased them down and grabbed a couple of the guys... calling the police and forcing them to name all their friends involved. Instead of pressing charges, we invited them to a chicken dinner on Thursday, giving them an opportunity to experience some grace and spend some time with the campers we loved dearly.

The five years I spent working for the camp - as counsellor, program director, and interim director - providing a tremendous opportunity for growth. We wrapped up each summer - exhausted - knowing we had given our all to the campers. There are too many stories to tell... of miraculous kick-ball comebacks, of daily sojourns to the laundry room to wash wet sleeping bags, of moments when kids tried something they never could have imagined they would do.

For all these years, Duffield was a place to get away from the confines of school and society and revel in God's love. I marveled at the Spirit blowing through that beautiful creation, and I delighted to be a part of a community seeking to follow Christ. It was a place where grace was in ample supply... and I certainly needed more than my fair share.

On that note, I'd like to close with a story from Sr Hi Camp. Stay with me because I think this is an important story.

We were playing ultimate frisbee out on the ballfield. One of my good friends, Tim Fox, was getting a little physical with another friend, Dave Murrey. Tim was a good friend from my home church. Dave and I came from different ends of the theological spectrum and had been known to argue on more than one occasion. Tim was a big guy and occasionally liked to be in the bully role. Dave wasn't about to be pushed around, so the two of them escalated their contact as we played.

Finally, there was a stand-off. Play stopped immediately, and I ran over and jumped in between them before it got any worse. The physical tension seemed to ease up, but Dave was adamant (and rightly so), insisting that it wasn't fair and that he wasn't going to take it any more. That's when I jumped in, taking Tim's side. I let Dave had it. "Chill out! You can't leave well enough alone, can you?! You have to keep going and be a total..." With everyone watching, I spewed forth all kinds of venom. I said some horrible things - things that probably did much more damage than any of their previous physical contact on the field.

In his wisdom, Jim Patterson, our director, called all the guys over and told us to sit down in a circle. Jim diffused the tension and helped us to talk things through. The Spirit blew in from somewhere and we reconciled. Dave and Tim shook hands and Dave gave me his trademark big smile.

We were ready to get back to the game, and I was more than a bit embarrassed as the girls watched us return from our huddle to the field. But, the game continued, and I did my best not to draw any attention to myself.

We were down to the end of the game. The next point would win. Our team had the frisbee and I rushed toward the end zone. Someone flew it my way and I watched it coming, closer and closer...

If I catch this, it will make it all better. They won't all think I'm a total jerk, I thought to myself as steadied my balance.

I dove as high as I could in the air - extending my arm as far as possible - only to have to float by, just out of reach. Screwed up again. What a jerk.

I fell to the ground.

I don't know why, but I looked up... it was still floating.

I scrambled to my feet and took four or four strides before grabbing it - just before it landed - in the end zone. Touchdown! My friends cheered.

Like I mentioned, I often needed more than my fair share of Grace. And, I'm trusting that Grace will keep the frisbee floating in the air just long enough for Duffield get up and get it's feet underneath itself again.

Duffield has been a very important place to me throughout my life. Some of my earliest memories of summer involve swimming in the pond and walking through the woods. Being a camper at Duffield is a memory I have from the earliest years I can bring to mind. In the early 90s when my mother was the cook for the camp I can remember being free to wander the camp and investigate all the trails and the buildings and all the hidden places of the camp that only I know of. There were hours spent around the campfires singing my favorite songs and roasting marshmallows with dozens of kids my age. I still recall the countless hours of games and fun and learning.

I can recall the days when it rained, sitting in the lodge playing the simple games that I taught to my campers years later when I was old enough to be a counselor. And likewise, there were so many first experiences I had as a child that I was then able to share with kids as a leader at the camp. With time I saw the young children whom I watched over grow up to become good, strong and wonderful adults themselves. These people who now are passing on the traditions and activities that I introduced them too, now bring that delight to the next generation as the current counselors.

There is a special bond that develops between people and the places they grow up. Every year of my life sees me returning to this beautiful corner of God?s creation where those who are busy and troubled and overwhelmed by life can come to escape from the hassles, pains and difficulties. I have dedicated more of my life to this camp than to any other endeavor in my years. This place has been constant shelter and sanctuary to return to, despite the ever-shifting climate of the world around it. Regardless of differences and disagreements between people, both young and old have been able to come into this environment of love and understanding and feel welcome. The goal of community and growth together permeates the character of every person that sets foot on this property.

It would be impossible for me to envision my life without Duffield as a part of it. From the time I was 12 years old and sitting around the campfire singing songs with my heroes, the counselors, I have said that someday I would run this camp. It has been my goal in life to do nothing other than prepare myself to operate this camp that has been such an influence in my life. As soon as I turned 18 in 1999 I applied to be a counselor, I had volunteered, for years before, to be a counselor in training at ages 15, 16 and 17 to prepare myself. In 2000 I was made the ropes course director, a position I held until 2003 when I moved up to program director. In 2004 I was living in Los Angeles, California working on my Master?s degree and took a week off in the summer to return to Duffield and volunteer as a director for a week. I have since returned for a week at a time, every year, to volunteer and share my life?s experiences with the campers that are there now. I have learned more about life from the summers at this camp than all my years of schooling combined. I have learned more about myself than anything else in the world could ever teach me. And every summer I return to the only place that through my whole life has ever truly felt like home.

Hmm. I have more than too many about camp duffield. i have met so many good friends and have had made some of the most unforgettable memories. i think the first time i went to duffield was when i was eight and i was scared. i only went to the half week camp, because i didnt want to be away from home for too long. but omgosh i remember going home and wanting to go right back. since then ive only missed one year and have gone for more than one week a summer! i love it there. its peaceful but yet so outragous at the same time. i remember moving from the red to yellow and then finally making it into the blue section of the pond. i remember tubing and using clay for war paint. i remeber being chased by rapters in the woods (Carlton!) and looking for the councilers in the trees. playing night time capture the flag and singing that dumb birdy song--which of course we all secretly loved! and of course the bombfires and some of the bible studies. the BANANA Song and King Kal-a-bun-ga! That ole' snapping turtle in the pond and the shaving cream wars! i learned how to make things with boondogle and how to make friends. i learned more about my faith and more about myself. duffield has been and always will be a huge part of my life! i know that not everything can last forever, but i am so glad that i had the chance to be a part of something that had such a big impact on not only my life but the lifes of tons of other kids!

I love Camp Duffield!<3.

My experience with Camp Duffield are limited. I spent a day retreat there at the end of our Spiritual Formation Class. I did enjoy camp and all of God's creation.

I think the biggest way I have had experience with Camp Duffield is through the children from our church. We at Westminster Presbytery Church of Lakewood started sending kids to camp about six years ago. We had one child go. The following year it was two and has steadily grown. Last year we had Ten children go to camp. We had one child in particular Nigel who had a bad experience at another summer camp and did not want to go. Finally we convinced him with pictures of camp, stories from other campers, and his dad asking him if he wanted to be the only kid at church not to go to camp. Well Nigel gave in and decided to go. As luck would have it all the children could go the same week. We surprised the campers that Sunday at church with t-shirts we had made with their names on them to wear to camp. I got the joy of riding out to camp with my good friend Edie to pick up her two boys and to see how the group made out at camp. I ran into Nigel and asked how was camp. His only comment, "Camp Duffield Rocks." All the campers came home with stories to tell and new songs to share at church. I hope we can continue to send kids to camp to experience God's wonderful blessings in those surrounds for many years to come.

I have had a blast at Camp Duffield for the past two summers. I have met tons of new friends that i stay in touch with. All of the friend i have gone with to camp have automatically loved it, same with me. i will always believe that camp should be up and running with new and old friends returning year after year.

The most treasured memories of my childhood took place during the summers at Camp Duffield.

I first started attending Camp Duffield the summer after my father died. I was scarred and felt very alone and I was certain I was going to be miserable. It was raining the day my mom and sister dropped me off at Keeler Lodge and I remember fighting back the tears as they drove away. Little did I know on that cool rainy day that my life was about to be changed forever.

God worked a miracle in my life when he sent me to Duffield. For the next seven years my summers were spent in a community of loving caring Christians, whose mission was for me to come to know God in a way that I could understand.

I have so many memories of Camp Duffield. I enjoyed recalling some long forgotten memories when I read both Sandy and Ben’s stories (two of my very dear old friends). One of my fondest memories happened just outside Janeway. All the campers sat huddled up on the benches. It was the evening Vespers service and we were singing by the glow of the campfire. I think we had just finished singing Pass it On (Marge’s favorite). I looked up into the sky and saw that the moon was illuminating the clouds over the trees. The clouds had formed a perfect cross. Not an abstract cross, but a perfect cross. The trees around the clouds framed the cross clouds like a perfectly matted painting. I was the first to notice but my discovery quickly spread among the campers. We all knew on that chilly night that those clouds were no coincidence. God was there and he was pleased.

The presence of Camp Duffield in my life during those 7 years following my fathers death allowed me to heal and come to understand that God had not turned his back on me. Instead, I learned that God had embraced me and that he would never leave me or forsake me. I am so pleased to know that the legacy of Camp Duffield will continue. Children will still come, lives will still be transformed and friendships and memories will continue to be made.

My most heartfelt thank you to all involved in the preservation of this amazing place, full of grace and all of Gods amazing glory. I will continue to pray for your mission.

The most treasured memories of my childhood took place during the summers at Camp Duffield.

Like a lot of people I was so sad to hear that Camp Duffield was for sale and no longer available for rentals. Camp Duffield has become special place for my family. What is my Duffield story? I will try to tell you. My husband's dad was Rev. Ed Pitz from North Park Presbyterian Church. He was involved in the summer camp for handicapped adults. The church also had retreats at Camp Duffield twice a year, spring and fall. My husband was "too cool" to go to church camp. Now he loves the outdoors and camping but Ed had never been to Duffield. The year before my daughter, Caitlin was born, we went down to the camp during one of the retreats, just for the day. That is all it took. We have been to Camp Duffield every year since then, sometimes 3 times a year, until last year. We started going twice a year with North Park. As those in charge grew older, or moved away, I took over more of the duties of organizing the weekends. North Park went twice a year so it was a lot of work but well worth it.

I have 2 girls. Caitlin will be graduating from college this May. Marissa is a freshman. They cannot remember never going to camp. They started out sleeping in cribs. They grew up at camp. It was such a big deal when we could let them walk from the cabin to Janeway by themselves. Then later they become old enough to walk the yellow trail by themselves in the daytime. And later still walking the yellow trail at night by themselves (with friends).

Camp Duffield is absolutely the only place that we went that the girls did not complain about. Camp Duffield was the only place that it was OK to bring their friends and have them stay with their parents. ( You know how teen girls are) The girls and their friends loved to cook in the big kitchen. They even loved to do the dishes with that dishwasher. Duffield was always good family time. Meanwhile, my family had moved to a church closer to our home in North Tonawanda, Nash Road Free Methodist Church. We still went to camp with North Park church. I still did the planning, advertising, menu planning, shopping and on and on. All the while, Ed and I kept saying that we could not believe that our new church did not do a family retreat. The Free Methodists do have their own camps but no one seemed interested in organizing a family retreat. Year after year. Finally we decided that if Nash Road was going to have a family retreat it would be up to us to do it. I felt that this was something that I could do for our church, a way to serve the congregation. We introduced Duffield to the church through the teens. We held a overnighter for the teens and they loved it. The teens could not believe that the adults were not going to do any work. The teens had to cook, do dishes and clean up the cabins at the end. There were guys washing dishes that had never washed a dish in their lives. They loved working together. The following year we took the teens again. The next year Nash Road held its first annual family retreat. We were apprehensive about taking the adults and families. Would they like it? What about the accommodations? So on. Those that came enjoyed themselves. I should not worry about taking a group to God's camp. Somehow it always works out when you leave it in God's hands. We went one more time before the camp closed. What do we like about the family retreats at Camp Duffield? We are able to appreciate the beauty that God has put into nature for us to enjoy. We love the fellowship we have with one another. Many times at church you only have time to greet each other and you don't really get to know one another. At camp we mix people up with cooking and cleaning up details. Working together is a great way to get to know each other. We love the services outside by the bonfires with the dogs wondering around. There is something so special in taking communion out in nature. I like being away from the distractions of modern society to spend quality time with your family and friends. (That has changes with cell phones, portable DVD players, game boys and iPods.) Camp Duffield is just special. A home away from home.

Camp Duffield is so special that we have shared it with friends. We brought the O'Malley's with us every year. They have boys the same age as my girls. They loved it so much they started a family retreat with her church, All Saints Empirical Church. The O'Malley's changes churches, so they included both churches in their annual retreat. One of their group members moved to Grand Island and started a family retreat with their new church on Grand Island. It is a special place. Camp Duffield was also my dog, Tessa's favorite place to be. We would drive over the metal bridge near the camp and Tessa would start making the oddest noises ( a trill sound with her throat- not the least bit dog like) with such excitement. Tessa was a springer spaniel and she loved running free at camp. Tessa loved the creek and the pond. Tessa loved the yellow trail. Tessa is no longer with us but we have such great memories of her at Duffield.

I remember the first year that I went to Duffield... I spent the week in outpost.

When you would spend the week in outpost, cabins, or Keeler Lodge you'd always get mosquito bites or sand in your shoes but when you would look back on all the fun that you had that week, you kinda felt like family to the other campers. I always remeber how sometimes Id think yea I'm going to DUFFIELD! Then Id get there and think... Mom wait come back!!! Soon they are there in a couple days and I think to my self no I want to stay! Whenever the week is over and my Dad would have to pick me up we would always go to "Earls" for some good old strawberry pie. When I heard that Duffield may not come back as a camp... I cried my eyes out... and then I heard that "Earls" was closing too, I had bad luck! Good thing the Lord heard my prayers! They all came back...

Every year, my youth group (Union Presbyterian) always rents the Keeler Lodge for winter. We always do insane things like volleyball in the rafters and snowboarding down the path from the rest of the camp. Many of our members feel like a new Christian when coming back from The Keeler Lodge with our youth group. The Keeler Lodge is always warm and welcoming anytime of year and I encourage anyone to rent the Keeler Lodge at anytime. It stays warm in winter and cool in summer.

Camp Duffield is great I was there earlier. I made a lot of friends.

At the creek Carlton cleared a path so we could float down the creek on our tubes. Pudjj went with us=] Drew put clay all over him at thew beggining and didnt wash it off until we got back to the pond. He was very uncomfortable. On the bright side I bet his skin was soft=]

I attended various camps through Duffield ever since I was around 5 or 6 years old. My fondest memories were hanging out with some of the greatest people, and councelors I will ever know such as Ben, Jesse, Gary, and Sara Larson, Carlton Tanner, Ross Bennett and his sister Ashley, Ryan Whitney, Jason Cashing, and others, and some of the projects that Duffield would have us partake in.

When I was in the elementary level camps I remember spending time with Jesse Larson on painting the signs for the camp and cleaning up the seaweed from the lake bottom so that future swimmers didn't have to deal with it. Jesse always seemed to make things like that fun yet productive.

When I was in the middle school level camps I remember hearing some amazing, inspiring stories from some of the campers and their lives as well as some of the counselors and their advice on how to live life, worship God, and stay out of trouble.

As a member of the Sr. Night Owl Camp, I remember participating in a community service project with a charity in Buffalo called Friends of the Night and helping them prepare food for those in need.

Finally, the most prominent memories from camp Duffield were our times spent in front of the bonfires next to Janeway, the ballfield, and the lake. How we would all songs like Camp Duffield, Tin Soldier, Lord, I Lift Your Name On High, and You Are Holy, and praying at the nights end.

Camp Duffield was always a miraculous place for me. I had friends there no matter how many times I returned. Everyone had fun. Even during the hardest times in my life I can look back on Camp Duffield and remember how great it was and the friends I made, friends that are still part of my life, and it always cheers me up.

I have heard a lot about Duffield because my mom went there when she was little. So I have always wanted to go and we had the chance the year that was supposed to be Duffield’s last year but my mom couldn’t go knowing that that would be the last year. So it was final that we weren’t going. My mom would tell me all about Duffield and all the wonderful people she met there. Then the great news came around that Duffield wasn’t closing! I was so happy that I could get the chance to go to the place I had heard so much about! So we took a plane from Texas to New York. We went and stayed with my grandma in Buffalo. Then the time came that I had always wished for we were going to Camp Duffield. We ate at Earl’s which was so GOOD! We got there and it was a beautiful drive! We got there and met Kelly! I was at my cabin talking to the people in there and at that moment I felt like time had stopped for me to cherish the wonderful stories that were shared! I met a wonderful camp buddy! From that day forward had changed the way I looked at normal camps and I had no desire to go any where besides Camp Duffield! The experience was a one and only lifetime! I had the Best summer ever! That Camp changed me! I will come back next year and the year after that and so on! Long live Duffield!!!

I've put off doing this for a long time. Not because I don't have anything to say, but because I have too much.

I can't think of any one story that captures all of what Duffield means to me; more than half of my life has been formed in those woods, at the pond, around the campfire, and no one story will do such a lifetime of experience any justice. But what I do know about Duffield is that God is present in tangible ways - mist rising off the pond in the morning; in the laughter of young at heart (of all ages); in the joys of old friendships renewed and new relationships formed; in the ways in which countless people have grown into the young adults and adults that they are now. The Holy Spirit is at work in this small corner of Western New York, and that is awesome and amazing beyond belief.

If there were ever any doubt of this, one would only need to come by the camp, even if just for a few hours, to stroll the grounds and feel the peace of the place erode and erase the stresses of outside life. One would only need to sit at a campfire in the evening, listening to campers singing and discussing who God is in their lives. One would only need a small dose of the uplifting and nurturing nature of Duffield to know beyond a doubt what God is doing in this place.

Duffield reflects the story of my life: I met God, among friends and among Creation; I followed God, being led into ministry; I have been renewed for service time and time again; I have had my convictions challenged, broken down, strengthened and refined; I have met my wife; I have committed to the fullness of life - all of these things have either happened at Duffield, or because of Duffield.

That's my story, my song, my life.

I grew up at Camp Duffield, between tagging along with First Pres. of East Aurora's youth group that my dad Mark Sleeper led, to coming to camp with my family to volunteer, to coming as a camper when I turned 7, I have grown up at Duffield. I remember the nights in outpost where you shared ghost stories, and the nights at vespers where you literally burned all your sins away. I not only learned so much at this beloved camp but I grew up and i became closer with God. I accomplished the ropes coarse and I passed the swimming test and most of all I learned who died on the cross for us.. and I became closest to him at this great place. I always got shivers when we turned down the road that led us to keeler lodge.. and then to the heart of camp.

Some great memories that I know everyone has are: being chased by raptors in the woods that seemed so scary, tubing down the river, living in tents in outpost.. ringing the bell for lunch or dinner.. singing the banana song while eating a meal.. and of course capture the flag.. ohh and seeing those familiar faces of your friends every summer you came back... Also, singing the worship songs we all grew to know so well while at the campfire every night... as well as the feeling of safety that I know camp gave to everyone of its campers.

I have not been back to camp in a few years because I came to college and moved to Chicago, from South Wales NY but every time a church camp is brought up, I have all these flooding memories from Duffield and I know one day I will go back and relive all these memories, by simply walking around the lake and outpost and keeler lodge...

I hope my memories spark some of your memories and inspire you to write about them because I know I love to read about other peoples experiences at this great place!

My memories are not as clear as I wish they were but when I was in kindergarden in 1974, my class spent 4 days at Camp Duffield. I remember a big stage where our class performed skitts. I also remember awesome cabins, a pond we swam in, and great food and friends. My children, I am sure would enjoy it as much as I remember enjoying Camp Duffield. Thank you

Wow! I had no idea that the camp was even still in existence. My brother and I were campers at Camp Duffield 41 years ago, from 1969 to 1974. My father was the pastor at St. Andrews United Church of Christ in Buffalo during those years.

I spent a total of 9 weeks attending summer camps at Duffield, not to mention several winter retreats over those years.

Back then the cabins were still around the lodge and the old concrete block buildings were where the permanent staff stayed. The only staff member I can remember was a young man by the name of Phil. He was the lifeguard and was my camp counselor several times.

The things I remember most were hiking down to the Cattaraugus River and then walking the back to Elton Creek and back up to the clay pits where we would have clay wars and then going further up the creek to the falls and washing it all off.

The pond was another great experience. Spring fed and pretty cold to a city kid like me. You had to be able to swim the length of the swim area ropes without stopping in order to be allowed to go out to the middle and use the diving platform. I also remember catching quite a few sunfish and bluegills there and having them chase you if you got to close to their nests. We always had one night when they would grease a watermelon and we had to jump into the pond and try to bring it to shore.

The dining hall was also a fun experience. In the years I attended camp there was a woodchuck that lived in a burrow near the stairs leading up to Janeway. The camp director had turned him into a camp mascot and we used to give him peppermints as treats. The meals were always fun and we all had to take turns bussing the tables and pouring “Bug Juice” out of those old metal pitchers. Evening campfires around the fire ring with smores being the favorite treat, while we sang camps songs and told stories. Do they still tell the tales of the “Lime Lake Loonie?”

We used to bring clay back from the creek and use it to make pottery during craft sessions. We made collages of different leaves or used them as stencils to make paintings.

Of course there were the other fun activities like playing cards, relay races, scavenger hunts and raiding the girl’s cabins to try and scare them at night.

Among the better times we had there was “Bicycle Camp”. It was week for the older kids where we took a different bike trip each day over hill and dale. There was plenty of exercise and wonderful scenery for one and all. I bought my first touring bike (with gears and hand brakes) just so I could go to that camp.

Winter retreats at Duffield were also great fun. We always had plenty of snow for sledding and skiing, or just walking in the woods. We used to stay in the loft areas of the lodge. The kitchen there was pretty nice and every evening having fires in the fireplace.

Having found this site I’ll have to come out and visit some day as I am only a couple hours away!

Thanks for the memories!