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!