This past month, I went to Camp Dudley at Kiniya for my fourth year. Camp Dudley is simply the boys camp on the NY side of Lake Champlain, and Camp Kiniya is the girls camp on the VT side of Lake Champlain. During these four week periods, we learn so much, especially from our motto, “The Other Fellow First”. We are taught to ‘not count the days, to make the days count’ and to cherish every moment, because these magical twenty-six days only happen once every year.
As I already said, this year was my fourth year back at Camp Kiniya which means at the end of the session, I would receive my kiwi disc. A kiwi disc is a small round charm and it is engraved with Kiniya. On the back side it says ‘Kiwi’, the year you became a kiwi ‘2015’, and your camp number ‘#22737’.
Kiwi Discs
This year I was in the senior division in cabin Schmidt, named after Willie Schmidt who was one of the Camp Dudley directors. I met an exorbitant amount of new friends and reunited with so many of my past camp friends. My best friend from camp, Rose, who lives in Minnesota, for fourth year in a row, we were in the same cabin! My majors this year were climbing and studio art which I learned so much in! Now I am obsessed with climbing.
The Kiniya cheer goes a little something like this…
05446! Morning dips, HEY! Kiwi Discs! Saaaaaay, Kinyia! Rise and shine, MEET out in the pines! Cross many miles see the smiles! Girls, to waterskii, riding WHOO! White and blue forever true! Dudley, at Kiniya! TAPSSS…
A Kiniya Day
We wake up to a nice and chilly Vermont morning, get dressed, and head over to the dining hall. After a delicious breakfast, we race back to our cabin to do our inspection jobs. Inspection jobs can vary from being a waitress at meals, sweeping, positivity patrol, neat police, trash, and bathroom patrol. Once the cabin is ready for inspection, we divide into our majors – either our individual majors or arts majors. After a fun hour of majors, we have team competition which is basically playing other teams at different sports. Soon after, we head back to the dining hall for lunch and then rest hour. Rest hour is simply an hour in our cabins of resting. This is the time to write letters, make friendship bracelets, read a book, and even take a nap! After a nice rest hour, we have team activity which is our team, going to different places together such as the waterfront or arts and crafts. Then comes our final meal of the day. The day of the week determines what we will be doing for evening activity after dinner. This includes all-camp games, Wednesday and Saturday Night Shows, Hymn Sing, and Council Ring. After the fun and games, we come back to our cabins ‘and reflect on the day together during evening Vespers.’
Facts:
- Founded in 1919 by Helen Van Buren
- Campers per session- 155
- Number of cabins- 16
- Minimum to maximum age as a camper- 9 1/2 until 15 years old.
Vermont Sunset
My cabin- Schmidt
