LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 125th Anniversary of Camp
Dudley YMCA in Westport, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across the great State
of New York is reflective of certain exemplary institutions whose
purpose is dedicated to serving the community and the needs of its citi-
zenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 125th Anniversary of Camp Dudley YMCA in Westport, New York;
and
WHEREAS, The oldest residential camp in the United States, Camp Dudley
YMCA was founded in 1885 by Sumner Francis Dudley, a Young Men's Chris-
tian Association volunteer; and
WHEREAS, Camp Dudley YMCA started as a brief sojourn for boys from the
city in the woods along Orange Lake, just outside of Newburgh, New York;
Sumner Francis Dudley called his group of campers the Boys' Camping
Society and the program grew and moved to Lake Wawayanda in New Jersey,
where it remained for several years; and
WHEREAS, By the late 19th century, the Boys' Camping Society discov-
ered the unmatched beauty of the Adirondacks and spent many summers on
the shore of Lake Champlain at Barber Point, just north of the current
location of Camp Dudley YMCA; and
WHEREAS, After Sumner Francis Dudley died in 1897, his friend, George
Peck, took over the camping enterprise of the young visionary and
promptly renamed it Camp Dudley; in 1908, its current property was
procured and it began to build its permanent home; and
WHEREAS, During the early years of Camp Dudley, a motto, "The Other
Fellow First," was developed which has been at the heart of what the
camp does from its first moments on Orange Lake and continues to be
practiced on the shores of Lake Champlain; in addition to the motto,
other traditions that have thrived and survived to this day, include
Chapel Talks, Hymn Sing and daily camp inspection; and
WHEREAS, In an effort to bring campers from all over the country and
the world, as well as from all different types of backgrounds to Camp
Dudley, a growing scholarship fund named after longtime director,
William J. Schmidt, was built; utilizing annual donations from alumni
and friends, the scholarship awards in excess of $500,000 per year to
deserving boys and girls; and
WHEREAS, Camp Dudley amended its mission in a landmark 2002 decision
to include girls and young women with the goal of owning and operating a
camp for girls by the year 2009; and
WHEREAS, Three years ahead of schedule, Camp Dudley purchased a girls'
camp in Colchester, Vermont, and Camp Dudley at Kiniya was born; founded
in 1919, Kiniya joined the Camp Dudley family, sharing its many long-
standing traditions and embracing several of its successful concepts,
including team sports, leadership and a spiritual foundation; and
WHEREAS, The Camp Dudley YMCA campus currently comprises 500 acres and
84 buildings and approximately 600 boys pass through the gates in West-
port and 300 girls enjoy the eastern shore of Lake Champlain on the
Colchester campus each summer; both programs offer daily sports and a
full arts program, including studio art, dramatic theater and music; and
WHEREAS, Long-standing traditions at Camp Dudley YMCA have been lead-
ership and leadership training, with an emphasis on personal responsi-
bility and living the Dudley motto; boys and girls may attend camp as
campers for four years before entering the leadership ranks as an Aide,

a Junior Leader, an Assistant Leader and ultimately a Leader and Divi-
sion Head; and
WHEREAS, The success enjoyed by Camp Dudley YMCA is in direct corre-
lation to the efforts of the many individuals who have supported the
development of this outstanding institution over the years; and
WHEREAS, Equally commendable are the superbly-skilled staff at Camp
Dudley YMCA, whose involvement is and has always been characterized by
an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising
standard of excellence in all of their efforts on behalf of the institu-
tion and the population it serves; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when insti-
tutions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 125th Anniversary of Camp Dudley YMCA in Westport, New
York, fully confident that it will continue to enjoy the sparkling
success which has so characterized its past; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Camp Dudley YMCA in Westport, New York.