Camp Medley open house a hit with new visitors, returning campers
The water was too choppy for kayaking, and rain kept a few people indoors, but not much could dampen the mood of those who showed up for Camp Medley’s open house held June 20.
The day-long event was similar to last year’s 80th anniversary celebration, with the old dining hall filled with photos and memorabilia; games for the kids; videos of past years playing; the open tuck shop; a barbecue lunch and just a few speeches.
Camp director, the Rev. John Galbraith, introduced Archbishop David Edwards, who spent his speech outlining the need for a new pool.
“If you could help us with that, it would be great,” he said, adding the joke around camp is that the only thing holding it together is the blue paint.
“This will be a pool for the community. That’s our big plan. We need to get a shovel in the ground to get this going.”
The design includes a state-of-the-art pool that will accommodate and be accessible to the whole community: campers, seniors, families, and water sport teams. It will have a climbing wall, water toys, beach entrance, shallow pool, 25-metre lap pool and full bathroom facilities.
Archbishop David noted his granddaughter has told him the river water is warmer than the pool water.
Capt. Tammy Gordon, of the Upper Gagetown Fire Department, a councillor in the community of Arcadia, and a former camper, spoke of her camp memories.
“Camp Medley is dear to my heart,” she said. “On Saturdays, the kids went home and the locals would come on Saturday night to play baseball with the staff. Saturday night this was the place to be!”
John told those gathered that the neighbours, including Tammy and other firefighters, keep an eye on the camp when it’s empty and don’t hesitate to keep him informed.
Staff members led everyone is some camp songs — with actions — after lunch.
Here’s what some visitors had to say about their visit to Camp Medley:
Mark Doyle, Quispamsis: We’re here to check out the camp because we’ve never seen it before. We wanted to bring the kids.
Natasha Jones, Saint John: I used to be a camper, for five or six years, maybe seven. I wanted to bring my daughter and her friend. My boyfriend was a camper here too.
Will Corey, Hanwell, staff: This is my second year on staff, plus one year volunteering. My grandfather, Wally Corey, was the chaplain here, and my dad, Jonathan Corey, worked here.
Kathryn Rains, Riverview: eNews brought us here. It seemed like a fun opportunity for a family day.
Angela Mayes, Westfield: I camped here as a child in the late 80s. My grandparents owned a farm across from the pool, and I came every summer.
I filled in as a camp nurse in 2004. We’ve been away but recently moved back. I have three boys and wanted to introduce them to my childhood.
Alyssa Hayter, Fredericton: This is the first year we’ve been able to be out and about with the kids. It’s nostalgia for us. I was a camper in 2004, on staff from 2007-2011 and assistant director in 2013 — and chaplain a couple of times. That amphitheatre — we’d have loved to have had that!
There are still some open spots for campers at both Camp Medley and Camp Brookwood. Check out their websites here:
https://campmedley.ca/
https://campbrookwood.ca/
Photo captions:
1. Finnigan Nolan, 6, tries out archery with some guidance from staffer Will Corey at the Camp Medley open house June 20. The day was a chance for families, and especially kids, to check out the camp and try some of the activities, like archery.
2. Lewis Vandervalk and son Logan on the very popular go-karts, with mom Alyssa and Desmond in the background.
3. The Rev. John Galbraith (camp director) and the Rev. Mary Anne Langmaid lead the actions while the staff sing a camp song in the dining hall.
4. Lunch was salads and barbecued meats, which were very popular with all.
McKnight photos