Warmest greetings! As I commence my second year as Board Chair, I am sincerely grateful for your trust as I continue my work alongside our dedicated Trustees, Directors and staff, as steadfast stewards of our Camps. It is a pleasure and privilege to serve Camps that have such rich histories and mean so much to all of us. 

In January, the Board met in Westport for our first meeting of the year.  The weekend was marked with the excitement of commencing our work for the new year and welcoming our new Board members. At Board orientation, we provided John Dempsey, Vanessa Johnson, Mike Maruca, Bill Phelan and Katie Grabowy (DKAA Co-President) with foundational information about our corporate governance structures, fiduciary responsibilities, and the culture of stewardship that defines service as a Trustee for Camp Dudley and Camp Kinya. I am appreciative of the talents, perspectives and energy that our new members bring to the Board and look forward to working alongside them in the years ahead.

Throughout the weekend, the Board engaged in thoughtful dialogue about the long-term strength and vitality of our camps – recognizing that decisions we make today shape the camper experience and institutional health of our Camps in the future. 

The Board and Directors had collaborative discussions about camper enrollment and retention trends, and the proactive role that we community members can play in recruiting new camp families by spreading the word about the positive Camp Dudley and Camp Kiniya experiences that have benefitted our children. The Board remains committed to supporting the Directors and staff in strengthening our recruitment pipelines and ensuring that our Camps remain welcoming and attainable for families from a wide range of backgrounds.

Financial stewardship, development and strategic planning are central themes of each Board meeting. In January, we reviewed 2025’s strong financial results, including our continued success with the tiered pricing structure that supports Camp’s accessibility, the responsible cost-containment practices that kept us within budget, and our successful annual fundraising and endowment growth.  The Board reviewed 2026 draft budgeting and fundraising goals, discussing the importance of Board, alumni and parent engagement in supporting these efforts.  Our ongoing strategic and capital planning efforts will support the Directors in prioritizing investments in Camp facilities and infrastructure to support programming, environmental sustainability, camper safety and operational efficiency. Risk oversight is a core duty of the Board, and our assessment of key risks and review of related risk policies will support the Directors in keeping our campers, staff and leaders safe as they deliver another ‘best summer ever.’ 

I am excited about the year ahead and the Board’s ongoing work to thoughtfully invest in the future of our Camps while honoring our traditions, Mission, Core Values and Motto. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, thank you for your continued engagement and generous support of Camp Dudley and Camp Kiniya.

Erinn Harley-Lewis

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