When Melissa “Wubba” Murray joined our team in 2015, it didn’t take long for the Kiniya community to realize that we had gained someone truly extraordinary. With warmth, humor, and a deep sense of purpose, Wubba brought not only her immense talents, but her whole heart to camp—and she’s never looked back.

From her very first days here, Wubba immersed herself fully. She asked thoughtful questions. She learned every inch of camp. She jumped into daily life and culture with joy and curiosity. Whether managing logistical challenges, improving efficiencies and systems, “boondoggling” throughout campus to deliver precious items and solve problems, supporting a DHead or leader, or helping a camper through a tough moment, she brought the same grace and grit that define her work every summer.

Wubba’s path to Kiniya is a story of seasons—a journey of rich experience, deep service, and a steadfast love for the values our camp holds dear. Raised in Westport, NY, she became part of the Dudley family in 1980 when her father began serving as camp legal counsel under Willie Schmidt. At Dudley, Wubba became a mainstay as staff in the 90s and served as Rifle Range Director (fun fact!). Her pals across the lake describe Wubba as someone who tirelessly celebrated the achievements of others; loudly and proudly, Wubba would walk to every table when a kid won a riflery award to share the congratulations. Wubba in her early days at camp is in many ways the exact Wubba we know now: sharp and funny and dry, willing to jump in anywhere to help, and fervent in making those around her feel the best they can.

Outside of camp, she studied French at Skidmore College, worked in Paris for Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy, and eventually returned stateside to lead a global office for a top-tier PR firm in New York City. Yet through all her professional accomplishments, Wubba has always centered her life on people and purpose. After the early years of raising her two children, Liam and Libby, she and her husband Tripp shifted gears and moved to Vermont—ushering in a new season of life where community, service, and family could fully intertwine. That shift brought her to Kiniya, and for the past decade, we have been the grateful recipients of her presence, leadership, and love.

While Wubba technically works in a logistical role—keeping camp “running from the top”—her real work is far more profound. She is a connector of people. A steadying presence. A calm voice in the whirlwind. A cheerleader behind the scenes and a quiet architect of countless moments that help camp feel like home. From opening days to final farewells, Wubba is there, sometimes in person and always in spirit—long after the last camper has gone.

What makes her remarkable is not just her work ethic (though it is tireless), her attention to detail (which is unmatched), or her creativity (which is generous and abundant). It is her spirit—grounded, curious, humble, and fiercely kind. She gives freely of her time and energy not only to camp, but to the wider world: delivering Meals on Wheels, volunteering with a therapy dog in local schools, serving on community boards, and raising two incredible children who are themselves growing into compassionate human beings.

At Kiniya, Wubba is often the one behind the scenes, ensuring the magic happens. But anyone who knows her knows that she is also the magic—the kind of person who lifts others up, notices what matters, and always leads with heart. She has opened that heart and her home to countless members of the Kiniya and Dudley communities – providing days of laughter in her backyard, family meals where ‘family’ is not just the Murrays but anyone from camp, and even a place to stay. Whether chuckling with a member of our maintenance team, solving a behind-the-scenes challenge with our program staff, or pausing to listen deeply to a leader or a friend, Wubba brings light and steadiness to all she touches.
She reminds us daily that leadership doesn’t always look like a spotlight. Often, it looks like consistency, humility, and love. Wubba lives by the values we strive to instill in every camper: service, presence, resilience, and joyful integrity.

For all of this—and for the hundreds of unseen ways she makes our camp better, brighter, and more whole—we are incredibly proud to dedicate the 2025 Kiniya Spirit to Camper Number 16963 Melissa “Wubba” Murray.

Yoha, Wubba! We are so lucky you call this place home.