Program Pillars & Activities
Below you’ll find an in-depth guide to the Camp Dudley Program. Each day at Dudley is packed with time to try new things, improve skills, build friendships, and learn from those around us. Activities are built around our program pillars: Athletics, Arts, Outdoors, and Spiritual.
Primarily, the boys gain experience in the Arts through the Arts Majors Program, The Saturday Night Show, and the Wednesday Night Show. Dramatics and Music have been an integral part of Camp Dudley since it’s earliest days. In fact, our first full length production was in 1907!
The dramatics portion of our program is housed in Witherbee Hall – our nearly 500 seat theater built in 1925. The arts and crafts portion of our program takes place in the Brodie Arts & Crafts Building with dramatic views of Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains.
Arts & Individual Majors
Twice a week, the boys receive specialized instruction in our Arts & Individual Majors (AIM) Program that they’ll choose before they arrive on campus and take 5 classes in. The boys choose from a variety of options that include artistic, athletic, or outdoor endeavors. The available majors focused on the arts are…
In Witherbee Hall
• Drama: instruction in acting for stage, camera, and radio
• Stage Tech: learn about set-design, lighting, sound, and stage management
• Music: instruction in singing or for whatever instrument you bring to camp. Generally leads to a performance in the Evening of Music at the end of each session
In the Brodie Arts and Crafts Building
• Pottery: instruction in both slab clay and pottery wheels
• Printmaking: explore various printmaking techniques
• Drawing & Painting: capture the beauty of the Adirondacks and Lake Champlain through different drawing and painting media
Saturday Night Shows
Every Saturday in Witherbee Hall campers, Leaders, and Staff present a dramatic production…plays, musicals, or the end of session review called The Evening of Music. The show is always opened by the world famous Rhythm Ramblers, our long standing camp jazz band.
Wednesday Night Shows
Another long-time tradition in Witherbee Hall, Wednesday Night Shows feature funny skits, talent acts, musical acts, and the always entertaining Leaders Serial Theater production.
Our Athletics Program has 3 different components: Divisional Team Games, Team Majors, and Individual Majors. While there is an opportunity for boys to focus on some sports, we are a generalist camp and the boys will play sports that they are familiar with but they will also play sports that they may be learning for the very first time.
Divisional Team Games
Dudley has four age level divisions … Cubs, Plebes, Juniors, and Seniors. Within the divisions the boys are placed on teams that are coached by our Leaders. Everyday, Divisional Team Games take place in…basketball, soccer, lacrosse, baseball, flag football, ultimate frisbee, water polo, track meets, and swim meets.
Team Majors
Twice a week, the boys get specialized coaching from our staff of high school and collegiate coaches. The boys choose their Team Major at the start of the session and will get 6 sessions over the course of 3 ½ weeks. We offer Team Majors in …
Soccer
Basketball
Lacrosse
Flag Football
Baseball
Ultimate Frisbee
Arts & Individual Majors
Twice a week, the boys receive specialized instruction in our Arts & Individual Majors (AIM) Program that they’ll choose before they arrive on campus and take 5 classes in. The boys choose from a variety of options that include artistic, athletic, or outdoor endeavors. The available majors focused on on athletics are …
Land Sports
- Archery: takes place in the Waller Archery Glenn and the boys can work toward American Archer awards.
- Riflery: available only to boys in the Junior & Senior Divisions and takes place at our Rifle Range, where the boys learn about gun safety and target shooting principles
- Golf: takes place at the Bump Smith Golf Range and the par 3 golf course
- Tennis: on our har-tru tennis courts
- Rock Climbing: instruction takes place at our indoor climbing wall and the boys in the Plebes, Juniors, and Seniors also participate in a rocking climbing trip to an Adirondack crag
- Strength and Conditioning: in our fully equipped weight room
Water Sports
- Sailing: boys learn to sail on our fleet of Laser Picos, JYs, and Sunfish
- Paddling: the boys learn Canoeing, Kayaking, Paddle Boarding, and Rowing
- Fishing: both from the shore and on boats. We also include basic fly fishing instruction
- Skin Diving (also known as snorkeling): find sunken treasure or see if you can spot Champ!
A local newspaper once said of Camp Dudley that “The Adirondacks owe as much to Dudley as Dudley owes to the Adirondacks.” Indeed, from the beginning, a wilderness experience has been at the heart of the Dudley Program…particularly an Adirondack experience. The Outdoors Program offers a variety of progressive experiences for each age group that allows for truly impactful character and leadership development.
Along with the Adirondack Park itself, Dudley boasts it’s own 300 acre wilderness area called Stacy Brook, which is home to lean-to camping sites, our yurt Leadership Village, and the High- and Low-Ropes Challenge Course.
All campers, no matter their age, gain outdoor experience during the summer through…
• A Cabin Overnight trip to one of our lean-to camping sites
• A Low-Ropes Challenge Course experience, which may lead to additional experiences on the High-Ropes Challenge Course
• As well as our Arts & Individual Majors program…
Spirituality plays an important role in every day at Dudley…and has since we were founded. This program pillar rounds out our entire program by encouraging our boys to take time to think about important questions that confront them each day of camp and beyond.
Dudley (& Kiniya) are non-denominational and welcome and encourage ALL faiths and philosophies.
Chapel Talks
Each day starts with a Chapel Talk by a Leader or Staff member before breakfast. This is an opportunity to address the entire camp and give a short talk about a topic important to that person. Chapel Talks touch on values important to character and leadership development of the boys.
Vespers
The day ends with a vesper…a cabin group discussion on various topics. At the start of the summer Leaders lead the vesper, but each boy in the cabin will eventually lead a vesper on a topic of his choosing.
Sunday Chapel Service
On Sunday we have a chapel service in our outdoor chapel. Chapel speakers come from various faith backgrounds and experiences. The Chapel Services happen at noon every Sunday throughout the summer (except for the Parents’ Weekends). Services are open to the public, but current camper parents should check with the Camp Office before attending.
Hymn Sing
Perhaps the highlight of every week. Hymn Sing happens on Sunday night when all of camp gathers in Witherbee Hall. Our alumni make it a particular point of emphasis to visit camp for a Hymn Sing during the summer. Hymn Sings happen at 8:00 PM every Sunday (except for the Parents’ Weekends) and are open to the public, but current camper parents should check with the Camp Office before attending.
Hymn Sings are followed by a performance by our brass quartet on Main Campus.