May 6, 2026 | Next eNews: May 20 | | Why, yes, today's eNews is all about Camp Washington! We hope you enjoy reading about all that is going on at camp this summer, and that we'll see you there! eNews will return to its usual format on May 20. | |
Why Young Adults (still) Need Camp
James Williams, Camp Washington's Summer Camp Program Director
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Hello! I am James, Camp Washington’s Summer Camp Director. As with most people, I hold many other hats outside of work: brother of four, son, advocate, rock climber, friend, a partner, Episcopalian, and so on. One of the of these roles is "Young Adult." So far, being a Young Adult has meant so many blessings for me – finding a new home in New Orleans, traveling to Spain or Iceland, building a future. It has also come with challenges: living faster than I ever thought possible, seeing bills stack up, fighting to be heard among older audiences, and more often than I’d like, living with a sense that I am doing this life alone. For better and for worse, we eventually become responsible for much more than ourselves: feeding a dog, supporting a precious child, addressing pains we’ve tucked away, and learning how we feel loved. All of this while we’re still VERY MUCH learning on the go.
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If you register for any summer camp session between now and May 15th, you will automatically get our Spring Discount of 15%! |
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CW Open House on May 17
Come learn more about Camp Washington at our Open House on Sunday, May 17 from 3–6 PM and make plans for the summer!
Take a tour of camp, see where campers will be eating and sleeping, enjoy a meal, check out the waterfront, outdoor chapel, arts & crafts and more.
Plus, meet the Executive Director, Camp Director, Camp Staff and Chef Ben.
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CW Workday on May 30
Join Bishop Jim Curry and ECCT's Swords to Plowshares Ministry Network on Saturday, May 30 from 9 AM–4 PM for a day of hands-on work at the Camp Washington Forge.
Learn about blacksmithing, and how you can make a difference one gardening tool at a time. Beginners welcome and returners encouraged!
Attendance is free, registration is required.
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Campers Making Changes
Bart Geissinger, Camp Washington's Executive Director & James Williams, Camp Washington's Summer Camp Program Director
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Bart: So in a minute or so, what is Changemakers? Specifically, what makes it different from a regular ol’e camp session, or service camp?
James: “Changemakers Camp is going to be a session that focuses on making use of our voice, on the many different avenues of how to care for our world, and all while still doing ‘the camp thing.’ We will get the chance to be on the Zip Line, go to the waterfront, and have a camp mystery, WHILE jumping into a deeply intentional session. We will do service, sure, but what makes this unique will be the attention to community action, to being connected to international perspectives (like hearing from our international staff), and doing something – even in this hard world. We will spend time at our Forge, working to transform the tools of gun violence into the tools of life like shovels and farm equipment. From there we will dive into the food system at camp and talk about compost, goats, and how food access, what we eat, and how we cultivate it is a pillar of life and dignity in a changed world.
Our voice matters, and it is no simple thing knowing how to use it – we will learn that here. There will be nothing more important to learn how to be ourselves, how to get things that matter to us, and how to grow fully into the people we need to be.”
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CW Summer Camps for Kids, ages 5–12
FAMILY CAMP | ALL AGES
July 3-5
Come with your family and friends, share a cabin, and enjoy all the fun of CW together as a family! Activities for the whole family and time for adults. Food, fun, and friendship. A great way to “start” your summer.
CHILDREN’S CAMP
AGES 7–12
July 12-17 & August 2-7
Week-long sessions offering all the fun and awesomeness you expect at Camp Washington: archery, arts & crafts, boating,
campfires, hiking, sports, singing, swimming, theatre and so much more! CW encourages
individuality, exploration, and growth — with opportunities to make friends and try new things in a safe, supportive community.
MINI CAMP | AGES 5-10
July 6-8
A wonderful opportunity for our youngest campers to experience all the fun of Camp in just a few days (and nights!). A great way to try overnight camp and meet new friends in a supportive community.
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CW Summer Camps for Youth, ages 12–16
FAMILY CAMP | ALL AGES
July 3-5
Come with your family and friends, share a cabin, and enjoy all the fun of CW together as a family! Activities for the whole family and time for adults. Food, fun, and friendship. A great way to “start” your summer.
CHANGEMAKERS
AGES 12-16
July 6-9
Is your camper interested in making a difference in the world, or thinking about what their role is in it? Come to a different version of camp that explores service, advocacy, and how to be leaders at home and globally (while still having camp fun!).
TEEN CAMP | AGES 12-16
July 19-24 & August 9-14
Week-long sessions offering all the fun and awesomeness you expect at Camp Washington: archery, arts & crafts, boating,
campfires, hiking, sports, singing, swimming, theatre, and so much more! CW encourages
individuality, exploration, and growth — with opportunities to make friends and try new things in a safe, supportive community
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CW Summer Camps for Grown-ups!
WOMENS CAMP | AGES 21+ July 6-8
Focus on building intentional relationships while having moments to rest, explore, and have fun! This program is for women of all walks in life: younger or older, first time to camp or 100th. Plus, if you have little ones aged 5–10, they can attend Mini Camp at the same time, and you’ll be right next door! Meals will happen in the same space, so you’ll get to peek in on the joy of camp while having your own camp experience.
“YOUNG” ADULT CAMP
AGES 21-30
July 26-30
We always hear “I wish I could come back to Camp”— now you can! Join our Young Adult Camp program to experience the fun, connection, transformation, and newness that makes camp so special. We will have traditional camp activities like Nuke’em, arts and crafts, zip line, archery, solving mysteries, and more. We will also offer off camp excursions, hikes, yoga, and other special activities! Come back to Camp as an adult, or come away to camp
for the first time!
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"Sunday School Doesn’t End in June" at Spring Training
Did you miss the virtual session, "Sunday School Doesn’t End in June" at this year's Spring Training & Gathering?
The Rev. Kate Mckey-Dunbar from Trinity, Trumbull, and James Williams from Camp Washington shared about a full approach to youth in the church, including what summer camp has to offer to congregational youth programming, and what congregational youth programming has to offer for camp!
This class and many other Spring Training & Gathering 2026 Virtual Classes are now available on ECCT's YouTube channel.
Class descriptions are still available on ECCT's Spring Training & Gathering webpage as well.
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What Are the Hours of Our Day?
The Rev. Tuesday Jane Rupp, Rector of St. Paul's, Woodbury & Canon Sarah Louise Woodford
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Sarah: Could you tell us about Camp Washington’s new summer offering, Women’s Camp?
Tuesday: “I'm really, really, excited to share the Women's Camp that we're going to be hosting this summer at Camp Washington. All of us deserve some time for refreshment and rest and renewal, and I know that some of the best experiences I've ever had in my life have been going to camps or to retreat sessions that are specifically for women and women-identified people. I wanted very much to give that same opportunity to other women. I'm also really excited that we're offering this at the same time as Mini Camp, which is for children ages 5-10, because I know sometimes for parents with small children, it is so difficult to find the time and the place for their own renewal. So, this gives an opportunity for a parent to come and really do something for herself, for themselves, and still have the needed connection with very young children. We are really hoping that folks will take advantage of that.”
| | It has come to our attention some in ECCT have received emails and/or texts claiming to be from our Bishops or ECCT staff requesting the recipient to do things like purchase gift/phone cards, run errands, or send funds to the bishop/staff person directly. All such texts, emails, or phone calls are scams. No one at ECCT, including our Bishops, will ever text or email you to request you purchase gift cards or send them funds directly. If you do receive one of these texts or emails, please do not respond to it. If you are able, report the message as "spam" and then delete it. And remember, never purchase gift cards or send funds directly when requested to do so via text or email. | | | |
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203.639.3501
290 Pratt Street, Box 52
Meriden, CT 06450
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