Monadnock-area camps reflect on a summer of growth, traditions and memorable moments

As another summer camp season winds down across the Monadnock Region, camp leaders are looking back on months marked by strong enrollment, new activities, longstanding traditions and lessons that could shape future summers. At Camp Glen Brook in Marlborough and Camp Wiyaka in Richmond, operated by the Athol Area YMCA, camp leaders described successful seasons supported by enthusiastic campers and staff, while also identifying areas where their programs could continue to grow. "It was a fantastic and memorable summer," Camp Glen Brook Executive Director Mark Stehlik said. "The staff was outstanding, and everything went as smoothly as could have hoped for! It's always tiring, but in a good way. The weather was great, too." Glen Brook's enrollment remained near historically high levels this summer, although Stehlik said the camp's small size and specific cabin groupings meant demand was not evenly distributed. "We've had high enrollment for years — this year was right up there with our highest years," Stehlik said. "Because our Camp is so small, with very specific cabin group sizes, we had some groups with wait lists, and others with extra space and beds we would have loved to fill." Camp Wiyaka also saw participation grow as its season progressed. Program Director Erin Kimball said the camp averaged between 50 and 60 campers per week, with enrollment increasing throughout the summer. She attributed much of that growth to campers returning and bringing friends with them. "Campers were having such a great experience that many returned week after week and encouraged their friends to join them," Kimball said. "This has become a common trend over the past few years as we continue to grow the program." New activities and old traditions For both camps, some of the season's most memorable experiences came from activities that brought campers and staff together. Wiyaka introduced a Color Wars theme this year. The addition, Kimball said, proved popular enough the camp plans to bring it back. "This camping season was fantastic!" Kimball said. "We had a wonderful group of staff who grew together throughout the summer and created a truly special sense of camp magic." At Glen Brook, Stehlik recalled a night when campers gathered in a barn and sang together while rain poured outside, including an improvised song about having "corn in your teeth." "We sing every evening, and there was one night singing in the barn together in the pouring rain ... that stands out as an image of joyful community," Stehlik said. The camp also added an inflatable waterfront challenge participants attempt to run across, which Stehlik said provided plenty of entertainment as campers tried — and often failed — to reach the other side. Glen Brook increased the amount of time each group spent on its farm this summer as well. Stehlik called the change a "huge success," though it also revealed a need for additional help when the farm manager is spending more time teaching campers. That balance between building successful programs and learning from the challenges of operating them was also evident at Wiyaka. Kimball said one of the camp's biggest lessons involved how it prepares and supports its seasonal staff. "This summer was a major year of growth for our camp, particularly in learning how to better manage and support our staff team," Kimball said. The experience helped camp leadership identify which policies and procedures need the greatest emphasis during staff week and which information can be streamlined, she said. Next summer, Wiyaka plans to place additional emphasis on team building during that preparation period. "We would like to include more fun, interactive activities throughout staff week to keep everyone engaged while also helping staff build stronger relationships with one another," Kimball said. Continuing camp traditions While camps continue to introduce new activities and adjust their programs, some experiences have remained remarkably consistent. Glen Brook recently completed its 81st summer and is preparing for an 80th reunion this fall that will welcome alumni from different decades of the camp's history. Stehlik said conversations with former campers often remind him how many traditions have endured. "We still hike the same mountains, swim in the same pond, square dance in the meadow, sing together, eat meals family style," Stehlik said. Those traditions now exist alongside additions such as expanded farm programming and new waterfront activities. At Wiyaka, meanwhile, a successful first year of Color Wars will become part of future summers. As the 2026 season comes to an end, the experiences at both camps show how summer programs can evolve while preserving the activities and sense of community that continue to bring campers back.