| Camp Constitution’s 18th annual family camp held at the Singing Hills Christian Camp in Plainfield, NH concluded last Friday (July 17). Attendees came as far as California, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Michigan, North Carolina, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, and even Plainfield, NH.Monday, our first full day, began with an optional swim and/or run and then the morning devotions, prayer and flag erasing followed by a recitation of the Preamble of the Constitution led by Mrs. Edith Craft, our junior camper director.
Keeping with our American 250 theme, the first class taught by Pastor David Whitney of the Institute on the Constitution was “The Declaration of Independence.”
Altogether, there were eighteen regularly scheduled classes and three optional afternoon classes held for our older campers and adults. Instructors included Catherine White of the Constitution Decided, authors Felecia Nace and Alex Newman, Kurt Hyde, Tom Moor, atmospheric scientist Professor Willie Soon, Camp Chaplain and author Rev. Steve Craft, Charmaiain Rondon, Pastor David Whitney, Geroge Dewhurst, Keith Hanson and Julie Wilkinson.
Our junior camper (ages 5-11)) instructors were Edith Craft, Donna Desantis, Jessica Whitworth and Kathy Mickel who also served as our camp nurse.
Our room counselors were Willow Whitworth, Josh Viliniskis, and Seamus Fitzgerald. Support staff included Roberta Stewart, Vito Viliniskis, and Phil Polizotto our videographer.
Morning room inspection was conducted by our head counselor Elden Stahl and Camp Newspaper Editor Mark Afleck. We not only look for cleanliness but a Christian and Patriotic theme. Rooms are graded each day, and the winner is declared in the Thursday paper.
 
After lunch, campers participated in running an obstacle course organized by Mrs. Sapphire Giminez, former college basketball player.
 
For the third year in a row, martial arts expert George Dewhurst conduced an optional workshop called Christan Self Defense.
Throughout the week, attendees enjoyed the pond and pool as well as the numerous recreational opportunities including basketball, volleyball, a Gaga pit, and ping-pong and chess tournaments.
 
After dinner on Monday, we sang “Happy Birthday to the United States and several camper celebrating birthdays. Two more classes were conducted and between classes, we had a flag lowering ceremony.
The night ended with our evening campfire where campers and staff sing songs, play musical instruments, conduct skits, tell “Dad Jokes”, and enjoyed a fireworks display.
 
On Tuesday Mr. Keith Hanson of Critical Dynamics taught a class on the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, and in the afternoon, he conducted an optional marksmanship class giving campers-many for the first time-the opportunity to shoot a .22 rifle.
Wednesday afternoon was an optional field trip to the Billings Farm Museum in nearby Woodstock, VT.
  
We had visits from Cynthia Rusis of Turning Point USA and Ann Savastrano of First Love Works who discussed the activities of their organizations. Our guest instructor Julie Wilkinson who played the abortion nurse in the movie “Unplanned The Abby Johnson” story.
(Guest speaker Julie Wilkinson)
The Johnson Family brought their violins are performed at our evening campfire and also did a rendition of the “National Anthem” before class
Before lunch on Thursday, Junior Campers dresses in colonial attire participated in their annual parade. Thursday afternoon was our annual wiffle ball game. For the first time in many years, the Shurtleff All Stars lost to the Newman Barnstormers.
 
Junior Campers on Parade Sapphire Giminez taking a swing
Thursday night was our closing ceremonies that included remarks by Rev. Steve Craft and Pastor David Whitney, speeches by those who entered our essay contest and the announcement this year’s “Super Campers”-a boy and a girl who are awarded camp tuitions to our 2027 camp. This year’s winners were Hailey Lankford, and David Tyrun. The winner of our essay contest “Why I Love America” was Madyson Rokiki.
The “Hal Shurtleff Award” given to a staffer went to Mrs. Sapphire Gimenez who did an outstanding job as recreational director, and The “Willie Soon” Award given to an instructor went to Mr. Alex Newman.
Friday after breakfast, we picked up, cleaned up, packed up and headed home. Next year’s camp will be held at the same venue Sunday July 11 to Friday July 16,2027. For more information, please visit our website https://www.campconstitution.net
A link to a playlist on YouTube containing our classes and activities:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNmlnj-pnPt0
And a link to photos of the camp: https://s3.amazonaws.com/camppictures/2026/index.html
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