2026 Camp Constitution Chess Bracket
As I was packing up to leave camp I was informed that David Tyurin, our male Super Camper, won the 2026 Chess Tournament. I had a couple snapshots of the tournament board as it was progressing. Here is my attempt to reconstruct the results. I would have liked to get this in the newspaper, however, time did not allow. Congrats to David and all 16 of our contestants.
- David
- Ethan L
- Daniel L
- Xander
- Lincoln
- Marlee
- Damien
- Wesley
- Owen
- Samuel
- Lincoln
- Lexton
- Alya
- Serenity
- Juliet
- Sergei
- David
- Xander
- Lincoln
- Wesley
- Owen
- Lexton
- Serenity
- Sergei
- David
- Unknown
- Unknown
- Unknown
- David
- Unknown
2026 Champion: David Tyurin
Chappaquiddick Cover Up: An Interview of Diver John Farrar: July 18, 1969 Marks the Death of Mary Jo Kopechne at Chappaquiddick
Today, marks the anniversary of the drowning of Mary Jo Kopechne. This is an interview of the diver who recovered her body and explains the cover up by Ted Kennedy’s handlers.
The interview was conducted by Mayor Sam Yorty on KGBS Radio in Los Angeles 1972.
2026 Pictures Available for Download
As is our custom, the 2026 Pictures and Video were added to the Camp Archives. Feel free to download and view/print in color these photos that are available from 2009-2026.
You can reach the picture albums from the website by selecting “Camp Items|Camp Pictures”. Once there, you will have access to all the photos and video.
I hope you enjoy the trip down memory lane. — MJA
2026 Newspapers Available for Download
As is our custom, the 2026 Newspapers were added to the Camp Archives. Feel free to download and view/print in color the newspapers that are available from 2009-2026.
You can reach the archives from the website by selecting “Camp Items|Camp Archive”. Once there, select [Camp Journal Archives] and you will have access to all the newspapers.
Hope you enjoy the stories, jokes, quotes, pics and puzzles. — MJA
A 2026 Camper’s Message on Courage
A Camper on Courage:
During this year of camp, I learned a lot about courage, maturity, and making wiser decisions. Just because you’re scared doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do what God says. I widen my circle and fulfilled God’s wishes, then I was rewarded for my courage with new friends. My old friends were not emotionally available, but I was able to find some by being brave enough to seek new faces. Praise Jesus, for he has blessed me with sermons on courage and standing up for what’s right in the face of opposition.
Standing up to Vivek Ramaswamy was no easy task. He was popular, had the common talking points to sway the masses and I was shaking in my shoes. Vivek Ramaswamy had no understanding of the purpose of government, and needed to be told, even if I may be hated by half of the supporters in the room. (Tytus’ question begins at 18:18 into the video.)
Vivek Ramaswamy was told by me and was stunned by the truth bomb. He would later go on to lose the election, and I was surprised how people applauded me for asking the question given to me to ask him by an old lady. Government’s only duty is to protect your God-given rights.
To speak up before many was difficult but I thank Jesus I was able to speak clearly. Praise be to Jesus Christ for helping me during this year to be finally known across camp for my courage and I was able to inspire others to stand up to politicians. God bless the camp and may God save America.
— Tytus Valentine
PS: On the Final Day of Camp as I was packing to leave, Tytus made me promise to post his message on the blog since there were no more newspapers to be published. — MJA
Camp Constitution Report for the First Half of 2026
2026 has proven to be a busy and productive year so far for us.
Co-Sponsoring 7th Annual Patriot Camp in Rockport, Maine
This event held in late June and hosted by the Memorial Baptist Church is the result of the efforts of Jessicas Whitworth and Victoria It is a free three day camp for children ages 5-12 where they learn about our nation’s history and have much fun while doing so. This year, we averaged 25 campers per day. On the last day, campers recited the Declaration of Independence in Downtown Rockland, and then it ended with a barbecue.
Info Tables at Homeschoolers of Maine’s and Mas HOPE’s Annual Convention
We have been attending these two homeschool shows since 2010, and they have proven to be very productive venues for us.
For the first time since the Covid lockdown, the Homeschoolers of Maine returned to its Rockport venue with a three-day event for vendors. There were close to 400 attendees at the event. Victoria Buckland helped work the table giving Civics Savey tests to young people who visited the table. We donated numerous copies of “Alpha-Phonics” to young families. And we met a family of ten, and a family of three that will be attending our annual camp this year.
Mass Hope Homeschool Convention
This event is held in late April in historic Sturbridge< MA. We spoke to dozens of homeschoolers and those planning to home school where we introduced the Sam Blumenfeld Archives and Sam’s “Alpha-Phonics. And we distributed pocket copies of the U.S. Constitution. As a result of our donation of a camp “tuition” to their silent auction, we got two new campers.
Ladies Annual “Spring Fling”
Our annual ladies retreat took place at the Alton Bay Christian Conference Center Alton, NH in early May. It was a full weekend of speakers including author Michelle Gallagher, crafts, devotions and fellowship.
Keynote Speaker at Constitution Party of New Hampshire
Hal Shurtleff was the keynote speaker at the Constitution Party of New Hampshire’s state conference which took place on the birthday of George Washington. The topic: The Presidents of the United States and the Constitution
We also had seven speaking engagements in Aroostook County Maine in early April, and we spoke at a homeschool cooperative in Cornish, Maine.
YouTube and Rumble
Our channel had 221.100,000 views, giving us a total of 2.4 million. 540 new subscribers giving us a total of 17,540. We uploaded 126 videos on our YouTube channel.
Our Rumble channel received 7,371 views and uploaded 25. All time views 175,504 with 384 followers
Camp Constitution Report Podcast
We did ten shows including interviews of authors Dr. Chase Spears and Dr. Owen Andesron. Due to our show being listed by FeedSpot as one of the top 15 best Constitution based podcasts, we have received a number of invitations to interview authors and activists.
The Blumenfeld Archives
The Sam Blumefeld Archives:
728,500 hits with 680 “Alpha-Phonics” books and 325 Instruction Manuals downloaded
Podomatic
This is our platform for podcasts, our former radio show and classis and historical recording that included the Dan Smoot Report, Sam Blumenfeld’s lectures and many speeches by Gary Allen.
We received 71 plays and 790 downloads. May of our audios and videos have been embedded on websites. And we remain in the top ten for the category of conservative/right.
Website
We received 15,126 views and 5.4 thousand visitors. While the vast majority of the visitors are from the U.S, a good 20% come from around the world. We had eighty-one articles posted on the site. We are always looking for writers. Readers who would like to have their articles posted, please contact Hal Shurlleff at campconstitution1@gmail.com
Camp Constitution Media
We uploaded twenty videos which included interviews of the Gideons, a Tuttle Twins rep, a leader of a local chapter of Turning Point USA, and a professor of Revolutionary War history. we made a video of an Education Option Fair in Dover, NH. In early March, we attended the Rhode Island First Rally where we videotaped presentations by Ramona Bessinger, a public-school teacher whistleblower, and Matt Light, former player for the New England Patriots.
Camp Constitution in the Media:
We were return guests on SouthCoast Now hosted by Chris McCarthy which is heard in the New Bedford, MA area, return guests on the Tamara Scott Show, the Duke Pests Show and first time guests on “Don’t Drink the Kool-Aid” hosted by Pastotr David Whitney, and several others
Facebook
We had 9,246 views with 3.6 thousand followers.
Special Projects
We have been working with the Matrix Coalition; a New Hampshire group whose goal is to get copies of Guidebook to the Forefathers Monument and a framed poster of the monument into schools and libraries. So far this year, we donated copies of each to the Cornerstone Christian School in Ossipee and Prospect Mountain High School in Alton, NH.
We have been donating copies of James Perloff’s book Tornado in a Junkyard which refutes evolution to Christian youth groups.
Like last year, Freedom Project Academy will offer an essay with winners getting their fees for our annual family camp paid.
We got permission from the New Hope Chapel in Alton, NH to use a sizeable room in the church both to house the hard copy filed of the Sam Blumenfeld Archives but more importantly to start a literacy center using Sam’s “Alpha-Phonics.” Our plan is to have the room ready for reading classes in the fall.
Van Fund Raising:
In late February, we had to scrap our 2019 Van. We had over 180,000 miles and it needed a new transmission and other repairs that would have cost us well over $7,000. We raised over $22,00 and in late April, we purchased a 2026 Toyota Sienna costing us approximately $41,000. Thank you to all those who donated.
Looking into the 3rd Quarter:
We will have an information table at the August 1, Rededication of the Forefathers Monument in Plymouth, a trip to Aroostook Country to have an info table at the Crown of Maine Balloon Festival and speaking engagements and a float in the Alton Old Home Day Parade, an info table at OP Ed NH and, of course our annual family camp.
18th Annual Family Camp
Camp Constitution will hold its 18th Annual Family Camp at the Singing Hills Christian Camp https://www.singinghills.net/ Plainfield, NH. from Sunday July 12 to Friday July 17, 2026
Returning instructors include Pastor David Whitney of the Institute on the Constitution, Catherine White of The Constitution Decoded, Alex Newman, author and host of the Sentinel Report, Kurt Hyde, retired U.S. Air Force Lt, Col, and Rev. Steve Craft, Camp Constitution’s chaplain.
Guest instructor is Julie Wilkinson who played the ABORTION NURSE IN THE MOVIE “UnPlanned.” In addition to the classes, the camp will offer marksmanship courses, martial arts, hiking, basketball, volleyball, wiffleball, and optional field trip and swimming, chess, gaga and corn hole tournaments. Campers and staff end the day with an evening campfire.
Our theme: Celebrating our nation’s 250th Birthday
Camp Constitution’s annual camp is a family camp open to entire families, unaccompanied minors, and adults. The cost for the week, which includes lodging, meals and class handouts, is $300 for those 13 and over. $200. For campers 12 and under, and three and under with parents are free. The camp offers an “Early Bird” discount of $50, per person by registering by May 1. A link to the camp registration: https://campconstitution.net/camp-registration/
For more information contact Hal Shurtleff (857) 498-1309 campconstitution1@gmail.com
How You Can Help
Pray for our Nation
Pray for Camp Constitution
Consider becoming a Camp sponsor for your business or like-minded non-profit.
Volunteer at some of our events.
Share our videos and blog articles everywhere.
Sponsor a camp speaker.
Thank you for all you do to make Camp Constitution possible.
No, Paris, US air conditioners did not cause Europe’s heat wave
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Happy 250th Birthday United States
Happy 250th Birthday United States.
Campers from the Annual Patriot Camp-a Three-Day Annual Day Camp Held in Rockland Maine and co-sponsored by Life Church and Camp Constitution and hosted by the Litchfield Memorial Baptist Church- recite the Declaration of Independence at Chapman Park in Rockland, Maine Wednesday June 24, 2026.
Camp Constitution’s 18th Annual Family Camp Schedules are now available
Camp Constitution’s general schedule and its schedules for its junior campers are now posted on our website:
https://campconstitution.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Camp-Constitution-Schedule-2026.pdf
John Langdon: A Courageous Founding Father – American Minute with Bill Federer
John Langdon was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in 1741 and grew up as a member of the North Congregational Church, where his distant relative, future Harvard President Rev. Samuel Langdon was pastor from 1747-1774.
Other notable individuals who had worshiped at the North Congregational Church include:
-William Whipple – Signer of Declaration of Independence;
-Daniel Webster – Secretary of State;
-John Paul Jones – Navy hero; and
-George Washington – first President.
At the age of 22, John Langdon became a sea captain, like his older brother Woodbury Langdon.
They sailed back and forth to the West Indies for trade.
Then the British imposed trade restrictions with the Revenue Act of 1764 and the Stamp Act of 1765.
John Langdon sailed back into Portsmouth harbor, the British seized his cargo of sugar and rum, similar to how the British in Boston’s harbor seized John Hancock’s ship Liberty.
By this time, tea from India and China was the most popular drink in the British Empire, out-selling coffee and chocolate, as tea was purported to have health benefits.
Portugal was the first European country to trade in India, till it was pushed out by the Dutch and French, who were then pushed out by the British.
After the Anglo-Mughal Wars, Anglo-Dutch Wars, and the Carnatic War, the British East India Company began to dominate Bengal and most of India.
The Bengal Famine of 1770 killed an estimated 10 million people – a third of Bengal’s population. This brought the British East India Company to the verge of bankruptcy.
Company expenses skyrocketed while Bengal’s labor productivity plummeted, all occurring at a time when an economic downturn dried up trade in Europe.
To avoid bankruptcy, the directors of the British East India Company appealed to Parliament, which responded by giving it a competitive advantage over colonial American tea importers.
The British East India Company also began to grow opium in India and drug-traffick it into China.
American colonists boycotted British tea and instead bought 85 percent of their tea from supplies smuggled in by Dutch merchants, estimated at 900,000 lbs a year.
The Townsend Acts of 1767 bailed out the debt-ridden British East India Company by allowing it to sell its tea directly to consumers at a cheaper price, but even more troublesome, it would legitimize Britain’s ability to directly tax the colonies.
This was a hotly contested issue since the colonies had no representation in the British Parliament.
To compound the issue even further, the British Parliament passed the Tea Act of 1773 , which provoked the Boston Tea Party, December 16, 1773.
It also provoked the Annapolis Tea Party and the burning of the ship Peggy Stewart.
New Hampshire citizens refused to allow any British ship carrying tea from landing in the Portsmouth harbor.
King George III then issued a royal order, October 19, 1774, banning the export of gunpowder and arms to America.
When word reached Portsmouth, John Langdon led 400 men to capture British Fort William and Mary in New Castle, seizing arms and 100 barrels of gunpowder.
In 1775, John Langdon was elected a delegate to the Continental Congress, as was later his brother, Woodbury Langdon.
In 1776, John Langdon oversaw the building of American warships, including the Ranger, which he recommended be captained by John Paul Jones.
John Langdon was elected Speaker of the New Hampshire House, 1776-1782, where he championed fiscal responsibility, recommending the use of silver and gold instead of paper currency.
When the British recaptured Fort Ticonderoga, Speaker John Langdon reportedly told the Legislature:
“I have 3,000 dollars in hard money. I will pledge the plate in my house for 3,000 more, and I have 70 hogsheads of Tobago rum which shall be disposed of for what it will bring.
These and the avails of these are at the service of the state. If we defend our homes and our firesides, I may get my pay; if we do not defend them, the property will be of no value to me.”
John Langdon built seven ships with which he raided British ships.
As a colonel, John Langdon led a voluntary company of soldiers to fight at Saratoga where they witnessed the surrender of British General Burgoyne.
John Langdon commanded soldiers in 1778 with John Sullivan’s army in Rhode Island.
In 1784, John Langdon was a State Senator, and in 1785 he was elected President (Governor) of New Hampshire.
As President of New Hampshire, John Langdon issued A Proclamation for a Day of Public Fasting and Prayer. February 21, 1786:
“That the citizens of this State may with one heart and voice, penitently confess their manifold sins and transgressions, and fervently implore the Divine benediction,
that a true spirit of repentance and humiliation may be poured out upon all orders and degrees of men, and a compleat and universal reformation take place …
that He would be pleased to bless the great Council of the United States of America, and direct their deliberations to the wise and best determinations …
and above all, that He would rain down righteousness upon the earth, revive religion,
and spread abroad the knowledge of the true GOD, the Saviour of man, throughout the world.”
In 1787, John Langdon was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia where he signed the U.S. Constitution.
On February 13, 1788, New Hampshire convened a convention to ratify the U.S. Constitution, but disagreements almost caused the State to vote against it.
Many states had annual days of fasting.
Governor John Langdon decided to temporarily postpone the convention and schedule New Hampshire’s annual Fasting Day, a date fixed by the Governor, to be observed April 10, 1788:
“to be … kept as a day of fasting of humiliation and prayer.”
After the Day of Fasting, New Hampshire reconvened its ratifying convention on June 18, 1788.
After hearing Harvard President Rev. Samuel Langdon’s address “The Republic of the Israelites an example to the American States” the New Hampshire delegates voted to ratify the U.S. Constitution, June 21, 1788.
New Hampshire was the 9th State to ratify the U.S. Constitution. This fulfilled the necessary requirement of 2/3’s of the States, and thus the Constitution officially went into effect.
After ratifying the U.S. Constitution, the Delegates of New Hampshire thanked God:
“Acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Supreme Ruler of the Universe in affording the People of the United States in the Course of his Providence an Opportunity, deliberately & peaceably without fraud or surprise of entering into an explicit and solemn compact with each other
by assenting to & ratifying a new Constitution, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the Blessings of Liberty to themselves & their Posterity-
Do In the Name & behalf of the People of the State of New-Hampshire assent to & ratify the said Constitution for the United States of America …”
The Delegates of New Hampshire continued, recommending that the new Federal Government should be restricted:
“And as it is the Opinion of this Convention that certain amendments & alterations in the said Constitution would remove the fears & quiet the apprehensions of many of the good People of this State & more Effectually guard against an undue Administration of the Federal Government …
That all Powers not expressly & particularly Delegated by the aforesaid Constitution are reserved to the several States to be, by them Exercised …
That there shall be one Representative to every 30,000 persons …
Nor shall Congress in any Case make regulations contrary to a free and equal Representation …
That Congress do not lay direct Taxes …
That no standing Army shall be Kept up in time of Peace … nor shall Soldiers in Time of Peace be quartered upon private Houses without the consent-of the Owners …
Congress shall make no Laws touching Religion, or to infringe the rights of Conscience …
Congress shall never disarm any Citizen …”
Governor John Langdon wrote to George Washington:
“I have the great pleasure of informing your Excellency that this State has this day adopted the Federal Constitution … thereby placing the Key Stone in the great arch.”
In 1788, John Langdon was elected New Hampshire’s first U.S. Senator where he traveled to the U.S. Capital in New York City.
The U.S. Senate elected him President of the Senate, where he counted the votes of the electoral college where George Washington was elected the first President.
Langdon wrote the letter informing George Washington that he had been elected.
On April 30, 1789, John Langdon administered the oath of office to the nation’s first Chief Executive, George Washington, and Vice-President John Adams.
Returning to New Hampshire, John Langdon was elected Governor, where he issued a Proclamation, October 10, 1805, acknowledging the nation’s victory over the Muslim Barbary Pirates of North Africa:
“It has been customary … to set apart a certain day … for … publicly recognizing their dependence upon Almighty God for protection,
and that they might express their gratitude to Him for all blessings and mercies received and implore a continuance of them;-
I therefore … appoint Thursday, the 28th day of November … as a day of public Thanksgiving and Prayer … in praising and adoring Almighty God, and in offering up our thanks to Him as the great author of every good and perfect gift …
For the termination of our contest with one of the African powers; the liberation of our fellow-citizens from bondage …”
Governor Langdon continued:
“But above all, for the inestimable blessings of the Gospel of Peace and Salvation, the means of grace and hopes of future glory, through the merits of a crucified Savior …
That He would bless the means used for the promulgation of His word, and make pure religion and morality more and more abound.”
In 1797, John Langdon helped save an escaped slave, Oney Judge, from being taken by slave-catchers.
Oney Judge learned to read and became a Christian.
Four years before the American Bible Society was founded, John Langdon founded the New Hampshire Bible Society in 1812, and served as its first President.
The Bible Society’s goal was to put a Bible in every New Hampshire home.
In retirement, John Langdon was visited in 1817 by President James Monroe, as the newspaper reported:
“While at Portsmouth, the President spent that part of the Sabbath which was not devoted to public divine service, with that eminent patriot and Christian, John Langdon.
His tarry … was probably longer than the time devoted to any individual in New England.”
John Langdon died September 18, 1819.
While Governor, John Langdon had issued a Proclamation, October 21, 1785:
“It therefore becomes our indispensable Duty, not only to acknowledge, in general with the rest of Mankind, our dependence on the Supreme Ruler of the Universe,
but as a People peculiarly favoured, to testify our Gratitude to the Author of all our Mercies, in the most solemn and public manner …
To celebrate the Praises of our divine Benefactor; to acknowledge our own Unworthiness, confess our manifold Transgressions, implore his Forgiveness,
and intreat the continuance of those Favours which he had been graciously pleaded to bestow upon us;
That he would … bless our Seminaries of Learning, and spread the Gospel of his Grace over all the Earth.”
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