Camp Constitution’s 17th Annual Family Camp Report
Camp Constitution’s 17th annual family camp ended last Friday July. While our numbers were down from last year’s camp, we still had an excellent turnout with attendees coming as far as Alaska, Wyoming and Utah.
Returning instructors included Professor Willie Soon, one of the world’s top atmospheric scientists, who attended with his family, Pastor David Whitney of the Institute on the Constitution, Rev. Steve Craft who serves at the camp chaplain, Mrs. Catherine White of the Constitution Decoded, Dr. Felecia Nace, author of several books, and author and host of the Liberty Sentinel program, Alex Newman. Guest instructors included Michelle Gallagher, author of A Guide to the Forefather’s Monument, Mr. Kurt Hyde, an expert of election fraud, and Mr. Chris Burke who taught an optional class on the use of HAM Radios. A link to our YouTube playlist of classes and activities at our camp:
https://studio.youtube.com/playlist/PL7jnzBzBiNYDeD_94loNG8mUcUMFM2m2N/videos
Sunday, we held out staff and camper orientation, a hearty dinner and our nightly campfire. We start our first full day with an optional run and/or swim at 6:30. Wake up is 7:00 and morning devotions and flag-raising at 7:50. As he has for the past few years, veteran camper Franklin Soon plays “Reveille” https://youtube.com/shorts/cefjwGuxiRs?si=P5TJ7Gissmv
After a hearty breakfast, the camp conducts three 45-miniute classes
During the first class, Head Counselor Chris Kalis conducts room inspection where we look for cleanliness, as well as a Patriotic and Christian theme. Chris will give the room points towards the room inspection contest where the occupants of the winning room get treated to free pizza on Thursday after campfire. . The daily inspection results are posted in the camp’s daily newspaper, “Camp Constitution Journal” distributed in the evening. The paper, edited Mark Affleck, also has articles written by campers about the daily activities and classes. A link to PDFs of the camp paper: https://s3.amazonaws.com/camppictures/CampArchive/Journals/Camp%20Constitution%20Journal%2017-1%202025.pdf
From Monday to Wednesday, attendees were treated to a rendition of The National Anthem led by world renowned clarinetist Jonathan Cohler and “The Camp Constitution Band”: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_rbhDHwabNo
Mr. George Dewhurst conducted an optional martial arts class Monday afternoon: https://s3.amazonaws.com/camppictures/2025/Classes/index.html#02%2520Mon%2520Self%2520Defense%252004.MP4
For the third year in a row, Mr. Keith Hansom of Critical Dynamics conducted optional marksmanship classes on Tuesday afternoon with help from Pastor David Whitney and Mr. Jonathan Cohler:
On Wednesday afternoon, we took an optional field trip to the Calvin Coolidge Homestead in Plymouth, VT:
In the afternoon, attendees had plenty of recreational opportunities including volleyball, chess tournaments, swimming, gaga, basketball, and much more:
Teaching the junior campers ages 5-11 were Mrs. Edith Craft (5-8) and Mrs. Jessica Whitworth (9-12) with help from Donna DeSantis, Mrs. Roberta Stewart, and Mrs. Kathy Mickel:
On Thursday morning, junior campers paraded around the camp dressed in colonial attire:
At our closing ceremonies, the Super Camper Award went to first-time camper Melanie Shrader and veteran camper Eamon Westrick They both get a free tuition for next year’s camp for themselves or a sibling or friend. Westrick. Runner-up honors were Annaliese Westrick, Nyah Johnson and David Tyuvin. Videographer Mert Melfa was awarded the Super Staffer Award, and Pastor David Whitney received the Super Instructor Award.
Next year’s camp will run from Sunday July 12 to Friday July 17, 2026, at the same venue.
Thanks to all who helped to make this event happen.