Letter from the Director: Spring 2026

Dear Friends of Camp Scugog,

I am very happy to be writing to you, and I know this letter is long overdue. As I reflect on my first year as Camp Director, I am incredibly grateful for the support and encouragement I’ve received from so many members of this community. For those of you who do not know me—hi, my name is Jesse Murphy, and I’m the Camp Director. I’ve had the privilege of working closely with Dana Leahey, our Executive Director, and her mentorship has been invaluable as I step into this role.

I am a long-time staff member and former camper at Camp Scugog. Camp has always held a special place in my heart. I first attended when I was 10 years old, and I truly owe so much to camp for shaping who I am today. It gave me skills, confidence, and opportunities that helped change the course of my life. I am very excited and deeply passionate about helping camp continue to create those same kinds of life-changing experiences for others in the years ahead.

Summer 2025 was my first as Camp Director, and it’s one I will always remember very fondly. Our staff team, made up of an incredible group of young adults, worked so hard to create a safe and fun space for many mothers and kids to enjoy. We were especially grateful for the lake, as it was one of the hottest summers we’ve had in a while, and we definitely took full advantage of being on the water.

One story from the summer that has really stayed with me is about a 9-year-old girl who came to camp on her own. She was very nervous when she arrived and was dropped off by her social worker, who shared that she was transitioning from a foster home to a group home and had been struggling. The first few days were tough, but as the week went on, she began to settle in. She built friendships and found her stride in archery in particular. When her social worker came to pick her up, she shared how surprised she was that the camper had made it through the full 10 days. A few days later, she followed up to say that Sophie couldn’t stop talking about camp, and that her confidence had improved in a meaningful way. Most importantly, she said that camp made her feel safe enough to be herself. This is just one example of the kind of impact camp had this past summer. I was very proud to be the director of this team, and I’m really looking forward to carrying that momentum into 2026.

I am very happy to share a few exciting updates from camp.

In January, we hosted our annual Winter Camp for our Leadership Program. It was very bittersweet this year as it was the final year it was held in Bancroft after 18 wonderful years. With our longtime Executive Director, Dana, retiring, we are looking ahead to a new chapter, bringing this special weekend back to camp. Thanks to the geothermal system installed four years ago, we’re now able to use camp year-round. Winter Camp plays an important role in supporting our Leaders-in-Training beyond the summer. It helps young people grow in confidence, develop leadership skills, and stay connected to a community that supports them throughout the year. This year, 25 staff and Leaders-in-Training gathered despite -21°C temperatures. Thanks to generously donated winter gear, everyone was able to fully participate. One camper shared that it was her first time snowshoeing, describing it as one of the most beautiful experiences she had ever had, a simple but powerful reminder of the impact these moments can have.

This past fall, our longtime Office Manager, Vicky Spence, retired after 13 years of faithfully supporting families and staff through the camp registration process, an incredibly important part of Camp Scugog. While she has stepped away from her role as Office Manager, we are very grateful that she will continue to be involved with camp in a different capacity. I am now excited to introduce Leanne Stamper as our new Camp Registrar and Donor Care Coordinator. She has already proven to be an incredible addition to our team and will play a key role in making sure our registrations and communications are well managed, and that our donors feel connected, valued, and appreciated.

Just last week, we had a very successful March Break Day Camp as part of our Nature School. Programs like this play an important role in making our summer overnight camp more accessible, with all revenue directly supporting camper spots. We welcomed 21 kids for a week of outdoor programming, including tobogganing, fire building, and shelter building. We were especially proud to keep the program outside for most of the week, with the weather on our side. By the end of each day, many kids didn’t want to leave, always a good sign.

Beyond the camper experience, the week also highlighted the strength of our leadership pathway. We were able to hire three staff and have four Leaders-in-Training volunteers, giving them a chance to step into leadership roles and build on what they learned last summer. It was encouraging to see their growth in real time.

Overall, this program is a great example of how we can create meaningful experiences for kids while also strengthening the future of camp.

Summer staff hiring is also underway and remains one of our top priorities. Our goal this summer is to run overnight camp at full capacity, and in order to do that, we need a full and strong staff team. We are looking for people between the ages of 17–23 who are looking for a fun and rewarding summer job. It’s an opportunity to be outside, live in community, help guide kids through activities, and build friendships and memories that will last a lifetime—not to mention gaining valuable skills and experience to add to a resume. If you know anyone who might be interested, please send them here to join our team or have them contact me directly at Jmurphy@campscugog.org.

I’d love to invite you to join us for our Spring Cleaning Day on May 2nd from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. This is a vital day that helps ensure camp is ready to welcome campers for the summer. We’ll be bringing together volunteers to prepare the site from cleaning cabins to clearing and organizing spaces and this work simply wouldn’t be possible without the support of our community. We’ll provide food throughout the day, including a BBQ lunch and snacks. It’s also a meaningful opportunity to visit camp, see the site firsthand, and experience the place your support helps make possible. If you’re able to join us, please use the link below to sign up. We’d truly love to have you be part of getting camp ready for an incredible summer.

Spring Cleaning Registration

Thank you for being such an important part of the Camp Scugog community. Your support through donations and volunteering makes this work possible. I hope this update helps you feel connected to the impact you are helping create. I will be sending out an update closer to the summer. I look forward to sharing more with you soon.

With gratitude,

Jesse Murphy

Camp Director

Camp Scugog

Pictured above are LITs, JCs, and staff enjoying our Winter Weekend fun in Bancroft, ON.

Pictured above are campers at this years March Break Camp, part of our Nature School. Lots of outdoor exploring, learning and FUN was had by our campers, LIT's and staff!