Hosts 'The Splash on Squam' to benefit Camp Hale

On Saturday, August 6 from 5:00-8:00pm, United South End Settlements (USES) hosted "The Splash on Squam," an event to benefit Camp Hale. This event welcomed neighbors and supporters to tour Camp Hale and learn about USES's vision for the program development, environmental stewardship, and facilities improvements. Guests had the opportunity to meet with USES President and CEO Maicharia Weir Lytle, Camp Hale Director Jerrell Cox, and many of the young people who participate in the program each summer.

In his remarks, Jerrell Cox shared, "Camp Hale exists to build strong leaders. I have seen this place transform the lives of countless young people into mature, responsible, and confident young adults. Camp Hale has been around for 116 years, and I want to see it continue for the next 116 so my children and grandchildren can benefit from this place as much as I have."

In addition to the $400,000 Camp Hale raises for camperships, Camp Hale seeks to raise $180,000 for predevelopment work in advance of a capital campaign to replace, renovate and repair its facilities. This includes taking action to address erosion issues along the shoreline and managing the health of the camp's trees, as well as building a fund to ensure that the property and buildings are maintained for generations to come.

"Camp Hale is a truly special place," shared USES President and CEO Maicharia Weir Lytle. "This is a crucial time for us - it is an opportunity for us to transform our facilities into a modern camp that meets the needs of our innovative programming. As a parent of three children who have all attended Camp Hale, I can say in all truthfulness what an invaluable resource this place is to children and families of all backgrounds."

Each summer, Camp Hale serves up to 200 youth, ages 6-17, through a variety of challenging outdoor experiences including hiking, swimming, canoeing, archery, and more. Providing a multi-cultural experience, where campers meet and interact with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds, is an integral part of the program. Our cabins are made up of diverse groups of youth who eat, sleep, work, play, and travel together. Tolerance, respect for others, and the celebration of differences are integrated into all aspects of camp activities. Counselors and program staff mentor the youth and teach them team-building, leadership, and the hard, yet rewarding, work that goes into setting and achieving goals.

Richard Webb, Camp Hale Program Director, started attending Camp Hale 11 years ago as a camper. "Camp Hale is my home, even more so than where I grew up in Boston. This is where I have grown and developed into the man I am today."

We welcome the opportunity to continue the conversation about the future of Camp Hale with our neighbors around Squam Lake. To learn more about our vision, contact Nikki Stewart, Vice President of Development, at nstewart@uses.org or 617-375-8132.