Camp Medley celebrates 80 years
Drizzly, cool weather did not stop more than 200 people from returning to a place close to their hearts — Camp Medley.
On May 24, they gathered to celebrate the camp’s 80th anniversary. After registering, guests were invited to stop at the donation table, where funds were being raised for the $2.8 million pool and maintenance facility project. More than $8,000 was raised during the day.
In the dining hall, projected videos and photos from years past — some long past — transfixed guests as they saw themselves and their friends on-screen.
In the old dining hall, Lynn Mills had created a walk down memory lane with photos, clippings and memorabilia, all categorized by decade.
“I sorted over 1,000 slides,” she said. “It was a pile of work, but I learned a lot about Camp Medley.”
The day formally began with an opening ceremony, with camp director John Galbraith and former staffer Chris Brittain, dressed in Hawaiian shirts, performing a skit and leading the crowd in a rousing rendition of the camp song, “Oh, we’re from Camp Medley and we’re on the best team…”
Then Archbishop David Edwards recounted his first visit to the camp during his first summer in Canada. With Rob Marsh, he drove to the camp to pick up a boy from Saint John, but just before they arrived, the boy had kicked a skunk, with predictable results.
“Rob threw him in the shower, with his clothes on,” he said. “This was before Safe Church.
“I had never seen a skunk before or smelled a skunk before. It was a rough ride home!”
POOL PROJECT
John acknowledged the help of Richard Crowe, with the two working with the Regional Development Corporation of New Brunsick to help bring the pool project to fruition.
The rural community of Arcadia, where Camp Medley is located, was represented by Mayor Clinton Sharpe.
“We’ll try to do everything we can to help Camp Medley in the next 80 years," he said.
When built, the pool will offer community swims, something the rural population does not enjoy.
Allen Partridge, warden in the Parish of Shediac, announced a donation to the pool project.
“We have been prayerfully following the project’s development,” he said, reading a letter from Archdeacon Brent Ham. “We are pleased to pledge $100,000.”
This news was met with thunderous applause.
He quoted Psalm 118:23: “This is the Lord 's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.”
John recounted the various pledges so far, from the Diocesan Synod ($500,000) and the Regional Development Corporation (just under $500,000) and others, for a total of $1.136 million.
In 2024, there were 34 user group rentals outside of summer camp, and while most are not Christian,John relies on God to use the camp in ways that glorify his name.
“We do what we do because of what and who God is in our lives,” he said. “Everyday I am amazed at what God in doing in this place.
“Our whole heart’s desire is to grow people, that we all grow in our walk with Jesus,” he said. “I believe God brought you here today for you. Don’t miss that opportunity.”
Roger Buckland was present, and was the oldest camper. He is the son of Canon Basil Buckland, who was instrumental in building the camp.
After everyone had time to browse through the memorabilia, they gathered on the lawn for group photos, of each decade’s campers and staff, and a large group photo of everyone present for the day’s celebration.
Lunch was barbecued hot dogs and hamburgers, potato chips and watermelon.
WORSHIP SERVICE
The day wound up with a service of Holy Eucharist led by Archbishop David. The Rev. David Smith, former camp director, preached. The house band of the Rev. Mike Caines, the Rev. David Turner, Anna Caines, Kate Turner and Jamie Morell led the worship, including popular camp songs.
David Smith recounted some of his memories of Camp Medley, saying, “I still remember Camp Medley’s phone number!”
He began his sermon with the why of Camp Medley, remembering registration day each week during the summer. It was either blisteringly hot or rainy, with about 110 children arriving at the camp.
“Some were excited, some were already homesick,” he said.
He recalled a lifeguard named Joyce who was very pretty and was often the centre of attention, surrounded by young men. On one particular registration day, he noticed a man approaching with a bouquet of flowers, heading straight for Joyce.
In his mind, this was another example of Joyce being sidelined from her role, and he was having none of it. He was about to rush off to read the riot act “when someone saved me.”
The man was her brother, and he was bringing her flowers, as he did every year on the anniversary of her lifegiving gift of a kidney to him.
“It reminds me of our saviour and his gift to us,” he said. “Like Joyce’s brother, we are called to receive it. That’s the why of Camp Medley.”
The how is the time spent in nature, “In God’s great cathedral. We are on the Rhine of North America here. This place is the gift of a week outdoors.”
David recounted many memories of camp, for example, the ‘invention’ of Christmas in July during a wet and miserable week; and a community parade using wagons from the area farmers.
“One of the reasons I became director was because I couldn’t do any of the jobs!” he said.
He noted the hard work of the staff, in particular, the counsellors.
“It’s exhausting work loving 12 or 13 kids 24/7,” he said.
David remembered a young boy who arrived with his father in a flashy sports car.
“The boy’s parents had recently divorced and he was looking forward to a visit with his father,” he said. “Instead, the dad dropped him off here. He was so sad.
“But we got on with the business of love. He had fun. He felt loved and cared for. By mid-week, he wasn’t crying anymore.”
David’s wife, Esther, who worked at another camp, told him that the good thing about summer camp is that campers can shed their labels and be whomever they want to be — not a bully, not the victim of a bully, for example.
“They have the chance, with a loving staff, to be liberated to be who they really want to be. That’s the good news of Jesus Christ and the why of Camp Medley. In Jesus Christ, we are made new.
“What a wonderful gift, and it’s ours to give at Camp Medley.”
VISITOR COMMENTS
Shelly Morell, camper 1985-92: The people kept me coming back, especially John and Chris Brittain.
I think my favourite memory was my CIT (counsellor in training) year. John David Dauphnee and I were put in charge of field duty while the staff meeting was going on. We raided the tuck shop. I think I ate 50 pounds of candy!
I wanted to come today to reconnect with people.
Angie Morell Kennedy, camper 1988-94: I made lots of friends but for me, Camp Medley is the chapel. I feel a sense of peace when I’m in the chapel.
Both my kids went here as campers and now my daughter is on staff. When I drop them off, I go into the chapel and say a prayer for them.
Rosalie Brown, camper in 1947: I’ve always been interested in Camp Medley. I came here. My kids came here. I have very good memories, especially the homemade bread.
Deborah Kantor: A big part of my faith started here. Reading the bible, I said, ‘this book is speaking to me!’
We got our swimming qualifications through Medley. I was here seven summers. My kids all came here. I was also a counsellor and a chaplain. I did a stint on the board of directors too.
Sue Machum, camp cook: It’s been great being here and I very much enjoyed my time. It was nice seeing everyone.
DIRECTOR JOHN GALBRAITH’S COMMENT: It’s a great turnout! We have over 200 people here, from all over — England, Ontario, British Columbia, Grand Manan. It’s been a really good day for connecting, and for God. He is speaking to people’s hearts.
Photo captions:
1. Group photo of the many people who came to celebrate Camp Medley's 80th anniversary on May 24. Here they are waving to the drone which was also taking their photo.
2. The day was a chance to catch up with old friends, from left: Cath Coombes, Nancy Wiggins and Deborah Kantor.
3. Charlotte Vautour (2013-2023) and Molly Maber (2013-2024), who were both campers and staff, check out the memorabilia in the old dining hall.
4. Chris Brittain and John Galbraith lead the crowd in a camp song.
McKnight photos