Our History, Mission, and Values
At Camp Huckins, we strive to create a community filled with joy, friendship, and opportunities to try new things. Campers and staff work together to create a community where everyone feels valued, safe and included as their authentic self. Creating that sense of belonging requires a commitment from all campers and staff.
About Camp Huckins
Since 1928, Camp Huckins has provided an enriching summer experience for children. Situated on the beautiful Lake Ossipee in Freedom, New Hampshire, Camp Huckins is a nonprofit, accredited YMCA overnight camp for 3rd-9th graders who identify as girls. We have about 1,300 campers each summer, and campers can attend two- or four-week sessions, space permitting.
Camp Huckins also offers Family Programs for those who would like to enjoy the camp experience with their children. Camp Huckins is a place with many enduring traditions and enriching activities, a place where people return to year after year, as campers, counselors, program staff, and Family Campers. They come back because they are touched by how, year after year, Huckins remains “Constant and True.”
Our History
Simon O. Huckins donated and named the land where Camp Huckins exists in his wife’s memory, Nellie Harmons Huckins. The camp opened in 1928 as an all-boys camp. In 1929, Camp Huckins expanded to offer four weeks for boys and four weeks for girls before transitioning to an all-girls camp in 1966.
“I present this living document, which give you the custody of an attractive site for a camp ground. No marble slab, however costly, could do justice to her in whose name this grant is made. Nothing but a living, pulsating institution can justly portray her personality.”
– S. O. Huckins
Our Mission
It is the mission of CCYMCA Camp Huckins to strengthen the spirit, mind, and body of youth, families and communities. We strive to deliver a program that develops the confidence and leadership capacities of our campers, and that provides an honest, respectful and caring atmosphere where each person can grow to realize their full potential.
Our Vision
At Huckins, our vision is to foster a community where all feel a sense of belonging and can experience camp as their authentic self. We bring our vision to life through intentional actions as we strive to be outstanding stewards of the human and natural resources in our care and to expand opportunities for growth, leadership, joy, and genuine friendship.
Putting Our Values Into Practice
Our core values are the building blocks of our Huckins community. We practice these values as we work and play together, allowing us to develop a deeper understanding of each core value and what is required to put them into action.
CARING
We believe in showing kindness towards others and ourselves. Caring requires an awareness of others, asking questions, taking time to listen, and demonstrating empathy. Caring is an essential piece in the development of new friendships.
HONESTY
We believe honesty is the quality of being truthful and is based on kindness. Honesty allows us to express true feelings and is essential to creating a culture where people feel safe to be their true selves. Honesty often requires courage. We believe that owning our mistakes is an expression of honesty. Honesty in community builds trust.
RESPECT
We believe respect begins with honoring the feelings, boundaries, opinions, and rights of others. Being curious helps us to be respectful as we can learn about intentions, impact, and become aware of boundaries and potential blind spots. We strive to practice respect for self, others, and Huckins’ beautiful natural resources.
RESPONSIBILITY
We believe responsibility is a recognition that each action has an impact – on others, on ourselves, and on this place. Practicing responsibility means that I am accountable for my actions and their impact. Being responsible means I can ask questions when I don’t know what to do and ask for help when I need it. Responsibility means I will trust others to make good decisions and follow camp’s expectations and I can be trusted to do the same.
Program Goals
Practicing our core values allows us to build a community where Huckins’ mission and vision can come to life. While aspects of the Huckins experience have changed over the last 95 years, many elements of the camp experience have remained constant and true.
As we work to put our mission and vision into action and develop leaders within our community, these are the timeless elements of the Huckins experience that campers will continue to gain:
Courage, Perseverance, and Confidence
Every day at Huckins is an opportunity to try new things and learn, whether that be learning to swim, making a friendship bracelet, or making new friends. Campers and staff are empowered to have a voice, take action, make decisions, and gain confidence through meaningful leadership experiences. Camp provides a safe space for us to make mistakes, work through challenges and learn from each other (and we do, daily!). Having the courage to try something new, keep trying if you don’t succeed at first, and confidence are core leadership skills that benefit the Huckins community and beyond, as our campers and staff go out into the world!
Authenticity and Belonging
Huckins strives to be a warm and welcoming place where campers and staff can feel valued as their authentic self and where they can express their true self without judgment. At Huckins we aspire to recognize the dignity of each person, the differences that make us unique, practicing respect and care for one another. We work together to create a safe and supportive culture where everyone feels that they are loved and that they belong.
Developing Genuine Lifelong Friends
Living in a community where caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility are intentionally practiced builds special connections between people. With these values as the foundation campers and staff can create true friendships as their true self...and find a true summer home.
Playfulness and Fun in the Outdoors
Camp days are built around fun and play, under the pines and at the water, with lots of singing and deep belly laughter. Muting the daily influence of technology allows for a sense of freedom where creativity and innovation are encouraged, campers can ground in the tech free environment, and goofiness is celebrated. We appreciate a good friendly competition for the cheering and the costumes, see rainy weather as an opportunity for unexpected fun, and find awe in nature as we lay in the grass and stargaze at night.
Leadership and Independence
Huckins strives to bring out the full potential of each camper by providing lots of opportunities to practice independence, leadership, problem solving, community, resiliency, creativity, conflict resolution and empathy. Camp leadership seeks to highlight the strengths in each individual and help them use these skills to nourish our camp culture and become leaders in their communities.
Constant and True
Perennial friendships, hearty laughter, singing at the top of your lungs, and waking to the call of the loon are the simple memories that carry through a lifetime Fresh air, open sky, and the time and opportunity for young people to become more confident and self-assured — these are the traditions and values we hold dear.
big laughs
and lasting friendships