Camp Dudley’s history began in 1885, when, with backing from two YMCA associates, George Peck and Rudolph Leypoldt, a 30-year old volunteer named Sumner Francis Dudley started the Boys’ Camping Society or “B.C.S.” Dudley established, through personal example, the importance of committed leadership and the spiritual life.



He also developed Dudley’s first daily program, based on swimming, boating, canoeing and hiking, as well as time for spiritual reflection. Boys were soon encouraged to bring their baseball gloves… and a summer camp was born. For his pioneering initiative, Dudley became known as the “Father of YMCA camping.”



After bouncing around among various sites, Camp Dudley landed in 1908 in Westport, New York at its current site, and the process of building Camp Dudley as we know it today, began.



Camp Dudley’s motto, “The Other Fellow First,” was adopted in the early 20th century and the camper population grew and grew. The campus switched from tents to cabins and several more permanent structures were erected as the enthusiasm for this special place spread.



There have been almost a dozen Camp Directors over the years, several of them remaining at the helm for many years. H.C. “Chief” Beckman guided Camp Dudley from 1908 to 1947, when Bob Marshall began a 22-year stint. Willie Schmidt took over the helm (from Rollie Stichweh) in 1974 and stayed at his post until 1994. The current director is Andy Bisselle, who has been leading the Camp Dudley team since 2000.