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Help A Summer Youth Program Restore Camp Bethel

Submitted by Christine Becker, Member of Camp Bethel Assocation

(May 5, 2022) — A summer youth program that brings young people, seniors, veterans and local volunteers together will work to restore Camp Bethel, a National Historic Site on the banks of the Connecticut River.

Young people will learn basic carpentry, painting and roofing skills while giving Camp Bethel in Haddam the repairs and upgrades that are sorely needed.  Camp Bethel, founded in 1878, is a historic, interdenominational campground that has provided youth programming and spiritual guidance for thousands of young people over its 144 years of existence.

Where are we in the process?  An architect and several carpenters already have  volunteered their time to assess the needs of the many buildings – a church, dining hall, youth cabins, meeting hall – and to lead the work.  Thirty young people from the Deep River Congregational Church Youth Group have set aside a week from June 13-17, 2022 to work, and commitments are being established with other schools and youth organizations. Local veterans also will be on hand to assist with this project.

What are we missing?  Funding for the supplies and materials to make it successful.  Your donations will purchase paint, wood, lighting and other much-needed supplies.

Will you join us in giving young people skills and experience, promoting inter-generational dialogue and helping give a wonderful historic landmark the TLC it needs? All donated funds will go toward this project. GoFundMe takes only 2.9% for processing fees; all the rest of your donation will help us to make this project move forward! Our project can be found HERE.

There will be an Open House on Friday, June 17, 2022 at 1:00-2:30 p.m. We will be meeting in the Dining Hall at 1:00 p.m. for some tours of the grounds.

Photos provided by Christine Becker.

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