"A Foundation in the Past, A Vision for the Future"

Summer camp...These words conjure up images of campfires, sailing, hiking, and most of all, friendship! Do you remember when summer meant camp? Well, it still does! A summer at Camp Regis-Applejack provides campers with all of the images that you remember, plus many, many more, combining together to make a unique memory for today's campers.

With so many summer camp programs around, what makes Camp Regis-Applejack different? When Earl and Pauline Humes opened the camp in 1946, they had very specific goals in mind. One goal was to establish a diverse community of campers and staff by providing an opportunity to live with others from varied backgrounds. The campers and staff developed an understanding and compassion for those who may look differently, worship differently, speak differently, or perhaps act differently from themselves. Most of the families who chose to send their children to Regis-Applejack wanted their children to be in a rich environment where it did not matter what your parents did for a living, what religion you were or were not, what color you skin was, or where you lived.

This interest in having a diverse community stems in part from the Humes family's association with the Society of Friends and the Unitarian Universalist Association. Although Camp Regis-Applejack is completely non-denominational, much of the respect for individuals and their differences, the low-key, down-to-earth attitude, and the non-judgmental, non-competitive atmosphere stems from this background. Today, this tradition of diversity is carried on through the Humes' son, Michael, who is now the owner/director of the camp.

Although grounded in traditions of the past, Camp Regis-Applejack has evolved over the past 61 years to focus on the needs of today's children and families. In providing 4 as well as 8 week sessions, there is an awareness that some families desire to spend a part of the summer vacationing, traveling, or just relaxing as a family unit.

It is also important for parents to find a camp which adapts to the individual needs of their child. By providing excellent instruction in varied activities such as athletics, the visual and performing arts, aquatics and wilderness exploration, campers have the opportunity to try new activities as well as to improve on already existing skills. Under the watchful eye of the program specialty staff, enthusiastic skill building helps the campers to grow in confidence and self-esteem while gaining enjoyment from the many activities offered.

Camp Regis-Applejack is really two camps in one, each meeting the specific interests and needs of a different age group.

Camp Regis is for boys and girls ages 6 through 12. Here the focus is on the group living experience as well as on introducing campers to new activities and improving upon their already existing skills. This is the age when most children begin their resident camping experience. As such, the camp's nurturing staff provides support and guidance to help each new camper make a positive adjustment to new experiences and to a new environment.

Applejack is a teen camp for boys and girls ages 13 through 16. In addition to all of the in-camp activities, the teens are given the opportunity for more out-of-camp travel with day trips to such areas as Montreal, Quebec, and Lake George. The oldest teens participate in a week-long "teen tour" trip that in past years has visited Canada, Cape Cod, and The Maine coast. We also have a Camper-in-Leadership-Training program which provides an opportunity for the older teens to develop skills while working with younger campers or in activity areas, all under careful guidance and instruction.

As Camp Regis-Applejack enters it's 60th year, the Humes family and staff are looking forward to welcoming both new and returning campers for another summer of laughter, fun and friendship. A lifetime of memories await one and all on the shores of majestic St. Regis Lake in the Adirondack Mountains.

Top of Page