Tradition and community shine at Brooktondale Summer Camp

Brooktondale Summer Camp, where local children unplug, play, and build friendships, is gearing up for another season as a long-standing community tradition. 

Peyton Dennis will be Brooktondale Summer Camp director for the third time this year. She started out as a counselor in 2018 and 2019 and was director in 2022 and 2023.

The camp’s reputation and long history attracts campers well outside the immediate area, from as far away as Lansing and Spencer. “I think it’s a testament to the longevity of the camp and how we, as the community, have built it up,” Dennis said. “I look forward to it every year. It’s my favorite job I have, but truly, there’s a history of the camp and I’m honored to be part of that.”

The camp began in the mid-70s, said Nancy Hall, Brooktondale Community Center Board of Directors co-chair, who has been involved for many years and still goes to the camp every day. “I just love seeing the kids,” she said.

“Nancy Hall has done an amazing job over the years,” Dennis said. “She is truly the backbone of this community and this camp. I think she deserves all the credit in the world for it.”

For the local families, the camp provides a convenience that would not otherwise be available to working parents.

“Because Brooktondale’s a little farther out [from Ithaca], it’s easier for parents than going downtown for some of the bigger camps,” explained Hall.

“Parents walk their kids over, and we can embrace the great weather and the outdoors and really celebrate the beautiful community that we have here,” Dennis said, “and I think it’s in the perfect spot, and it’s so nice to be outside. It’s a breath of fresh air for everybody.”

Originally from Arizona, Dennis was a camper and counselor in theatre camps in her hometown.

“It was a great way to spend the summer,” she said.

The Brooktondale camp offers free play and fun and activities in a safe environment.

“We’re not very overly scheduled,” Hall said. “We do just, kind of, let them be kids for the summer.”

“I love what camp does for kids,” said Dennis.

The camp is electronics-free. “I think it gives the opportunity to explore relationships, how we communicate with one another,” Dennis said. “We play games, and it allows them space to be creative.”

As a counselor, Dennis led dance classes and helped with arts and crafts projects. “So it provided an opportunity to be creative on my side,” she said.

 She added that she has enjoyed watching her campers through the years.

“A lot of these kids grow up in this area and return to camp,” Dennis said, adding that those who forge friendships will often plan to sign up for the same weeks, returning to their favorite card game or sport as though no time has passed.

“I’ve known a lot of them since they were really little, and some are being CITs [counselors in training] this year,” she said. “I think we have a pretty special group of people, and a lot of them did come to this camp, so they uphold the traditions that we do, and they are a fantastic support system. They really care about the kids.”

There are usually six or seven staff members for every one camper, which is well below the New York State-required ratio of 1:10.

Certain activities are always a hit with the campers and are brought back year after year. “We have a pirate day that the kids look forward to, and certain themes the kids carry on through the years,” Dennis said.

She said there are also new traditions, started in her time as director, that she looks forward to continuing. “We just got a gaga ball pit, and they absolutely love the game,” she said. “It’s added a new element of fun, so we’re able to keep traditions and expand them at the same time.”

New faces are always welcome. “The first day they are showing them around,” Dennis said of seasoned campers meeting the new ones. “Sometimes the staff steps in and helps, but it’s very quickly that a kiddo is coming and saying ‘let’s do arts and crafts together; let’s go on the swings,’ and it’s awesome.”

Dates for the Brooktondale Summer Camp are June 30 to Aug. 29. The weeks of Aug. 18 to 22 and Aug. 25 to 29 are full, but the rest of the summer has remaining spots available. The camp costs $220 per week.

Campers who are 4 or 5 years old must be entering kindergarten in the fall to be eligible. The maximum age for campers is 14 years.

A reminder to the community: During summer camp hours, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., the playground and all surrounding grounds are closed to the public for the safety of the campers.

Other events coming up this summer at Brooktondale Community Center

The Community Wide Yard Sale will be held on June 14 throughout the Brooktondale area, and those seeking treasures are encouraged to come to the Brooktondale Community Center on the day of the sale at 8:30 a.m. to pick up the list of participating locations.

Ageless Jazz Band is coming to the Brooktondale Community Center July 6 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. with a community dish-to-pass immediately after at 6 p.m.