...a word about the essence of this camp as expressed in its logo which appears at the top of subsequent pages. When I first saw words like "values" and "altruism" in that logo, my reaction was skeptical to say the least. The former word seems vague and over used of late, and isn't the latter pretty unattainable for young boys between the ages of ten and sixteen? The camps with which I have been associated over the years, if they had a logo or raison d'etre at all, never went much beyond fun, friends, and activities. Having been a teaching colleague of Dave for close to a lifetime, I should not have been a skeptic. Having visited and observed the Camp in action, I no longer am. Dave's entire career as a teacher has been all about getting young boys, hundreds of them, to commit to more than just themselves. As aggressively as I have seen him work at this in the classroom setting, it was always at summer camp on Newfound Lake, at a place that he loves and where he grew up, that he knew boys could best learn and practice what he deemed to be the most important Big Three lifetime skills:

• good judgement
• sticking up for what you think is right
• being aggressively altruistic

This focus truly permeates a session spent at Masquebec Hill. Counselors, who have all been campers at one time, will befriend boys and help them to become better sailors or swimmers or tennis players, but they never lose sight of the Big Three and the myriad of opportunities to develop them in the overnight camp setting. In truth, Masquebec Hill has goodly amounts of the afore mentioned good fun, new friends, and activities, but it is clearly committed to more. In my observation, it achieves a good deal more.

Read Albright , lifetime teacher
For The Friends of Masquebec Hill

There is safety in positive group tone. There is safety in a small number where each face can be read. There is safety in alertness. There is safety in being well-trained. There is safety in being prepared for the worst. We have John McDugald, who embodies all of the above.

Counselors are former campers who have proven themselves to be effective and caring mentors. The physical and emotional safety of each camper is their top priority. Counselors take Red Cross First Aid and CPR courses. Several are trained Water Safety Instructors. One or two have Wilderness First Aid qualifications. Additionally, counselors have a week of training before the season to rehearse safety procedures and establish educational priorities.

Some Health and Safety Details:

• General swims take place in a confined area under strict supervision.


• Sailing, canoeing and fishing – after instruction, in properly donned life preservers, and within established boundaries – are carefully monitored activities.


• Campers are not allowed at the Waterfront unless it is supervised.


• Excursions away from the Camp are planned carefully by experienced leaders who take specially prepared medical kits. Hiking groups stay together with at least two counselors and a medical kit. They pace themselves according to the shortest pair of legs.


• In addition to the required health history and annual physical from a child’s pediatrician, each boy takes a physical examination within twenty-four hours of arriving at Camp. Linda Fischer, our nurse, first aid/CPR instructor, also an EMT, is on call, as is Dr. David Cunis of Plymouth Pediatrics, affiliated with Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. We have standing medical orders from Dr. Cunis.


• Hearty, well-balanced, family-style meals are planned by a professional dietician.


• Masquebec Hill is licensed and inspected by the State of New Hampshire and is a member of the New Hampshire Camp Directors Association.