Why I Give

Contributors share why supporting Kabeyun's Annual Fund is Meaningful to Them

Year after year, hundreds of members of the extended Kabeyun community contribute to our Annual Fund, demonstrating the remarkably strong connections that remain far beyond their years at camp. In 2022, we asked a few of our long-time donors why giving to Kabeyun is meaningful to them. Many of them see Annual Fund contributions as a tangible way to pass the gift of Kabeyun on to future generations of campers and their families.

Mac Thibault

Mac Thibault
Andover, MA

At 15, Mac is among our youngest Annual Fund donors, and he’s been giving since age 10! Mac is heading into his 7th summer as a camper and speaks eloquently about why he gives. 

“Every year I give a little money to support camp. It’s nice to think that even if it’s a $10 donation, that can help fund a new Towne, or something for the ski boat, or new camping gear. Something that makes the experience more fun while you’re there and the people after you. Your donation stays at Kabeyun much, much longer than you do.” 

Celia Ross

Celia Ross
Ann Arbor, MI

Celia worked for Kabeyun for five summers in the 1990’s, helping in the kitchen and with the Log, running the Leather Shack, and as a cabin counselor.

“Kabeyun is a special place and I contribute to the Annual Fund so hopefully others can experience it for themselves. I love to hear news of camp because for a brief moment I'm transported back to Lake Winnipesaukee and Big Cove, to Frogmore and the Woodchucks cabin, to the leather shack and Porter's dock, to summer in New England. John Porter's original vision and the positive impact of Kabeyun carries on, even after 100 years.”

Jim & Sally McMorris

Jim & Sally McMorris
Manhasset, NY

Jim first came to Kabeyun in 1947, when he was a Wildcat, and stayed for ten years. His three sons also were campers and their family was among the original Family Campers in 1973.

“Why do we give? Because we love the camp! We want it to continue as a boys’ camp in perpetuity and for boys to continue to get experiences that they may not get otherwise. The sailing, the mountain climbing, things you just wouldn’t do in your normal school activities. We like that boys get to choose each day what they want to do.”

David and Ian Carley

Tom Carley
New York, NY

Tom and his two brothers were campers in the late 1960’s; his sons Ian and David (pictured in 2015) were long-time campers in the 2000’s.

“I started giving to the Annual Fund almost immediately after I started working. I wanted that property and the Porter Foundation to survive. In the 1980's, I saw a lot of the land on Winnipesaukee being destroyed and I thought, oh my gosh, I can't bear to think of that happening to Kabeyun. That inspired me to give. Then, as luck would have it, I had two sons and they went to Kabeyun and loved it. It was life-changing for them.”