German Exchange
The 2009 Camp Dudley
German Exchange Group
It is once again Camp Dudley’s turn to send a group of boys overseas on the German Exchange. In Westport, we are already getting excited for the trip. Every other year, Dudley sends a cabin group to Germany and in the interim years, Dudley hosts a group from the German YMCA. The trip is an incredible opportunity for our boys. Most campers who participate are 14-15-years-old, and have completed their Senior year at Camp.
Dudley and Abbensen Staff in Hanover
The exchange is with Camp Abbensen YMCA (CVJM), just outside of Hanover, Germany. Just like Camp Dudley, campers at Abbensen return year after year to enjoy an unbeatable summer experience. Abbensen is coed, has about one third the amount of campers as Dudley, runs for two and a half weeks, and is situated in a forest rather than on a lake. Their program stresses diversity, understanding, creativity and fun. The campus is rustic and beautiful. The vibe is just like Dudley’s, with a supportive staff and a genuine effort to serve to ‘Other Fellow’.
Lamin, Lucas and Ludoff
The 2011 Dudley trip to Germany has several components. The main attraction, the ‘Inter-Camp’ at Abbensen, is a two and a half week camp session designed to integrate youth from YMCA camps worldwide. In recent years, along with the Dudley boys, campers from Russia, Spain and Japan have participated. Besides attending Camp Abbensen, the program includes a stay at the Hannover YMCA, a three-day home stay with a local family, and a tour of selected areas of Germany. The tours are organized and run by Abbensen staff, and in recent years have visited Hamburg, Berlin, Leipzig and Munich.
49th Dudley Abbensen reunion in Hanover
This innovative program was developed between Camp Dudley and Camp Abbensen, in the early 1960’s by Camp Dudley’s Bob Marshall and Herr Walter Lutz. The program introduced the concept of, “Fellowship and international understanding.” Hundreds of American and German campers have experienced this Dudley program, with fathers and sons now having participated on both sides of the Atlantic. This coming year we will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the program. Dudley will send a delegation of program alumni to Germany for the event.
Please contact Davo at davo@campdudley.org for more information on the program.
