CUMBERLAND – Once you visit Camp Ker-Anna in Cumberland, it’s hard not to fall in love with the peaceful setting, and the rustic cabins surrounded by tall trees and nestled next to a pond.
And once you fall in love with Camp Ker-Anna, it’s hard to ever end the affair. At least, that’s the impression given by the staff members, most of whom have been there for many decades.
“It’s a virus – you catch it and you can’t shake it,” says camp chaplain Father Eugene Lessard. He’s been serving as chaplain since 1965 and isn’t even the longest-serving staff member. That distinction goes to Jerry Cournoyer, who’s been working at the camp in purchasing and inventory since 1957 – he thinks – but after a certain number of years, you can never be certain of these things, he says.
Camp Ker-Anna inspires a deep devotion in most people who spend any time there. Nearly everyone uses the word “family” when describing their experience.
During each of the four weeks that Camp Ker-Anna is open to overnight campers in July, some 60 boys or girls between the ages of 9 and 14 reside there. In addition, for the six weeks between the end of June and the beginning of August, the day camp is open to children between the ages of 5 and 12. They will spend their time swimming in the camp’s pool, boating and fishing on the pond, playing any number of sports on the athletic fields, doing arts and crafts, and attending a daily evening mass with Father Lessard.
“What we can offer is a wholesome, varied program in a woodland setting,” says Father Lessard in a speech that has surely been given to countless potential donors, “Most of these kids are from cities...They are able to develop leadership skills...and God is part of our life here. I don’t think they would get any of that watching TV or playing their video games or walking the street.”
Many of the people currently on the volunteer staff began as day or overnight campers. Ranger David Lamoureux began in 1978 as an overnight camper and worked his way up to junior, then senior staff, program director and finally camp ranger, a position he’s held since 1994.
“I was an altar boy for Father Lessard’s Masses at St. Matthew’s [in Central Falls], and I did all my Masses so he gave me a campership,” he says. “I was one of those inner city kids.”
The camp is open to any child, regardless of their parent’s income or affiliation with a parish, as long as applications are received in a timely fashion; there is a waiting list for every week of the camp right now, notes Father Lessard.
The staff gives out camperships, full or partial scholarships to families who need assistance. Last year, 68 full and partial weeks of day camp and 67 of overnight camp were given to 64 young people – $15,505 in donations from individuals, says Father Lessard.
