C5 New England at Camp Lapham
731 South Road
Ashby, MA 01431
Ages: 8th-12th grades
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Director Allyson Burley
Allyson worked as the C5 New England CYRD for over a year, and has loved the opportunity to work with such an amazing group of Youth Leaders. The C5 program is something I firmly believe in, and I am honored to be a part of it as it settles into New England permanently. My experiences in various Youth Development opportunities throughout Boston have left me with lots of ideas and best practices to pull from when developing and working within this program. My EdM from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education falls in line perfectly with the philosophy and values of Crossroads and C5. The years of volunteering with AmeriCorps bring a passion for service to the community and I try to pass that passion on to our teens. I look forward to the next year and beyond with Crossroads and C5, and continue to work to make our program the best it can be.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is C5?
The summer portion of C5 is four weeks of activities, treks, campfires and friends, all in a fabulous outdoor environment. It's also a year-round program of community service and education preparing young people to be leaders in their communities.
Where is C5?
The summer portion of the C5 program in New England will operate in association with Crossroads for Kids at Camp Lapham , in Ashby, MA, approximately 90 minutes northwest of Boston.
What is the difference between C5 and Crossroads For Kids?
C5 is a program that is designed and funded by the C5 Youth Foundation. Each C5 program operates within the framework of a local youth development organization. Crossroads for Kids was selected as the partner organization for C5 New England due to their outstanding track record for youth development.
How much does C5 cost?
There is no financial cost to families for the five year C5 program. The commitment from program participants is to be involved on a year round basis in being an outstanding community leader, participating in community service projects, keeping their school grades at a consistent level, and attending C5 events.
What will I do at C5?
The leadership program involves living at camp for approximately four weeks each summer, participating in seminars and fun camp activities such as swimming, boating, sports, ropes course, creative arts, computers, and planning wilderness treks to various locations around New England . In addition, program participants will plan and carry out community service and environmental activities. A big part of being a C5 participant is learning to work together as a team, and learning what it means to be a positive leader.
Each year of the five year program brings new activities, adventures, and opportunities for leadership development. Find out more about each year of the C5 program and activities at www.c5yf.org
How old are the participants?
C5 campers attend their first summer camp experience when they have just completed the 7 th grade – which means they are approximately 13 years old.
How can I apply to be part of C5?
Being a part of the five year C5 experience requires a lot of commitment from program participants, their families/caregivers, and their community support agencies or school. Prospective campers will be nominated by a school or community agency who thinks they might be an outstanding candidate, and then they will go through a selection process with the C5 Director and Program Directors before being selected. If you are interested in being a part of C5, ask your school principal or the director of your community youth program to contact us and ask about being involved!
I am a 7 th grade camper at Camp Wing/Camp Mitton - can I apply to C5?
If you are currently in the 7th grade, you may be eligible to be nominated for C5 by the Crossroads for Kids staff. Keep in mind that this is a leadership development program and requires a five year commitment with year round community service and other activities. It's definitely not for everyone, but if you think you have the right kind of attitude and commitment to be a great C5 camper, contact the Crossroads for Kids office for more information!
History
In 1942, Raymond W. Lapham contributed the funds necessary for the purchase of 125 acres for Girls' Camp in memory of his father, Henry G. Lapham and his mother Rebecca L. Lapham. The two previous girls summer camp experience took place on leased land in New Hampshire. If anything was ever true it certainly was that there is nothing like having “your own” camp.
Louise Deyman, a young lady of with many years experience in camping in the Midwest was the first Camp Lapham Director. All the campers came from the Bunker Hill Girls' Club of Boston. Two hundred and twenty-one (221) different girls between 10-16 yrs. old attended camp that first season.
The Forbes Waterfront and swimming areas was called one of the finest swimming areas in the state at the time. The other facilities featured a two-story wood frame farmhouse that was built in 1890. In 1943 through a generous contribution from Miss Katherine Winthrop a new cabin facility was built to house an additional 32 girls. In 1947 the camp was supplied with an artesian well that brought in an unfailing supply of water. Many projects took place at Camp Lapham in 1950. There were new cabins, a recreation building, a shower-bath house and a laundry room. Improvements were made through grants from Mr. Raymond Lapham. The Hyams foundation was also a key contributor at Camp Lapham. From the start they contributed many dollars for the construction of new cabins and the infirmary. In 1966 the Lapham dining hall was dedicated in memory of Sandra Countway. This was followed by the new administrative building with year round quarters for the caretaker and for winter activities in 1967. In 1977, the new swimming pool was built in memory of Trustee Weston Howland. Camp Lapham remained a girls camp until 1975 when it was converted to a co-ed camp serving 60 boys and 80 girls.
Directions
Take Rt. 2 West (can be reached by Rt. 128, or by the Fresh Pond Parkway in Cambridge). Follow Rt. 2 to Concord, in Concord, at the rotary (near Concord Prison), turn onto Rt. 119. Follow Rt. 119 through all its twists and turns for about 25 miles into Ashby. When you enter Ashby, watch for South Road on the left (small store on corner). Turn left onto South Road. The camp will be on the right – 731 South Road.
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