Wow! I had no idea that the camp was even still in existence. My brother and I were campers at Camp Duffield 41 years ago, from 1969 to 1974. My father was the pastor at St. Andrews United Church of Christ in Buffalo during those years.

I spent a total of 9 weeks attending summer camps at Duffield, not to mention several winter retreats over those years.

Back then the cabins were still around the lodge and the old concrete block buildings were where the permanent staff stayed. The only staff member I can remember was a young man by the name of Phil. He was the lifeguard and was my camp counselor several times.

The things I remember most were hiking down to the Cattaraugus River and then walking the back to Elton Creek and back up to the clay pits where we would have clay wars and then going further up the creek to the falls and washing it all off.

The pond was another great experience. Spring fed and pretty cold to a city kid like me. You had to be able to swim the length of the swim area ropes without stopping in order to be allowed to go out to the middle and use the diving platform. I also remember catching quite a few sunfish and bluegills there and having them chase you if you got to close to their nests. We always had one night when they would grease a watermelon and we had to jump into the pond and try to bring it to shore.

The dining hall was also a fun experience. In the years I attended camp there was a woodchuck that lived in a burrow near the stairs leading up to Janeway. The camp director had turned him into a camp mascot and we used to give him peppermints as treats. The meals were always fun and we all had to take turns bussing the tables and pouring “Bug Juice” out of those old metal pitchers. Evening campfires around the fire ring with smores being the favorite treat, while we sang camps songs and told stories. Do they still tell the tales of the “Lime Lake Loonie?”

We used to bring clay back from the creek and use it to make pottery during craft sessions. We made collages of different leaves or used them as stencils to make paintings.

Of course there were the other fun activities like playing cards, relay races, scavenger hunts and raiding the girl’s cabins to try and scare them at night.

Among the better times we had there was “Bicycle Camp”. It was week for the older kids where we took a different bike trip each day over hill and dale. There was plenty of exercise and wonderful scenery for one and all. I bought my first touring bike (with gears and hand brakes) just so I could go to that camp.

Winter retreats at Duffield were also great fun. We always had plenty of snow for sledding and skiing, or just walking in the woods. We used to stay in the loft areas of the lodge. The kitchen there was pretty nice and every evening having fires in the fireplace.

Having found this site I’ll have to come out and visit some day as I am only a couple hours away!

Thanks for the memories!