Set Up Weekend and Upgrades at Kingswood

Memorial Day Weekend at Kingswood Campsite brought all the ingredients of a classic Set Up Weekend — hard work, fellowship, muddy boots, and weather that tested everyone’s determination.

This year’s crew faced plenty of challenges from the start. Cold temperatures, steady rain, and strong winds settled over camp for most of the weekend. Thankfully, tents were set up by 9 a.m. on Saturday, just before the worst of the rain arrived. The crew started work Friday in the late afternoon and even delayed breakfast Saturday morning to keep working in the drizzle as heavier rain was expected for the afternoon. By Saturday night, the rain was heavy and the wind was howling through camp, bringing down a few trees.

Even with the rough conditions, more than 40 volunteers made the trip to Kingswood to help prepare camp for the summer season. Volunteers traveled from North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and across eastern New York State, showing the strong connections that Kingswood continues to hold across generations and across miles. The group ranged in age from 12 years old to over 70, with everyone pitching in wherever help was needed.

Dogs of every shape and size became part of the weekend as well, playing around the farmhouse, greeting visitors, and happily following their owners off to work projects throughout camp.

Throughout the weekend, the farmhouse and barn became gathering places for warm meals, laughter, and a chance to dry out for a few minutes before heading back into the rain. A steady fire in the stove helped dry soaked jackets, gloves, and boots. A team of five people remained in the farmhouse throughout the weekend preparing delicious meals for the crowd.

Despite the weather, a great deal was accomplished across camp. Improvements completed this spring during Set Up Weekend and Men’s Work Weekend include:

Set Up Weekend is always about more than projects. It is a reminder of the community that keeps Kingswood going year after year. Rain or shine, people continue to show up, work hard, and care deeply about this place and the memories made here.

By the end of the weekend, camp was a little muddier and the volunteers were a little wetter, but Kingswood is almost ready for another summer season.