“We got word from the White House that Joe Biden wanted to deliver a speech from NH with the release of his new budget. Given the nature of helping families, lowering drug costs, etc, the Federal delegation of NH recommended the Granite YMCA amongst others and after scouting a number of spots to host, they settled on my Y. My life got derailed on Friday, touring Secret Service and WhiteHouse staff around everywhere, and hosted the event on Sunday with all the NH delegation of reps, senators, and business leaders. For my work, I got the nod to meet the POTUS and get my picture with him. WILD.” — Eric Rightor
Kyle Olson, a former camper and staff member for 18 summers, has worked most recently as our Assistant Summer Camp Director is now the founder and executive director of Camp Moraine, a brand-new day camp in Beverly, MA.
“Starting a camp and building its community has always been a dream of mine, and I can’t wait to share my vision and Coniston experience with the campers of the North Shore.”
This photo was taken in Milwaukee after the Marquette men’s basketball game on February 10th. Many of us Sanders era have been following Oso’s amazing college basketball career, including having zoom watch parties and attending games in person
Alex Grip, ’06 CIT / Staff ’07-’09 and his wife Arianna welcomed their baby girl Collins Grip into the world this past May 12th, 2023. Congratulations! We can’t wait for her to be a camper.
Congratulations to Eric and Melissa Rightor! They welcomed baby Siena in January this year. We hope the new addition the family is bringing you all the joy in the world!
Congratulations to Naomi Malam for welcoming her baby girl, Allegra Shav Luraschi, this January!
Congratulations to Sonya Freeman, for starting her new job at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center specialising in psychiatry.
Cassie (Short) McLaughlin just ran her 11th marathon and finally broke 3 hours, something she has been trying to do for a long time. She ran the Myrtle Beach Marathon with a time of 2:56:15 and came in 3rd place overall female!
Congratulations Cassie. What an incredible accomplishment!
John Tilley and Lindsey Tompkins connected with Camp friends in Denver, CO this April! John and Lindsey were in Denver attending the NAYDO (North American YMCA Development Organization) conference. The conference delivers sessions to enhance YMCAs’ philanthropy strategies. John Tilley presented at the conference.
Coniston alumnus – Hans Williams – has been touring all over the US, performing his music and has had many conistonians in the audience cheering him on. A huge group of Conistonians supported Hans at his Boston show this April! Kim Johnson watched Hans’ show in Seattle this Spring!
It was great to connect with so many Conistonians in California this March! Thank you to Coniston Ambassador Jocelyn Tetel for hosting our LA event at the Skirball Cultural Center!
Nicole Berthiaume, John McNair, Nate Levine and Brackett Lyons from our year-round team, connected with Camp friends in Manchester, NH this March! Nicole and John were in Manchester, attending the ACA (American Camp Association) annual conference.
Our team had a great time at the New England Camp Conference this March! Coniston’s Summer Camp Directors; John McNair and Nicole Berthiaume and Boy’s Camp Director; Nate Levine went to the conference to connect and learn from other Camps. They even crossed paths with Camp alumnus Kyle Olson who is opening Camp Moraine this summer!
After 23 years of helping create a facility we cherish and love, Sav has retired from Coniston. Dave Savio has been an incredible member of our Maintenance team and has transformed Camp into the beautiful facility it is and this is truly the end of an era. We wish him all the best in his retirement!
David Barden, a beloved Coniston community member has passed away. For many summer he was a program director at Coniston, and is most remembered for his campfire ghost stories.
David was a dedicated teacher and finished his educational career as a guidance counselor. In retirement, David spent time counseling and volunteering at Pope John High School, Camp Mason and youth mentoring with Big Brothers.
Jesse’s journey at Camp Coniston began as a proud recipient of a campership. It was here that he discovered his love for campcraft and riflery, skills that became foundational to his development and shaped him into the incredible outdoorsman and person we all knew and loved. His pride in being a campership recipient was palpable, and he often spoke of how it changed his life.
In the wake of Jesse’s unexpected passing, his friends and family are honoring his memory by creating a campership in perpetuity. Their goal is to raise $40,000 to provide opportunities for kids who couldn’t afford to attend Camp Coniston to have a similar, life-changing, impactful experience.
Sean Usle, a beloved Coniston alum who was a camper and counselor in the 70s/80s has sadly passed away.
His fellow Coniston friends shared some of their favorite memories of Sean from his time at Coniston on the 70s/80s era Facebook page.
It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to Aaron Turner, from 2001 to 2022, he was Camp’s Facilities Director.
When the history of Coniston is written Aaron will be a major character. His hands provided much of the energy behind building Coniston’s remarkable facility. For anyone who worked with him they will remember that smiles, fun, and wit were as abundant as the nails and screws on every project. Laughter and work were the basis of our friendship and Aaron is a friend we will sorely miss. Our love and sympathy go out to his two sons, Austin and Bryce who are also members of the Coniston Community.
The new NH State Co-Champ Red Maple! With the late Aaron Turner and his brother Jeremy.
Help us get Camp ready for summer! This is a great opportunity for the Coniston community (18+) to reconnect with friends, meet some of our summer staff, and enjoy some time by the lake! Volunteers will help us with a clean-up Camp, as well as setting up program areas for
We will be hosting a 20-year reunion for our 2004 Coniston CITs! 2002 and 2003 CITs are also welcome to join the celebration! The reunion will take place at Coniston on Friday June 28th. NOTE: This is a 21+ event. A tentative schedule includes: 3:30pm-4:00pm – Arrive at Bigelow for parking
Coniston Ambassador Kelly Condon and Alumni Danny Rudnick will host a session 3 alumni parents gathering at their side-by-side Lake Sunapee homes. This gathering is a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with other alumni parents and share your experiences after campers are dropped off at Coniston. Way back when Kelly and
