Blog
For those of you I haven’t met yet, my name is Carolyn Billington and I have the honor of serving as the Director of Philanthropy & Communications at the Takodah YMCA. I stepped into this role in May 2024, and from day one, I’ve loved every moment of it.
A large part of that joy comes from working alongside visionary leaders like Chris Burke, Sarah Cunningham, and Sarah Dowd—people who constantly ask, “What more can Takodah do for the youth of today?” Their commitment to youth-centered programming inspires me daily. I often find myself at industry conferences or Takodah events feeling immense pride as others recognize the strength, innovation, and heart within our Takodah team.
Camp, Connection, and Community at Takodah
I was raised a “camp kid” (or “camp brat” as we are sometimes still lovingly referred as) —the daughter of a YMCA Executive Director and a Facilities Director who still live on site in Connecticut. The camp environment shaped my childhood, my values, and ultimately my career. This past May, my husband and I welcomed our daughter, Lucy, who has become a third-generation camp kid without even realizing it.
One of my greatest joys is watching Lucy be embraced by the Takodah community. At her very first program—our Reading Retreat Weekend—I simply sat back and watched attendees teach her, care for her, and make her smile. Seeing her raised, even in small moments, by a community of caring role models feels like a gift I wish every family could experience.
As parents, my husband and I talk often about how the world has changed from the one we grew up in. So many caregivers feel pressure to “do it all” and do it alone. But what I love most about camp—what I love seeing for my daughter—is that no one is meant to grow up alone. We are meant to be supported, guided, and uplifted by a community. Takodah makes that possible.
Even though I work remotely from Franklin, MA, I make every effort to be on camp property or meet with members of our Takodah community as often as I can. Camp has taught me that connection is vital—to our mental health, to our resilience, and to our happiness. Every face-to-face conversation, every shared cup of coffee, every walk around camp reminds me why this work matters.
A Community That Shows Up
If my name looks familiar, it may be from the Giving Tuesday emails you received. If you opened even one of them—thank you! More importantly, I hope you felt proud of what we accomplished together.
Because our community united around a shared mission, we raised enough funding to send a full cabin of campers to Takodah next summer—and not just any cabin, but a North Village cabin of 12 children who otherwise would not have had the opportunity. Your generosity doesn’t just give kids a transformative camp experience; it supports families who show tremendous bravery by asking for help.
This is why we introduced our tiered pricing system last year—because every family’s situation is different, but no child should miss camp due to finances. Sometimes all a family needs is a small boost; sometimes they need full support. No matter the case, we want every family to feel confident knowing Takodah is here to help. You can learn more about our tiered pricing system here.
Why Camp Matters Today
I believe deeply in the power of summer camp—now more than ever. Camp pushes kids to:
- Have real conversations
- Connect face-to-face
- Ask questions, be curious, and try new things
- Learn from peers and trusted role models
- Build independence, resilience, and confidence
These experiences are becoming increasingly rare in a world dominated by individualism and digital noise. But at Takodah, they are abundant. They are intentional. And they are life-changing.
Let’s Connect
I’m incredibly grateful to be part of a community that recognizes the importance of supporting kids and families. I would love the chance to meet more of you—hear your stories, talk about why camp matters, and share how together we can continue strengthening this place we all love.
If you ever want to connect, please reach out anytime at carolyn@takodahymca.org. I’d love to grab a coffee, take a walk around camp, or simply talk about why Takodah is such a vital resource for today’s youth.
Thank you for being part of this community—and for believing in the power of camp.
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