About Us
Hospitality, Community, Simplicity, Caring for the World
We are a non-profit children's camp grounded in openness, hospitality, and compassionate Christianity.
We function first and foremost as a summer camp, aiming to provide space for children to be themselves, learn from those who are different from them, and intimately experience wonder and love. Campers, Volunteers, and Staff are welcome regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or religious affiliation.
In the off season, we offer on-site retreats that revolve around themes of stewardship, relationships, youth ministry, and spirituality. Many of our facilities are also available for private rentals. We frequently host a variety of nonprofits and churches for retreats and workshops.
All income camp generated from retreats, summer camp, facility and rental fees, and donations goes toward ensuring that any child who wants to come to camp, can.
Learn More
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In the summer of 2002, Camp Fowler took a risk that few institutions at the time were willing to take: we decided to invest in a sustainable, whole foods kitchen. The change was brought about by a desire to align our philosophies with all aspects of our camp, including food production.
The goals of our kitchen are to: (1) Make as much of our food from scratch as possible; (2) Ensure that our food is whole and fresh; and (3) Operate in an environmentally sustainable way.
Over the last 15 years the bad reputation usually associated with "camp food" has been replaced at Fowler. Fowler food is now something that campers name as their favorite part about camp. We work hard to teach campers about sustainable and whole foods and encourage them to try new things.
Today, campers experience less illness at camp, eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, and are generally excited about food. That's exactly what we were hoping for!
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Worship at Fowler is a natural response to the beauty of God's world and the friendship and love we feel as we gather in community. Throughout the week, our daily Morning Watch, Discovery Time, and Evening Vespers, are all times to come together and respond in gratitude and love to God. We also share how we have seen this love most fully in life of Jesus Christ.
Fowler is owned and operated by the Reformed Church in America, the oldest continuous protestant denomination in the United States. Part of that heritage is the understanding that all are welcome at camp, whether you call yourself a follower of Christ or not. And while our leadership continue to uphold Christ as Lord of our lives, it is our hope that all will find space to worship and practice gratitude here.
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Camp Fowler is committed to being good stewards of the Earth. Over the past 15 years we have demonstrated our commitment to sustainability through a number of projects:
Solar Electric panels provide almost 50% of electricity used at camp during the summer. You can monitor the amount of electricity our panels are generating here.
Solar Thermal panels provide all of the hot water used in our kitchens.
Composting toilets save over 250,000 gallons of water each summer and all of our waste is turned into a reusable topsoil for our gardens.
We also compost all of our food waste to be used in our garden to produce more food.
We have hooded street lights to help limit our light pollution, allowing everyone who comes through camp to see the stars better.
Staff
Kent Busman
Storyteller, visionary, and canoe enthusiast; loves Wendell Berry, constellations, and his four legged friend OB; most likely to be found emerging from the woods after spending time with the trees; often heard saying “come with me. I have something wonderful to show you.”
Executive Director
Harv Zegstroo
Summer Camp Professional, plumber, and outdoorsman; dreams of taking his hand built boat down the Erie Canal; a strong cup of coffee, foraging in the woods, and his wonderful wife Marty; often found sporting different facial hair than the last time you saw him.
Operations Manager
Lauren Cleworth
Kayaker, forward thinker, and organizer extraordinaire; loves coaching her swim team, taking photos, and spending time on the water; often found sending encouraging postcards to tired summer staff; most likely the mastermind behind those pretty Fowler emails you find in your inbox.
Office Administrator
Jennifer Abate
Speculator local and lover of travel; born and raised in the Adirondacks and keen to explore the many corners of the park; culinary creative and lover of baking; if you’ve never eaten Baked Alaska at Camp Fowler, just wait until you meet Jenn.
Cook
Josey Brady
Wilderness Guide, amateur writer, and coffee aficionado; loves trying to cook, the smell of snow, and spending the night in her tent; often found wearing her dad’s old fishing hat; most likely the person who last posted on the Fowler Instagram.
Director of Development
Contact us.
Business Office
administrator@campfowler.org (518) 631-6789
1790 Grand Blvd, Schenectady, NY 12309
Summer Office
summer@campfowler.org (518) 548-6524
152 Pelcher Rd, Lake Pleasant, NY 12108
12108