Gilford's Kate Lemay is first woman to run YMCA overnight camps

TUFTONBORO — Earlier this month, the YMCA of Greater Boston announced that Kate Lemay would take over the role of executive director of overnight camps. She will be the first woman to hold the position in the organization's 116-year history; however, the more notable change for the operation of the three camps on Lake Winnipesaukee is that they will be run by a native and resident of the Lakes Region.

Lemay, who lives in her hometown of Gilford, will be overseeing the operation Pleasant Valley Overnight Camp for Girls, North Woods Overnight Camp for Boys and the Sandy Island Family Camp, all located in Tuftonboro. About 500 families attend Sandy Island camp each year, and the two children's camps will host about 800 annual visitors. Lemay said that although the camps are located nearby, nearly all the campers come from the Boston area. She wants to lay down the welcome mat for local children.

"I would love to see a greater local presence at our camps," said Lemay. "Some kids, it's critical that they have that opportunity." She noted that there are scholarships available to make the summer camp experience affordable to all children. Although the tradition of overnight camp is more than a century old, Lemay feels it is just as relevant today as it ever has been.

"There's no video games, there's no electricity. It brings kids back to making friends again, looking people in the eye." With the emphasis on academic achievement at school, and with electronic distractions at home, camp is the only space where the sole agenda is social engagement and character development. "I think that camp is important in our time. Kids are spending a lot of time indoors, plugged in... There's a lot of pressure put on kids. Camp is one of the last places where there's no test, there's nothing to measure than a kid's own growth."

Lemay, an artist, started working for the YMCA in 1999, when she took a job as the arts and crafts director at a camp in New Jersey. She returned to New Hampshire in 2007, which is also when she became part of the administrative team of the YMCA of Greater Boston's Overnight Camps. She worked as senior program and marketing director, and then director of operations for Sandy Island Family Camp.

Lemay credits her parents for her ability to succeed in her career. Her mother, Lauren Lemay, was a well-known local educator, and her father, Greg, was an entrepreneur.

"I am a combination of the two, a teacher and businesswoman," she said.

Both of her parents were dedicated to their local community, and she is excited to be able to carry on that tradition.

"I'm pretty psyched to see if I can help in this role — it's a cool job," she said.