Alumnae & Me Camp 2025: A Joyful Homecoming

Last weekend, Chatham Hall officially kicked off the summer season by welcoming alumnae and their young guests—girls ages 6 to 10—for the 2025 Alumnae & Me Camp, a joyful, memory-filled weekend designed to reconnect generations with the spirit of Chatham Hall.

From June 5–8, alumnae returned to the 365-acre campus to share the place they once called home with daughters and granddaughters. The weekend blended cherished traditions with fresh adventures, offering campers of all ages the chance to slow down, explore, and simply be together.

Campers settled into Dabney Hall on Thursday afternoon before gathering in Yardley Dining Hall for a relaxed dinner and a lively evening of bingo in the Lee Library. The pace was gentle and welcoming, with no mandatory sessions and plenty of opportunities to explore at one’s own rhythm—whether lounging in the hammocks, walking through the Arboretum, puzzling in the Drawing Room, or diving into arts and crafts.

Friday featured painting in Curtis’s Garden with Kristin Reese ’08, a barn tour led by Ally Doyon, and a colorful beading workshop with Mara Jarrett. A surprise afternoon activity hosted by the Enrollment Team brought giggles and delight, and the day wrapped up with an open gym, snacks, and games.

Saturday offered more time for reflection and fun. Families browsed yearbooks in Willis, explored the campus, and returned to the crafting table and school store before winding down the day with a Bunco night in the Tea Room. Perhaps the most unforgettable moment came when Rector Sara Stephenson invited all campers to her campus home for an impromptu ice cream social. As one participant shared, “It’s not every day you get invited to the principal’s house and feel so welcomed that the kids are hugging her—sticky faces and all—just 20 minutes after meeting.”

The weekend closed with a peaceful Sunday morning and a farewell brunch in Yardley, full of laughter, hugs, and promises to return next year.

In the words of one alumna:

“I absolutely cherish the time I spent at Chatham Hall during those high school years so long ago, and it was amazing to share a slice of that with my middle kiddo this past weekend. But I can already tell there is a whole new level of ‘special’ beginning to take hold of Chatham Hall with the arrival of Rector Stephenson. Just when I thought it couldn’t get better…”

Alumnae & Me Camp reminded us all that Chatham Hall is more than a place—it’s a lifelong connection. Through crafts, quiet walks, late-night laughter, and heartfelt conversations, new memories were made, stories were shared, and a new generation experienced the beauty and magic of this extraordinary school.