In  1989, Tony Fletcher started his career with us as the Youth Coordinator at the Rose Resnick Center which later merged into the LightHouse for the Blind in 1993. It was there that Tony worked alongside Enchanted Hills Camp founder, Rose Resnick, and learned from her about the importance of creating a safe and nurturing blind-positive environment that challenged campers of all ages to explore, develop skills, and build confidence and self-esteem in a traditional summer camp environment. This had been Rose’s mission that Tony would continue after Rose Resnick’s passing in 2006.

Now, after more than 25 years as Camp Director, Tony has stepped down from the role, although he remains involved with EHC as Alumni Coordinator. As we bid a fond farewell to Tony as Camp Director, we would also like to introduce you to our new Camp Director, long-time member of the EHC community, Jamey Gump.

Jamey’s history with EHC began with him being a camper in 2002. After several years of attending junior high and then teen sessions, he went on to become a camp counselor. Jamey would hold a variety of positions at camp, including working as various area leaders, and was even known to support the kitchen and maintenance staffs. Jamey shared with us why he came back to camp again and again, his thoughts on Tony and what he looks forward to in his new role.

“EHC has made me feel invited, made me feel like an active member of the community, and it’s a place where I can give back. It’s helped me grow as a blind person and I think EHC is one of the best places for blind people to connect with one another.

“I never saw myself becoming Camp Director, because Tony was always there. He was the right person to be leading camp. For many years people in the EHC community had encouraged me to become the next Camp Director, but it wasn’t until Tony said he was stepping down and said ‘Jamey, I would like you to be that person, if you’re open to it.’ At that moment, I had no other answer in my mind but ‘Yes.’

“Since October it has been a whirlwind of excitement. Between the new programs and learning how the old programs work in the new [rebuilt after the 2017 wildfires] space and figuring out the camp applications and connecting with all the different players, it’s truly been really, really exciting. Every day I learn something new.”

One of the many things Jamey is looking forward to working on is raising funds for the naming of the Nursing Office, in the Mayacamas Dining Hall, after longtime camp nurse Bill Simpson. Bill first joined EHC as a volunteer in 2000 and served as Camp Nurse from 2001-2023, making him the longest-tenured Camp Nurse in EHC’s history. Jamey is pleased to share than an anonymous donor has pledged a matching gift of $5000 for the Nursing Office. 

We’d be remiss if we didn’t share some thoughts from Tony as well.

“I directed Enchanted Hills Camp from 1998 through the summer of 2024. It’s been a very fast 26 years. It has been so wonderful to work with so many smart, creative and fun folks over the years, and to do so in an environment that is stunningly beautiful is a gift of enormous magnitude for a career. That being said, my connection to EHC has always been to the campers and to Dr. Rose Resnick. I had no clue what impact she would have on my life, or the impact of the people associated with EHC would have on my life as well. I remember Rose telling me that what we do in our line of work is a privilege; never truer words have been spoken about my term as Camp Director.

“I am so happy that now Jamey has stepped into that role; he has been associated with camp for over 20 years, and I remember him as a camper with the biggest smile, warmest disposition, and the charismatic ability to make everyone welcome in his presence. He has my 100% support in his new role of leadership. Our community is in good hands.”

Thank you, Tony, for all your years of service as EHC Director. Jamey, we’re looking forward to seeing what you do at the helm.
 

Now we leave you with the lyrics from the EHC song:

I want to wake up at Enchanted Hills
Where the songbird sings hello
And the sun comes a creeping
Into where I’m sleeping, and the redwoods whisper low
I want to wander through the wildwoods
Where the rippling waters flow
And come trickling back to Enchanted Hills
To the camp that we love so.