Women's History Month: How one camper's life-changing summer grew into more than 25 years of leadership helping girls build confidence, independence and lifelong friendships

On a summer morning at Camp Lake Hubert, laughter carries across the lake as campers head toward their first activities of the day. Counselors gather groups along winding paths while the sounds of songs and excited conversations fill the air. For Stacey Dyer, moments like these capture the spirit of camp—a place where confidence grows, friendships form, and young people discover who they are.

For Stacey, summer camp has always been more than a place—it has been a lifelong calling. Growing up in a camp family at Sanborn Western Camps in Colorado, Stacey experienced firsthand the powerful role camp can play in shaping young people. Surrounded by mountains, community, and a spirit of independence, she learned early on that summer camp is about much more than outdoor activities. It is about confidence, resilience, and discovering one's potential.

Stacey attended Camp Lake Hubert in Nisswa, Minnesota at age 12 for the first time, an experience that would ultimately shape the direction of her life. "At 12 years old, I had some say in choosing which camp I wanted to attend, but that didn't mean I was excited about going," Stacey recalls with a laugh. "In fact, I was pretty sure my parents were making a huge mistake sending me to Camp Lake Hubert. Like a lot of kids, I felt nervous about leaving home and stepping into something unfamiliar. Little did I know that camp would become one of the most important experiences in my life. Very quickly it felt like home. The friendships, the traditions, and the sense of belonging stayed with me long after that first summer—and ultimately shaped the path my life would take."

Creating a Safe Space to Build Confident at Camp Lake Hubert

That early experience also shaped how Stacey approaches leadership today, a story we wanted to share as part of Women's History Month.  Remembering what it felt like to arrive at camp unsure of what to expect helps her remain especially attentive to new campers who may feel the same way. She understands that behind every nervous arrival is the potential for a life-changing experience. By creating an environment where girls feel welcomed, supported, and encouraged to try new things, she hopes to give today's campers the same sense of belonging that first transformed her own experience at Camp Lake Hubert.

Today, Stacey serves as the Director of Camp Lake Hubert, where she has helped lead and steward the camp for more than 25 years. Her connection to the camp spans decades—as a camper, a LT, a staff member, a parent, and now a leader responsible for carrying forward its nearly century-long tradition. "It's really about creating an environment where girls feel safe to try something new, challenge themselves, and discover what they're capable of," she says. "Camp gives young people the freedom to grow in ways that are hard to replicate anywhere else."

A Nearly 100-Year Legacy of Empowering Girls at Camp Lake Hubert

Founded in 1927, Camp Lake Hubert was created to provide girls with opportunities for adventure, independence, and leadership at a time when those experiences were often reserved for boys. Located alongside Camp Lincoln, the two camps were built on the belief that outdoor experiences, community living, and supportive mentorship help young people develop confidence and character.

The legacy of Camp Lake Hubert is also a story of strong leadership. From its earliest days, the camp has been guided by those who believed deeply in the potential of girls to lead, explore, and shape their own futures. That tradition continues today, as each generation of campers is encouraged to develop confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of self.

For many families, a summer camp experience offers something increasingly rare in today's world: a place where young people can build confidence, develop independence, and form meaningful friendships away from the distractions of everyday life. At Camp Lake Hubert, this philosophy has guided the camp for nearly a century. Through outdoor adventure, creative expression, and a strong sense of community, campers gain skills that help them grow not only during the summer, but throughout their lives.

Each summer, campers arrive from across the country and around the world to participate in a wide range of activities that encourage both personal growth and teamwork. Campers might spend the morning sailing across the lake, learning to ride horses, practicing archery, or exploring creative arts. In the afternoon they might paddle a canoe, work on outdoor skills, rehearse a performance, or participate in team sports with friends.

While the activities themselves are memorable, Stacey believes the deeper value of camp lies in what those experiences help young people discover about themselves. "A camper might arrive feeling unsure or hesitant," she explains. "By the end of the summer, she's trying something she never imagined doing, supporting a friend, or stepping forward to lead a group. That growth is what camp is really about."

Leadership Built on Care and Intention

As Director of Camp Lake Hubert, Stacey oversees many aspects of camp life—from program planning and staff leadership to food service, safety, and daily operations. Yet her leadership philosophy focuses less on logistics and more on community. She believes strong leadership begins with creating an environment built on trust, respect, and care.

Stacey often points to three values that guide her leadership approach:

• Integrity - Trust is built when actions consistently match words. 
• Courage - Leadership sometimes requires making difficult decisions or having honest conversations. 
• Empathy - Understanding others and recognizing their perspectives creates stronger relationships and a more inclusive environment.

"These values aren't just ideas we talk about," Stacey says. "They are things we try to demonstrate every day in how we treat people and how we solve challenges together." One aspect of the Camp Lake Hubert experience that reinforces these values is the camp's phone-free environment. Without smartphones or social media, campers are able to focus fully on their surroundings and the people around them.

Many campers arrive feeling uncertain about disconnecting from their devices. Yet by the end of the summer, they often express gratitude for the chance to step away from the pressures of online life. "Camp gives them space to be present," Stacey explains. "They build friendships face-to-face, spend time outdoors, and discover that connection doesn't require a screen."

The Moments That Make Camp Magical

For Stacey, some of the most meaningful moments of camp life happen in simple, everyday experiences. It might be hearing laughter echo across the lake during a swim period, songs drifting along the camp paths in the evening, or watching a group of campers celebrate a friend's accomplishment.

One of Stacey's favorite traditions is camp skit night, when campers work together to create and perform short skits for the entire community. At first, many campers feel nervous about performing in front of others. But as they rehearse together and support one another, that nervousness often transforms into excitement and pride. "You can see confidence building right in front of you," Stacey says. "A camper who may have been shy at the beginning of the summer suddenly realizes she can stand up in front of her peers and succeed."

Preparing the Next Generation of Leaders at Camp Lake Hubert

As campers grow older, Camp Lake Hubert provides opportunities to take on greater responsibility and leadership through programs designed specifically for high school students. One of these is the Leadership Training (LT) Program, which invites older campers to deepen their connection to the camp community while developing leadership and mentorship skills.

Through guided experiences, collaborative challenges, and hands-on learning, participants explore what it means to lead with integrity and responsibility. They also begin to understand the impact they can have as role models for younger campers. "The goal is not just to teach leadership skills," Stacey explains. "It's to help young women recognize that their voice matters and that they can contribute meaningfully to their communities."

A Place That Shapes Lives

Stacey still looks forward to the start of camp every summer. Each season brings a new generation of campers discovering friendships, independence, and confidence in ways that can shape their futures.

"For many girls, camp is one of the first places where they realize they are capable of more than they thought," Stacey says. "Watching that growth happen year after year is what makes this work so meaningful."As Camp Lake Hubert approaches its 100th anniversary, Stacey remains focused on preserving the traditions that have shaped generations while continuing to create an environment where girls can grow, lead, and thrive. "Camp has a remarkable way of helping young people discover who they are," she says. "And when girls believe in themselves, there's truly no limit to what they can achieve."

Interested in learning more about Camp Lake Hubert? Discover more here.