About us

Where camp values become Core memories.

Discover the people, purpose, and history that define Kennolyn.

Kennolyn Camps at Huntington Lake is proud to carry on the rich history and traditions of Kennolyn Camps, providing exceptional traditional overnight summer experiences for boys and girls since 1946.

Located just 45 miles south of Yosemite Valley (as the crow flies) in the heart of the Sierra National Forest, our camp is located at the base of Kaiser Peak—truly one of California's best-kept secrets. This small, close-knit community welcomes campers between the grades 6–11, where flexible activity choices, close counselor guidance, and a staff that knows every camper by name help them thrive.

Campers build lifelong friendships and social skills, challenge themselves to try new activities, and—most importantly—have an absolute blast!

Huntington Lake, famous for its annual High Sierra Regatta, offers endless water-based fun: sailing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, or simply relaxing on our newly built dock while strumming a ukulele. With unlimited access to the lake's sparkling waters and miles of trails right from our back door, plus an ideal summer climate and experienced leadership team, every day is an adventure.

Explore the many miles of stunning hiking trails, mountain lakes, and rivers in the High Sierra. Our program features outdoor cooking and living skills, hiking, nature crafts, yoga, frisbee golf, archery, axe throwing star hikes, and so much more—all immersed in the breathtaking natural beauty surrounding us.

Each evening, campers return to our beautiful new cabins (home to 6 campers and 2 counselors) for a restful night's sleep and eager anticipation of another incredible day at the lake.

We invite your camper to join us and create memories that will last a lifetime!

Our Staff

Camp staff are central to making Kennolyn a place where campers can truly thrive. We thoughtfully select caring, experienced professionals to lead our groups and activities, all of whom are trained in youth development, camper safety, and—of course—fun! Every staff member completes a background check and fingerprinting.

Our counselors come from around the world, adding depth and perspective to the camp experience. This cultural diversity helps campers appreciate both the similarities and differences among people, while benefiting from counselors who bring exceptional education, experience, and qualifications through a highly selective international program.

From Camper to Captain

Mike Higginbotham, Kennolyn’s Camp Director at Huntington Lake, first attended Kennolyn in 1969 at age five, beginning a lifelong connection to camp. He grew up through every level of the program—from camper and counselor to Program Director and Resident Director for both Kennolyn and Hi Camp.

In 1992, Mike shifted into cultural exchange work, bringing thousands of international counselors from England, Ireland, and South Africa to U.S. summer camps. He later helped expand the Kennolyn spirit globally, founding Europe’s first American-style summer camp on the Adriatic Sea in 2003 and co-founding one of Southeast Asia’s first American-style camps in Vietnam in 2014.

Sailing Star

Alana Tyler from Devon in England and joined our team summer of 2025 as a cabin counselor in Lake Edison, and a waterfront counselor. Alana is an avid sailor that has sailed in the UK and the Mediterranean but also skilled in many of the waterfront activities we offer at the lake. Alana is a qualified lifeguard and boat driver and will be in charge of our Specialty Sailing Program this summer for any campers interested in mastering the art of sailing on our Lasers.

Waterfront Wonder

Leni Marie Horvath “Leni” has been with us since summer 2024 as a counselor in Lake Arrowhead, our oldest girls’ cabin. This summer Leni will be our Waterfront Coordinator and helping to oversee some of the activity programing this summer. Leni is a 4th year university student in Traismauer Austria studying to be a teacher. In addition, Leni is an accomplished swimmer, runner, volleyball player, lifeguard and boat driver. She also makes a mean batch of vegetarian foil stew.

Grounds Guru

Bob Struck has been with Kennolyn Huntington Lake since 2019 and oversees our facilities and maintenance each summer and was a key player in the rebuilding of Kennolyn Huntington Lake over the last few summers. Bob is originally from Minnesota but has been living in Fresno County for over 50 years.  An avid “jack of all trades” that enjoys camping, playing the guitar, off roading in his ATV and raises the healthiest chickens that make the best eggs this side of the Mississippi.

Our Philosophy

Kennolyn Camps believes deeply in the transformative power of the camp experience. We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive community where every child is valued and supported, regardless of background or identity.

Camp provides children the opportunity to learn, grow, and be guided by caring, non-parental adults who play a vital role in healthy development. We honor the trust families place in us and approach our work with intention and care every day.

Since 1946, Kennolyn has been a family-owned camp where kids unplug, build lifelong friendships, explore the outdoors, and grow emotionally, socially, and physically—all while having fun at the center of it all.

Our History

  • Kennolyn Camps was founded in 1946 by Max and Marion Caldwell during a very different era—when Harry S. Truman was President, television was brand new, and gas cost just 15 cents a gallon.

    Max and Marion, lovingly known as Uncle Max and Aunt Marion, were both teachers with a shared dream of creating something meaningful for children.

  • During World War II, Uncle Max served aboard an ammunition ship in the Pacific. While overseas, he wrote home, “If I EVER get out of this alive, let’s start a school or a camp.”

    Those simple words became the foundation of Kennolyn.

  • Kennolyn welcomed its very first campers in 1946 on a 60-acre property with just 26 campers—11 of whom were nieces and nephews who called the founders Aunt Marion and Uncle Max. The names stuck, and soon generations of campers, staff, parents, and grandparents were doing the same.

    The camp was named after their children, Ken and Carolyn, making Kennolyn a true family legacy from the very start.

  • Today, Kennolyn includes overnight and day camps, a year-round events center in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and a lakefront property in Lakeshore with access to Huntington Lake and the surrounding Sierra National Forest.

    While Uncle Max and Aunt Marion are no longer with us, their spirit and values continue to shape Kennolyn’s culture.

  • Kennolyn remains family-owned and guided by multiple generations of the Caldwell family. Their children and grandchildren—Pam Caldwell Nootbaar, Lindsey Caldwell Johnson, and Steve Caldwell—serve on the Board of Directors. Pam is Kennolyn’s General Manager, and Lindsey is the Camper Experience Coordinator.

    Alongside over 30 years of leadership from Camp Director Andrew Townsend, the team is deeply committed to honoring the traditions, values, and joy that Uncle Max and Aunt Marion envisioned.