They say you can never go back in time, but whoever said that clearly never went to Camp Watitoh. The second you cross onto camp property, 10, 20, 30—even 50 years—just melt away. That crisp Berkshire air, the faint scent of pine, and just a hint of Center Lake.
Ninety years. Think about that.
Before Watitoh, this land was Turner Farm, where families came by train to relax on Center Lake. In 1925, it became Camp Tekoa, leaving behind buildings we still use today—like our Office and Dining Hall.
Then in 1936, Henry and Babette DeSola Mendes purchased the property and opened Camp Watitoh. About ten years ago, their son Jon Mendes visited us at age 90. He walked over to the tall evergreen trees shading us right now and told us he planted them as six-foot saplings back in 1937!
The torch was passed to Louis and Frieda Glickstein in 1952, who built the “Jan-Mar” Theater Hall. In 1960, Shelly and Sandy Hoch purchased Watitoh, and for decades, they introduced so many of the beloved traditions we still hold dear. Following Shelly’s passing, Billy Hoch stepped into his parents’ footsteps to lead Watitoh, ensuring two generations of the Hoch family carried on the legacy over five decades.
When Britton and Drew became Directors in 2014, they stepped into big shoes to fill. But for Drew, stepping into this role was something extra special. He stood on these very shores as a camper, looking up to counselors and dreaming about what this place meant to his life. Now living the absolute dream of being a Director of Camp Watitoh is more meaningful than words can express. In 2026, Liz Pruzinsky joined the Director team.
When you flip through The Logs across all 90 years—reading page after page written by generations of campers and counselors—it’s incredible how the sentiments never change. Decade after decade, people write about the exact same magic:
- They call Watitoh a small, hidden gem where everyone knows each other and everyone knows your name.
- A place where no one gets lost, and where you are truly seen.
- A nurturing community where you learn to make mistakes in a safe place, and where you are encouraged to be your most authentic self.
- A home where lifelong friendships are formed—where you end up meeting your future bridesmaids and groomsmen, and the friends who will stand by you for the rest of your life.
At the reunion on August 1, 2026, we were surrounded not only by those who built the foundation of our past, but also by our current TICs and Waiters. Those young leaders were on the brink of crossing the threshold, officially joining all of you as our newest class of Watitoh alumni. Standing here together created a beautiful bridge—connecting ninety years of history with the bright future ahead.
In a world that moves faster and gets noisier every year, Watitoh remains our anchor. Here’s to 90 incredible years of tradition, to the family we’ve made along the way, and to the enduring magic of the place we all call home. We are so glad to have been able to welcome you home to celebrate 90 years of Watitoh tradition together in Becket.
