THE EARLY YEARS
Beginning in 1987, Summer at Salisbury School has transformed from a half-day enrichment camp providing services for approximately 40 campers to a full-day everything-filled camp providing services for approximately 200 campers per week. Hoge Caswell started the program in 1987 as a four-week half-day educational enrichment program. Through his ingenious ideas and hard work, the initial three years were a very successful beginning to what now stands before you.

Prior to the summer of 1990, Harlan Eagle inquired about creating a full-day summer camp at Salisbury School. Harlan’s vision was to create the finest high quality private day camp experience on the shore. Hoge and Mr. Barker, Salisbury School’s Headmaster, hired Harlan, and Hoge and Harlan began the creation of the six-week full day funtactular zany Salisbury School Summer Day Camp. Immediately, they hired Jamey Landon as an assistant director. Staff holdovers from that initial year include Barbara Farrell and Jeff Livingston.

Following the summer of ’94 and five years of unyielding dedication to SSSDC, Queen Nerd (Jamey) passed the royal torch to Princess Nerd (Brandy Nuse, 1992-1998) and King Dork (Ross Kaelin). Sadly, after the 2000 summer some of our most veteran staff members retired: Oliver “The Illuminator” Johnson who had begun his tenure at SSSDC during the summer of ’91, Diggity Dawn Timmons (1996-2000), and King Dork Ross Kaelin (1995, 1997- 2000). A new era began in 2001 as Jeff Livingston and Ed Abbott joined Barbara as Assistant Directors.

A NEW ERA
Hoge Caswell spent 15 summers (1987-2001) involved with the Salisbury School Summer Program. Sadly, during the 2001-2002 school year, because of budgetary reasons The Salisbury School eliminated Hoge’s position. Hoge had worked at Salisbury School for 17 years and, besides his involvement in camp, had done many jobs at the school ranging from teacher to assistant headmaster. Since the end of Camp 2002, the Hoge Caswell Hugs/Heart Award is presented to a staff member whose actions and attitude most exemplified Hoge’s peaceful loving heartfelt way! So far, Jeff Livingston, Stephanie Hastings, Joe Hastings, Jared Hoffman, Jamey Landon, Matt Meekins, and Nelson Dyer have been awarded this honor.

After the 2004 camp season some of our most veteran staff retired: Ed Abbott, Jared Hoffman, and Princess Elizabeth McDonald. The 15th Anniversary summer of 2005 saw the return of Queen Nerd Jamey Landon after a 10-year absence. However, an era ended at the end of the summer as King Jeff Livingston retired after 18 years of dedication to camp. In his honor, the King Jeff Livingston Selfless Sacrifice Award was established in 2006 (the first recipients of the award were Josh Hastings in 2006 and Matt Hampton in 2007). We wish him well in his new adventures and hope to see his return in the future. Another chapter in Camp Odyssey's history began in 2006 as veteran counselor Chris Adkins (counselor since 1999) was named Day Camp Director. 2006 also saw the beginning of the Odyssey Academy program, bringing academic experiences for middle-high schoolers to the Camp Odyssey family of programs.

2008 AND BEYOND!
2008 promises to continue our legacy of zaniness and high-quality camp experiences! King Jeff Livingston will retake his royal throne after two years of serving as a diplomat for zaniness abroad. This summer brings the same well-loved days back to Delmarva as well, with Mud Madness, Chunk n Splatter, and Slime-a-Palooza all on the schedule for '08.

Year by year, enthusiasm for our camp has increased. Many campers have come and gone (and some are now part of our staff); many staff have come and gone; and many summers have come and gone. Camp has evolved from Salisbury School Summer Day Camp into the Salisbury School Summer Experience and now CAMP ODYSSEY @ THE SALISBURY SCHOOL, offering year round enrichment experiences for children, teens, and adults. Be prepared for our best summer yet!