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Soon after, they established their own mission in Putnam and in 1943 started organizing a summer program for Lithuanian girls on the grounds of their convent in Connecticut. In 1969 a 92-acre campground in Marlboro, Vermont was purchased, renovated and the camp was moved from Connecticut to Vermont. The new camp was named “Neringa” after the beautiful resort area on the Baltic coast of Lithuania. Soon after camp for boys was added, as well as family week and many new sessions for adults and off-season events. Typically, each summer, over 500 campers from over 20 states, as well as from Canada and Lithuania, experience the joy of Neringa.

Over the years, with the Sisters’ numbers decreasing, many volunteers generously stepped up to give their time, talents, and treasures to Neringa, and the Neringa community formed, as well as Neringa, Inc, got established. Today, as a new chapter in Neringa history is being recorded, we celebrate continuing the tradition of annual Lithuanian Festival in Putnam and remembering the camp during its different times.

A person, who has been for many years and still is undeniably the greatest force of Neringa is Sister Igne. Starting as a camper herself at the girls’ camp in Putnam, over the years Sister Igne, together with the Sisters of the Imaculate Conception turned it into a fun, valuable and unforgettable summer opportunity for over 25,000 children of Lithuanian descent so far.

Camp Neringa also holds a dear place in Jurate Kazickas’ heart. Putnam is a place where she spent her summers growing up and made a friendship of a lifetime with a fellow camper – Sister Igne.

Jurates’ mom Alexandra Kazickas wrote in her diary:

Monday, June 28^th, 1954

...While, our first born, our darling Juratele finished sixth grade, and yesterday she went to Putnam, to girls’ camp for four weeks. This is the first time, that we let her go for such a long time on her own. We packed her things and took her there on Sunday... It is time for her to change the environment, get to know more Lithuanians, and learn more Lithuanian…

Tuesday, August 3rd, 1954

...She was at the summer camp in Putnam and was very happy, and received a lot of praise... She learned many songs and dances, improved her Lithuanian, and won the first prize for Lithuanian language in her age group. In other words, those four weeks were very beneficial to her…

Years later Jurate Kazickas remembers herself as a young camper spending her summers in Putnam:

A few years after my parents and I emigrated to the United States in 1947, we settled in New Rochelle, a suburb of New York City. It was nowhere near Brooklyn or Queens where there was a large community of Lithuanians so I rarely interacted with Lithuanians my own age. My only experience with my native language was speaking it with my parents at home.
My parents decided I should go to the Lithuanian girls’ camp in Putnam, Connecticut when I was about 11 or 12. I spent a few weeks there for only two summers so my memories of those days is hazy, like those long hot days. I seem to recall I rather liked it. The girls were friendly with beautiful names like Danguole, Zivile and Birute - but since most of them knew each other from home towns, I occasionally felt left out.

But I was lucky enough to find Grazina Marijosiute who became a dear friend. She was filled with joy and laughter and so much fun to be with. (She is now Sister Igne; we have visited in Lithuania in years past. I love her dearly and so admire her for all her good works.)
I remember the morning flag raising and hymn singing, all our daily chores – keeping our rooms tidy and clean, meal times - pouring giant pitchers of red Kool Aid, scraping, washing and drying the dishes. I liked the craft lessons in embroidery and weaving and tried to pay attention in the language and grammar classes.  I know there were some sports – volleyball?
We piled onto buses for occasional trips to a nearby lake to escape the stifling heat only to discover murky water filled with disgusting blood sucking leeches.  That may be my most vivid memory!
Best of all, we eagerly anticipated meeting up with the boys from a nearby camp for the end of season Lithuanian folk dance performances. I loved wearing my mother’s national costume with its beautiful crown.
Looking back, I am truly grateful for my experience at Putnam. It was very special to hear my native tongue spoken all around me and learn more about my heritage. I am so happy to know that Neringa camp is still going strong and helping young people to connect with the homeland.
And I want to thank all the good Sisters for teaching me the song “Atskris sakalelis...” I still know all the words and can still sing it with great gusto when called upon to celebrate my precious Lithuanian culture!

Photo above: Girls' camp in Putnam - Jurate Kazickas and Sister Igne at the top right

Photo credit: Camp Neringa