“The only thing constant in life is change” is something my mother always said when announcing a big moment at camp. This moment, like others, is big. We are saying goodbye to Eleanor Mathews, our Nursing Director of 10 years, and saying hello to Melissa Blender, our new Nursing Director.
While joining us in a new role, Melissa is not new to Keystone Camp. She first came to camp in the summer of 2008 as a program director. She spent three summers with us before pursuing a new adventure. After returning to us in the summer of 2023, she has served the past three summers as a nurse. Earlier this year, she left her full-time position to return to travel nursing. Then, after hearing that Eleanor would be leaving camp, she reached out and the rest is history!
Melissa comes to us with a wealth of nursing experience across many pediatric specialties, including most recently at MUSC Children’s Hospital in Charleston, South Carolina. We are so lucky to have Melissa joining our team.
We are sad for Eleanor to leave us, but we are so excited for her as she transitions to her next chapter! She plans to spend more time with her family and homeschooling her children. She wanted to write a letter to you, our Keystone families, to say goodbye after a long tenure of service at camp. Please read her letter below. We are so grateful for our time together!
Dear Keystone campers, families, and staff,
It has been my greatest joy to serve Keystone and the Keystone families for the last ten years. I joined the nursing staff in 2015 when my daughter was a first-time camper, and last summer I was there as she received her 10-year necklace. I have loved being part of Keystone! My love for Keystone goes back to the late 1980’s when I was a camper for the first time. It has always held a place in my heart and something I wanted to share with my daughter.
I had no idea the impact being a Keystone nurse would have on my life. I have worked as an ER nurse, cardiology nurse, and informatics nurse, but the role that exceeds all of those to me is the role of a camp nurse. I have had the incredible blessing with this job to expand my family of four to a family of 500 every summer. Each girl or staff member at camp I have treated as if they were my daughter. I have loved every minute of being a camp nurse and Nursing Director through the fun times, challenging times, emergencies, and everything in between. I earned the name “Nurse Eleanor” and that will forever be marked on my heart.
This has been one of the most difficult decisions for me to step away from this role at camp. I have truly loved developing our Inn and taking care of everyone. It is hard to balance home and camp at times and as my children are getting older, it is necessary for me to take some time with them. My daughter will soon be heading to college and there just aren’t many more summers we will have together.
I know I am leaving you all in excellent hands at camp because Keystone has the BEST nurses. I will miss each and every one of you! You truly have been part of my family. It has been an honor and a privilege to take care of each and every one of you. Thank you for entrusting me in your care.
Love, Nurse Eleanor
We are so excited for what is to come and we hope you all are getting ready for an incredible summer! See you soon!
Love, Catherine
