Barbara Washburn, Honorary Chairperson 
Mrs. Barbara Washburn, a resident of Lexington, Massachusetts, serves as the Honorary Chairperson of The Camp-aign for American Kids. She is shown here with her late husband, Bradford Washburn. Barbara has the distinction of being the first women to conquer the summit of Mt. McKinley, the highest mountain peak in North America.
When Jon Sherry contacted me about serving as the Honorary Chairperson for The Camp-aign for American Kids, he said, “Barbara, there is one more mountain left for you to climb. And when you get to the top, I need you to help build a fence.”
Jon was referring, of course, to the old adage that “It is better to build a fence at the top of the cliff than place ambulance at the bottom.” This is the mission of The Camp-aign for American Kids.
My husband, Henry Bradford Washburn Jr., who passed away on January 10, 2007, at the age of 96, was one of the greatest mountaineers who ever lived. During the course of his career he garnered many awards, including nine honorary doctorates, the Centennial Award of the National Geographic Society (shared with me) and the King Albert Medal of Merit.
But of all of the wonderful moments we experienced together, one stands out from among the rest.
Brad and I had a camp of our own in New Hampshire. Periodically, we would take along groups of young people, some of whom were disadvantaged, to share the transforming beauty of nature.
One day I was in the heart of Boston, walking along, minding my own business, when a young, sophisticated man approached me. He said, “Mrs. Washburn, you probably don’t remember me, but I was one of the children that you and Dr. Washburn took to the mountains long ago. Now I am a successful attorney and judge here in Boston. I want you to know that what you did for me when I was a youngster completely changed my life. Thank you so very much.”
It was this story that came to mind when Jon Sherry asked me to go with him to scale a different sort of mountain, for the purpose of building a new fence at the top. I knew immediately what he was talking about. And I knew it would work, because I had done it before.
Yes, The Camp-aign for American Kids is truly a monumental undertaking. It is critically important to the future of our country. I know from experience that there is only one way to conquer such a mountain, and that is by putting one foot in front of the other. That’s how I reached the summit of Mt. McKinley back in 1947.
We need climbers for the journey. The Camp-aign for American Kids might just be the peak experience of our lives. Won’t you join in? Please click here for more information about becoming involved. I look forward to sharing the trail with you! Thank you.
Sincerely,
Barbara Washburn
Honorary Chairperson
