Another season of summer fun is on the books for one of Dowagiac’s most beloved institutions.

The staff, counselors and campers enjoyed one last week on the grassy, wooded fields on the coast of Cable Lake last week, as Fitch Camp wrapped up its 74th season on Thursday. The middle school students occupying the campgrounds that day concluded the season with a few “Olympic” style events, racing each other throughout the grounds for ribbons and bragging rights.

While a bittersweet occasion for everyone, the camp is ending the season on a high note, said Camp Director Chris Cox. This season saw an average daily attendance of 100 kids, which is among the highest that the director can recall in his 17 years with the summer camp, he said.

“This has really been one of the best summers we’ve ever had out here,” Cox said.

The camp, named after E. Root Fitch, who endowed the program with the property in 1941. Since then, the camp has been open to Dowagiac elementary and middle school students, with attendance, transportation and meals costing only $1 a day.

Led by the camp’s nine high school and college-aged counselors, the kids are divided into groups each morning, where they participate in games like dodge ball or recreational opportunities like kayaking, Cox said.

Several guests have also came out to the camp this year to give special presentations to the kids, including Dowagiac Middle School Principal Matt Severin, who showed off how to operate drones and radio equipment, and Lynn Lawrence, the widow of Olympic wrestler Chris Taylor, who talked about her late husband’s inspirational life.

Members of the Sister Lakes Fire Department visited the camp last Monday, giving the children some fire safety lessons as well as creating a mudslide for them to play around in.

“That’s probably the highlight of the season for the kids,” Cox said. “They love that.”

Like the last day of school, Thursday was kind of a somber day for the campers, many of who will not have a chance to get to see all of their friends until the beginning of school in September, Cox said.

“It’s a big thing for them,” he said. “Camp is a big part of their summer. It’s where they get together with their friends.”