Fleur de Lis Camp grew out of the vision of a small group of women in the 1920s who were part of a service organization known as the Order of Fleur de Lis. Scattered throughout the state of Massachusetts, these service organizations wanted a place to gather in the summer where they could live together in the healthy outdoors while continuing to live by the core values that remain part of the FDL Mission today. Originally rooted in Christian traditions, the Fleur de Lis community today is comprised by members of all faiths and traditions.

Since 1929, girls have been gathering in Fitzwilliam on the shores of Laurel Lake to learn new skills, develop lifelong friendships, and gain independence and confidence in an active and safe outdoor living environment. With over 85 years of experience as a camp for girls, Fleur de Lis continues to provide the experience that many have enjoyed for decades to girls and young women from all over the country and world.

Year Round Staff

Diane Foster

Interim Executive Director

Molly Ward

Assistant Director

Molly started her Fleur de Lis experience in 1976 as a camper and then went on to become a CT (counselor-in-training). As a young adult she served as a Field and Farmhouse staff member and then became a longtime Circle Week volunteer. We were thrilled to welcome her back to the leadership team of the 7-week program when she became CT Director in 2021 and continued in that role 2022. Molly proved to be an incredible asset to our team!

In addition to her many years at Fleur de Lis, Molly brings deep experience in education at the elementary, middle, and high school level. She has served as a classroom teacher, tutor, standardized testing coordinator, and learning specialist. Molly’s passion and experience as an athlete were the foundation for years of serving as a coach for girl’s ice hockey, softball, and soccer teams. As the sole proprietor and director of All-4-Kids Consignment Sale, Molly has coordinated the advertising and marketing, recruitment and management of consignors and volunteers, and organized the logistics for this important service for families.

Molly earned her bachelor’s degree in arts at Colby College and her master’s degree in education from Smith College. Molly lives with her husband Sean and children Cameron and Megan in Easthampton, Massachusetts. She is an avid gardener, loves being on the water, and cheering on her daughter, Megan, who plays collegiate ice hockey & Lacrosse.

Molly is passionate about what camp does for girls. She shared these thoughts in applying for the position:

“There was and is something about Fleur de Lis that changes lives. I know it changed mine. Camp helped me build my confidence, gave me permission to be myself, make incredible life-long friends, try new things and excel at them, make mistakes, and to be part of a team, all in a safe and nurturing environment, and an incredibly beautiful setting. Camp is a gift that keeps on giving to me and enables me to give to others as I have opportunities to pay it all forward.”

Richard Whipple

Property Manager

Richard started working at Fleur de Lis Camp as a Kitchen Boy and now serves as the Property Manager. He is a native of Fitzwilliam and is a member of the Fitzwilliam Sportsman Club. He is an avid collector of rifles and enjoys hunting, riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle and hiding gold painted rocks for the campers to discover during their walks up and down the camp road.

"If [our daughter]’s happiness could be measured in tears, she showed us happiness to last for months and months to come. [Her counselor] was awesome and the time she gave us saying goodbye was so nice. I measured some happiness tears as well! We have heard some camp stories and look forward to many more as our daughter shares them. And again, a heartfelt thank you to you all at FDL."

Sally Wilson, Parent of a Senior Camper