Roots and Growth
Dan Murphy founded the camp at Immaculate High School in Danbury in 1981 after a playing career at Immaculate High and Western Connecticut State University, and he launched it together with his wife Cathy. The early years relied on phone calls and mailings for registration, but the camp quickly embraced a philosophy of treating each camper with the respect and enthusiasm they would expect from a counselor.
When Dan stepped into a principal role at The Sherman School, his children Matt and Mike assumed leadership in the mid‑1990s, expanding the program while preserving its core values. Their own children grew up as campers, later returning as counselors, and the family’s involvement now spans four generations.
The camp’s guiding principle, coined "FUNdamentals," stresses skill development, daily games, and small‑group instruction, all delivered with a focus on fun and respect. Over the years, technology has streamlined registration and communication, yet the camp still demands a substantial time commitment from the Murphy family.
Generations on the Court
Matt’s children, Shea and Mo, have been immersed in the camp since early childhood; Shea recently joined the Central Connecticut State University women’s lacrosse coaching staff, while Mo plays club lacrosse at the University of Delaware and enjoys working alongside relatives at the camp. Mike’s sons, Liam and Braden, have also contributed as coaches, continuing the family’s athletic legacy.
Dan and Cathy remain active volunteers, cheering on Newtown High teams and assisting Matt, who now serves as the head coach of the NHS varsity boys’ basketball team. Their enduring presence illustrates how the camp has evolved from a modest local offering into a cornerstone of community sport, rooted in the values of respect, family, and lifelong love of the game.