The connection between the Winsor-Petit family and YMCA Camp Warren is built on a mother’s love, family traditions, and the desire to give back. It all began in 1964, when Kathleen (Kitty) Petit’s brother, Dave Winsor, first experienced camp. His connection to Camp Warren deepened through his years as a camper and counselor — experiences that remained meaningful during his battle with cancer. Dave’s love for camp never wavered, and despite undergoing treatments in the Twin Cities, he returned to Warren to serve as a full-time volunteer.
In 1979, Dave tragically passed away at just 23 years old. To honor Dave’s memory, his family dedicated a gazebo, named Winsor Point, at a spot he loved for its breathtaking views of the sunset over Lake Homaji. In 2014, the Winsor-Petit family updated the structure with a more functional platform cabin designed by Kitty’s husband. This new space, still at the heart of camp, continues to serve as a reminder of Dave’s enduring legacy.
At the center of this family legacy is Kitty’s mother, Renata Winsor, who encouraged her children to support Camp Warren after seeing the profound effect it had on Dave and later, Kitty’s son, Reid. Renata believed deeply in the camp’s mission and after her passing, Kitty and sister, Mary, decided to carry on their mother’s legacy. In 2020, the sisters established the Winsor-Petit Family Endowment Fund through a bequest gift from their mother’s estate. Today, Kitty is continuing to strengthen the fund through annual contributions — a beautiful way to ensure her family’s legacy grows and flourishes. “Warren is like a second home for us,” she shared.
Over the years, the Winsor-Petit family’s ties to Camp Warren have only strengthened. Reid followed in his Uncle Dave’s footsteps; he attended as a Warren camper, thrived as a counselor, and eventually served on its community board. Now, Reid’s own son, Everett, is getting his first taste of Warren, while attending family camp. For Kitty, watching multiple generations of her family thrive at Camp Warren has been a powerful reminder of its lasting impact.
“Camp Warren has given so much to our family, and it was my mother’s wish to give back,” expressed Kitty. “We want to make sure camp remains a place for kids to grow, just as it was for my family. Our fund is a way to honor the tradition my mother started all those years ago.”