Fall 2012 Newsletter - Maine Summer Camps

Fall
2012
MAINE’S JUNIOR MAINE GUIDE PROGRAM IS 75 YEARS OLD!
Fondly remembering their challenging
journey to becoming certified
Junior Maine Guides, over 70 alumni
of the program gathered to celebrate
the 75th Anniversary of
Maine’s Junior Maine Guide program
on July 28, 2012 in Oquossoc,
ME.
Wyonegonic Camps Alumni Group
Chandler Woodcock, Director of
Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries
and Wildlife, attended and addressed
the group, who were from as IFW’s Chandler Woodcock
far away as California. Camps represented
were Arcadia, Winona, Wyonegonic,
Kawanhee, Natarswi,
Pondicherry, Bryant
Pond 4-H, Vega,
Wayaka (closed) and
Waganaki (closed).
The oldest attendee
earned her JMG in 1952, and the
most recent in 2011.
The group enjoyed a lobster &
steak cookout and received commemorative
t-shirts.
See highlights of 2012 JMG Test Camp
page 5.
Camp Winona Alumni & Family Group
CAMP AGAWAM HOSTS MSC FALL MEETINGS - SEPTEMBER 19
MSC FALL MEETING & FELLOWSHIP
Wednesday, Sept 19, 2012
Camp Agawam, Raymond, ME
8:30 –12:30 pm Board Retreat
The Maine Summer Camps Board will hold a board retreat on the
morning of September 19 to review and react to a recent board selfassessment
survey.
At 1 p.m., the doors open to an Open Membership meeting, beginning
with an informal pot luck lunch to which all are invited. Please bring a
food item to share. This will be followed by an informal session to help
directors and key staff share stories and learnings from the 2012 season.
1:00 pm Open Membership Potluck
lunch— all welcome!
Followed by brief updates & a
sharing session, “ OMG!
Wait till you hear …”
2:30 Adjournment
Thinking of this statement: “OMG, wait until you hear my most challenging/perplexing,
horrifying moment from this summer”, we’re asking
directors to come and share an anecdote or a new insight from the
summer that could be helpful (or humorous) to other directors.
To Agawam: Follow Rt. 302 West to Raymond, ME. In Raymond, turn right on
Rt. 85 North (at traffic light near "Panther Run Rest Area"and The Good Life
Market. Follow Rt. 85 N. for 7 mi. until you see the Agawam sign on the right.
Tel: 207-627-4780.

MSC News Mainecamps.org Fall 2012
. Presidents Column
SUMMER SURPRISE!
Mary Ellen Deschenes does not miss a detail. In
my years as the President of Maine Summer
Camps and my board work with her, I’ve been
continually impressed with her ability to juggle
numerous projects at once while keeping the
various, disparate leaders and board members of
Maine Summer Camps connected and up to speed on all the latest developments.
This group feels connected because Mary Ellen keeps us
connected.
So how could we sneak a fast one by Mary Ellen and honor her with
the prestigious Halsey Gulick Award at our recent summer meeting
Mary Ellen is always in the know about this award. She makes sure
the plaque and citation for the nominee are ordered and that the person
is present at the Annual Meeting. Therefore, we had to create the ruse
that there would not be a recipient for 2012. Next, we needed to secretly
produce the plaque and literature that summarizes the recipient’s
accomplishments. To this we owe many thanks to outgoing office
manager Wendy Emery and committee members Carol Sudduth
and Rich Deering. They were in cahoots right from the start on this
one and pulled it off beautifully.
At our summer meeting, the fun really began. We took a moment to
honor Carol Sudduth for her leadership over the years with the Gulick
Award as Carol is stepping down from the award committee. This provided
the perfect transition to talk about our surprise recipient for
2012. The look of shock, surprise and gratitude on Mary Ellen’s face
was priceless.
Here are a few notes from the presentation of the 2012 Gulick Award
that highlight some of Mary Ellen’s many accomplishments:
“Mary Ellen consolidated the original Maine Youth Camping
Association, resulting in a more effective and efficient operation,
[she] developed a fundraising program for the organization.
She has been instrumental in expanding membership
statewide both for camps and business affiliates. ...Mary Ellen
was pivotal in facilitating the process of creating a new 501c4
governmental relations “sister” association with a separate
board (today’s MYCA) ... allowing for that organization to be
a leader among state associations.
It is with our utmost respect, gratitude and sincere appreciation
that ... we honor Mary Ellen with the Halsey Gulick
Award, the highest award in Maine camping one can receive
for dedicated service to Maine camps.... The camping movement
in Maine is better for the effort and energy Mary Ellen
has dedicated to the camping industry.
Mary Ellen, thank you for your extraordinary effort, your tenacity
and your ability to get things done. “
Join me in extending the warmest congratulations to Mary Ellen for
receiving this wonderful award. We are so fortunate to get to work
with you, Mary Ellen!
Garth Altenburg, President MSC
Board Members
MAINE SUMMER CAMPS (MYCF)
Board of Directors 2012-13
President: Garth Altenburg, Chewonki
President Elect: Andy Lilienthal, Winnebago
Secretary: Catriona Sangster, Wawenock, Education
Chair
Treasurer: Fritz Seving, Fernwood
Board Members:
Erik Calhoun, Agawam
Judy Crosby, Davinci Experience
Rich Deering, Birch Rock Camp for Boys
Tom Doherty, Camp Ketcha
Jim Gill, Fernwood Cove
Mike Katz, Camp Sunshine
Nancy McCann, Tripp Lake, PR Chair
Scott Merrow, Oceanwood
Spencer C. Ordway, Winona - JMG Chair
Matt Pines, Maine Teen Camp
Anne Randall, Pondicherry, Girl Scouts
Jem Sollinger, Laurel
Nat Shed, Friends Camp
Robert Strauss, Wigwam—Buying Group Chair
Steven Sudduth, Wyonegonic
Lani Toscano, Runoia
Lisa Tripler, Kamp Kohut
Mark Van Winkle, Wohelo
Me. Tourism Commission Rep: Nancy McCann, Tripp Lake
Appointed & Ex-Officio Members
Business Representative: Jim Chalmers, Chalmers Insurance
Business Representative: Dean Waterman, Camden National
Bank
Counsel - Jack Erler
Program Consultant - Mary Ellen Deschenes
MAINE YOUTH CAMP ASSOCIATION
Board of Directors 2012-2013
President: Steven Sudduth, Wyonegonic
Vice President: Fritz Seving, Fernwood
Treasurer: Barry Costa, State YMCA Camp
Secretary: Peter Hirsch, Androscoggin
Stefan Jackson, Wohelo
Tracy St. Onge, The Summer Camp
Norm Thombs, Mechuwana
Quincy Van Winkle, Wohelo
Maine Summer Camps News
is a publication of the
Maine Youth Camping Foundation dba
Maine Summer Camps
Mary Ellen Deschenes, Editor
P.O. Box 1861, Portland, ME 04104
Tel. 207-518-9557
Fax. 207-797-7183
E-mail : camps@mainecamps.org
www.mainecamps.org
Submissions & articles welcome!
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MSC News Mainecamps.org Fall 2012
8TH
ANNUAL NORWAY
SAVINGS/MSC SPELLING BEE
1 st place Individual winner
under 12, Ian McClure-
Chute , Friends Camp
1 st place Individual
winner 13+, Joseph
Rowland, West End
House Camp
1 st place Team , 12 & Under. Camp Wigwam . Conor Gubbins,
Andrew Bastrone, Dan Glickman, Dashiell Bevis, and Oliver
Harris
The 8 th Annual Norway Savings Bank & Maine Summer
Camps Spelling Bee was a rousing success with 65 participants
from 6 camps competing. The Bee was again hosted
by Bob Strauss of Camp Wigwam, and was held at the
Racket & Fitness Center in Portland. Counselors from
Camp Wigwam served as judges.
1 st place Team 13+, Tripp Lake Camp. Carly Deitelzweig, Aerin Pasik,
Carolyn Silverstein, Olivia Tanzman and Elana Stern.
Enthusiasm was in evidence as campers correctly spelled
words like anticipated, exquisite, resurrection, counselor,
and hallucinogenic. The event is sponsored by Norway
Savings Bank, which matches revenues up to $700 as a donation
to Maine Summer Camps.
WELCOME NEW CAMP MEMBERS
MSC Receives National
ACA Recognition
BLUEBERRY COVE 4-H CAMP: Contact: Jonathan Downing,
22 Blueberry Cove Rd., Tenants Harbor, ME 04860
(207) 372-6353. jonathan.downing@maine.edu.
www.extension.umaine.edu/tanglewood Weekly, Day,
Resident, Coed.
Camps are encouraged to find creative ways to get involved
with this ongoing statewide effort to get kids outside.
Day camps and year round camps may already
have events planned that they can promote through the
GMOW website and Facebook page. And its not too late
to plan something!
http://Greatmaineoutdoorweekend.org
Maine Summer Camps was awarded a Special Recognition
by the American Camp Association for Maine’s
assistance in getting the 150th Anniversary of Organized
Camping recorded in the US Congressional
Record. MSC President-Elect Andy Lilienthal accepts
the award from Jeff Cheley at the 2012 American
Camp Association National Conference in California
earlier this year.
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MSC News Mainecamps.org Fall 2012
Legislative & Government Affairs -
News from the Maine Youth Camp Association
MYCA is a sister organization to Maine Summer Camps. It focuses on governmental relations for
summer camps in Maine. It is a 501 (c) 4 non-profit.
GOVERNMENT AND LEGISLATIVE BRIEFS
New MYCA Board Member
Stefan Jackson was elected to the MYCA Board of Directors at the recent July Annual
Meeting. Stefan is affiliated with Camp Winona, and has a background in law and environmental
education. He brings a very strong background to our advocacy and governmental relations
efforts. Welcome Stefan!
Submerged Lands Leases
The State Dept. of Conservation continues to slowly provide camps with lease agreements for
their submerged waterfront property. Assessments are ranging from several hundred dollars to
several thousand dollars annually . MYCA requests that any camps receiving a final lease please
contact the office with the details. MYCA is tracking the assessments for overall industry impact
and to determine if any legislative action is warranted. MYCA: 207-518-9748
Stefan Jackson
JMG TEST CAMP 2012—CELEBRATING 75 YEARS!
CURRENT & RECENT JMG TESTERS AT 75TH CELEBRATION
Front row, L to R: Lynn O’Donnell, Marie
Keane, Katlyn Keane, Katie Curtis
with springers Kineo and Chamberlain,
Moose Curtis (JMG Director), “K”
Bolduc. Back row: Dan Kane, Gard
Thompson, Terry Moulton, Ginny Geyer,
Ron Fournier, Bruce McDonald & Bill
Southwick
Goodbye & Best Wishes Wendy!
With great sadness we share the news of Office Administrator Wendy Emery’s departure from Maine
Summer Camps. Wendy has been with MSC for nearly 10 years and has been the backbone of the
administrative functions of the association. During her tenure, she gladly took on new and more
complex roles with web management, social media and the demands of bookkeeping for 2 organizations,
MSC & MYCA.
She will be tending and growing the family business, D’Ameri Acres Farm Market, selling natural beef & pork. If you
are up in Gray, stop by the market! On old Rt. 26, 1/2 mile outside Grey Village. Wendy has been a tremendous asset
to MSC and will be very sorely missed.
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MSC News Mainecamps.org Fall 2012
2012 Staff
Moose Curtis, Director
Lynn O’Donnell
K Bolduc
Katie Curtis
Ron Fournier
Ginny Geyer
Marie Keane
Katlyn Keane
Bill Southwick
Gard Thompson
Shelter Test
Axe Test
JUNIOR MAINE GUIDE TEST CAMP 2012
Participating Camps
Arcadia (8)
Birch Rock (2)
Bryant Pond – 4-H (13)
Kawanhee (11)
O-At-Ka (12)
Runoia (11)
TDC (3)
Wild River Guide Service
(2)
Winona (9)
Wyonegonic (9)
Total: 80
Largest group in 10 years!
Maine Plant Identification
31 of the 80 candidates
became Junior
Maine Guides –
a passing rate of
39%, a lower rate
than in past years,
but due to more first
year candidates.
11 out of 16 returning
candidates
passed. 20 out of 64
first year candidates
passed.
Stephen Phillips Preserve
Oquossoc, ME
July 23—27, 2012
Fire building Test
Canoe Test
Highlights of the 2012 Encampment
Evening Programs
Jim Murphy of the US Border Patrol gave a talk that included a drug sniffing
demonstration by his trained dog.
Ron Fournier & Marie Keane spoke about the requirements for being a good
licensed Maine Guide.
Wardens Patrick Eagan & Scott Stevens described their positions in the Maine
Warden Service.
Tom Lillis of the Maine Forest Service covered firefighting equipment for wilderness
fires.
On July 28, JMG celebrated it’s 75th Anniversary!
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MSC News Mainecamps.org Fall 2012
Fall Trainings
WILDERNESS FIRST AID &
FIRST RESPONDER
January 3-6, 2013
Wilderness Advanced First Aid Course
Camp Chewonki, Wiscasset, ME
January 8-11, 2013
Wilderness First Responder Bridge Course
Camp Chewonki, Wiscasset, ME
Enroll:www.chewonki.org/vacations/wilderness_medicine.asp or
contact Greg Shute for more info gshute@chewonki.org
WILDERNESS MEDICINE ASSOCIATES:
September 24—30, 2012
Wilderness First Responder. $795-845. Rockport, ME
October 13 - 14, 2012
Wilderness First Aid. $180/$225. Newry, ME
October 13- 15, 2012
Open Recertification. $195/$295. Newry ME
November 3—10, 2012
Wilderness First Responder. Carrabassett Valley, ME
November 9—12, 2012
Bridge (WAFA to WFR) $325. Freeport, ME
For all Wilderness Medicine Courses, visit
Wildmed.com or call 888-Wildmed (945-3633)
Director’s Camp 2012
September 28 –30, 2012
Camp Belknap
Lake Winnipesaukee, NH
Registration: directorscamp.com
Facilitators:
Scott Arizala
Steve Maguire
Christopher
Directors’ Camp is an intensive weekend of professional
development, intentionally liberated from
electronic technology and carefully sequestered on
the shores of beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee.
Sharpen your focus, nurture your creativity, and
redefine your role as a camp professional!
RECOGNITIONS ABOUND AT JULY ANNUAL MEETING AT TAKAJO
Annis & Lloyd Martin, SYSCO Foods Garth Altenburg & Carol Sudduth A surprised ME Deschenes accepts
Gulick award
Awards and recognitions took center stage at this year’s Maine Summer Camps and Maine Youth Camp Association’s
annual meetings at Camp Takajo in Naples on July 11. Carol Sudduth of Camp Wyonegonic was honored by the MSC
board for her years of involvement in MSC as a leader and mentor for many other camp directors. Carol most recently
chaired the Halsey Gulick Award committee for many years, and served in many MSC leadership positions, as well
as keeping Maine camps interests at heart in her regional ACA service. Carol is retiring from board involvement.
Annis and Lloyd Martin of SYSCO Foods are retiring this year after decades of service to camps. Their personal service
commitment was cited by several camp directors, pointing out they would often deliver missing food items or special
orders on their own. The Martins are an institution within the camp food industry. They received original artwork
as a memento of appreciation.
The tables were turned on MSC’s consultant Mary Ellen Deschenes, who was told there was no Gulick Award this year
to prepare for, and then in a surprise turn, was awarded the prestigious Gulick Award herself! The award committee
worked behind the scenes with Wendy Emery, MSC’s Office Administrator, to keep the surprise until July 11.
Deschenes has had a long history of involvement with MSC, including being a past president and committee chair before
she became MSC’s consultant. Read the full citation on mainecamps.org/awards.
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SPOTLIGHT ON: CAMP WILDWOOD
MSC News Mainecamps.org Fall 2012
Featuring member camps in order
of founding dates
The Wildwood Story
You may not know this, but Camp Wildwood has really been around since the early
1900’s. This past summer was our 60 th anniversary as Wildwood for boys. That’s correct;
Wildwood was originally built over a hundred years ago, as Wildwood for girls! The
original lodge was built using the same architectural design as Camps Pinecliffe &
Tapawingo and many others that were constructed around the same time. Our Senior
Camp today was not originally part of Wildwood for girls, but was a separate camp
called, “Camp In The Woods” and as the story goes, was a camp for families dedicated
to belief in the Communist Doctrine, including a young camper named Paul
Robeson.
Wildwood for girls flourished through the early 1900’s and even past the Great Depression,
but couldn’t overcome World War II and the Korean Conflict and unfortunately
closed its doors around 1950. Two young entrepreneurs from NY, Edward
Hartman and Leo Mayer decided to reopen the camp in 1953 and to keep the name.
Wildwood. Mark Meyer and his brother Peter, Wildwood’s current owners, were
campers in 1966.
Ed & Leo ran Wildwood successfully for over 20 years until Ed retired around
1975. The very next summer, Leo sold Wildwood to a gentleman who improved
our facility and grounds but changed our philosophy to such an extent that enrollment
dwindled. In 1980, a group of parents got together in an effort to save Wildwood
and recruited a very young Mark Meyer (all of 22) to be part of this collaboration.
Mark had never left Wildwood since 1966, except for the summer of 1972
when he was not asked back due to some “rebellious” ways. This group didn’t intend
to make a career out of this camp enterprise, and really just wanted to “help
right the ship”. They initially told Mark that when “you feel capable of taking over”
just let us know and we’ll sell you the remaining shares. After the summer of 1983,
that’s exactly what happened, and Mark brought in Peter to help run Wildwood.
This same leadership continues today, with the help of Lisa and Esther, Mark and
Peter’s wives.
When a camp can continue its rich history of traditions, based on the continuity of its directorship/ownership, the camp
will succeed. Many of the stories and lectures that Mark remembers from his days as a camper still continue today but
with a modern twist. The lessons and moral advice learned at camp are
still transferred to the campers of today. Every Sunday campfire ends
with an ethical/moral talk about life. One speech about “paying it forward”
asked every camper and counselor to do some sort of kind act
toward another without expecting a payback. For instance, a camper is
sick in your cabin and spent the night in the Health Center, you make
his bed and do his job in the morning, and then not expect the sick
camper to ever return the favor. Or somebody spilled juice at the table,
you volunteer to clean it…without being forced by your counselor or
asking for a favor in return. At next week’s campfire, the kids volunteered
some really great ‘pay it forward” moments.
As we all know, camp is the perfect environment to teach the youth of
today the right way to become productive, responsible young men and
women in this ever-changing world. To learn how to hit a tennis ball harder, catch a high fly, make a clay pot, snap a
wrist shot, or cradle a lax ball, are all secondary to our real role in today’s camping world. All of us know that a lot of
our campers are ill equipped to handle adversity, disappointment on the sports field, or in friend/bunk relationships, and
that we can give them the right tools to succeed; that’s our job….our calling.
According to our alums and we’re sure yours as well, it’s at a place like Wildwood (or plug in your camp’s name) that
we have changed the way the former campers were able to handle their struggles in life beginning in high school, continuing
on in college and lastly in the “real world”. Friends often ask, “What is the best thing about being a camp director
at Wildwood” The answer always is that as a camp director, we can make a difference. That some small part of a
camper’s “hard drive” will always remember their summers at Wildwood (again, plug in your camp’s name), and always
be able to smile and rekindle some fond memory!
Here’s to another 100 years not just for us at Wildwood in little Bridgton, Maine, but to all the camps in the country
who do such an amazing and important job raising America.
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Maine Youth Camping Foundation
dba Maine Summer Camps
P.O. Box 1861
Portland, ME 04104
Return Service Requested
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Portland, ME
Permit No. 1073
September 19 - MSC Fall Meetings & Fellowship Potluck Luncheon, Camp Agawam
Calendar of Events
MSC: Maine Summer Camps (MYCF) (207) 518-9557
ACA: American Camping Association (765) 342-8456
ACA/NE: ACA, New England Section (781) 541-6080
ACA/NYNJ: ACA, New York/New Jersey Section (212) 391-5208
Please mark your calendar.
Sept 19
Wed. Fall MSC Meetings & Fellowship.
Camp Agawam, Raymond, ME.
Jan 17 Thurs. Winter MSC Meetings, Business Member
Event. Camp Ketcha, Scarborough, ME
Mar 17 Sun. Annual Summer Camp Fair, East
End Community School, Portland, ME
Mar 22-23 ACA New England Conference. ,Manchester,
NH. MSC/MYCA Semi-annual Meetings on
Sat March 23.
WELCOME NEW BUSINESS MEMBERS
GREEN RESTROOM PRODUCTS Contact: Richard Lewis, 124 Crescent Road, Needham, MA (781) 444-9650
Email: rlewis.ralco@verizon.net Water and energy saving products normally found in restrooms or showers.
www.greenrestroomproducts.com
INGERSOLL ICE ARENA Contact: Mike Berube, 48 Pettengill Park Rd, Auburn, ME 04210 (207) 333-6601x2114
Email: mberube@auburnmaine.gov Private rentals: Summer Camps, Day Care Centers, Schools, Companies, Birthday
Parties. Public Ice Skating: Wed. 12-2pm, Sun. 4-6 pm. Open year round. www.auburnmaine.org
STEVE’S SAFETY SERVICES, INC. Contact: Steve Anketell, 65 Penny Rd., New Gloucester, ME 04260 (207) 713-
7211 Email: sanketell@maine.rr.com Onsite CPR—AED—First aid training—Cardiac Science AED products—
Phillips AED products. Special Discount: First Time discount for new customers. www.stevessafetyservices.com/
MAIN LINE FENCE CO. Contact: Rocky Cianchette, PO Box 27A, Cumberland, ME 04021 (207) 829-5549 Email:
rockycmainlinefence.com Sells and installs all types of fencing and guardrails. We maintain the largest inventory of
fence materials in the state. www.mainlinefence.com
JUNIOR BOARDING SCHOOL ASSN. Contact: Kitty Burns, 571 Highland Street, South Hamilton, MA 01982 (978) 626-
6007 Email: kitty_burns@verizon.net Network of ten independent boarding schools for middle school students. Members
are located in NE and NY. http://www.jbsa.org/
MSC News Mainecamps.org Fall 2012