2007 Call.qxd - Camp Mowglis

The Director’s Fall Message to the Boys and Staff
To Mowglis Campers and Counselors,
Have you ever imagined what it might be like to reach one hundred years
of age? Would you anticipate being a little creaky, a little less energetic? Well,
Mowglis is about to reach one hundred and five, and on the basis of numerous
factors, including, most importantly, all that you accomplished and contributed
this past summer, it is anything but creaky. Contemplate, for example: This
year's enrollment reflected a 95% rate of return and Ford Hall was home to twelve terrific Cubs.
Moreover, I can't recall a season when boys demonstrated a higher level of enthusiasm for learning,
for fun, for friendships and for adventure, and I can't recall a season when the staff strived any
harder to help boys realize their goals. Thanks to you, Mowglis abounds with spirit and energy!
It is a joy to communicate personally with many of you in the off-season. Just this morning, Mr.
Greenwell called from Maryland to ask how he could be helpful. Already he is making AMC Hut
reservations for next years' Squads, and for the younger boys at Belle Island. And just the other
day, I had dinner with Mr. Walbridge, Mr. Morgan and Mr. Standish. It was very gratifying to
hear the extent to which Mr. Standish keeps in touch with his Mowglis friends, and it was fun to
reminisce about those qualities and moments which made 2007 unique. Who will forget Mr. Nieto's
superb leadership as Watermaster, Mr. Coons' generous heart and his devotion to Toomai and to
Sailing, Miss Mitzi's contribution to the Crafts Shop, Mr. Kingsley's renowned Bugling department
with its occasionally jazz-flavored calls played by Mr. Gulitti, Mr. Medina-Mora dancing on stage,
the 'Indian Sweat Lodge' organized by the Messrs. Jiminez and Sunyer and the Junior Staff, the
spellbinding Red Crew sprint and ultimate Blue victory at the races, Addison Bennett earning his
Experts, Brian Fox's determination to swim a Double Full Waingunga, Alex Hall's tennis ability,
Lowell Nickey's perpetually positive attitude and Foster Conklin's remarkable speech on Mrs.
Holt's Day, to name just a few! And there are the tangible reminders, too. The Library has a wonderful
new collection, Chris Solis' winning Candleboat (his second in two years, a Mowglis first?)
sits proudly in the Dining Room, the impressive amount of wood split by Orange Ribbon for next
year's Campfires, and nineteen various balls which I have so far retrieved from the Toomai brook!
Mowglis is always beautiful, but with winter on the horizon the camp appears very differently
now than most of you know it. The docks and rafts are covered on shore, the boats are stored in
Waingunga, Kaa, Gray Brothers and the Shop, and the buildings are all buttoned up. Again feeling
safe and secure, wild turkeys have returned to the Lower Ballfield, deer are munching on the
shrubs around the Jungle House, and I have observed one moose meandering about in front of the
Woodshed. From Headquarters as I watch the needles fall rapidly from the Colonel's Pine, the view
of Bear Mountain becomes all the more accessible. And to the west of the Upper Tennis Court, a
substantial fallen oak has enabled a panorama of the lake.
Even at this time of year, weather permitting, I enjoy writing notes and letters out-of-doors.
This afternoon is one of those "classic days" at the Waterfront. It is particularly still and quiet,
however, and I find myself wondering what was especially happy or meaningful this summer for
each of you, and how you are doing now at home and in school. If you have a moment, please email
me a few words via Director@Mowglis.org.
In closing, I received a very nice letter from alumnus Lockwood Merriman this week, referencing
himself as a lively Pantherite in 1927, sharing what Mowglis means to him, and expressing his
interest in you. "Lock" has been involved with camp for eighty years! Every one of you, too, one
way or another, can maintain a lifelong association with Mowglis if you choose to. It is that kind of
place, and I hope you will.
Good Hunting!
K. Robert Bengtson ('69)
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