It’s not too early to start planning for the Keewaydin Work Weekend, June 1-3, 2012! What could be more fun than helping open up camp by day (painting, sawing, raking, etc) and enjoying the camaraderie of fellow Keewaydineesi by night? We provide the bed, the cabins and delicious food and beverage; you provide the brawn and good cheer! Please rsvp to daria@keewaydin.org.
_______________________________________________________________
The CREW OF EXPEDITION 2012 are featured in the Burlington VT weekly Seven Days.
SONGADEEWIN is mentioned in the Christian Science Monitor.
_______________________________________________________________
Michael Thompson’s new book will be in stores May 1, 2012! Entitled Homesick and Happy: An insightful and powerful look at the magic of summer camp—and why it is so important for children to be away from home . . . if only for a little while, the book includes a chapter, “Passages,” highlighting Keewaydin Temagami’s 7 week trip to Hudson Bay, as well as interviews with campers and staff from all the camps.
In an age when it’s the rare child who walks to school on his own, the thought of sending your “little ones” off to sleep-away camp can be overwhelming. But parents’ first instinct—to shelter their offspring above all else—is actually depriving kids of the major developmental milestones that occur through letting them go—and watching them come back transformed.
In Homesick and Happy, renowned child psychologist Michael Thompson, PhD, shares a strong argument for, and a vital guide to this brief loosening of ties. A great champion of summer camp, he explains how camp ushers children into a thrilling world offering an environment that most of us at home cannot: an electronics-free zone, a multigenerational community, meaningful daily rituals like group meals and cabin clean-up, and a place where time simply slows down. In the buggy woods, icy swims, campfire sing-alongs, and daring adventures, children have emotionally significant and character-building experiences; they often grow in ways that surprise even themselves; they make lifelong memories and cherished friends. Thompson shows how children who are away from their parents can be both homesick and happy, scared and successful, anxious and exuberant. When kids go to camp—for a week, a month, or the whole summer—they can experience some of the greatest maturation of their lives, and return more independent, strong, and healthy.
After an extensive search and interview process it is a great pleasure to announce Tanya McCubbin has agreed to become the next manager of the Ojibway Lodge. While no one will be able to replicate the leadership, warmth and historical knowledge Sandy Chivers possesses, Tanya will bring her own expertise and familiarity to the job. Tanya’s experience on Devil’s Island is deep. Her first year on the island was in 1995 when she worked as Assistant Cook under Glen Toogood. Nine summers later, in 2004, Tanya returned as Head Keewaydin Cook and has returned every summer since. In 2009 Tanya took on the duties of Keewaydin business manager. In addition to her intimate understanding of island operations, Tanya brings other hospitality skills: a degree in Culinary Arts and the experience of having been the owner of Mood Food from 2000-2008, a company which produced and marketed a retail line of food products and offered catering to groups under 100. Her boys, Malcolm, 16, and Hudson, 13, join her on the island every summer. Malcolm will be in Section B this year and Hudson is heading out for his first season at the Evans Outpost. Tanya’s husband Rob, a dramatic arts instructor in North Bay, uses the island as summer base camp. When he is not off for workshops brushing up on his teaching skills, he works bringing campers up from Toronto, settling accounts in the business office, or even painting floors. We are fortunate to have Tanya join the team in this new role. She will begin work in September of 2012.
It’s official–Expedition 2012 left from Waramaug shore on Sunday, April 8 at 10:00 a.m. It was an amazing send-off with the shoreline filled with well wishers. Award for farthest travel Sunday morning goes to Peggy Breed Marsh, her son and grandson! You can follow the adventure on expedition2012.com.
Songadeewin and Keewaydin legend, Dick Harter, died on Monday, March 12 at the age of 81. His father, “Doc” Harter, was the original owner and Director of Songadeewin on Lake Willoughby in Vermont. Dick was a camper at Dunmore from 1941-1944, including one summer in Cabin 1 with Waboos Hare. In addition to being a renowned college and professional basketball coach, he helped run Songadeewin, along with his brother Jack and sister-in-law Aline, in the 1960s and 70s.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/venturacountystar/obituary.aspx?n=dick-harter&pid=156473361