Fall 2013 Newsletter COLOR.indd

Fall 2013

9 – 12 noon

For camp directors & staff

Coming Back and Bringing Their Friends – Gary Forster

-- A way to focus your marketing, program, and facility decisions to ﬁ ll your camp

Many young camp directors watch “Mad Men” and think a magic slogan and a fancy

toy will attract new campers out of thin air. The more humble camp leaders -- those

of really successful camps -- know that only two things guarantee a full camp: high

return rate, and great word-of-mouth. From visiting over 300 camps, Gary will

share photos, stories, and data that can help us all bring more kids to our camps,

and keep them coming back. Gary Forster is an ACA-NE member since 1984,

a past ACA national board member, former head of camping for the YMCA of

the USA, and now a consultant for church, Girl Scout, YMCA, and private camps

across the country.

9 - 12 noon

For Facilities managers: (runs simultaneous with “Coming Back & Bringing their Friends”)

Fall Protection - Acadia Insurance

Learn how to be safe while working on ladders, scaffolding, roofs and mechanical

lift booms.

Technology in the Woods – Chris Wentworth, Wyonegonic Camps

Learn how to add secure Wi-Fi to your camp property with easy-to-use equipment.

Also learn how to increase your cordless phone’s range, add to existing phone

systems, two way radios and DIY video systems.

12 noon LUNCH provided for all participants. Sponsored by KEY BANK.

1 -2:30 pm Collaborative workshop for Camp Directors, Staff & Facilities

managers

How to Eat An Elephant - Camp facility priorities one bite at a time- Gary

Forster

If you ever tell yourself “someday I’ll get caught up,” you haven’t worked at camp

very long! Here are some of the most important (yet oh-so-common) facility and

program concerns, and really clever ways that they’ve been solved by others. Yes,

there will be a lot of laughing at others (because we’ve done it ourselves!) But

most important is a way to set priorities that match those of your customers while

improving communication between departments and creating better solutions.

Registration: www.mainecamps.org or call 207-518-9557

Location: Acadia Insurance

One Acadia Commons

250 County Road Rt 22

Westbrook, Maine 04092

Fees for any or all sessions:

$20 for 1

person

$10 for each additional person from the

same camp

MSC Sponsors Gary Forster Camp Workshops--September 18

Maine Summer Camps

Workshops &

Fall Board Meeting

Wed, September 18, 2013

Acadia Insurance

Westbrook, ME

9:00-12 noon Morning workshops

(running simulatenously)

12 noon Lunch, sponsored by Key Bank

1- 2:30 pm Afternoon Workshop

2:45- 4 pm - Board meeting

(for MSC board members)

Gary Forster

Something for Everyone:

Sessions for Camp Directors, Staff &

Facilities Managers

Inside:

• Fritz Seving- Gulick Awardee pg 3

• Spotlight on Camp Netop pg 5

• Junior ME Guide Highlights pg 4

Maine Summer Camps Fall 2013 - 2

Presidents

Column

Maine Summer Camps

Board of Directors 2013-14

President: Andy Lilienthal, Winnebago

President Elect: Catriona Sangster, Wawenock, Educ.Chair

Secretary: Matt Pines, Maine Teen Camp

Treasurer: Fritz Seving, Fernwood

Erik Calhoun, Agawam

Judy Crosby, Davinci Experience

Rich Deering, Birch Rock Camp for Boys

Tom Doherty, Camp Ketcha

Mike Katz, Camp Sunshine

Nancy McCann, Tripp Lake

Spencer C. Ordway, Winona - JMG Chair

Anne Randall, Pondicherry, Girl Scouts

Jem Sollinger, Laurel

Nat Shed, Friends Camp

Robert Strauss, Wigwam—Buying Group Chair

Steven Sudduth, Wyonegonic

Lani Toscano

Lisa Tripler, Kamp Kohut

Mark Van Winkle, Wohelo

Appointed & Ex-Ofﬁ cio Members

Business Representatives:

Jim Chalmers, Chalmers Insurance

Susan Pope, Key Bank

Counsel - Jack Erler

Program Consultant - Mary Ellen Deschenes

Maine Youth Camp Association (MYCA)

Board of Directors 2013-2014

President: Steven Sudduth, Wyonegonic

Vice President/Pres Elect: Peter Hirsch, Androscoggin

Vice President: Fritz Seving, Fernwood

Treasurer: Barry Costa, State YMCA Camp

Secretary: Tracy St. Onge, The Summer Camp

Stefan Jackson, Winona

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: [email protected]

www.mainecamps.org

Submissions and articles welcome!

Greetings to all and congratula-

tions on what I hope was a won-

derful and edifying summer. From

where I write on the shores of

Echo Lake, I hear the faint rustle

of leaves, see the glistening sparkle

of the late August sun on the lake

while a dynamic silence permeates

the air. A state so different than

just a few weeks ago when camp

was abuzz with action and energy.

The campers and staff are gone

now and when I walk the camp

grounds, I sense the echoes of laughter ricochet off of the

trees as if the memories of the summer are not yet ready to

depart completely.

The emptiness reminds me that physical camp is just the

shell and it is the people that are the rich ingredients that

make the recipe. They are what allows us to create the hap-

piness, memories and change that we all hope for in the

populations we serve.

Like ripples that spread their edge as they move outwards,

the lessons, the deep friendships, and discoveries are some

of the pieces of the iceberg that we work from each sum-

mer to edify those lucky enough to be at our camps. Of

course, what we did, or tried to do this summer, has legs

and will travel near and far and with much work and good

planning it will happen again next cycle.

Until that next cycle, may you take at least a minute and

hopefully many minutes, to account for all the great work

you have done. Although many don't see, or can even

imagine, what it takes to create the experience we have cre-

ated this summer, I look forward to celebrating our work

together on September 18 at our Fall Meeting and through-

out the year to come.

With all best wishes,

Andy

President, Maine Summer Camps

Andy Lilienthal

Maine Summer Camps Fall 2013 - 3

Legislative and Government Affairs

News from the Maine Youth Camp Association

MYCA Board Elections

At the July Annual Meeting, the following

members were re-elected to the MYCA

board:

•President Elect, Peter Hirsch, Androscoggin

•Secretary, Tracy St. Onge - The Summer Camp

•Vice President, Fritz Seving - Fernwood

•Board seat, Norm Thombs - Mechuwana

•Board seat, Quincy Van Winkle - Wohelo

Notes from the Legislative Session

Jack Erler reports there were a number of

bills proposed that would have changed

the relationship between income, sales

and property taxes. Without any beneﬁ t

ﬂ owing to camps these bills reduced the

income and property taxes. In exchange

sales taxes would have been increased

in rate and coverage. As in the past,

the bills included a proposal to expand

sales tax to include services. One of the

categories, “amusement, entertainment

and recreational” services, was not deﬁ ned

and thus would have included camp tuition.

In addition, the current list of sales tax

exemptions was to be eliminated. This

would have resulted in a sales tax on meals

served in camp. The good news is that none

of these bills passed. The cautionary note is

that the issue of broadening sales taxes and

eliminating sales tax exemptions is NOT

going away.

MYCA is the sister organization to Maine Summer Camps. It focuses on governmental relations for

summer camps in Maine. It is a 501c4 non-proﬁ t. For more information on any items listed, contact MYCA at 207-518-9557.

Fritz Seving Honored with Halsey Gulick Award

Pam Cobb of Runoia presented MSC’s highest

honor, the Halsey Gulick Award, to Fritz

Seving, of Fernwood at the July MSC Annual

Meeting

Maine Summer Camps is honored to

pay tribute to Fritz Seving, owner/

director of Camp Fernwood by

awarding him the esteemed Halsey

Gulick Award at the July Annual

Meeting. In all of Fritz’s endeavors,

he has provided the leadership and

wisdom to do what is best for Maine

camps as a group. Maine camping is

blessed to have Fritz’s vision, support

and dedication.

Following his years as a camper, his

long and successful relationship with

Camp Robin Hood in Sargeantville,

ME began. From camper to staffer at

age 15, with a one- summer hiatus from

camp (“the most disappointing summer

of his life!”), Fritz moved up the ranks

to “director”, working at camp through

his college summers and recruiting in

the winter.

At age 25, he knew that camp would be

a full time career, and he began sending

out exploratory letters, one of which

got to Macky King who was seeking an

assistant director for Camp Fernwood.

Kismet! It was quickly apparent that

Macky, Fritz and Fernwood were a great

match, and in 1989 his Fernwood career

began.

Fritz soon helped Fernwood’s

enrollment to rebound. Happily, Macky

would eventually sell the camp to the

Fritz and his wife Christine in 2002,

but they welcomed her continued

leadership role for many years. In

1998, happy with Fernwood’s successful

format, but seeing the changing trend

for shorter session camps, Fritz and

2 partners founded Fernwood Cove

on the former Camp Chickawah site

in Harrison. Thus began Maine’s ﬁ rst

half-season traditional girls’ camp. The

Cove was later sold to Jim and Beigette

Gill.

Fritz has been a catalyst for positive

change and forward thinking in the

Maine camp community for the past

several decades. In the early 2000’s Fritz

stepped into leadership roles in the

larger camp community. He served as

President of the Maine Youth Camping

Association (now Maine Summer

Camps) from 2003-05 and now as

Treasurer (since 2007). He launched

several “big ideas” for Maine camps –

the ﬁ rst was to spin off the lobbying

& legislative functions into a sister

organization, the Maine Youth Camp

Association (MYCA). Fritz serves as

an active member of the MYCA board

as Vice President. He also inaugurated

the special marketing effort from

2011- 2013, which created an enhanced

website, web presence and branding for

MSC.

Fritz has served on the board of the

Association of Independent Camps

and is a founding member of the Maine

Camp Experience group.

For full citation of Fritz’s award,

please visit: http://mainecamps.org/

ﬁ les/2010/04/2013-Gulick-Book.pdf

Maine Summer Camps Fall 2013 -- 4

Highlights of Test Camp 2013

• CMP installed two phone poles to

replace a tree that went down in a

storm-- the tree was an integral part of

the tarp system for the tester’s area

• Scott Upham donated a picnic table

• Bill Mace, Reidﬁ eld, donated dry ﬁ rewood

• Camp Winona donated use of a truck for

the week for water runs

• Camp O-AT-KA donated canoes for the

week.

Evening speakers:

• Nathan Kay, Operations Forester

• Tom Hyatt, Border Patrol Pipes &

Drums Team

• Brett Damm, Registered Maine Guide

• Don and Stephanie Palmer, Rangeley

Outdoor Sporting Heritage Museum

Junior Maine Guide Test Camp

Participating Camps

Arcadia

Birch Rock

Bryant Pond

Kawanhee

O-AT-KA

Runoia

Winona

Wyonegonic

2013

2013 Staff

Moose Curtis, Director

K Bolduc

Katie Curtis

Ron Fournier

Ginny Geyer

Marie Keane

Bruce McDonald

Lynn O’Donnell

Bill Southwick

Gard Thompson

• 22 out of 24 sec-

ond year candidates

passed

• 16 out of 49 ﬁ rst year

candidates passed

• Total: 38 out of 73

candidates passed, a

52% passing rate.

Steven Phillps Preserve

Oquossoc, ME

July 22 -26, 2013

JMG Staff: from left, Gard Thompson, Ron

Fournier, Bill Southwick, Marie Keane,

Lynn O’Donnell, Moose Curtis, K Bolduc.

Kneeling from left, Katie Curtis, Ginny

Geyer

Clockwise from top left:

Shelter Test, Topographic Map Test, Bryant Pond Test Candidates, Wet Day Fire Test

Maine Summer Camps Fall 2013 -- 5

Spotlight:

Netop Summer Camp

For a wagon wheel to turn smoothly, each spoke must be

strong and balanced. At Netop, this metaphor has served

as the basis of the camp’s philosophy since its beginning in

1956. Netop campers set goals in each of four “spokes”, or

areas of life: mental, social, physical and spiritual. The simple

self-improvement philosophy helps boys (ages 8-15) develop

skills and habits that will lead to a well-balanced and satisfy-

ing life.

The history of Netop (pronounced nee-tope; a Native Amer-

ican word for “friend”) spans two distinct eras. From 1956-

1987, Netop was run by the Truscott and Webster families.

Most of the campers were from either the Philadelphia or

Boston areas, respective homes of the original two owners.

One of the Philadelphia campers, Steve Hallowell, began a

10-year stretch at Netop in 1968, six years as a camper and

four years on the staff. That experience had a profoundly

positive impact on Steve’s life, which would become even

more evident almost four decades later.

Sadly, the ﬁ rst era of Netop ended when the owners retired

in 1987. During a 20-year period from 1987-2006, Netop

was a private residence with just a few cottage rentals during

the summer. Other than the main Lodge, most of the camp

facilities were either sold or grown over.

In 2004, Steve Hallowell decided to leave his corporate career

and pursue a re-birth of Netop. After scouring old camp

rosters and tracking people down, a large alumni reunion was

organized for the summer of 2005 at the old camp property.

During that weekend, Steve shared his vision to re-open

Netop in 2006. Enthusiasm and momentum began to mount.

After much re-building, a total of 38 campers attended two

mini sessions in 2006, with just 20-25 campers per session.

Despite the low numbers, it felt like Netop again! With 8

successive seasons of growth, Netop is now a 6-week season

topping out at 100 campers at a time. Our plan is to continue

growing gradually to around 125 campers per session. Geo-

graphically, Netop draws from 20 different states and several

countries.

Throughout its evolution, Netop has remained a rustic style

camp. Currently, 23 platform tents are nestled within the

pine grove. The camp property is set on 100 acres in Casco

and situated on private Dumpling Pond (which the camp

has always called “Birch Pond”). The main Lodge was built

in 1927 as the Crescent Lake Dance Pavilion. It was known

locally as a classy place to dance and socialize. Much of the

interior of the Lodge remains unchanged from its early days

as a boys’ camp.

In keeping with Netop’s well-rounded philosophy, the pro-

gram offers a balanced array of experiences, including sports,

lake activities, arts and crafts, rock music and wilderness trip

camping. Netop enjoys a wide variety of inter-camp events,

including its annual ping pong tournament and socials with

the girls at Camp Arcadia. Many of the old traditions remain,

such as Saturday night campﬁ res, Netop Sundaes (a prized

award), tribal games,

Klondike Day (a

variation on the game

of Monopoly) and hikes up neighboring Rattlesnake Moun-

tain.

It is rewarding to see the old Netop come back to life and excit-

ing to blend it with the new Netop. Most importantly, we are

thrilled to offer the same growth experience that was so valuable

to a 10-year old camper in 1968 that four decades later propelled

him to re-establish the camp. The emphasis on friendship and a

“four spokes” way of life is one that will hopefully continue for

many new generations of future Netop campers.

Passages

Director’s Camp 2013

September 27 –29, 2013

Camp Belknap, Lake Winnipesaukee, NH

Registration: directorscamp.com

Facilitators:

Scott Arizala

 Steve Maguire  Christopher Thurber, PhD

Enrollment is limited to a select group of directors who can

commit to an electronics hiatus and immerse themselves in a

supportive and challenging experience. By engaging in diverse

educational activities, participants will re-ignite their professional

passions, stimulate thinking and uncover new skills.

Maine Summer Camps Fall 2013 -- 6

Norway Savings/Camp Spelling Bee 2013

On July 17, eighty ﬁ ve (85) camp spellers gathered for the 9th

Annual Spelling Bee, sponsored by Norway Savings Bank. Team

winners for ages 12 and Under was West End House Camp, run-

ner up was Camp O-AT-KA. Claire MacDonald of Arcadia took

ﬁ rst place for individual category.

For ages 13-15 Years, Wigwam was the winning team, runner up

team was Tripp Lake. Arcadia again took individual ﬁ rst place

with Emily Lencyk. Tricky words this year included warranty, mag-

niﬁ cent, liaison, vacuum, counsel, discernible, geisha, & gnarled. Thanks

to Bobby Strauss for again spearheading the Bee!

Elections & Awards at Camp Cedar

The MSC board said farewell and thank you to Garth Altenburg

(Chewonki) who ended his 2-term presidency at the July Annual

Meeting held at Camp Cedar. Garth received a memento for

his service from incoming President Andy Lilienthal of Win-

nebago. Also elected were VP/President Elect Catriona Sangster,

(Wawenock), Secretary Matt Pines (ME Teen Camp), and Immedi-

ate Past President Garth Altenburg. Board members renewing 3

year terms are Mark Van Winkle (Wohelo), Mike Katz (Sunshine),

Tom Doherty (Ketcha), Nat Shed (Friends) and Rich Deering (Birch

Rock).

Fritz Seving (Fernwood) was awarded the Halsey Gulick award, see

story on page 3.

West End House campers with First Place Team Award

Outgoing President Garth Altenburg, left and new

President Andy Lilienthal, right.

Camp Staff

Trainings

Garth Nelson

Garth Robert Nelson passed away

unexpectedly in July in Hanover, MA.

Garth was the former director of

Camp Agawam, a position he held for

25 years. Garth's achievement in the

ﬁ eld of camping was honored by Maine

Summer Camps with the Halsey Gulick

Award in 2011.

Garth was a past board member and

Treasurer of ME Summer Camps and

a past chair of the JMG committee

during a time of transition. He spent

32 seasons as the girls' varsity soccer coach at Hanover High

School, earning two state championships and numerous other

titles. Garth was exceptional in his roles as steady and loving

husband, amazing dad, wonderful Gramps, best friend, and de-

voted coach and counselor. Guiding kids and celebrating their

successes, big and small, was the joy of his life! Donations can

be made to: The Main Idea at Camp Agawam/Agawam Council, (ref.

Garth Nelson/Main Idea), 54 Agawam Road, Raymond ME 04071

Maine Summer Camps Fall 2013 -- 7

“

We welcomed

over 1,900 more visitors

. . . conﬁ rmation of

Down East’s reach and

pulling power.

”

REACH MORE THAN 400,000 READERS WHO ARE READY TO ACTNOW!

Reach the

parents and

grandparents

who know

the value of

sending kids to

camp in Maine!

Maine is a camping paradise —

from camps for kids to extreme

camping adventures for adults to

rustic cottages and RV parks. Our

February issue will feature a special

section dedicated to camps — like

yours — in Maine.

Full Page

1/2 Page

1/4

Page

Savings are based on open rate. No substitutions. Other opportunities are available at additional cost. All rates are net to Down East Magazine. Package may be modiﬁ ed or

removed by Publisher at any time without notice. Advertisers must agree to published terms and conditions. Circulation data veriﬁ ed from AAM’s Publisher Statement, June

31, 2013. Package available February 2014 issue. Images on this page from online camp listings as seen on DownEast.com.

Special Pricing in Camping Section

(limited availability)

February

Full Page ............................ $2,320

Half Horizontal ...................$1,160

Quarter Page Vertical ............$580

Book Space Materials Due Mail Date On Display

12/10/2013 12/13/2013 1/10/2014 1/28/2014

 omas B. Johnson,

Director, Victoria Mansion

New Camp Members or returning?

Dragon’s Eye Ventures

Contact: Rebecca McNulty, PO Box 718, Brunswick, ME 04011. Email: onyx@dragonseyeventures.com

Phone (207) 350-5926. Weekly, coed.

aine Golf and Tennis Academy

Maine Youth Camping Foundation

dba Maine Summer Camps

P.O. Box 1861

Portland, ME 04104

Return Service Requested

Non-Pro t Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

Portland, ME

Permit No. 1073

September 18, 2013 Wednesday

Fall Board Meeting & Fellowship. Workshops with Gary For-

ster. 9 am - 2:30 pm Acadia Insurance. Westbrook, ME

October 4, 2013 Friday

ACA/NE Fall Seminar – Steve Cony, Marketing Guru. Brooks

School, N Andover, MA (781) 541-6080

January 14, 2014 Tuesday

Business Member Networking Event & Winter Board Meet-

ing & Fellowship. Location TBA.

February 5-8

ACA National Conference, Orlando, FL

March 29, 2014 Saturday

At ACA New England Conference: Semi Annual Membership

Meeting, MSC & MYCA. Manchester NH

April/May - Quarterly MSC Meetings. Details TBA.

Summer 2014 - MSC/MYCA Annual Meetings. Details TBA.

July 21-25, 2014 Monday - Friday

Junior Maine Guide Test Camp, Oquossoc, ME

Calendar of Events

Save the Date!

Casella Organics Contact: Chris Bales, 135 Presumpscot St., Portland, ME 04103. Email: chris[email protected]. (888)

472-9471 or (207) 650-7021. Maine Made Products for Camp Landscaping, Trails, and Paths Since 1983.

CIEE Contact: Katie Harrigan, 300 Fore St., Portland, ME 04101. Email: kharrig[email protected]. (207) 553-4011. The leading spon-

sor for cultural exchange programs in the US.

Kinsey’s Inc. Contact: Gene Lagomarsino, 1660 Steel Way, Mount Joy, PA 17552. Email: glagomarsino@kinseyarchery.com

(717) 653-9074, ext. 3056. Leading archery distributor, carrying more than 14,000 products from 400 vendors.

Sebago Sailing, Inc. Contact: Maura Mulcahy. Bridgton, ME. 207-647-4400 Email: info@sebagosailing.com. Sailing lessons,

sailboat tours & cruises on Sebago Lake or Long Lake. Small boat rentals. Sales: Sunﬁ sh and Optis, equipment and repairs.

Maine Summer Camps Fall 2013 -- 8

September 18, Workshops with Gary Forster, Acadia Insurance, Westbrook, ME.

Welcome

New Business Members