In celebration of Earth Day 2012, here is a shout out from an Alumnus of the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Vermont. The school’s Aiken Center Building is well on the way to achieving a LEED Platinum rating. It was through a Rubenstein School newsletter, that I learned what company was contracted for the solar energy improvements incorporated into the Aiken Center.
When I was referred to a partnering company here in southern Maine, a perfect storm type of opportunity was presented. The outcome is that Revision Energy recently completed a photo voltaic 17.5 kilowatt energy generating system for our Camp Dining Hall. This should cover 110% of the annual energy demand for the building. We have added a Sustainability page to our website where you can view the daily production of our system.
As Wyonegonic prepares for it’s 111th summer, our solar panels are already hard at work. Our commitment to “green initiatives” ties to our sustainability pledge made as members of Maine Summer Camps. Thanks Rubenstein School! Steve Sudduth
I recently departed Atlanta where the the American Camp Association (ACA) National Conference was held. Each year, I attend this conference to meet with other camp owners and directors, attend presentations on the latest trends in camping and youth development and also continue my volunteer work as the chair of the Governmental Relations and Public Policy Committee.
One of this year’s key note speakers was Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods which launched the Children in Nature movement. Having heard him speak before, I was curious if there was anything new or was this a repeat performance. This time he spoke about ten ways that camps can have a positive impact in reducing the growing social Nature Deficit Disorder.
What struck me was something quite specific. “Fairy houses” came to mind. Junior Camp at Wyonegonic has been a haven for creative play for as long as I remember. The myriad of fairy houses, tucked in between tree roots; stumps, rocks and thickets surrounding the Junior playfield and the banks of the Junior creek are testimonial to our young campers creatively and actively engaged in nature. Often times, the creation of these fairy villages is not part of a programed period, but part of their free time play.
I encourage you to consider Richard’s concept of providing your children the opportunity to spend unstructured time outdoors. The Family Nature Club Tool Kit is a valuable resource for you to share with your children. He reminds us that a grass roots approach to cultural change is a good idea, for ourselves and our future generations. Best wishes, Steve Sudduth.
Can going to summer camp as a child make you more prepared for college life? Certainly there are many factors…but being homesick and missing parents is a natural thing for a child who goes away from home for the first time. Camp kids are given the opportunity to practice coping at camp in a supportive environment. Maybe these kids are more able to hit the ground running when they step onto their college campus freshmen year? They have independence, confidence and social skills gained from their summers at camp. They know how to make decisions on their own, make friends and miss home and family in a healthy way. At Wyonegonic we help girls experience all of these things and more! Read this article http://my.psychologytoday.com/blog/smores-and-more/201112/creating-advantage-in-college
Mentoring and camp go hand in hand. Read this article by the American Camp Association.
http://www.acacamps.org/media/story-ideas/mentor-at-camp
Please come join us for gatherings through-out the east coast in January. New Campers and prospective families can learn about our programs, meet the directors Carol and Steve Sudduth, ask questions and meet other campers and staff. Currents campers, families, staff and alumnae are welcome to come visit and share in the fun. Enjoy the Wyonegonic & Winona slideshows and pictures from summer 2011!
Locations and dates are listed on our online calendar.
Staff lunch in Lexington prior to gathering. Staff dinner in New York following gathering.
Questions? Contact us at 207-452-2051 or info@wyonegonic.com
The Healthy Kids Outdoors Act that is being introduced in congress. For those of you interested in following along please use the link below to read information, download a copy of the act, and see the American Camp Association’s position.
Wyonegonic is proud to encourage active lifestyles, outdoor exploration and appreciation of nature! We hope their time at camp creates a lifelong love for the outdoors!
http://www.acacamps.org/publicpolicy/HKOA
American Camp Association CEO Peg Smith’s video discusses some of the many benefits & skills kids can take from camp to the classroom during the school year.
Video from ACA CEO Peg Smith
Read the interesting article written by a camp counselor working in Washington State about the value of working at a camp for future careers and endeavors. Everyone at camp learns life skills! Whether they are first time campers, returning veterans, staff or directors. Living and working in a community like Wyonegonic is a valuable experience that helps us all grow.
USA TODAY Article
The annual Loon Echo Landtrust Hike and Bike Trek occurred on a beautiful fall day, Sept 17th at Pleasant Mountain. Bikers departed from Shawnee Peak Ski area in Bridgton for 25, 50 or 100 mile fundraising rides. Wyonegonic director, Carol Sudduth and a few Wyo alums participated in the 25 mile loop.
Hikers were transported from the ski area to the Southwest Ridge Trail in Denmark by Wyonegonic vans and volunteer drivers Chris Wentworth and Ceidleigh Bryce. Hikers then traversed the entire length of Pleasant Mountain ending at the ski area for the celebration BBQ. Thanks and congratulations to all who participated and helped raise money for such a worthy cause! We are all so grateful that so much of Pleasant Mountain is now a protected preserve due to Loon Echo.
Generations of Wyonegonic campers and staff have loved hiking the trails of Pleasant Mountain and enjoying the beautiful views from the top!
Wyonegonic was also the host site for a recent Loon Echo board meeting and luncheon in August. It is fun to share our beautiful view of Moose Pond and Pleasant Mountain with the people who volunteer their time for Loon Echo.
Wyonegonic is honored to have been recently mentioned on the floor of the House of Representatives. Representative Pingree of Maine recognized the 150th Anniversary of Camping on September 13, 2011. Wyonegonic, founded in 1902, was highlighted as a pioneer for girls camps, remaining the the oldest continually run camp for girls in the country. Please read the Congressional Record and help us spread the word!
Wiggie Chairs were presented to the newest members of the Wyonegonic 10 year club on the final Sunday of camp in the pinegrove. Congratulations to Karen Grey, Paige Powell, Elizabeth Shribman, Barbie Cobb and Jane Barnard (not pictured). We look forward to many more summers at camp! Who will be getting their wiggie chairs in 2012?
Storm Update: Family Campers departed Sunday morning and our staff are all fine. No power in Denmark at the moment. If you try to call camp you may or may not get through and we have no answering machine. Please send messages via email info@wyonegonic.com and we will respond once we have power back on! If urgent email susie@wyonegonic.com and I will try to help you from Mass.
Our Wyo family camp staff and work crew did a great job prepping for Irene by getting boats inside, taking tents down and getting property and equipment ready for high winds. They then had a slumber party at Carol’s farmhouse to ride out the storm. Thanks again to our wonderful staff who were here to help! The horses are all fine too – they depart for the winter homes this week. We are cleaning up today – some trees down on roads but so far reports are that things are fine in camp. We’ll keep you posted. Thanks everyone & Kiyi!
10 Wyonegonic Senior Campers just returned from 5 days at Junior Maine Guide (JMG) testing camp in Rangley Maine. The girls spent the first three weeks of the summer learning outdoor living skills, studying the map of Maine, identifying trees, honing canoe strokes and chopping and splitting wood for the famous “wet day fire” test. We’d love to congratulate all of the girls for their hard work and dedication to continuing the tradition of JMG at Wyonegonic. Next week our younger campers participating in the Junior Maine Woodsman (JMW) and Maine Woodsman (MW) programs will enjoy their culminating trips and skill testing. Perhaps they are future JMGs! For more information on the JMW, MW and JMG programs please use this link http://mainecamps.org/junior-maine-guide/
Two Wyo JMG candidates practice lighting their wet day fire
JMG candidates return to Wyo
We had a wonderful windy day for the Wyonegonic Sailing Regatta today. Congratulations to all of the sailors who participated and a huge THANK YOU to the Wyo sailing staff – you did a great job hosting the event!
Sending you happy July wishes from Wyo! We had a great July 4th celebration starting with traditional wake up from our CITs and horses, a delicious chicken BBQ at the farmhouse for lunch and a campfire at TP point after dinner where we awarded 5 year paddles and recognized campers and staff from other countries with a flag ceremony. We hope you all had a great Holiday!
We are enjoying beautiful weather this week at Wyo. The crew is hard at work getting camp ready for the summer. Here are some photos of the docks going in the lake after spending the winter in the Inty parking lot. We are also picking up sticks and branches blown down by the winter wind, cleaning cabins, and prepping the Cobb dining hall for our first meal. Did you know the Wiggies act as boat houses in the winter? We will be ready for staff certification courses that start this week and can’t wait for our 2011 campers to arrive June 29!
Here comes a dock
In the lake!
Wyo docks moving into place
Liz Staley (Wyo 97-06) and Aislinn Smith (Wyo 97-06) made a pact when they were twelve years old at Wyonegonic to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail someday. Well, that day has come. Before they move to far distant lands, start careers and families, they are going to walk 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine, in 5 million steps, having awesome adventures, and creating incredible memories. They are joined by Avery Forbes (Wyo 95-01, 05, 10) who is also hiking to raise money for Beardsley Elementary School and Teach for America. She is providing lessons and games for her former students to follow along with her on the trail.
They are about 300 miles into their journey. You can follow their adventures at their Ais, Liz, and Avery’s AT Thru-Hike 2011 blog. Feel free to send them messages of encouragement and support through their blog.
The new blog to keep campers and parent in the loop about the latest news and events at Wyonegonic is coming soon!
In celebration of Earth Day 2012, here is a shout out from an Alumnus of the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Vermont. The school’s Aiken Center Building is well on the way to achieving a LEED Platinum rating. It was through a Rubenstein School newsletter, that I learned what company was contracted for the solar energy improvements incorporated into the Aiken Center.
