Aloha Hive’s Newsletter
the buzz
winter 2019
Hello Hivers! As we head into late winter, it means we are that much closer to being with each other again! I am counting the days until we are together and I am able to learn about your hopes, your dreams, and more. Hive 2019 is another opportunity to deepen old friendships, make new friends, and strengthen your sense of place at Hive. Getting to know each other is a key part of how we build our summer community. Our relationships with each other make Hive what it is. Learning about each other builds bonds that help us support and care for one another each and every day of the summer. As the director, I am so lucky in one sense because I get to sit with so many of you in the dining room, watch you in activities, and enjoy so many all camp activities with you. What I miss out on, because I do not have a tent family, are those special tent family
Getting to know each other is a key part of how we build our summer community. times when you get to know each other — getting ready for bed, or whispering with each other as you wake up in the morning. Even tent clean up is a time I am sure you learn things about each other. So, let me share some things about myself that might help you know me better, even before we get together this summer... If I worked in a department at camp, I would want to teach sailing. When I was young I sailed every
summer. I can skipper a boat, tack, and set a spinnaker. I love sailing! My favorite camp song — EASY — I love the song “Firefly.” When we sing that song as a camp and echo each other, I feel we are one — it is very special. I too take risks at camp. And believe it or not, I am still learning how to swim well. I am safe in the water, I just do not have a good crawl stroke. This summer I will take a few more lessons. At camp, my favorite parts of the day are our quiet times. I really enjoy being in the woods for Sunday Assembly and Rainbow’s End. When we come together in such a beautiful, yet simple, place, I feel a sense of family and love. My super power is my energy center! My goal for this summer is to take in every moment. The big ones, like Hive’s Birthday, and the more everyday ones, like rest hour. I don’t want to miss a thing — in each of these moments, each day, we weave the summer fabric that creates memories and relationships that change us for a lifetime. I can’t wait to see each of you this summer!
Aloha and Love,
Kathy Plunkett Director of Aloha Hive (seen here as Dumbledore!)
Elfins
Margaret Pennoyer
Hi Elfins!! I miss you all and hope you are all having a wonderful year. It seems like just yesterday we were building fairy houses in the stream with our Hilander buddies. When I visited camp this fall, I noticed that some of your houses were still in the stream. There is something really cool about working together with someone that you have only just met to create such magical places in the woods. I am getting ready to move into a new apartment and I wish I could move into one of the houses you built. A house complete with a rock dock and a bark boat would be much more exciting!
There is something really cool about working together with someone that you have only just met to create such magical places in the woods.
Elfin Unit Head
FAVORITE TIME OF DAY
“Assembly!”
One of my favorite moments from camp this summer was when we captured all of the unit heads after our unit overnight. Do you remember how surprised everyone was when they discovered that their unit head was missing and that they had to put together the puzzle pieces of the treasure map that you made in order to save their unit head? Have you started planning any good pranks for this summer? I can’t wait to see you again soon at Hive and I’m already dreaming about what 2019 has in store for us!
Buzz from Hivers Near and Far! Over the fall, the most exciting part was when I won my soccer tournament! I was in first place with my teammates. Over the break I went to my grandparents’ house to celebrate Christmas. After that I went to Vermont to visit friends. I also went skiing at Mount Snow, it was incredible! At school I am having fun. I am good at art now! I am especially good at soccer. I had the spelling bee and my friends Zoe, Will, and Aidan all participated. My other friend Abby was a really good speller and it lasted 25 rounds! Still we don’t know who won yet — another boy or Abby! I can’t wait to go to camp again! Maddie Drossos As much as I miss camp, I have been having a great school year. I started back in 5th grade at Seven Hills School (Lotspeich) in August, and have been filling in my time with rock climbing and playing with my friends. Rock climbing especially has been great this year, I got past the Regionals competition and made it to the second day of the Divisionals competition which was in Richmond, Virginia. I miss camp so much and can’t wait to go full next year!
Meggie Kunkel
We just got back from visiting our cousins in Vermont after Christmas and it made me really excited for my Anti-Q summer at Hive. The school year has been good and I have been swimming a lot (hoping to do the Gold Fish and Rainbow Trout!), playing piano and hanging out with my friends. I can’t wait to see everyone this summer. Save Cecil! Anna Kunkel
Aloha, Lolanders! It has been many months since we all lived together in the Lolander unit, but I have thought of you all EVERY SINGLE DAY since the end of summer. Can you guess when I usually think of you? Any ideas? Of course it’s when I’m brushing my teeth! Every morning and every night I get the biggest grin on my face as I think of our toothbrushing parties outside the Lolander jinx, by the see-saws. Where else in the world can you have THAT much fun?! I hope there are many little moments like that in your lives at home that remind you of Hive. Perhaps it’s when you hear a camp song, or see a bumblebee, or lose a button(!). Those little moments that bring back Hive memories and joy are so cool. But do you know what else makes me remember our summer? I remember you all when things during the year feel hard or scary or sad. I think about how being away from home for the first time can be really scary — and you’ve all done that! I think about how brave you have to be to come back to camp for a second summer, with different tentmates and a different counselor and new challenges — and many of you did that! And I think about times at camp when Lolanders learned new things by trying over and over, without giving up — you all did that! Be proud of yourselves! You all showed courage and resiliency last summer, and those are wonderful skills to use back home when things are hard or frustrating. Can you think of a time after camp when you did something scary or difficult or things didn’t quite go your way? Did you think about your Hive experiences to help you? I know I do all the time! I hope your year has been full of those moments (the funny moments AND the challenging moments) that remind you of our summer in the Lolander unit and everything we experienced and learned together. I’m so excited for all the times you’ll be courageous and resilient this summer too! P. S. I finally found my button! The wonderful Babs sent it to me in the fall!
Hi Hive! It’s Betsy. I skied my first double black diamond mogul runs. I’m swimming for my local swim team. I danced in the Nutcracker. Can’t wait for Hive! Aloha!
Betsy Llewellyn
Lolanders
Susannah Conway Lolander Unit Head
FAVORITE CAMP WORD:
“Jinx!”
Dolphins
Hello, daring Dolphins! Brr! It’s cold in Boston, but I’m warming my mind on the memories that we made during summer 2018 at Hive. This summer was a collection of moments, big and small, some seemingly insignificant, that you might still think about months after camp has ended. As the Hive community of 2018, we shared and celebrated these moments together in different ways. Can you remember the moment you arrived at camp last summer? Opening Day felt electric — the air buzzed with energy and anticipation. When you arrived, each one of you had a unique moment with your tent or shack family. With that same tent or shack family, you faced challenges, shared laughs and bedtime routines, or awesome canoe breakfasts and overnights.
Ellen Babbott Dolphin Unit Head
FAVORITE PIECES OF CAMP CLOTHING:
“Green shorts and my nametag!”
We created moments together as Dolphins that were powerful, hilarious, and meaningful. Immediately, I think of the more boisterous moments: our camp song lyrics themed unit party, the jinx meeting protests, the celebration of roasting marshmallows in our fire pit, the Dolphin challenge, and working endlessly to perfect our dolphin sounds! But I also think about reading Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, taking the Dolphin trail back from Rainbow’s End, playing on the see-saws, and walking up the hill with a new friend. The balance between these moments defines Hive. Possibly the best thing about camp is the opportunity to create moments for yourself. Maybe it was contributing an idea as we planned our unit party, performing in an interlude, getting muddy during stream exploration, trying a rank, or making a new friend where you least expected to find one. What I love is that each of us has a different collection of important moments from our summer at Hive. I love that I could say a certain word, like assembly, and every single person who was a part of camp has an image or moment that immediately comes to mind. Carry these moments with you as you move through the year. I am thinking of all of you as Hive 2019 gets closer!
One of my favorite memories at Hive is when my tent family and another tent family went on an overnight. We were told that we were going to Horizons to stargaze.I was really excited, I love stargazing! So one of the counselors went to get a van to ride over to Horizons. While we were waiting we heard something amazingly awesome and cool! We heard Kanakas! At first we all thought they were animal noises, but later we decided that those noises were no animals. As we were listening in silence we heard a reveille bugle! Oh, and this is on Aloha Hill at about 9 p.m! We suddenly realized — it’s Hive’s Birthday! We all rushed down the hill through the tunnel, lit with glow-sticks, and to the comb. We were dancing and having a blast... soon it was time for cupcakes! Then... the best part! The lights went off as we lit each other’s candles, the room glowed with candlelight, it was so calm and peaceful! That was, and still is, one of my favorite memories from Hive! Campbell Hough
Hello Hilanders! I’m writing to you from snow-covered Fairlee, VT — my home for the whole year! That’s right, my biggest news since the end of camp is that I’ve traded in the Aussie summer heat for a winter living in Vermont. I’m working at the Aloha Foundation office and I get to think and talk about camp alllllll the time. How cool is that?! Real winter is a very new experience for me. Thank goodness our fabulous “winter” themed Hilander unit party prepared me for it! Some parts, like scraping all the snow off my car in the early mornings and putting on and taking off so many layers throughout the day, have felt like hard work. Other parts, like catching falling snowflakes in my hands and ice-skating as the sun sets and turns the Vermont sky a gorgeous pastel pink, have felt like pure magic. Walking on Lake Fairlee when I’m so used to swimming in it is definitely strange and magical. In fact, I think that’s how I feel in general about being at camp when it’s not summer. It is so special to be in this place we all love and to see it change with the seasons. It is so fun to snowshoe up to the Hilander unit and look at your tent platforms covered in snow and remember having you all there filling the hillside with laughter and activity. And yet, there’s something strange about it all. I’m standing on the beautiful Aloha Hive property, but without you all there, it’s not Aloha Hive. This year more than ever, I’ve realized that Hive is the community. It’s the moments that we experience and share when we’re here together. It’s YOU. It’s what you took from your summer (new skills, friendships, confidence, courage) and are using throughout the year. How wonderful to know that we don’t leave Hive behind at the end of the summer. In the coming months as the snow melts and the days get longer and the woods turn greener, I’ll be thinking of you all and the pieces of Hive that you took with you, and I’ll be looking forward to that day when this place becomes camp again — when we all bring Hive back to Lake Fairlee for another incredible summer together. With love and buzz to you all!
Hilander
Catherine Bleakley Hilander Unit Head
FAVORITE CAMP VIEW: “Sunset from The Wahi Lulu” (the lean-to at Edge Ledge, firstever Hilander project in 2011!)
More Buzz from Hivers... One of my favorite camp memories was playing tetherball because it’s really fun! We even installed our very own tetherball in the front yard at my house! I also loved being around horses and would go riding every day if I could! Lily Sabol
I’m still wearing my green shorts even in the winter! Don’t worry, I wear my sweatpants over them on the way to school because our uniform calls for black leggings or green shorts! One of my favorite memories at camp was when I was sailing on a really windy day, and the wind was whipping my face, and we were going really fast. I was skippering, so it was scary and exciting at the same time because I was in control of the boat, and the winds were crazy strong! But Abby, (the counselor) was sitting beside me the entire time, and she was helping me out and encouraging me along the way. I won’t ever forget the thrill! I have so many great memories that it was hard for me to choose one, but eventually I settled on this one. I can’t wait to be back at Hive next summer! Lily Auchincloss
One of my favorite memories at Hive is during tent family time. Me and my tent family were at the barn with another tent family. We were going to have a water balloon fight!! So we filled up our balloons, then we started. I was the first to throw one. We ended up having a great time! After we got dried off, we went back to the tent and played cards for a little while. That day I had so much FUN!!!! Caroline Hough
Anti-Qs
Hello Anti-Qs! Unfortunately I haven’t had any snow here in England but it is still cold enough for me to warm my mind thinking back to all the fun we had this summer! I started a new job this fall as a Year 1 teacher and my memories of the Anti-Q unit of 2018 have helped me be the best teacher I can be. In September my students were starting school for the very first time — all 30 of them and there was only one of me! Agh! I was so scared! I wanted them all to have fun and love school but I wasn’t sure I would be able to make it possible.
Amy Grazier Anti-Q Unit Head
FAVORITE CAMP FOOD:
“BLTs, always!”
I thought about my first summer at Hive and how welcome everyone made me feel. I was coming all the way from Ireland by myself and I didn’t know anybody. When my students were starting school, they didn’t know anyone either. I remember asking myself, “How can I make sure my students feel as happy and loved at school as I felt at camp?” I thought about the things we do at camp and how I could transfer them into the classroom. The games we play, the songs we sing, and the laughs we have help to build a community where everyone is valued. This was the same community that I wanted to create in my classroom. I thought about what great leaders and role models you all were this summer. From hosting
The games we play, the songs we sing, and the laughs we have help to build a community where everyone is valued. games on the 4th of July, performing an awesome assembly, and being great Anti-Q buddies, I realized that I had learned so much from you. You all came to camp this summer and were immediately seen as role models and leaders by younger girls. You took it in stride and made everyone feel so welcome. Wow! The activity periods you led and games you hosted made me realize that it is ok to feel nervous starting something new for the first time but that camp has given me the confidence, courage, and skills to get over that fear and conquer it! Although I’ve been teaching now for 5 months I still face challenges every day but luckily I’ve got my memories of the Anti-Q unit 2018 to remind me that I can do anything I put my mind to. Lots of love and buzz to each of you!
Hello Hivers! It’s beautiful and snowy in Vermont, but the upcoming summer at Hive has been forefront in my mind. I am excited about being the Assistant Director! And I’m nervous to step outside my comfort zone as the Office Manager. But what better place than Hive to take a risk. As we all know, doing things that feel a little scary are great opportunities to grow and find out more about yourself. What have you done to stretch yourself this school year? I’m excited to hear your stories! Counting down the days to camp… Ellie
C: When was your first summer at camp? E: 1998. Kathy worked at Aloha, Nancy Hayden was head of Swimming, and Margaret Pennoyer was a Dolphin! C: Hive’s Birthday or Mississippi Mud? E: Hive’s Birthday, hands down. I love watching the campers come down the hill and singing and dancing in the Comb. C: I f you could fill the lake with anything, what would it be? E: Ghiradelli milk chocolate chips
Clara Babbott-Ward Interviews Ellie Pennell
C: I f you had to bring home an animal from camp, what would you choose? E: One of the goats. Our dog, Teddy, would be its best friend.
Clara: What’s your favorite place at camp? Ell ie: Floating in a canoe on the lake early in the morning with mist on the water. I feel peaceful and calm and take time to reflect on all the things I love best about being at camp.
C: I f you could be an article of camp clothing, what would you be? E: Definitely a nametag. It’s necessary and practical, but more importantly, it helps create connections and strengthens our camp community.
C: W hat are the top 3 things you love about being at camp? E: Belonging to a community that has such rich history, living with my friends, meeting new people from all over the world.
C: A joke? E: My best friend told me this one when we were about 10 years old and I have never forgotten it:
C: W hy are you excited to be the Assistant Director? E: Because it scares the pants off of me! And because I get to do new things like go to Morning Assembly and help plan special events like Hivers Day Off and Harry Potter Day. Planning surprises is so much fun! C: Best surprise at camp? E: W hen we did Vermont Snow one day after Mississippi Mud
2 cows are standing in a field. One cow says, “Baaa!” The other says, “I didn’t know you were learning another language!”
Ellie Pennell Assistant Director, Hive
News from Counselors
Bum diddley oh hey hi ho hey hi ho hey! This is ANOTHER quite wonderful day. In Dublin’s fair city where girls are so pretty (and empowered and capable and curious and strong), I studied abroad! I whistled and I sang and I played Irish music and warmed my mind on the memory of you, which would bring me a smile when I’m far from home. It’s almost impossible for me to pick a favorite memory of camp Whenever one is one and all alone and ever more shall be so, you’ve got as Hive and Aloha were such an a friend in me. integral part of my life. Getting to experience camp with Lily is quite It’s a pleasure to know you. honestly one of the most special Bloom and grow forever! experiences I’ve ever had. Watching All is well, her grow into this amazing young Clara Babbott-Ward woman, confident in who she is and what she can accomplish makes my PS. The best thing that Aloha means heart explode. And I just know how is I LOOOVE YOUUUUU!!!! this sense of self, learned at camp, PPS. Rubber duckie, you’re the one will serve her so well throughout her life. I spend most of Parents PPPS. quack Weekend near tears as we sing all PPPPS. QUACK! the camp songs together (I remem-
More News from Hivers, Near and Far...
Oh Hive, in this freezing weather I can’t wait to get back into the warm Lake Fairlee water. The quiet rest hours, the loud assembly in the morning, the peaceful hikes, and of course, the amazing people. I’m so incredibly excited to be coming back for my fourth year, as an Anti-Q!, and I know it will be as amazing as my great grandma’s 1919 summer at Hive, and all of the years my Mom spent here. I know that all the future campers have epic summers for years to come at camp, because Hive is the best. I can’t wait to get back! Lilly Wisely
Dear fellow campers: I hope you all had a great fall and start to the new year. Time has flown since I left camp last summer and I’ve been busy enjoying middle school and making new friends. I learned that valuable skill of how to make new friends at camp! I can’t wait for camp to start this summer as I’ll be a Anti-Q! Karys Keeler
Hope you’re all having a good winter. The thing I miss about camp the most is all my amazing friends. Looking forward to seeing you soon! Pippa Whiteley
My favorite camp memory is when we had Hive’s birthday and The Fourth of July! Livi Jones
ber most of them still), or pour water down the same slide and try to answer questions before we hit the water, together. It’s been 30 years since I was first a Hiver and yet going back there with my daughter (daughters after this summer) quite honestly makes me feel like I never left. There is nothing more amazing than a friendship circle near the lake, next to your daughter, across from counselors you still remember having, close to women that you spent your summer with — that are still your friends. Aloha, Beth Duschatko
Aloha Hivers! Are you having a cold & snowy winter, or is it warmer where you live? I love winter activities: skating, skiing, and drinking hot chocolate by the fire, of course! Winter is also a great time to read good books, just like at camp! What books have you read lately? This fall, I moved to Boston with Christy Moore. I love living here, and it’s so much fun to live with a camp friend who I’ve known since I was a Hilander! I miss you all, and I know that you are all being kind, strong, and resilient leaders!
One summer evening, the skies were clear and the grounds were full of puddles, evidence of one of those incredible summer storms. It was the Anti-Q overnight, and we had had to stay on the camp grounds due to other sites being rained out. Not only did we spend Love and Aloha, time getting soaked by playing in Natasha Langsdorf the puddles, but we also got to go for a special twilight swim before games and s’mores. It was a perfect combination of why Hive inspires magic — spontaneity, continual emphasis on fun, love of nature, and making memories with friends. Emily Pryor
Counselor News... Hello Hivers! I hope you are having a great school year! This year has been jam packed full of fun and hard work and adventure for me. I have been working hard on my aerial hoop acts. Do you remember when I performed for the first unit party? I have been performing in Denver and dressing up always reminds me of camp. Sometimes it is very
scary to get up in front of people and perform, but I always remember that if I did it at camp, I can do it anywhere! I can’t wait to see you at camp this summer and hear about all the times you were brave this year. Love, Meg “Fitz” Fitzpatrick
Mark your calendars FULL SEASON: June 26–August 14, 2019 1st SESSION: June 26–July 21, 2019 SHOW WEEKEND: July 20–21, 2019 ELFIN PROGRAM: July 23–August 3, 2019 2nd SESSION: July 23–August 14, 2019
Postcards from Hivers and Counselors Past & Present
Memories from Hive...
Snow Misers for a winter-themed One day, while dressed as Heat and been our 5th costume of the unit party, we realized that this had step in our friendship, and day. This was yet another solidifying also — only at camp! st in Beauty and the Beast, and In 2010, Julia Barry played the Bea e up to us during rehearsals with there were multiple times she cam then of course when it was time doubts about playing the role, and After the show, we all cried and for the big show, she was AM AZING! had the biggest group hug. Love & Aloha, C*09 Jess Nickerson, H*04-10, 12, 14, HO 5, 18 13-1 10, 097, 5-0 H*0 & Jackie Schram,
The Camps of The Aloha Foundation 2968 Lake Morey Road, Fairlee, VT 05045
Postcards from Hivers Past & Present Dear Lake Fairlee, friends, all of the laughter and camp keep me warm. I think of my of s orie mem , ther wea id frig this In lot of bug juice sneaks in there too. songs, and oddly enough, a whole happy thoughts; Lizzie p Magic somehow turns them into Cam but rse, cou of ges, llen cha e wer There we got to sign her cast; Susannah nder swings, but it was neat when broke her arm jumping off the Lola l wearing it with pride; and Aloha-Ha-Ha award, looking coo the mountaintops were got a brush stuck in her hair, won the from s were delicious and view cks sna the , rite favo my n’t was ng though hiki always amazing! shores in 1919, and nothing ilar stories from her year on Fairlee’s . Summer on, Hivers! My grandmother probably had sim own her of s ghter make memorie dau my g chin wat than pier hap makes me ays, Skidamarink-a-thinking of you, alw Aloha, Wendy Wood Wisely
H85-90, A91-93, *94-95, LP16-19,
HP16-19
Hello from snowy Colorado! And while I love the snow, summers on Lake Fairlee are never far from my mind. As a matter of fact, I carry the magic of Hive with me year round...especially when backpacking along the Colorado Trail. On each and every section hike, I wear my Hive Five Year pendant as encouragement that I am strong, confident, and can do anything — even when it’s pouring rain and my body doesn’t think it can take another step. Singing camp songs in my head (or sometimes out loud) helps too! I’m on a quest to complete the entire trail (143 miles to go!) and if all goes as planned I should reach the trail terminus in 2020. Aloha and Happy New Year! Much Hive Love, Julianna Johnson H*91, 00-01, 03, 10