WINTER 2024
LASTING IMPACT
THE CASE FOR CAMP Now More Than Ever Ellie Thompson Pennell, Hive Director Jenn Merritt, Communications Director
“Camp is more important than ever.” Way back in those early camp days, the Gulicks most likely made that statement every summer — through the First and Second World Wars, through the Great Depression, the turbulent 60s and until their retirement. The Trustees of the Foundation at its very beginning in 1968 clearly believed it as well, as they struggled to keep the dream alive. But camp at this moment in our history feels especially critical for children and young people in ways that are, if not completely new, certainly deeper than ever before. We knew about the significance of camp intrinsically and observed it anecdotally working with nearly 1,000 campers and their families. As further evidence, we heard the same sentiment echoed by industry leaders in the American Camp Association (ACA), camp parents, and school partners. When children around the world transitioned from sharing physical space and in-person relationships to “attending” school via Zoom, camp offered, quite literally, a breath of fresh air. It promised kids (and concerned parents) what was needed most: the chance to form authentic bonds with others in a community curated just for them, away from technology, immersed in the natural world. Continued on page 3 ...
There’s so much to learn on the ropes course. Here Hivers challenge themselves and practice teamwork by supporting their peers with encouragement and patience.
Inside This Issue
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Message from Vanessa Riegler
Success Leadership Program
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Lanakila Reunion
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News & Updates
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StrongerTogether From the Executive Director
Dear Aloha Family, This has been an incredible year for collaboration and community at the Alohas. I see it shine through our staff and across our programs, our alumni, and our campers. I hope you see it too, as you read through this Reveille. In early October, I attended the International Camping Congress (ICC) in Tarragona, Spain, about an hour south of Barcelona. There, I connected with camping professionals from 33 countries. The theme of the conference this year was Come Together to Rise Higher (or Fem Pinya in Catalan) and, while I found the message related directly to our work at the Aloha Foundation, what made the biggest impression on me was how the phrase echoed the daring Catalan tradition of castells. Dating back to the 18th century, castells (literally “castles”) are human towers built by communities of people coming together with a common purpose: to lift and help each other, and ultimately young children, reach their highest potential.
Today, castells are a community and cultural event. One evening during my stay in Spain, I was able to watch the local Tarragona castell team practice. First, they wrapped around in a tight circle to create a stable base, then more individuals stepped up to create the next tier. Layer by layer, they built the structure, until finally, the youngest child climbed to the very top. It was breathtaking—the epitome of teamwork, strength, balance, and doing more together than you could ever do on your own. All of this sings Aloha to me. While we are not forming actual towers through our camps and programs, we support and lift each other up every day, as we strive to become our best selves. This process often requires us to be courageous, to push beyond our comfort zone. Whether we are leaning on each other to work through the intense weather of summer 2023, gearing up to welcome our 100th school group of the year at Hulbert, or delving into strategic planning, we achieve more together than we ever could as individuals — and we do it through the strength and trust we find in community. We continue to grow the meaningful experiences we offer our campers, school groups, families, and staff by reaching more people and diving deeper for those
who return. Our impact on every individual is a result of the communities we build, with authentic relationships, opportunities to be challenged, and moments to reflect and celebrate. The next International Camping Congress will be in three years, and I am already dreaming of what I will learn and all we at Aloha will have learned together by then. So here’s to Aloha’s own special castells of community and purpose!
Vanessa Mendillo Riegler Executive Director vriegler@alohafoundation.org
Winter 2024 Reveille: Jenn Merritt, Director of Communications; Holly Fisher, Designer; Evy Huppert, 2023 Director of Photography and Camp Photographers. Email jmerritt@alohafoundation.org with story ideas, suggestions, or feedback. Thank you!
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Continued from page 1…
As we head into 2024, the phrase is just as relevant — maybe even more so. Opportunities that offer the same quality and scope of personal growth that a camp can aren’t just rare; for many kids, they are non-existent. Why is camp more important than ever for our youth? Lots of reasons, of course, but here are three big ones:
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Camps specialize in connection, belonging, and community .
There are no video game marathons at camp or afternoons spent scrolling on an iPhone (at least not at any camps we would recommend!). Campers live in close quarters with people from different backgrounds. They share responsibility for their space. They sleep, eat, brush their teeth, and learn to live in community together. The very situations that initially feel new or uncomfortable become the favorite parts of a camper’s day and the story they tell everyone in their first week home. A sense of belonging is a central part of the experience and everything we do — introductions, activities, meals, events, fun — is designed to promote connection. Learning to adapt and flourish at camp translates into strength for a lifetime. As we face a mental health crisis in the U.S., the connection and community at camp serve as a refuge for many young people. Our outreach to new community partners and our campership fundraising are just two of the ways we are working to help more young people experience camp.
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Camps value simplicity and allow kids to slow down.
Camp is a break from to do lists and busy routines — the soccer games, music lessons, morning swim team practices, college essays and AP classes, after school jobs, play rehearsals, dinner in the car.
At camp, we make our own fun. We create and imagine. The silly, made-up game with no props or equipment is the one campers request the most. The same array of costumes appears annually on stage restyled and reinvented each time by a camper’s creativity. It’s not that camp is boring or slow: in fact, the fast pace of the fun is what keeps campers engaged. But there is a sense of joy and freedom, no artificially imposed deadlines in control. If the weather warrants changes to savor a BVD (beautiful Vermont day) or if a tent family needs a time-out to figure out how to solve a problem together, no schedule is irreparably broken. Time is a gift and a force for good at camp. Rather than tuning out, which so often drives them to technology, campers are able to tune in to all of their senses and embrace the fullness of being alive.
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Along with home and school, excellent camp experiences serve as a third leg of support in a child’s education.
Camp allows children to try out new ways of interacting and building skills that are not available to them at home or school. They delve into experiential and kinesthetic learning at camp. It may be map reading on a hiking trip, cooking dinner over an open flame, or teaching a younger camper how to sail. Away from the loving and watchful eye of parents and teachers, there’s freedom at camp, where kids can challenge themselves and take risks in a safe environment —without impacting their academic record or extracurricular prospects. They can fail and succeed, become stronger problem solvers, and gain self-confidence along the way that becomes part of their very essence. At camps across the country and across the world, as you will read here — children need camp more than ever! Luckily, quality camps like the Alohas are constantly paying attention to the needs of children and families, both spoken and unspoken, giving them all the strength, vision, and confidence to thrive in an ever-more-complex universe. We are grateful to be part of this powerful and effective movement for a brighter future, and delighted you have decided to join us!
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Hulbert Outdoor Center
SUCCESS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM Student leaders from the John S. Martinez School in New Haven, CT participated in Hulbert’s three-day Success Leadership Conference this past spring. During their visit, they learned, brainstormed, and started planning their community projects. The second phase of the program is for the student leaders to educate and engage the rest of the school in planning a Community Day together.
Outcomes by Grade: K: Students hosted Music Haven and made thank you notes for their donors. Some of our students in music haven played music for our Kindergarten students. 1: Students held a seed drive that collected 200 packets of seeds for Gather New Haven, a non-profit that focuses on showing families how to raise their own fruits and vegetables. 2/3 Bilingual: Students held a book drive for New Haven Reads that collected over 16 boxes of books and reading materials. New Haven Reads came to read to our 2nd and 3rd grade bilingual students. 3: Students made friendship bracelets for Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, a non-profit that provides students with illnesses a place to have fun and make friends. 4: Students worked on a script for a bilingual information newscast for Solar Youth. The nonprofit organization will be meeting with them today to go over the talking points needed in the video for their social media. Students are also making poems to go on their website. 5: Students made bilingual fliers for Urban Community Alliance’s upcoming event
John S. Martinez School Community Day November 13, 2023 “The day was incredible and I could not be prouder. Your program not only inspired our students, but inspired me as an administrator to lead our staff in this incredible mission. Thank you so much again for hosting John S. Martinez!” — Lauren Sepulveda, Assistant Principal
6: Students developed an actual petition for Save the Sound to protect the bio retention garden. Students then wrote letters to leaders in our community to make a change. 7: Students raised $405 to help veterans for Operation Warrior Horse/Healing Hoofbeats of CT. The goal was for $219 for a picnic table for the farm, where veterans participate in equine therapy. Student council will be holding a meeting with the non-profit to plan for the money which exceeded the goal. 8: Students held a winter wear drive and collected over 20 boxes of coats and winter clothing for IRIS, a non-profit, which helps newcomers with basic needs upon coming to our country.
Interested in bringing a group to Hulbert? We’d love to discuss the possibilities with you! Contact: Ross Cannon, Hulbert Program Director ross_cannon@alohafoundation.org
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THE CURRENT
Current
Updates & Announcements To Keep You in the Know
ALOHA & LANAKILA UNIFORM NOTE FOR 2024 Charlotte Messervy, Aloha Director & Bryan Partridge, Lanakila Director We wanted to let you know about a change we have decided to make to Aloha and Lanakila’s uniform starting in 2024. We have been considering the role of white shorts in our community, attempting to balance the traditions at each of our camps, while also analyzing the practicality of the role they serve today. We will be doing away with white shorts as part of our uniform. While they look beautiful, and for so many of us bring on nostalgia, there are plenty of practical reasons for this: • We live outside and everything gets dirty! Isn’t it kind of funny that we choose to wear white shorts when sitting on the ground? • Half our population is new to menstruating and it can cause a lot of stress for campers. • We only wear the shorts for about four hours a week (at Aloha) and one hour a week (for counselors at Lanakila). It is just another cost that we are asking parents to take on when camp is already a big investment (and if we are being honest, quality white shorts are hard to find). • Our longtime uniform provider, Bendinger, is retiring this year and it has us thinking about simplifying our packing lists. Visit our website in January for more information about our new uniform provider, Maine Camp Outfitters!
LAKE MOREY TREATMENT UPDATE Jason Knowles, Chief Operating Officer If you have been following the coverage about cyanobacteria blooms fed by increasing amounts of phosphorus in warming waters, you know that they are affecting people, animals, recreation, drinking water, ecosystems, and even property values. The threat has not spared Fairlee or our beloved Lake Morey. (Read our March 2023 blog article for more background: alohafoundation.org/blog.) A November 14 email update from the Lake Morey Protective Association and the Town of Fairlee confirmed that — after a process to garner community support, secure state funding, and invigorate local action — we are on track for a late spring/early summer alum treatment, a highly effective treatment first applied in 1986 and expected to benefit the lake for approximately 15 years. The benefits of this single treatment were better than expected and have had a positive impact all the way through to the present day. In addition to being highly effective long term, the treatment only requires a total of several days for application and a post-treatment waiting period. This is good news for the health of Lake Morey for summer 2024!
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2023 Reunion Highlights
100 YEARS of LANAKILA Just 48 hours after Closing Day at the residential camps in August, a group of 400 alumni, family members, and friends arrived in Fairlee to celebrate Lanakila’s 100th Reunion. And what an occasion it was! Here are just a few of the highlights…
LANAKILA 100TH REUNION COMMEMORATIVE POSTERS Four Lanakila artists — Derek Baker, Kenny Medina, John Purcell, and Rachel Steyer —were asked to create commemorative posters in honor of the 100th Reunion. Each showcasing the artist’s unique talent and style, the posters were sold at the Reunion and are available on the Aloha Foundation website.
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(Left to Right) by John Purcell, Kenny Medina, Rachel Steyer, and Derek Baker,
Lanakila’s Main House Renovation Project
GOLDEN CHEVRON Excerpt from the presentation of Lanakila’s highest award, given to Don McIntosh
“Don, you epitomize someone who takes responsibility for their actions and their effect on others. You bring your best to whatever you do, and you encourage others to do the same in humorous and insightful ways. You once gave a Chapel talk on ‘Attitude,’ a talk that left a mark on everyone who heard it. You told us many years ago that no matter what happened in our lives, the thing we always had control of was our attitude. And we knew you were telling the truth because we saw you live that way every day of your life.”
The Lanakila Reunion was an opportunity to gather in celebration of friendship and community — hallmarks of the Lanakila experience that are nurtured and fed perhaps nowhere more directly than in the camp’s dining room in the Main House. Lanakila’s growth has resulted in 270 diners sitting at each meal, instead of about 240 in the 1980s. The dining room is not only more crowded, but the noise level has increased significantly. In honor of Lanakila’s 100th Reunion, 180 donors contributed $236,161 to date toward the renovation of the dining hall, including the extension of the Old Stage dining area, refurbishment of the Counselor space, updates to the Costume Room and Rental Clothing area, and finally (but not to be underestimated) improvements to the restroom facilities.
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AWAR D S B E S TOW ED AT LA NA KILA’ S 1 00T H RE UNIO N
DUCKS OF DISTINCTION Honoring Lanakila alumni for their contributions
JUSTIN BUCKINGHAM Presented by Brian Maggiotto Lanakila’s magic is all around us. We see it, we feel it, and at least twice today we’ve tasted it!! For over 14 years, Justin “Bucky” Buckingham was our chef, coming back each summer to warm our hearts and fill our bellies. Whether we were up at Winships, out on the athletics field for the final night of Ameden League, or back in our units for a Thursday night dinner, Bucky was always working with us to make sure no one went to bed hungry and that with every bite, new memories were made. For most of us, a recipe means a tablespoon of this, a cup of that, 350 in the oven for 30 minutes, and voila… a meal! But it takes a true maestro to incorporate a piece of themselves into every recipe and to build a personal connection between themselves, the food, and the 275 Vikings who depended on them every day to find the healthy balance in life while keeping us happy along the way.
WALTER LOVE presented by Ross Cannon Over 60 campers and now generations of families call Lanakila home because of Walter’s efforts. The long phone conversations to ease worried families, the help arranging camp supplies & describing what a “trunk” is to new families. The orchestration of transportation to the NYC bus and visiting weekend. All while having unflappable trust in Lanakila, that once we get them to camp “they’ll be good.” We all share many connections here as Lanakilans — they can be from sharing a tent or cabin, being in the same Bridge, or even the same family. But, across all those different areas we share that baseline of trust. We trust each other to be there in the fun and the tough times. We trust each other to tell the truth. And we trust one another to keep this place going to create the “boys that will be men tomorrow” and this is just one of the ways that Walter has come to earn this duck of distinction today.
KEITH KEELER Presented by Jason Knowles Keith is perhaps best known for sponsoring the July 4th fireworks display at Lanakila for 25 years. Keith’s dedication to this process wasn’t just because he’s the Viking who most loves to blow things up, his thinking ran far deeper. Keith understands the importance of special events. He was drawn by the marvel of campers and counselors in witnessing the display and the bonding over the beauty and celebration of the moment. He believed in and wanted to share some magic with this community. Though it’s now 27 years since he was on staff, Keith has remained known to the many staff that have continued to serve. He remains connected and appreciative of everything Lanakila has to offer, and he continues to be an advocate and mentor to many Lanakilans around the country as he lives his life through the values he learned here.
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PHYLLIS SHEA Presented by Tommy Dickie For the role of Camp Nurse, you can’t find a better blend of warmth & compassion and no-nonsense honesty — and as a result, we all felt at once safe with her around, and amused by her spirit and sense of humor. She truly knew how to roll with the punches, and how to keep things light as she did so. With Phyllis at the helm, kids wanted to get sick. Phyllis brought a passion to the community, a love for music, storytelling and communal experiences that helped shape Lanakila into the place it is today. Yes she mentored numerous Health House counselors into a battalion of magical camp nurses, but she also shaped the lives of us all by providing a glowing example of how to make a community a better place — one interaction at a time. Phyllis was always there with a gentle touch and a loving ear for hundreds of boys who needed anything from stitches to just someone to talk to, somehow making the Health House a place where special moments happened too.
ROBBIE PENNOYER Presented by Alex Lipoff To describe Robbie as simply a tennis counselor, or as Brookside Unit Head, or as a Head of Music, or as an engaged alumnus, or as a generous benefactor, all falls short as an encompassing statement. The reason why, of course, is that for Robbie, it has never been about “what he’s doing.” For him, it has always been “who he’s being” while he’s doing it. And every one of us here, whether we know it explicitly or not, is a lucky recipient of the special, one-of-a-kind genius Robbie has given to this place. Robbie, thank you for your leadership. You have taught us that the best leaders have an ability to expertly communicate their vision and then trust the rest of us to help carry it out. Robbie, thank you for your teaching. You taught us that rather than teaching skills to others, we can use skills to teach others profound lessons about themselves. And Robbie, thank you for your music. You have taught us that each one of us has a place in the band, so to speak, and that a camp song, at its best, can connect each of us to our most aspirational selves as well as to a tradition of people who have loved this place beyond measure.
News
Births
Jeremy Cutler (Lanakila Assistant Director) and Liza Cohen (former Aloha counselor and current co-head of Lanakila Retirement Village) welcomed Ernie James Read Cutler on September 9, 2023. Big sister Carrie is excited to introduce Ernie to Lake Morey! Whitney Roller Moore (former Hive camper) & John H. Moore IV welcomed a baby boy, John Harlan Moore V, on April 18, 2023.
Audrey Lucille Hehir was born July 1, 2023 to Kathleen Horn Hehir (former Aloha counselor) and Will Hehir. Kathleen hopes that Audrey and her three-year-old sister Emilia Rose Hehir will be Hive & Aloha campers one day!
& UPDATES
Ginna Oates (former Hive and Aloha camper/counselor) and her husband Tyler Oates welcomed Joan Beatrice Allen (“Bea”) on August 25, 2023. Bea is already dressed and ready to be a Hiver!
Weddings
Kye Ameden (former Aloha camper/counselor) and Erik Skarin were married at Emerson Chapel at Lanakila on May 27. Many camp alumni attended the wedding, as a notable portion of Kye’s family have spent summers at camp. The song “C-A-M-P” was even sung loudly by camp alumni at one point during the reception! Guests from camp included Win, Sally, Tao, and Phil Ameden; Phyllis Shea, Lauren Sivin, Anne Rickard, Cooper Kerr, Lindsey Carter, Brooke Maddock, Alexis Pratt, Mira Records, Val Elefante, LeeAnn Kerr, Liz Egg-Krings, Cate Axtman, Julia Hall, Katie Abbott, Drew Krasnavage, and Nate, Trevor, and Owen Gold.
Annika Oravecz (former Lanakila counselor) and Austin Evans (former Lanakila camper/counselor) celebrated their marriage in Provence, France on the weekend of August 19 surrounded by family and friends. The two met and started their relationship at camp during summer of 2017. They were legally married on March 23 in Finland, where they currently live together.
LOST & FOUND
Do you (or your children) have a NEW email or mailing address? Send your updated contact information to Cheryl Olson: colson@alohafoundation.org so we can stay in touch!
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In Memoriam Enid Kastor Rubin (former Aloha camper) died peacefully at home on November 5, 2022, surrounded by her loving daughters Alissa and Hanna. She was three weeks short of 97 years old.
Gerald Huntington Dorman (former Lanakila camper) passed on March 3. He leaves his wife Althea Dorman, six children, 15 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Elizabeth Ralston Dill (former Hive camper) passed on November 21, 2022 at the age of 97 while enjoying her favorite newspaper. She leaves her two children, Richard Dill and Mary Dill.
David A. Hall, (former Lanakila counselor) a lifelong resident of Melrose, passed away peacefully at home on March 31 at the age of 71. David loved music and played the trombone for the Melrose Symphony Orchestra for over 40 years.
James Gordon Lowenstein (former Lanakila camper) died on January 3. He is survived by his longtime companion, Audrey Wolf of Washington, D.C., and two children from his first marriage — daughter Laurinda Douglas of New York and son Price of Bermuda, three grandchildren, and brothers Peter Lowenstein and the late Hugh Lowenstein. Iola Lyttle Medd (former Hive camper) passed away on January 29. She is survived by Carolyn Willet Howe, John Christopher Medd, Michael Lyttle Medd, and David Lamar Medd. She was a grandmother of eight, and great grandmother of two. Leonard E. Opdycke (former Lanakila camper) died on February 2. He is survived by his wife Sandra, by his daughters Susan Opdycke, Deborah Bailey, Meg Lamme, Sarah Kardas, and Louisa “Frances” Opdycke. He was also cherished by nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Churlene “Cindy” Rogers Heinbach (former Hive counselor) died on March 4. Cindy is survived by her children Lord Eric Scott Heinbach, Mark Rogers Heinbach, and Laura Heinbach as well as her sister Nicki Fredericks and brother Fulton Arthur Rogers and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Carol Cram Donley (former Aloha camper/counselor) passed on April 3. She is survived by her children Gregory, Karen, and Theodore, as well as by her sister Marjorie and brother Roger. She also leaves behind grandchildren Andrew and Gwendolyn and great-grandchild Mira. Patricia Bowler Leggat (former Hive counselor) died on April 20. She is survived by her six children, Katharine, Sarah, Deborah, Elizabeth, John, and Robert, grandchildren Brooke Leggat and Matthew Leggat, her sister Janet Bowler Fitzgibbons and many nieces and nephews. L. Kent Babcock III (former Lanakila camper/counselor), better known as Skip to his family and friends, died on June 4 at the age of 83. He met his wife, Katherine Patton Babcock, aka Keppy, at the Aloha summer camps over 60 years ago. They married in September 1963. He is survived by his wife, two sons Brad Babcock and Andy Babcock, and two grandchildren Tyler & Devin Babcock. Edward E. Canfield (former Lanakila counselor) passed on June 23. He was the beloved husband of Barbara Canfield for 54 years. Besides his wife, Edward leaves behind three daughters, Jill Petrarca, Lynn Donath, and Kate Arruda, and four grandchildren, Jack Petrarca, Luke Petrarca, Michael Arruda, and Kinsley Arruda.
Samuel Porter Cooley (Trustee Emeritus and former Lanakila camper/counselor) passed on August 31 at the age of 92. He is survived by his wife Trygve “Trig,” and children Charlie Cooley, Pam O’Halloran, John Cooley, along with 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Carol Kingsley Woodley (former Hive and Aloha camper and former Aloha counselor) passed on September 7. She is survived by her husband Don, their children David Woodley, Doug Woodley, Jim Woodley and eight grandchildren: Kendra, Megan, George, Matthew, Emily, James, William & David. Carol Chivers (former Aloha and Lanakila counselor) passed on October 2. She is survived by her life partner of 37 years, Jim Fields with whom she shared a life, home, and family. She is also survived by her stepdaughter Becky Fields Byrd and her stepson John Fields, and six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, her sister Sandy Chivers, her brother Gile Chivers, and many loved ones in the Fields, Chivers and Gile families. Harrison “Biff” Bispham Wetherill, Jr. passed away on October 17 with his beloved wife Susan and two sons Benjamen and Charles by his side. The Aloha Foundation was very dear to him and he was the second of four generations to attend camp on the shores of Lake Morey. In addition to his wife and sons, Harrison is survived by his brother David and sister Wendy Hughes, cherished grandchildren Alida, Hilla, Samuel and Lucas, nephew Brian Hughes and many other dear family and friends.
If you haven’t visited our Ohana campus on Lake Fairlee or seen the view of Middlebrook Valley from its Main Lodge, make arrangements to see it this summer! Sign up for our Memorial Day weekend, one of our eight one-week family camp sessions, or book the venue for a meeting, retreat, or special event. alohafoundation.org/ohana-family-camp
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The Dancing Green—the lakefront space behind the Comb at Hive—is a cherished spot for Sunday assembly or quiet reflection, unit gatherings and games, family picnics, and all-camp photos. The maple trees that line the water’s edge are a foliage masterpiece in the fall.
In Memoriam Deborah “Debby” Shaw Link (former Hive and Aloha camper and former Aloha counselor), lifelong supporter of the Aloha Foundation, died on April 21. Debby was the daughter of Helen Shaw. Her camp experiences shaped every aspect of her life. She valued simplicity, friendship, adventure, a love of nature and song, and the living, dynamic spirit of Aloha. Debby shared her love of Hive and Aloha with her daughters, Helen Link Egger, Katherine Link White, and the late Jennifer Link and found joy in her grandchildren: Rebecca Egger, Sasha Egger, Leo Egger, Oliver Egger, and Maggie and James White.
Debby as a camper at Hive—she’s the one knitting with her foot on the rail.
(From left to right) Helen Spencer, Chippy Wolf, Debby Link, and Susan Hirshman at Hive’s 95th Reunion in 2009.
STAY CONNECTED STAY CONNECTED TO YOUR FAVORITE ALOHA PEOPLE AND PROGRAMS ALL YEAR LONG
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Thank You for Your Generous Support
Aloha Annual Fund We’d like to thank Aloha Foundation alumni, parents, donors, and friends who have already contributed to the Annual Fund! The Annual Fund supports camperships, staff training, equity and community, and campus stewardship. It also provides vital, flexible funding for immediate priorities, such as repairs due to storm damage or assisting camp families with associated costs like travel or uniforms.
Our 2023 goal for the Aloha Annual Fund is $700,000. If you have the means and would like to participate, we hope you’ll consider a contribution. Gifts may be made in honor or in memory of someone special to you.
To make your 2023 gift online: alohafoundation.org/annual-fund
THANK YOU!
2023 RESIDENTIAL CAMP POSTERS
NEW!
We’re excited to announce we have three brand-new residential camp posters for sale on our website! They are $30/each including shipping. Go to alohafoundation.org/2023posters to place your order. Inspired by the commemorative posters created by four camp artists for Lanakila’s 100th Reunion in August 2023, Kenny Medina, Lanakila counselor and former camper, created three amazing posters for our overnight camps in honor of the 2023 season.
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Aloha Means… Amanda Lancaster, Aloha Foundation Intern Arlynn Polletta, Director of Equity, Inclusion & Outreach
The Hawaiian word Aloha embodies so much more than a simple greeting or a single-word translation. The literal meaning is “the presence of breath” or “the breath of life.” It comes from “Alo,” meaning presence and “ha,” meaning breath. Aloha is a way of living and treating each other with care and respect — the idea of loving our own beings first and then extending that love to others. Puna Dawson, an internationally known cultural ambassador and respected Hawaiian elder, spent some time at our camps this summer sharing the spirit of Aloha and the wisdom and traditions of Hawaii. Her visit to Vermont in August was full of meaningful community connections.
Connecting During Camp Assembly | In an assembly Puna led at Aloha, she taught campers and counselors about the depth of meaning of Aloha in Hawaiian culture. She talked about it as not just a word, but as a way of living, being in community, and uniting with others and the natural world. For many at camp, this was their favorite assembly of the summer.
Learning Through Dance and Music | Puna’s teaching went beyond sharing these meaningful messages. She also guided campers and counselors at Aloha and Hive in learning the hula, linking the dance movements with the meaning of Aloha and explaining how the dance can help form our understanding of it. At Hive, Puna and her students taught campers about Ili’ili stones and searched a stream together for the smooth, egg-shaped stones that would serve as percussion to accompany the arm movements of the hula. She also taught the younger campers the letters of the alphabet with a movement-based song that was enthralling for the children. In the Performing Arts department at Aloha, many of us were moved to tears when campers sang the Vermont state song, These Green Hills, for Puna. It was a beautiful moment of interconnection and cultural exchange.
Appreciating the Name Boards | Puna’s curiosity and respect for Aloha Camp’s traditions were apparent when she visited the name boards in the Hale, which date back generations. She delighted in learning about how they have been used to connect and inspire campers for decades. Like the concept of Aloha, the name boards represent a mutual regard and affection for each person and relationship in the collective.
Sharing Meals | The Hive visit ended with lunch in the camp dining hall, where Puna and her students were each able to sit at a table with campers. The group was also able to spend some time on the Ohana campus and enjoy group dinners in the Main Lodge with Vanessa, Arlynn, and Foundation staff. It was an opportunity to come together and share stories, creating bonds that will last far longer than the visit itself.
Continuing the Partnership | In a message to Aloha staff following her visit, Puna wrote, “The spirit of Aloha is alive and well there at the lake sites in the beautiful forests of the Aloha camps. The gift to all of the Abenaki elders and the Halau is priceless! Mahalo a nui loa for sharing the children and families of the Aloha Foundation with all of us. We look forward to the conversations and the continued relationship of appreciation, trust, and gratitude.” We are grateful to Puna and her students for their visit and excited about what comes next! In 2025 — or as soon as the timing is right — our hope is to visit Hawaii and build a lasting partnership that supports Hawaiian campers and counselors in coming to the Alohas.
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Half-Full Farewell A Camper Letter to His Cabinmates Letters from camp are the best, aren’t they? Often real keepers, too. When Gael, a Woodsider at Lanakila, was preparing to return home to Texas in July after his first-ever three-week session, he penned this sweet goodbye to his cabin mates. Thankfully, Gael didn’t end up leaving at the half! A spot opened up and he (and sister Sienna at Hive) received great news: they could stay for the WHOLE summer! The trunks were unpacked and two extra-happy kids settled in for three more weeks of fun, community, and growth at camp. Gael’s parents shared this letter with us, having seen the impact a summer at camp can have on a child. “It shows how much of a difference you’ve made in young people’s lives.”
Hello. Good evening/afternoon. I have come here to say goodbye. Now, to start. This cabin was wonderful. We may have had our family. differences, but in the end, we are a have I love you all. I will miss you guys. Thesean been the best 3 weeks of my life. I me to that literally. From the skills I learned,re the friends I made. I am so glad you weall all in my cabin, and I’d love to see you or out of camp. Perhaps a trip to Denver n, I Cincinnati? Who knows? But in conclusio been love you all. Thank you. This journey has you wonderful and I look forward to seeing the all again. Maybe not the same unit, but same family. Goodbye. Thank you.
“ YA GOTTA HAVE A GINNY TO SHOW YOU THE WAY!”* Nancy Linkroum Pennell Former Aloha Camp Director, Hive alumna and former Hive counselor
It was 1982 and I was the new Aloha Camp Director when someone suggested to me that I contact Ginny Stevens to be Head of the Waterfront. That advice was among the very best I was given in those early years because for the next 25 summers Ginny and I worked together — and I could not have imagined a summer without her. She really did it all at the Alohas — she recruited campers in the winter, chaperoned the summer train from NYC to Fairlee, was a swimming counselor and Aloha Hive Director, waterfront head and office manager at Aloha, and so very much more. The waterfront was her favorite summer home. She loved teaching and she knew her stuff. When she transitioned to the office, she still found her way to the swim docks to teach a worried beginner to overcome her fear of the water and learn to swim. No question that it brought her more joy than reconciling petty cash and preparing office mailings. Still, in the office she found numerous ways to stay engaged with campers and staff and help them with whatever they needed. Just don’t you dare walk off with her pencils! There was not a Unit Party or special event for which Ginny didn’t dress. I can picture her playing Mother Gulick on Old Aloha Day, dressing up as mothers against hippies for a ’60s party, sliding down Club Hill on the slip ‘n slide, dressing in an old Aloha swimsuit for a
* Some of you might remember this ditty from the Gael (center) with his Woodside counselors and cabin family at Lanakila in summer 2023.
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Aloha Songbook. One line read, “You can go a-swimming or a-diving each day, but you’ve gotta have a (Head of Swimming) to show you the way!” Ginny’s name held that place for many years!
WITH GRATITUDE Janet “Ginny” Hazelwood Stevens, passed away on June 1, 2023 at age 99. Ginny spent an amazing 42 summers at the Alohas. She was a Hive counselor for 17 years, and served as Hive Director from 1973–1976. A few years later, she went to Aloha to teach swimming and work in the office. Her camp friendships endured over the years and she received many letters from camp alumni on her birthdays. On her last birthday on May 15, she smiled and remarked about every single card that was sent to her. Ginny’s children, Tom Stevens and Betsy Stevens Maholchic, and her grandchildren Jennie Maholchic, Kalli Stevens, and Lindsey Stevens were campers, counselors, or both at the residential camps.
surprise water ballet event, and participating in a variety of Odds & Ends jokes, skits, and mischief. There was little she avoided, both hard work and play. It is hard to think of Ginny without including her buddy Vickie Kempe. They lived in Green Mansions for many summers (the green shack near the Lanai at Aloha), and you could hear them giggling all over the hillside. They were wonderful role models for being playful and finding joy whether sharing peppermint stick ice cream, canoe rides under the stars, or a refreshing dip in the lake. They modeled for our community how to have fun, no matter your age.
Vickie Kempe, Nancy Pennell, and Ginny celebrate another successful season at Aloha’s end-of-summer banquet.
The warmth of Ginny’s greeting on Opening Day put many a camper and parent at ease. Throughout the summer, she was a wise and caring voice on the office phone for those who needed information or a small window into their daughter’s summer. While she could be a little set in her ways at times (those pencils you know!) she was grounded in loving kindness and cared deeply about the wellbeing of others. And she was my friend. Ginny visited us in Vermont many times including one winter when our hill was slippery and she came up the road in the bucket of Hugh’s loader — yes, she really did! She often commented that her friends at home, who knew her as Janet, would be amazed at the person she was at camp. In May of this year, Hugh and I visited Ginny in New Jersey. We told camp stories, talked of family and friends, and shared photos. When the attendant came to say lunch would soon be over, Ginny couldn’t leave fast enough — she did not like to miss a meal. She headed down the hall as we both sang, “Aloha means farewell to you…” Vickie’s daughter Susanna wrote, “Now when I star gaze above a lake on a clear, cold night, I see a second star dancing with my mother’s and imagine that she and Ginny are reminiscing about skipping out for ice cream and swimming the purple albatross, and are at peace.”
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2024 DATES Hulbert Outdoor Center Family Camps New Year’s 2023: Dec. 27-Jan. 1 Summer 2024: August 18-24
School Vacation Camps
Horizonites unite! It’s the beginning of another great day at Horizons Day Camp on Lake Fairlee. Horizons offers a unique experience in the Upper Valley—our exceptional staff focus on the same integral Aloha values of community building in simple, fun, and expansive ways. Many children retain their camp friendships across grades and clubs in local schools through the academic year, and pick up right where they left off when summer rolls around again.
February Vacation 1: 19-23, 2024 February Vacation 2: 27-29, 2024 April Vacation: 8-12, 2024 School & Leadership Programs, Facility Rentals & Retreats: Sept-June
Ohana Family Camp Memorial Day Family Camp: May 24-27
Military Families: June 23-27 2nd: June 29-July 6 3rd: July 6-13 4th: July 13-20 5th: July 20-27 6th: July 27-August 3 7th: August 3-10 8th: August 10-17 9th: August 17-22 Facility Rentals & Retreats: May-Oct
Residential Camps Aloha, Hive & Lanakila Full: June 28-August 14 1st: June 28-July 21 Visiting Weekend: July 20 & 21 2nd: July 23-August 14 Club & Bridge: June 24-August 14
Horizons Day Camp 1st: July 1-12 2nd: July 15-26 3rd: July 29-August 9 4th: August 12-16 1st Yr. Apprentice: July 15-26 OR July 29-August 9 2nd Yr. Apprentice: July 15-August 9
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