WINTER 2021–2022
SUMMER 2021 REFLECTION
Camp During a Global Pandemic This past summer was amazing. Our sites were full of campers, and with them came laughter, singing, and playing; scraped knees, bolstered spirits, and full hearts; new skills, victories, and friendships. It was magical and marvelous…and what we encountered was both anticipated and unexpected. The three resident Camp Directors met often during the summer—both in
By Sarah “Gordo” Gordon Littlefield, Aloha Director
person at a distance, and via video— to share observations and insights, and we wanted to give you a glimpse into our discussions. Connection was everything. We have long delivered programs that foster connection and prioritize authentic relationship-building. This past summer, people wanted to connect about everything—school, music, new hobbies, professional sports teams...
you name it, our campers and counselors wanted to talk about it. Not only did people talk, but they listened. Empathetically and intentionally, they probed and validated, they asked questions and they advocated. While one person’s experience was important, the idea of recognizing and celebrating that experience beyond the individual was even more crucial to the well-being of our communities as a whole. (Continued on page 3)
Every summer, Hilanders at Hive (5th grade graduates) work on a special building project that benefits the whole camp. The 2021 creation was a “gaga pit.” Gaga is a popular game similar to dodge ball.
Inside this issue
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Message from Vanessa Riegler
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Camp Skills to Job Skills
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Inspired Giving
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News & Updates
From the Executive Director
Vanessa Mendillo Riegler The title of this publication, Reveille, from the French verb “to wake up,” has never been more fitting. In 2020, when the Aloha Foundation’s summer camps were cancelled and our school year programs were operating at minimal levels due to the pandemic, our closed campuses felt like a form of hibernation—an extended hunkering down we hadn’t experienced before, ever, since our founding in 1905. “Hibernation” wouldn’t be the right word, though. Resting and conserving energy weren’t on our agenda, in fact, quite the opposite. The unexpected interruption in our regularly scheduled programming gave us an opportunity to dig in to important conversations and pursue deferred projects related to enrollment, finance, communications, counselor-in-training programs, equity and community, and more. Yet all the while, we were waiting to return to what we do best and love most: building community with children and families. With joy this summer, that is just what we did. We woke up camp after a year away. With careful planning and copious amounts of patience, flexibility, and humor, we successfully completed
our first summer back at camp. This was no small feat. Just to give you a sense of scale, this meant five campuses, 257 buildings, 1,300 acres, 1,576 campers of all ages, 360 counselors, 12,000 masks, and 850 negative rapid Covid tests.
better answer to the question in front of us. This is the power of a connected community focused on a shared passion. We are strongly rooted as a community and as an organization, with a mission and values that continue to be at the center of all our work.
To all of you, I extend my congratulations and gratitude. The return to our camps and programs is a celebration made possible by all of us coming together: campers, counselors, families, year-round Foundation staff, alumni, the Board of Trustees, donors, and our broad community of friends and supporters.
The heart and strength of Aloha is you. The depth of your commitment is unparalleled—this is the superpower of the Aloha community.
We maintained smart safety protocols that ensured our community of campers and staff were healthy and having fun. We added depth to our staff training topics and even more focus on building community so that our counselors and staff would be ready for the season ahead. There were details, guidelines, and communications—so many communications. How many times have we each been up against the odds and found our way through? Alone, we each exist in the world, navigating to the best of our ability. Once we are joined by others, we often find a new idea and a
There will be more challenges ahead, always, and bumps along the way. We will use these—what we so often call “changes to our picture”—as opportunities to lift up and look ahead, reimagine, sustain, learn and grow. As you thumb through the articles and photos in this issue of Reveille, you will see and feel the spirit of Aloha flowing over. It’s great to be back.
Vanessa Mendillo Riegler Executive Director vriegler@alohafoundation.org
We are strongly rooted as a community and as an organization, with a mission and values that continue to be at the center of all our work.
Winter 2021–2022 Reveille: Jenn Merritt, Director of Communications; Jenn Grossman Wheeler, Director of Photography; Gillian Hersh, Designer. Story ideas, suggestions, or feedback? Contact Jenn Merritt at jmerritt@alohafoundation.org.
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(Continued from page 1)
counselors got to witness an organization interested in evolving based on their experience and input.
Resident Camp Directors (l to r): Aloha Director Sarah “Gordo” Gordon Littlefield, Lanakila Director Bryan “Ridge” Partridge, and Hive Director Ellie Thompson Pennell.
Everything was more. It was a season of extremes, with higher highs and lower lows. Events were celebratory and exuberant. Kids were engaged and thriving. Counselor creativity was off the charts, and investment in programming almost unparalleled. And…people were fragile and sensitive. Some conversations felt harder than usual, so we practiced starting over and trying again. So much felt urgent, pressing, vital. After more than a year of…well, of everything… many kids threw themselves head-first into new situations, while some had lower reserves as a buffer in challenging situations. We were swimming in a sea of heightened perception from start to finish.
Flexibility was essential. While Camp Directors and staff have always been known for their ability to turn on a dime, Covid taught us the value of a new level of agility and responsiveness. When our plans (and back-up plans!) required tweaking, counselors stepped up with patience and maturity, and campers joined in with grace and understanding. Community members advocated for what they felt they needed, and we responded with new programming and innovative solutions. From trip locations and Fourth of July celebrations, to menu options and affinity groups, we tried new ideas. More important than the outcome of any individual suggestion was that our campers and
Community came first. Our organization is grounded in creating a sense of belonging. While we know establishing an atmosphere where everyone feels recognized and valued takes perseverance and humility, we cannot be all things to all people. When conflicts arose, we put the needs of the community at the forefront of our thought and actions. We looked for ways to make space, to educate and guide, and to learn what true belonging means for the populations we wish to serve now and in the future. The feedback from campers and counselors was deep appreciation for our efforts and gratitude for our decisions. In the months ahead, we will continue to process the summer’s lessons, learning from additional thought and reflection. Our intent is to build upon the successes of 2021 to make our community even stronger moving forward. This is a joint effort, and we thank you for your continued trust and partnership.
One of many Lanakila summer highlights: the annual Ameden baseball league tournament. Here, spectators enjoy burgers and pretzels while cheering on campers participating as players and coaches.
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HERE’S SOME OF WHAT FAMILIES HAD TO SAY ABOUT
Summer 2021
“Pottery, woodworking, kayaking, pack trips, canoeing, playing the flute for the entire camp—these are all things our child did at a completely new level of interest, bravery and excitement.”
“My husband and I as well as our camper all agree this was a life-changing event. Our child learned so much and described a community of inclusion that was far superior to experiences during the year at school.”
“I was impressed with the wide variety of choices and options offered to campers each week.”
“I felt this year had even more intentionality. It was a perfect balance of traditions and new joy. Complacency was not an option. Well done!”
“We know our camper experienced homesickness but in post-camp life—you would never know! Great support from counselors through this important rite of passage.”
“My child has been looking over my shoulder as I fill out this survey and wanted to make sure I said
We appreciate the positive feedback!
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strongly agree for all answers!”
262 surveys were completed by Hive, Aloha, Lanakila, and Horizons families in September.
“It was a knock-it-out-of-the-park experience for our child this year. Came back happy, healthy, confident. Cannot thank the staff enough for working hard to make such a good summer possible amid the continued pandemic. Especially appreciate all the work to make it safe in Covid—amazing job and track record of no outbreaks.”
And the suggestions for improvement! (Our responses follow below.) More long trips and more experience in the back country. Yes! We were more limited this year due to Covid safety requirements. We’re looking forward to adding even more back country experiences to our schedule in the future. Our campers love exploring nature and practicing outdoor skills, and we’re eager to provide those opportunities. I know it wasn’t possible with Covid to be able to see the campus—and it’s probably not (we hope!) a challenge that will recur in future years—but it would have been great to have more of an opportunity to see what the campus was like and see where our camper would be living. Fingers crossed for summer 2022! We love having families explore our campuses on Opening Day and Family Weekend. Most of our 2021 safety precautions were recommended by the state of Vermont in order for us to open, and thanks to the commitment of our entire community, those precautions worked. We’ll do the same this coming summer, as we did even pre-Covid: look to the experts for guidance on the best safety protocols, communicate as early and as often as we can with families so you know what to expect, and continue to build connections and trust so if we ever do
need to adjust what we do, you understand why and can help support our community. More pictures! We know families love photos of their campers (we do, too!) and we are always looking for the right balance. Our intentional focus is on campers and their experience. Even having a really great photographer unobtrusively snapping pictures can change that special, undisturbed environment we work so hard to create. This approach might translate into fewer photos than other camps provide, and that’s okay with us. Still, we shared about 3,000 photos this summer of our resident and day camps in our online photo albums and on social media. Continue to work on DEI [diversity, equity, and inclusion] and ways to make camp more accessible. We agree 100% and are working on this in a number of ways, from multiple angles. A large part of our focus right now—in addition to growing the Annual Fund, which supports camperships, and carefully managing budgets and spending—is developing new, long-term partnerships with groups supporting underresourced populations. This collaboration will allow experiences at our camps to be part of a comprehensive, year-round plan of
support for children and families. We are also looking holistically at the full package of needs campers and families have, such as financial support for siblings who want to come to camp, related travel expenses for kids and parents, accommodations for visitors of campers when they come to Vermont, trunks, uniforms, and access to items in the camp store. While we were overall happy with our child’s experience, too much of the “outside world” crept in to what we thought would be a traditional camp experience. While our main focus is on campers having an outstanding summer camp experience in Vermont full of friendships and activities in the outdoors, living in a community in close quarters over a period of time inevitably means that some more “real world” topics or conversations arise among campers. Leaving children and staff to figure it out on their own is not an effective approach. Rather than teaching any particular curriculum or having a predetermined agenda, our aim is to be responsive to situations and needs as they arise, providing children with the language, space, and support they need to have a successful experience at camp and training staff to be prepared for their day-today work with kids.
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Camp Skills to Job Skills PERSONAL REFLECTIONS FROM THREE ALUMNI
Jim Alderson Smith Graduate student, Wharton School of Business
Spending six summers at Lanakila, with six diverse groups of tent and cabin mates, taught me how to communicate clearly and compassionately... Lanakila taught me teamwork and communication skills that have benefited many aspects of my professional life. Until this July, when I left my job to attend the Wharton School of Business, I worked in the business development department of a small renewable energy developer. I spent a lot of my day in meetings, discussing projects with external stakeholders and
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coordinating my internal team of developers to achieve daily and weekly goals. These external stakeholders often have significantly different backgrounds from the types of individuals I typically interact with in New York City and Philadelphia. I think spending six summers at Lanakila, with six diverse groups of tent and cabin mates, taught me how to communicate clearly and
compassionately with individuals from many different walks of life. Additionally, being able to take small leadership roles at Lanakila in my early teenage years, like organizing the Viking Council and leading trips to achieve my Thor in campcraft, helped me be comfortable in leadership roles across my career.
Stephanie Teleki, Ph.D. Director, Learning & Impact, California Health Care Foundation
Aloha instilled in me a curiosity to try new things, to follow unfamiliar paths. I’ve spent my career in public health, as a researcher and now in philanthropy. I significantly credit camp with where I landed and how I approach my work. Aloha instilled in me a curiosity to try new things, to follow unfamiliar paths. My job involves scouting innovative ideas to fund, and helping my colleagues be curious about how we can achieve impact through our investments. Not being afraid to dive into the unfamiliar is key to doing these things well. Camp also gave the once-shy-me self-confi-
dence. There’s nothing like dropping yourself into a situation for seven weeks 1,500 miles from home (I came from Texas). You have to figure out how to make it work! And, there’s nothing like being the lead counselor of a multi-day canoe trip, successfully returning with girls who are not only still alive but also happy! With humility, not arrogance, camp made me believe “I’ve got this!” (whatever the “this” is). Camp also gave me skills for my other
“job”: mom! It taught me to plan ahead and be prepared—always pack a jacket, flashlight, and plenty of water when setting out on a journey; this foresight is useful with both toddlers and teens! Camp is where I learned to ask three questions before you say something: “Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?” That’s a helpful tool to promote family harmony. And camp is where I learned a treasure trove of songs that, even with my not-so-great voice, I sang to my children at bedtime.
Michael Jackson Firefighter
The motto of “there are many ways to be a man” and the philosophy of Success Counseling have been particularly resonant. Lessons from Lanakila have paid dividends throughout my life. The motto of “there are many ways to be a man” and the philosophy of Success Counseling have been particularly resonant. When I pursued a career change eight years ago from Mechanical Engineer to Firefighter, I was met with a lot of questions from friends and family as to why I would want to leave my “good” job and “waste” my college
degree. The philosophy of “there are many ways to be a man”, helped me to realize that pursuing my own dream was more important than following what others thought was important. That philosophy is helpful anytime I have to make a decision that is not a popular one.
for 24 hours at a time and constantly interacting with the public. Success Counseling teaches you to empower others by listening to them, giving them choices, and working towards a winwin solution in all conflicts. This philosophy has helped immensely with my coworker relationships and my ability to provide quality customer service.
In my current job as a firefighter, I’m living and working with my coworkers
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Inspired Giving Meet Martha Bacigalupo, Camp Parent & Contributor
Pine Lodge is a stone’s throw from the Lanakila castle and just up the bend from Camp Aloha on Lake Morey Road. Pine Lodge is where Martha Bacigalupo’s family has spent summers since 1896 when her mother’s (Low) family first arrived on the shores of Lake Morey. To Martha, it is home, the most magical place on earth, and the source of many of her best memories. She spent her childhood swimming and boating in Lake Morey, roaming the castle after campers had gone home, and hiking Echo Mountain. Yet she never attended the camps herself. Martha’s deep appreciation for them came when her daughter, Kate, and son, Luca, attended Aloha and Lanakila.
could be who he wanted to be.” Martha believes the power of the experience for young people lies in this place where they are surrounded by care and compassion. Lanakila and Aloha are places where young people feel safe, supported and heard.
“After Luca went off to camp the first year, he came back a changed kid. Without realizing it, he had learned so much about himself, found joy in trying new things, and ventured way out of his comfort zone. It was a place where he belonged; where he felt he
Martha’s professional background is in marketing, strategy and brand management. “Where opinion doesn’t count for anything and data is everything!” With her expertise and passion for Aloha’s mission, Martha has been a tireless advocate for the use of measurement
Luca returned to Lanakila for four summers and Martha was astounded by the transformation that occurred each year. It was unlike anything she saw at school or elsewhere. “Then I grew curious, ‘If they’re delivering this transformational experience to my kids, is it possible for Aloha to reach even more kids and families, and deliver an even better experience?’”
With her expertise and passion for Aloha’s mission, Martha has been a tireless advocate for the use of measurement tools to evaluate who we’re serving, what we’re delivering, and how we can best serve them in the future.
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tools to evaluate who we’re serving, what we’re delivering, and how we can best serve them in the future. She has helped inspire the Foundation to create and implement comprehensive evaluations for constituents at all levels across our programs, so we can better understand our impact with an eye towards continually improving our programs. Martha’s work with the Pine Lodge Charitable Fund is laser-focused on measuring impact and using data to significantly improve delivery to all. If you, or someone in your family, participated in one of our programs this summer, we thank you for completing one of these evaluations! What drives Martha’s passion for measurement at the Alohas? It’s a vision that we share: expanding the benefit of the camps’ impact to more children and families, especially those with greater need. “Aloha can use data to inform, modify, enhance, and expand programming, and more importantly, inform decision-making. I believe the camp community should reflect the world and not just a few key U.S. cities. The camps will become a richer place for counselors, campers and staff. Interactions between young adults are elevated as they relate to one another and find their way. This should help pave the way for a more just and compassionate community.”
9 WAYS YOU CAN
Support The Alohas 1 Give the gift of camp by donating to the 2021 Annual Fund by December 31. Help fund camperships, staff training, facility and campus improvements, and Aloha’s most pressing priorities. This year’s Annual Fund goal is $750,000. To date, we’ve received contributions from parents, alumni, and friends totaling nearly $400,000. Make a one-time gift or take five minutes to set up an easy, automatic monthly contribution as an EverGreen Sustainer. alohafoundation.org/annual-fund
2 Recruit a camper, counselor, or family to join us in 2022. Know someone who would LOVE camp? Encourage them to visit our website and share their contact information, so we can be in touch. We’d love to schedule a call with one of our Camp Directors. alohafoundation.org/contact
3 Make sure we have your current email address and updated contact information. Help us stay in touch! If you move or have a new email address, send it along to us so we can share news with you. alohafoundation.org/share or (802) 333-3400
4 Join the 1905 Leadership Circle by December 31. For those able to give at a higher level (gifts of $2,500 or more), consider joining this year’s 1905 Leadership Circle. In 2020, more than 100 community members participated. Expanding the Circle strengthens Aloha’s impact and reach. alohafoundation.org/1905
5 Share your feedback with us. Read our news. Stay connected. The more engaged you are with us, the better. We welcome positive feedback and constructive criticism anytime— you help us strengthen and improve our programs. alohafoundation.org
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7 Introduce us to some prospective camp families in your hometown. Our Camp Directors have been on the road this fall visiting (outside, whenever possible!) prospective and returning camp families in cities like Philadelphia, Denver, Jackson Hole, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Atlanta. Would you like to introduce us to some potential camp families in your city? Let us know! alohafoundation.org/events
8 Complete a Google or online review for the Aloha Foundation and any of our six core programs. Take a few moments to share your experience by writing a review!
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Become a walking, talking Aloha advertisement of the very best kind.
Attend a camp reunion in 2022 (Hive/Aloha) or 2023 (Lanakila).
What’s the #1 way we recruit new campers and counselors to join us in our programs? Word of mouth! Be an enthusiastic ambassador for the Alohas by talking to everyone you know about us—family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, teachers, school administrators, even strangers! Share our website and put us in touch with prospective families.
Come to Fairlee for an upcoming reunion! More details will be posted on our website this winter, but for now, please save the date: August 12–14, 2022 (Hive/Aloha) and mid-August 2023 (Lanakila). alohafoundation.org/alumnireunions
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VISIT OUR REDESIGNED WEBSITE!
Launched last month after a year of discovery, planning, and collaboration
alohafoundation.org What you’ll discover:
Updated information
Intuitive navigation New and returning visitors will be able to locate the information they need more easily. Camp and program details are reorganized, and users can hover over any primary link to view a detailed dropdown menu, allowing them to choose their path forward more quickly and with greater accuracy.
Fresh, new look The new design fully integrates our updated visual identity and logos launched in 2019. The reinvigorated design elements and the color palette bring energy and a more modern, contemporary feel to the site.
We’ve added more information about our camps and programs—and clarified or updated language where needed. A new “Equity & Inclusion” page provides detailed information about the action steps we’re taking to become a stronger and more welcoming place for all.
Responsive design and mobile first The website layout automatically adapts based on the device and size of the screen that each user is using to view the website—desktop, tablet, or mobile devices.
Accessible and compliant The site is accessible to a wider base of users demonstrating our commitment to accommodation and accessibility.
Our Process and the Website Working Group Beginning in August 2020, a working group of Aloha Foundation year-round staff members conducted community surveys; interviewed peers in camping and education, and analyzed their websites; and launched an open Request for Proposal (RFP) process. The working group evaluated responses from six final contenders, ultimately selecting 829 Studios based in Boston. Working group team members from across the organization
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included Jeremy Cutler (Director of Program Development), Karen Danforth (Associate Director of Enrollment), Jenn Merritt (Director of Communications), Cheryl Olson (Database Manager), and Ellie Pennell (Hive Director). Special thanks to key partners and collaborators: Katie Baines Drossos (Trustee), Vanessa Riegler (Executive Director), Camp Directors, Program Directors, and other Aloha Foundation leaders and staff members.
Beyond Hiking and Canoeing—Since 1905
Equity & Inclusion Essential Elements of a Successful Camp Community by Arlynn Polletta, DEI Manager
Young people stretch themselves in new ways through powerful learning experiences at camp. They practice swimming, canoeing, hiking, photography, fire-building and so much more. Through these, and many other transformative activities, campers also develop team-building skills, communication strategies, and an appreciation for the importance of taking time for self-reflection. Living simply in nature and disconnecting from technology often provides a much-needed respite from “reality,” but we also know that camp is a microcosm of the outside world. Every individual brings a unique perspective to our community, and the identities that make up who they are come with them. Placing value on learning and growth means that questions and conversations come up at camp that can be complex. Providing young people with tools to self-evaluate and engage compassionately across lines of difference sets them up for success at camp and in a diverse world. Sometimes the questions that arise stem from identity conflicts related to race, gender, religion, sexuality, class, ability—or other factors or a combination of factors.
In his book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey explains, “We see the world not as it is, but as we are—or, as we are conditioned to see it.” As part of the precamp diversity, equity, and inclusion training this summer, staff members discussed this quote. They were asked to consider the complex dimensions of identity and the ways personal identifiers shape their experiences at camp and in the world.
At the heart of the Aloha Foundation’s mission is human connection. Building on this self-awareness work, staff also practiced facilitating difficult conversations, worked through possible scenarios involving identity conflicts, and discussed the importance of guiding developmentally appropriate conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion topics with campers. This type of reflective training—including discussion, skill-development, and practice—is essential in supporting staff as they work to create environments where all campers feel affirmed and valued for who they are.
Media buzz words and contentious political topics frequently conflate the relational, humanizing components of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. While social awareness is important in advancing these efforts, developing critical self-awareness, empathy, and relationship-building skills is foundational in supporting personal growth and sustainable organizational change. At the heart of the Aloha Foundation’s mission is human connection. In an effort to distinguish our work from surface-level diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, we have shifted to anchoring our efforts in equity and community. We believe these concepts center the strong relationships that are integral to our programs and better communicate the value of our collective work. As we strive to create environments where young people can become their best selves and feel a sense of belonging, we encourage every member of our community to ask: What is my role in helping to co-create the place we want to be?
To learn more about what equity and community means at the Alohas visit alohafoundation.org/equity-inclusion.
This type of reflective training—including discussion, skill-development, and practice—is essential in supporting staff as they work to create environments where all campers feel affirmed and valued for who they are.
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News & Updates Births
Susannah Conway (former Hive/Aloha camper and Hive counselor) and James Dickison (former Lanakila camper and counselor) welcomed baby Lily Brien Conway Dickison into the world on July 22, 2021.
Everly (Evie) Sofia was born on January 31, 2021 to Jamie Rosenfeld (former Hive/Aloha camper and Hive counselor) and Nick Wood (former Lanakila camper and counselor, former Hulbert Program Director).
Isabella Ceglia (former Hive/Aloha camper) and her husband Erik Powton welcomed baby Emma to their family in June 2021.
Olivia Wheeler (former Hive/Aloha camper and Aloha counselor) and Patrick Kearney had their daughter Ruby Larkin Kearney on August 13, 2021.
We love this wonderful photo of two generations of Aloha and Lanakila campers/counselors and three 2020 babies at a family get together in Colorado in May 2021. From left to right: Colby Walker (former Lanakila camper and counselor), Andrea Seymour Walker (former Hive/ Aloha camper and Aloha counselor), and their son Logan; Will Harte (former Lanakila camper), Eleanor Foote Harte (former Hive/Aloha camper) and their son Theo; Henry Foote (former Lanakila camper) and his daughter Emerson; and Nathaniel Foote (former Lanakila camper, counselor, and parent).
Polly Klyce Pennoyer (Lanakila counselor) and Robbie Pennoyer (former Lanakila camper and counselor) welcomed the newest member of their family, James Meriwether Pennoyer. Born on September 28, James joins siblings Victoria and Cooper.
Weddings
Ben Ripley (former Lanakila camper) and Amanda Tobin (former Aloha camper) married on July 7, 2021 in a private ceremony at the Palazzo Cavalli-Franchetti in Venice, Italy.
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Alexander T. Knowles (former Lanakila camper and counselor) married high school sweetheart Jessica in January 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Lucy Williams (former Hive/Aloha camper, Aloha/Lanakila counselor) married Jes Millet on October 10, 2021 in Austin, Texas. Also pictured are Lucy’s two longest camp friends, Louisa Savage (l) and Ali Rosenfeld (r).
STAY CONNECTED STAY CONNECTED TO YOUR FAVORITE ALOHA PEOPLE AND PROGRAMS ALL YEAR LONG
Aloha | Hive | Lanakila | Hulbert | Horizons | Ohana | Aloha Foundation
In Memoriam Hattie Ball passed away on October 13, 2021, surrounded by family and Aloha songs. She last climbed the Bluff at the age of 93. Hattie “sallied forth” at 98, as she wished, after a full life well lived. She was the daughter of “Mrs. Carol” and Chauncey Hulbert (the first directors of Lanakila) and granddaughter of Harriet and Edward Gulick (Mother and Father Gulick). Hattie was a lover and supporter of the camps throughout her entire life and could often be found telling stories at Family Camp of old Aloha history, adventures, and hijinks. She is survived by her children Shel, Carol, and Terry Ball, as well as her grandchildren Philip and Abel Silva, and great grandchildren Abel Silva (IV), and Peter and Josie Silva. Hattie proclaimed, “I had a great ride!” Look for a tribute to Hattie in our next issue of Reveille. George H. Dorion of Jacksonville, FL and Norwich, VT passed away on April 14, 2021. He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Dorothy Simpson Dorion (former Trustee), children Chris, Tim, Lisanne, and Mark and daughter-in-law Helen. He is also survived by grandchildren Amalia, Tobias, and Grace Dorion. Anna Marion Norton Foster (former Aloha camper, camp parent/grandparent) died on December 7, 2020. She is survived by her eight children and thirteen grandchildren. John W. Frymoyer (former Lanakila camper and counselor, camp parent/grandparent) passed away on August 2, 2021. He was married to Nan Pilcher Frymoyer. He was the father of Susan Frymoyer Hodge, Lynn Frymoyer Boynton, Meg Frymoyer Stebbins
and Betsey Frymoyer Rhynhart. He was the grandfather of Jordan and John Michael Hodge, Chandler, Kane and Ellie Boynton, Emily and Sarah Stebbins, and Maddy Rhynhart. He was also the uncle of Jennifer Pilcher, Katie Pilcher Knowles, and Doug Pilcher, as well as Stephen, Brian, John, Jonathan, Susan and Chris Pilcher. Carolyn Potter Harriman (former Aloha camper, camp parent) died on January 21, 2021 at the age of 96. She is survived by her sister Mary Robinson and by her children and their families: Ann Pettingill, David Harriman, John Harriman, and Jane Von Jaglinsky, and grandchildren Liz Magrans, Dan Pettingill, Andrew and Peter Harriman, and Peter, Mark, and Annette Von Jaglinsky. Carol Barber Jankowski (former Aloha camper, Aloha counselor, camp grandparent) died on November 28, 2020 after a short illness at the age of 83. She is survived by her husband, Joseph J. Jankowski, MD, her son David, her daughter Mary, and four grandchildren. A. Clark Johnson, Jr. (former camp parent and grandparent) passed away at the age of 90 on January 24, 2021. He was preceded in death by his late wife Myra “Mike” Wheeler Johnson (former Trustee) to whom he was married for thirty-nine years. He is survived by his second wife of twelve years, Geraldine Dyer Greer, his daughter Elyse Johnson Lyons and son-inlaw Lloyd Lyons, their two children Carsten and Charlotte, Gerry’s four sons, her fourteen grandchildren, and one great grandchild. Clark spent summers in one of his favorite places in the world, Vermont, where he enjoyed swimming, sailing, and walking at Lake Morey.
Evelyn Miller (former Hive/Aloha camper and Hive/Aloha parent) died in her home in Buffalo, NY on January 16, 2021 at the age of 91. She is survived by her three children Marion M. Matson, Robert L. Miller, Jr., and Elizabeth McClellan, and six grandchildren. Caroline Collis Moore (former Aloha camper, camp parent/grandparent, and former Board member) passed away on November 2, 2020 at the age of 94. She is survived by her children John Abbott, Jesse (Jen) Abbott, Carrie Moore, Martha Moore, Michael Moore, her eight grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren. Robert Henry Richards III (former Lanakila camper and former Trustee) passed away on March 11, 2021. Robbie leaves behind his wife of 56 years, Mariana (Wendy) Silliman Richards; children Robert Henry Richards, IV, David Harper Richards, and Edward I. Richards; seven grandchildren; and two sisters. Don Williams (former camp parent/grandparent, former Board member) passed away on September 13, 2021. He is survived by his wife Nancy, children Bradford Williams, D. Rowe Williams (former Director of Hulbert Outdoor Center), Merrill Williams Noble, and Nancy Greenaway as well as his six grandchildren. (Read Chip Baines’s tribute to Don on page 15.) Merle Winn (former Lanakila counselor) passed away at his home on December 24, 2020. Merle is survived by his wife, Agnes Leahy; sisters, Susan Jacobsen and Ann Winn-Mueller.
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Meet you at
Family Camp! Experience summer camp with the whole family: alohafoundation.org/ohana-family-camp
Whether you’re interested in quality time with family members, re-connecting with cherished friends or fellow camp alumni, or easing the camp-tohome transition for your kids, Ohana is the place for you! For the past four years, the Adler family has visited Ohana after their children complete their sessions at the residential camps. They shared, “Bringing kids home from camp can represent a challenging and emotional transition for many families. The kids are coming from an amazing time at camp where
they lived under the stars, enjoyed the constant activities and presence of their friends, as well as an overwhelmingly positive environment where they were able to lead their day-to-day activities and found encouragement from all directions. Coming home and trying to reorient themselves back into family life can be daunting and disorienting for the first week. Ohana has offered the perfect solution for our family. It is truly a magical place. At Ohana, the kids are able to remain in the beautiful Vermont
environment they have come to love, and like at camp, they continue to make day-to-day decisions about what activities to do at Ohana. Additionally, the week provides parents a special opportunity to slow down and hear about camp experiences, often arising in conversations about how they are similar or dissimilar to Ohana—without the distraction of technology, work, or home life.” We hope you’ll visit our website to learn more or give us a call. We’d love to see you at Ohana!
Week-long sessions throughout the summer season from June through August 2022
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alohafoundation.org
Remembering Don Williams Aloha Foundation Visionary & Champion (1931–2021)
The Aloha Foundation community lost one of its key founders with the passing of Donald R. Williams, Jr. on September 13, 2021. Don was instrumental at the very beginning of the Foundation, in the summer of 1967, when camp parents first learned that the Directors of the three camps—Helen Gulick King (Mrs. Helen) at Aloha, Helen Shaw at Hive, and Carol Gulick Hulbert (Mrs. Carol) at Lanakila—were nearing retirement, and that there was no plan for succession. Unless something was done, the Gulick family most likely would close down the camps and sell off the properties. A concerned group of parents, led by Don Williams, Marty Baines, and John Bartol (and later Matt Bender), took it upon themselves to meet with Mrs. Carol to brainstorm ideas. With her encouragement, they put together a planning committee, and set about to form a
non-profit organization that would buy the camps from the Gulicks and then run the camps going forward. They would call it the Aloha Foundation.
for a few days, and then gave her blessing. The Foundation purchased the camps, and in 1969 ran their first summer program.
Now, over fifty years after its founding, the strength of the Aloha Foundation can be credited in no small part to the visionary work of Don Williams.
Don, as the group’s lawyer, played an instrumental role dealing with the IRS to have the fledgling organization recognized as a charitable non-profit with 501(c)(3) status. This crucial step enabled the organization to start working on fund raising to buy the camps from the Gulick family. The committee pulled together a business plan, and after first getting Mrs. Carol’s support, Don met with Mrs. Helen, who as the oldest of the Gulick sisters held the prime vote as to whether to proceed. At first, she was highly skeptical. But with his calm and thoughtful demeanor, Don was able to talk her through her various concerns. Key to it was an assurance that the Foundation would both raise the money it needed and would create an organization to run the camps with the same vision and quality as the Gulicks had for the previous sixty years. Mrs. Helen considered all that Don had said
Don was a thoughtful, caring presence on a Board that faced a series of critical issues in those early days. He helped steer the group through several difficult personnel decisions. He championed the broadening of the Aloha Foundation’s mission with the establishment of the Hulbert Outdoor Center. He was a strong advocate of excellence. His contributions were recognized in the mid-1980s when the Board named him as one of the first Emeritus Trustees. Now, over fifty years after its founding, the strength of the Aloha Foundation can be credited in no small part to the visionary work of Don Williams.
By Chip Baines Chip is a Trustee Emeritus, having served on the Aloha Foundation Board of Trustees from 1991–2003. He is a current camp grandparent, former camp parent, and former Lanakila counselor and camper.
Don received the “Duck of Distinction” award at Lanakila in July 2011. The award recognizes outstanding Lanakilans for their longtime dedication and contributions, and has been presented to a select group of about two dozen people to date.
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2968 Lake Morey Road Fairlee, Vermont, 05045
Enrollment for 2022 Horizons Opens in January!
Registration is open! 2022 Dates for Hive, Aloha, Lanakila Full season: Friday, June 24–Wednesday, August 10 1st session: Friday, June 24–Sunday, July 17 2nd session: Tuesday, July 19–Wednesday, August 10 alohafoundation.org
The Ohana waterfront on Lake Fairlee is a favorite of family campers of all ages. Online registration for 2022 Ohana is open!