Annual Report 2012-2013
Greetings from Lake Placid Dear Friends, Thank you! We can never express it adequately. You, the people who love North Country School and Camp Treetops, are what keep the place thriving. Here is our Annual Report for September 1, 2012 through August 31, 2013, our fiscal year. This remarkable 12-month period is the latest in a string of record-setting years. This one started with the launch of North Country School’s 75th anniversary year and ended with the best-attended Friends’ Weekend ever. Our Strong Roots, High Peaks Campaign surpassed the $15 million mark in commitments from nearly 2,200 generous community members. That is more than 60 percent of the way to our $25 million goal by 2017. You helped us to raise $1 million for the Annual Fund; to provide $200,000 for Clark House in honor of NCS founders Walter and Leo Clark; and to enable us to break ground on the renovated and preserved Treetops’ Main House. And thanks to you, we balanced our 11th consecutive operating budget and raised $2.3 million in total gifts and pledges for the year. Each and every monetary gift is part of this success, each and every contribution of time or talent. The children of North Country School and Camp Treetops could ask for no stauncher supporters. Our pledge to you is fidelity to traditions and values more needed in today’s world than ever before. From chicken harvest and potato planting to the July 4 bonfire and the Thanksgiving feast, Camp and School are places of learning, community, meaningful work, fun, support, and love that continue to transform lives. We are grateful. Warm regards, Dennis Aftergut David Hochschartner Board Chair Head of School and Camp
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From Our Campaign Leadership Dear Friends, At the close of the fiscal year on August 31, 2013, the Strong Roots, High Peaks Campaign successfully concluded its initial phase. We are delighted to report that nearly 2,200 individuals have contributed more than $15 million. We are grateful to this remarkable community for its unwavering generosity and support. The record level of giving supports the Campaign’s three essential areas: Annual Giving, which covers everything from needed tuition assistance to camp staff and faculty development; Capital Giving that improves campus facilities and infrastructure; and Endowment Giving that will further boost resources available for scholarships, faculty and camp staff positions, and core programs. To date, the Strong Roots, High Peaks Campaign has funded an impressive array of crucial capital improvements. The list far exceeds what we can name here (see below) and includes new construction, renovation, and infrastructure upgrades. Each project is important in its own right; collectively this work provides significant improvements to campus aesthetics and quality of life for those who live here. These in turn have important ramifications for future enrollments for Camp and School, as well as retaining talented faculty and staff. In addition, much of this work also enhances safety, improves energy efficiency, or conserves precious resources. In short, these improvements are not just desirable; they are essential for the future of Camp and School. We thank you again for the generosity that makes them possible. Sincerely,
Barkley Stuart Campaign Chair
Matt Salinger Development Committee Chair
D. Kurt Terrell Director of Advancement
Campaign Capital Projects New Construction
Renovation
Infrastructure
Construction of Clark House studentstaff residence
Renovation of the Treetops Main House (ongoing)
Burial of overhead power lines and removal of utility poles
Installation of the Flushing Meadows waste water treatment plant
Creation of first free standing NCS Admissions Office
Installation of seven biomass heating units
Major barnyard additions and improvements
Installation of new windows and heating units for the ramp and circle locker room
Installation of three solar energy arrays
Construction of two living roof structures for Treetops Reproduction of Doug Haskell’s Hanging House Construction of a new Main Building parking lot and revitalized green space at the campus core.
Addition of a kitchenette in the Mountain House faculty apartment Remodeling of the library into a media center with 40 new Chromebook laptop computers
Improvements to roadway, drainage, and bridges Extension of trail system Upgrade to water distribution system Upgrades to Main Building electric Masonry work on chimneys, foundations, and walkways
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Annual Financial Summary Dear friends, We are pleased to present below highlights of our 2012-2013 financial results. They show that we ended the year with an operating surplus, the 11th consecutive year of a balanced budget. This year we provided over $870,000 in financial assistance to students and campers, made possible in large part by the support of our community of donors. We are also grateful that with your support we were able to complete many building greening and renewal projects in our continuing effort to preserve and improve our beautiful campus and facilities. Endowment funds managed by TIFF (The Investment Fund for Foundations, www.tiff. org) stood at $9.6 million at fiscal year end. This year $300,000 was distributed from the endowment to support our Camp and School programs. We look forward to sustaining these positive efforts so North Country School and Camp Treetops may continue to offer the transformative programs that benefit our students, campers, and their families. Sincerely, Betsy Smith Hope Knight Business Manager & CFO Board Treasurer
Operating Fund Statement of Activities Year Ended August 31, 2013 Expenditures Program Services $2,562,894 Physical Plant 1,080,814 Fundraising 517,120 General Administrative 1,521,934 Subtotal $5,682,762 Financial Aid 871,100 Total Expenditures $6,553,862 Revenues Tuition and Fees $5,228,445 Distribution from Endowment 300,000 Annual Fund Gifts (includes designated) 1,008,718 Other revenues 46,494 Total Revenues & Gifts $6,583,657 Net Change in Operating Fund $29,795 Summary of Gifts Received Annual Fund Gifts (includes designated) $1,008,718 Endowment Gifts 412,087 Restricted Gifts 891,751 Total All Gifts Received $2,312,556
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Institutional Leadership Board of Trustees
Administration
Dennis Aftergut, Chair Barkley Stuart, Vice-Chair Hope Knight, Treasurer Sandra Gray Nowicki, Secretary
David Hochschartner Head of School and Camp
Jenny Ewing Allen Karla Ayala Lisa Beck Barry Breeman Peter R. Brest J. Matthew Davidson Guillaume de Ramel Brian Eng Laura Thrower Harris Caroline Kenney Sam Kim Roger S. Loud Jennifer Maslow Bob Parker Marty Rosenberg Pamela Rosenthal Matt Salinger Hume Steyer Manny Weintraub Bethany Dickerson Wynder Jun Zhang
John Culpepper Director of Facilities and Sustainability
Karen Culpepper Camp Treetops Director
David Damico Director of Admissions John Nicholson Director of Communications Nick Perry Assistant Head Susan Runyon School Operations Manager Betsy Smith Business Manager & CFO D. Kurt Terrell Director of Advancement Mike Tholen Farm Manager
Honorary Trustees Joan K. Davidson Colin C. Tait, Esq. Richard E. Wilde
Trustees Emeriti David T. Kenney Rose Kean Lansbury Sumner Parker
North Country School and Camp Treetops is incorporated as a not-for-profit organization and is listed as a charitable and educational organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Service Code. Our federal tax ID number is 14-1430542.
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High Peaks Giving Levels Marcy (5,344 ft)
$50,000 and up Anonymous Dennis Aftergut The Breeman Family Estate of Martha P. Brooks Elizabeth Prince de Ramel ’60 Guillaume ’89 and Molly de Ramel The de Ramel Foundation Althea L. Duersten Jennifer H. Maslow Sandy Gray Nowicki ’57 Catherine Oppenheimer Mr. and Mrs. Sumner Parker ’41 Dr. Richard Rockefeller ’63 Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Marty and Mara Rosenberg The San Francisco Foundation Steven Saslow
Edie and Jim Garrett Suzanne Glickman Reggie Govan Paul and Eileen Growald ’66 Growald Family Fund Laura and David Harris Caroline Kenney Liza Ketchum Lake Placid Education Foundation Susan Localio The New York Community Trust Matt Salinger The Seraph Foundation, Inc. Peter and Elisa Skinner Jan and Esther Stearns The Stearns Foundation Helen Stein Barkley Stuart and Ann Glazer Samuel Wertheimer and Pamela Rosenthal
Algonquin (5,114 ft)
Skylight (4,926 ft)
$25,000-$49,999 Anonymous (2) Keith and Peggy Anderson Lisa Beck and Mitch Seider Peter Brest The Gruben Charitable Foundation The J. M. Kaplan Fund, Inc. Rose K. Lansbury Diana Oehrli
Haystack (4,960 ft) $10,000-$24,999 Aliza Family Foundation Jenny Ewing Allen John Allen Isabel Huffman Belden Christopher I. Cooper Matthew and Amy Davidson Feather Foundation, Inc.
Michael and Danelle Kelly Edward Kenney Franklin Kenney ’84 William Kenney Samuel and Jin Kyung Kim Hope Knight and Steven Umlauf Monika and Steven Lang ’53 Simone Lang and Eric T. Lang Anna and Andrew Levine Michael E. and Carol S. Levine Foundation Sara Levine Roger and Pat Loud Carmen Nigaglioni and Robert Davila Ken Okin Brian Orter Bill Savage Schwab Charitable Fund Allyson Shames and Curtis Argo Mr. and Mrs. Ervin R. Shames Shames Family Foundation SharonSteel Foundation Hume R. Steyer The Stuart Four-Square Fund D. Kurt and Eden Terrell Manny Weintraub
$5,000-$9,999 The Baldwin Foundation Matthew Brest Burton Foundation, Inc. Gerald and Elizabeth Cohen Comprehensive Orthopaedics & Musculoskeletal Care, LLC Brad and Lynne Davidson Mr. Ke Feng and Ms. Lu Wang Freddie Mac Foundation The Glazers Foundation Mrs. Gretchen Gray Nick and Ruth Hewitt David Hochschartner and Selden West Jeffrey and Shelley Holtzman The Charles Evans Hughes Memorial Foundation, Inc. Tessa Huxley and Andy Reicher Jewish Communal Fund Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County Jeffrey Jonathan
Whiteface (4,867 ft) $2,500-$4,999 Anonymous (5) Bill and Pat Barton Alice Brown Melissa Brown and David Siegel David Carter Dr. Shiu-Kai Chin Dow Jones & Company Constance and Benard Dreyer Gannett Foundation, Inc. Susan Gardner and Martha Cassidy Peter M. Gilbert Goldman Sachs Gives John and Amy Isaacs Michael Kenney
High Peaks Giving Levels
Marcy (5,344 ft) $50,000 and up Algonquin (5,114 ft) $25,000 - $49,999
Skylight (4,926 ft) $5,000 - $9,999
Saddleback (4,515 ft) $500 - $999
Cascade (4,098 ft) Up to $99
2013 will be listed in next fiscal year’s Annual Report.
Whiteface (4,867 ft) $2,500 - $4,999
Rocky Peak (4,420 ft) $250 - $499
Haystack (4,960 ft) $10,000 - $24,999
Wright (4,580 ft) $1,000 - $2,499
Big Slide (4,240 ft) $100 - $249
Please note: This report covers gifts, pledges, and pledge payments made from September 1, 2012 to August 31, 2013. Gifts received after August 31,
We thank our community of School and Camp alumni, families, employees past and present, trustees, and friends for their generosity and support.
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High Peaks Giving Levels Andrew Lerner and Maryam Banikarim Mimi Muray Levitt ’57 Peter and Kathy Martin O’Donnell Iselin Foundation Bob and Margaret Parker Victoria Read Phyllis W. Reicher Christine Semenenko ’62 Serge Semenenko Family Foundation John and Susan Skovron Jeff and Natalie Woods
Wright (4,580 ft)
$1,000-$2,499 Anonymous (9) Adirondack Foundation Cyrille and Rica Buxbaum Allannic Patrick K. Archambault ’87 Karla M. Ayala and Carlos Gonzalez Asturias Jonathan Bell Wolcott R. Blair Mr. and Mrs. Perry J. Bolton Phillip Brest Anne Bretz-Aronoff Richard and Paula Brewer Geoffrey H. and Suzanne W. Brown Mary O. Carr Maureen and Charles Cohen The Community Foundation for The National Capital Region Mr. John Byrne Cooke ’54 Ann Cooper Nancy and Tony Corwin ’68 John and Karen Culpepper Sarah Powell Culverwell ’51 David and Melanie Damico Jacqueline Davies Jenifer Hale Deming Joel and Christine DeYoung Sarah H. Lambert Dolan ’86 Claire Douglas Mimi Coletti Dow ’47 David and Melanie Dumont The Eng Family Deirdre Farley John and Alison Flanigan Katharine Knight Flebotte The Foster Family Jeffrey and Teri Greene Josh N. Grosse ’83 Richard Hahn Harlan Capital Partners Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Hilles Ian Hughes and Holly Hood Janet Spiegelberg Hyman ’49 Eric and Elizabeth Jacobsen The Eric T. and Elizabeth C. Jacobsen Foundation Karen and Peter Jakes C. Ryan Joyce Anthony and Patricia Kadzius Elise Keely Kent-Lucas Foundation, Inc Henry and Margaret Kinosian Beth and Peter S. Kolevzon Sally and Wynn Kramarsky The Louisa Kreidberg Family Foundation
Thomas H. Land Jr. Randi Land Jane Lang Weifeng Li and Yanhong Xing Lolya Lipchitz and Harold Kasimow Mr. Weidong Lu and Ms. Yan Zhou Meimei Ma ‘70 Elizabeth R. Macken Cindy Marvell (Friedberg) Richard Maslow Dwight and Sue Mason Catherine McDermott Philip and Anne McGregor Microsoft Matching Gifts Program Jon and Kristin Adomeit Moore Laura Okin Robert B. Opatrny and Susan J. Sutherland Marian Osterweis Kent and Robin Palmer Soomin Park Cola Parker Pat Kramon Pincus Jan and Joan Popkin Meredith Prime Renaissance Charitable Foundation, Inc. Jane Crowell Rieffel Becky Rice and Don Mesec Santa Barbara Foundation James Seymour Kate Shepherd Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas N. Solley Sr. Yi Song and Hongyan Ren Philip and Marcia Steckler Daniel and Katia Szor The Szor Family Foundation Michael Urfirer Mr. and Mrs. William H. Waddington Louise D. Walsh and Charlie L. Rupp Christopher J. Werler William Whitney Susan Welch Williams ’54 Marjorie Wright, in memory of Craig Wright Rupeng Xu and Rudan Mo Shiguang Yang and Donghui Fan
Saddleback (4,515 ft)
$500-$999 Anonymous (2) Peter Adomeit and Marilyn Sanders American Center for Philanthropy D.J. and Ken Baker Sarah Blunt Barnett Kyra Tirana Barry Bell Hoving Family Foundation Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation Amy Bodman The Boeing Company The Bond Family Paul and Iris Brest Margy and Elliot Brownstein Heather Byrne The Canning Family Meg Bluhm Carey Alexandra and Marcelo Castro Charles Catlin ’54 Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts
Elen Danenberg The deCourcy Family DeLaCour Family Foundation Sophie DeLaCour Robert and Marilyn DeRight James and Cynthia Dodge Dr. and Mrs. Allan E. Dumont Eaton Vance Management Kamal and Anya El-Wattar Laurie and Joe Engle Essex County Adirondack Garden Club Lee and Ann Farnham Delio and Belkis Fernandez Michael and Rosalind Gillis Goldman, Sachs & Co. Matching Gift Program James Gould Graber-Adamsons Family Elizabeth Harlan Joseph E. and Rosemarie P. Harris Bob Heays Eliza Hewat ’65 The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation Hyde Fuel Company Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland Mr. and Mrs. David T. Kenney Bill Kinzer Anna Kramarsky and Jeanne Bergman David Kraus Thomas Krouwer Ted and Nan Lindsay Lorna Livingston ’50 Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Lollis Hélène Lorentzen The Losam Fund Dudley and Jane Mairs Jean and Jerry Marchildon Marcia Mason McClellan Abigail Mellen ’56 Deborah Model and Joe Falkowski Katherine C. Moore Bonnie and John Morgan Nils and Kara Morgan Jennifer Muller Claudia Murphy Brian and Amy Naftal The Namm Foundation, Inc. (Andrew Namm ’42) Frank and Mary Pellegrini Roger and Rebecca Perry Pew Charitable Trusts Ms. Victoria L. Pillard Don Rand Random House Susan Read ’70 Jake and Mary Redway Jim and Cathy Robjent Lisa and Peter Rowley Stuart and Roni Selig Chris and Claire Severance Silicon Valley Community Foundation Nicole Been Siskind Betsy and Favor Smith Colin and Debby Tait Marilyn Taylor Peter A. Thacher Cornelia and Joseph Tierney Jane Isaacs Toussaint Helen Stuart Twiss
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High Peaks Giving Levels John and Alida Vessey Eric G. Wagner Mara F. Wallace BC Watson and R Izraeli Sam Weinig Barbara Westergaard Dick and Sara Wilde Wolfe Family Trust Cyvia and Melvyn Wolff Family Foundation Melvyn and Cyvia Wolff Bethany and Charles Wynder Beth Zadek and Joph Steckel
Rocky Peak (4,420 ft) $250-$499 Anonymous (8) Robert Adeland American Recycling Technologies, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Henry H. Armstrong ’44 Allegra Harris Azulay Timothy and Claire Barnett Lionel and Deborah Barthold
Donor Profile: Ned Whitney, CTT Parent 90-95
made in their lives,” says Ned. “While their mother and I didn’t experience Treetops directly, our sons’ appreciation of Treetops makes it important to us.” Ned recounts the lessons his sons embraced long after their nights around a campfire. “Treetops encouraged them to be innovative and independent thinkers and to be good leaders and good followers. It taught them to be respectful of and sensitive to others in a group, ultimately making them good teachers of others.”
Lifetime Friends & Lasting Values Like so many Treetops enthusiasts, Ned Whitney can easily describe the lasting effect Camp has on a young life. Only, Ned wasn’t a camper. As the father of William (CTT 90-94, TTF 95, Staff 98-99, 02) and John (CTT 90-94, TTF 95, Staff 97-99, 02-03), he recognizes that Treetops provided formative experiences that yielded his sons both lifetime friends and lasting values. “No other institution even comes close in terms of the fundamental difference it has
Micah Goodman David and Susan Heller Sandra Hurd Hennemeyer John P. Herrera Bruce Hodes Matthew P. Hoffman ’85 IBM Corporation Mr. and Mrs. Judson H. Irish Jr. Scott and Mary Beth Kennedy Jonathan Kerlin Mr. Bradley F. Kerr Jessica Koster John and Meg Kotler James and Emily Kronenberg Greg and Bunny LeClair Steve and Clarissa Lefkowitz Brigit Loud ’96 Gregory and Alicia Marchildon Lauren McGovern and John Sweeney Alan and Alice Model Leni and David Moore Jr. Richard and Barbara Moore Alice Morey and Harvey Weinig
Dr. Claire Basescu Becker/Chase Family The Berkowitzes Henry Bernstein Wing Biddle ’75 Thatcher G. Brown Mr. and Mrs. William L. Brown Luis Browne Alice Gresham Bullock Burnham Financial Services, LLC Seth and Eli Clare David and Jane Condliffe Joan and Jim Darby David deCourcy Cassie Levitt Dippo Mark Dumont and Lynn Mehlman Susan Elman and Joe Ronson Rollie Eubanks Angie and Ted Ewing Greg Farrell David and Daniella Friedman Ehud and Laura Gelblum Alice Woolsey Godfrey
John Whitney agrees, recalling that after their first summer, “It was clear to the whole family that Camp was more than a way to pass the time. It was, and is, a place that centers on people and relationships rather than activities and things. And it was those people and relationships that kept us coming back year after year.” Brother William adds a bit of a twist. “Treetops developed and nurtured a love of the outdoors in both of us,” he says. And he sees outdoor activities as relevant to making connections to others. “One of the ways Treetops develops relationships,” he explains, “is by removing a lot of the modern distractions that isolate us from the natural world. In the absence of modern convenience we experience the natural world on simpler and more
direct terms and through that process gain a greater understanding of ourselves and others.” Ned and his wife Martha Howell have been long-term supporters of the Annual Fund. On a recent occasion to review and update their wills, they included Camp Treetops in their estate plans and became members of the Balanced Rocks Circle. “If you support an institution when you are alive, why wouldn’t you want to support it after your death?” Ned asks. “We like to think that our support of Treetops will help other people’s children have the kind of experiences our sons had.” Says John: “That my parents have joined the Balanced Rocks Circle demonstrates the values that I strive to match. I believe we all learned from Treetops that being part of a community is a privilege—and supporting that community is not a duty but an opportunity to strengthen it.” This past summer Ned and Martha hosted a party at their home in Vermont, and a dozen of the guests were their sons’ fellow counselors and Treetops West adventurers from almost two decades ago. The following weekend, the same group reassembled in Lake Placid for Friends’ Weekend. “In some senses, you never leave Treetops,” Ned says. “And it never leaves you.”
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High Peaks Giving Levels Mullins Family John and Casey Nicholson Paul F. Obrecht, III Clary Olmstead and Kathleen Heenan Oracle Corporation Gillian Printon James R. Pugh Lindsay Putnam Aimée Reveno Jennie Riesman Ella and Peter Robjent Todd and Debra Rosengart Carter Rowley Naemi and Nat Rudykoff Jay Scott Norman Seider Ordway C. Sherman The Simmons Family Dan Slutsky Yasuhiko Sotohama and Setsuko Egashira Dr. David G. Stahl David Steckler The Strogin Family Constance Kane Tucker Quincy Ryland Umphlette Lucia Vail Mr. and Mrs. Emile F. VanderStucken Wells Fargo Foundation Matching Gifts Program The Whiteleather Family Stephanie Yarbrough Young Lyon Floor Covering, Inc
Big Slide (4,240 ft)
$100-$249 Anonymous (17) Robert Abramowitz and Susan Stewart Lynda Lees Adams Maddie Ames Amgen Foundation Staff Credit Card Donation Amy Arvidson and Matt Geyman Carolyn Arvidson Kate Tuttle Asselin
Todd and Pam August Terren Baker Baltimore Community Foundation Judy Bardacke Tina and Peter Barnet Patricia Barnston ’64 Arthur Beecher Harold and Natalie Been Anne Leland Benham The family and friends of Peter Bernays in his memory Marie Bernays Antonia Bifulco Charles A. Bookman The Bookstore Plus, Inc. Thomas and Nicole Broderick Beverly Bronfman Cali Brooks Jim and Marcia Brooks Martha Brooks Paul Brouha ’59 Linda Brown R. Dede Brownstein Anne Burke Mary Ann Champagne Jai Chandrasekhar Kate Chasson Michael Churchill Kay (Faron) and Denny Ciganovic Tom and Alison Clark Clarks Fork Foundation David and Mimi Cohen Helen S. Cohen and Mark Lipman Sean and Shelley Cohen Bill and Carol Collins Kalle Condliffe Susan and Robert Console ’62 Susan Cooley Stephanie Copelin and Mark Abboushi Michael and Sybil Corrigan Katie Culpepper Julie Curtis and Keith Gerstenmaier Laurie M. and Samuel W. Cushman
Cole Cutlip Francis Daby Frances Davis Josh and Jennifer Davis Laura Goff Davis Thomas R. Davis George B. de Brigard Anne Dealy Beth Dennison Lisa Dillmann Ruth Dinowitz Robert Doat Michael and Amity Doolittle Francine Duenas Carolyn Duman Mary Lynne and Bob Eakin Stephen Eige, Nancy Brown and Rebecca Eige Betty Clark Eldridge ’53 Lois Elting Mary Lou Evans Stafford “Corky” Farmer-Lee Gwendolen Storey Feher Samuel Felder and Arietta Slade Payton Fireman ’72 James Ford Duncan Fordyce Linda Bird Francke Jim Friedlander John and Linda Friedlander Patricia D. Friedlander Alex Fulton Dr. Jane Benjamin Gatta Stephen Gessner Mr. and Mrs. Walter Goldfrank Elizabeth and Lloyd Goldmark Shashana Govan Davlyn Grant Howard and Stefanie Greenberg Florence Grieb The family of Cody Gullickson ’08 Mercy Hammond Eric and Lorraine Hansen Meredith Hanson
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High Peaks Giving Levels Mr. and Mrs. Frank R. Harnden Jr. Margaret Hart Thomas Hartshorne Ruth Harzula and Samuel Daunt Guy H. Haskell Nancy and Charles Hatfield Diana M. Hawes Deborah Hecker Heidecorn Family Foundation, Inc. Kaija Helmetag Jeffrey Herrmann Kent Hewitt John Hilts Monica Hindmarch Jody Hochschartner-Boyd, in memory of Joan and Norbert Hochschartner Christina Honde Jeanette Gaston Hooban The Hordubays Ellen Hornstein and Denis Cioffi Ken Hornstein Rich Hornstein Harvey and Claudia Horowitz Patty and Mike Horridge Robert and Danielle Howard Hunt Howell Christopher Hughes David Husing D. Jacobson Evan A. Jenkins Frank Johnson ’62 Lucy and Tracy Johnson Ralph Jones Elizabeth Jordan and Dominic Perry Frank and Jan Jordan Nicole E. Karaman Katz/Simmons Family Jonathan Katz and Amy Davidsen Mariah Kelly Heather Kendall Elizabeth and Adrian Kitzinger Nell Young Klosterman Bruce and Marilyn Konkler
Eli Kramer Jennifer Ladd Terry and Vincent Langone John and Kathy Lanza Beechna Lee ’10 Jae Hyouk Lee Christine LeFevre Mark and Victoria Leone The Honorable Pierre N. Leval Levin Family Daniel Levy and Adrienne Ward Scott and Frederique Lollis Robert Lum Serge and Caroline Lussi Tim Mabee Louis Macario Margaret, Tom and Tommy Mahon The Honorable Ellen H. Maloney and John Ezell Peter and Linda Marchesi Leslie Maslow Joseph Mayer Marsh McCall Dr. Debra McPhee Aaron and Cheryl Megliore Richard Mermin Theodore J. Metzger and Robin A. Fleischner Marcy and Dennis Miller Mirror Lake Inn Dr. Charles E. Moisan Daniel (Pinball) Morel Lynne Spiegelberg Morgan Simon Mould Rosalind Moulton Barbara Mulvey Ms. Emilie Munson Adam Neaman and Bianca Santomasso Network for Good Richard Ochs and Susan Arnold Arkadiusz Olow Dorothy Osborn Dan Ouderkirk Elizabeth Packard Sherman and Sherrie Peale
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Jon and Jenny Pearlman Thomas Penchoen Roswell B. Perkins Jacquie P. Persons David Pettengill Dale Ferris Phillips Nina Pillard and David Cole Jeffrey and Doralynn Pines Todd Pinsonneault Steven Pologe Lizabeth N. Pope Lauren Olitski Poster ’71 Patrice Walker Powell Kathleen Kane Raynor Cary and Nancy Rea Fred and Roz Rea Nancy Reder and Peter Pocock George and Joanne Reed Alice Reich Douglas and Erin Reid Peter and Lynne Reveno Jonathan and Julia Rhoads Betsey Huffman Riley T.P. Riordan Gillian Rittmaster John and Mary Lou Roblee Peter Ronson Ashley and John Rose Amy Rosenberg Elizabeth Rosenstadt Victor Rostow David Rothberg and Alicia Peres Avery Salinger Mr. and Mrs. Luis Samayoa ’68 Karen Sanford Saxton Family Jean and Arthur Schwartz Chuck Schwerin and Laura Bronstein Daniel Schwerin Joshua Schwerin Shelah K. Scott Peter Shaev Jim and Jill Sheffield
High Peaks Giving Levels Zachary Siegel Dan Silin Jonathan Slesinger Shari and Jim Smart Favor and Dianne Smith Laura Smith Drs. Phillip R. Smith and Marjorie Schulman Jenny Smith-Yuen ’84 Stan Solomon ’66 Claire and George Stahler Staritch Foundation, Inc. Kathleen L. Steed Mr. and Ms. Douglas Stein Judith Stein Isabella Steyer Jim and Liz Steyer David Stonebraker, in memory of Charlotte Rea Chris Stoneman Bradley Streeter and Liz Hlavacek Nat (‘62) and Margo Sturgis Charlie and Eve Sutton Jonathan and Karen Sutton Dean Swick Robert and Hope Taft
Tanaquil “Tania” Taubes Hugh Thacher ’62 Amina Tirana Paul and Sarah Titterton Stuart and Susan Topper Sheldon Toubman and Claire Morduch Marty and Gus Trowbridge Jessica Tuck Miles Turner Willa Vail Barry & Teri Volpert Foundation Teri and Barry Volpert Roberta W. Waddell Nicholas Waddington Jacob Wagner David Walis Rachel Walton Anthony Wan and Victoria Hunt Jay and Julie Ward Rebecca Warner Tim and Katie Eldridge Weaver ’78 Ed and Lisa Weibrecht Claire Weisz
Ruth A. Wells Janet Dunn Wentworth ’68 Addie Porrino West William White Courtney Whitney John Whitney and Victoria Escalle Will Barton ’02 Peter Willcox ’68 John and Leonora Williams Sarah and Martin Williams Malcolm Willison Donald E. Winfrey and M. Elizabeth Oates David and Nell Wing Charlie and Nancy Wise Edith B. Wislocki ’59 Bob Witsenhausen Elizabeth and Thomas Wofsey John Wood ’73 Mary Woolsey
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surpass its goal of a $1 million Annual Fund. “It is important that our parents demonstrate their support by participating in the Annual Fund,” says Carmen. “It shows that we truly value the experience we have chosen for our children.”
Donor Profile: Carmen Nigaglioni, NCS Parent 2010-13 Delivering the Whole Package Few are more passionate about all things NCS than Carmen Nigaglioni, mother of Diego Davila, NCS 13. As Parent Chair of last year’s Annual Fund, Carmen chronicled Diego’s—and his family’s—NCS journey and communicated the benefits of investing in the School in a way that deeply resonated with other families. The result? Parent involvement in the Annual Fund reached an unprecedented level.
Carmen explains what led her to become an ambassador of the School. “NCS became part of our lives at a crucial time in Diego’s development. NCS delivered the whole package—the opportunity to explore deeply his academic, social, emotional, musical, and athletic interests— during an extremely important three-year period in his life. That was a game-changer for us.” Carmen and her husband Bob have sought opportunities to support the School wherever and whenever help has been most needed. They have worked alongside skeleton crews to do barn chores during School vacations. They opened their home to international students whose parents were unable to travel at Thanksgiving. And as an impassioned fundraiser, Carmen helped the School
“Although perhaps financially demanding, contributing to the NCS mission is a slam dunk,” she says. “We can’t think of a better return on investment for our philanthropic dollars than investing in a child’s future in a way that presents truly life-changing opportunities for him or her. NCS offers us that opportunity.”
“We can’t think of a better return on investment for our philanthropic dollars than investing in a child’s future.” Navigating secondary school in New Hampshire exceptionally well, Diego carries with him all of the life lessons he gained at NCS, Carmen proudly reports. “The foundation for his success was built over the past three years. He is resilient, confident, and has a deep understanding of the value of hard work. Just ask his new teachers, coaches and peers.” While Diego, along with his 18 classmates, is on to the next chapter of his life, Carmen remains steadfast in her devotion to NCS. “It is hard to imagine where else our son would have had these life-changing experiences. Both Bob and I expect to continue our support of the School. And we expect to be lifelong members of the NCS community.”
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High Peaks Giving Levels Gifts in Celebration of John Seider’s Bar Mitzvah Anonymous (12) Robert and Kira Almeida Elliott Anderson The Berkowitzes Linda Brown David and Cheryl Bunzel Anne Burke Francois Coeytaux Sean and Shelley Cohen David and Jane Fanning Samuel Felder and Arietta Slade Matthew Gates Ehud and Laura Gelblum Howard and Stefanie Greenberg Kimberly Greene Eric and Lorraine Hansen Heidecorn Family Foundation, Inc. David and Susan Heller Monica Hindmarch Frederick and Jill Hyman D. Jacobson Michael and Denise Josephs James and Emily Kronenberg Jack Lazarus Steve and Clarissa Lefkowitz Paul Levy Robert Lum Caroline Mandel Susan Miller William Ortner PepsiCo Foundation Matching Gift Program David Proctor Gillian Rittmaster Amy Rosenberg Elizabeth Rosenstadt Norman Seider Peter Shaev Thomas and Carol Speed Zoe Spinks Dean Swick Jacob Wagner Anthony Wan and Victoria Hunt Leslie Wank Wolfe Family Trust Beth Zadek and Joph Steckel
Cascade (4,098 ft)
Gifts up to $99 and gifts in kind Anonymous (25) Marianela Acosta Aetna Foundation, Inc. Ivy Alexander Robert and Kira Almeida American Endowment Foundation Steve and Nan Amstutz Juliet Asante Brook Seawell Ashley, in memory of Celeste Crenshaw Daniel August Elliott August The Bank of America Matching Gifts Jessica Becker Colin and Jenny Bell The Benner Family Erica and Herb Bergamini Drs. Laurie and Herbert Bergamini Edwin and Fern Beschler Mr. and Mrs. Milton I. Bickle Laura Bill Audrey Bishop Jean Bookman Zachary Bookman Christie Maria Borden ’92 Elisabeth Bouché Elizabeth Bradley Christian Brammer and Jane Haugh David Bronfman Heather C. Brown Jim Brush and Donna Foley David and Cheryl Bunzel Julie Canepa Joey Carey Joanne Carkner David Chandler G. Andy Chase ’69 Stuart and Monie Chase Chevron Humankind Matching Gift Program Hope S. Childs Juliet Clarke and Robert Fisher Ace Clarke-Fisher Connor Clinton Francois Coeytaux Adam Creissen Timothy and Donna Dacosta Sarah D’Agostino Emily Daniels Amy N. Davis Jane Davis Mike DeLesseps Jerry de Rham Christine Degolyer Peter Delman and Maureen Crowley Emily Dershowitz Penny Dieffenbach Alexander F. Doan and Ceclia E. Traugh John and Libby Doan Cleveland H. Dodge Foundation, Inc. Sean Donovan Todd Dowling James and Karen Dumont Nolan Dumont Elena Eder
Alan Eldridge Bliss Eldridge Noni P. Eldridge ’78 Ms. Ashlynne Elliott Nathan Fairman David and Jane Fanning Claire Fellman Wayne and Kathryn Fisher Lisa and George Fishler Justin Fletcher Monica and Darin Forbes William Forbes Edward W. Fox Jr. ’57 Loulie Fair Fox Nicky Frechette Doug Gallant Matthew Gates Mimi Geier Julie Getzels Benjamin Geyman Jackson Gilkey Sheri Gold Deborah (Churchill) Goodell, in memory of Helen Haskell Jill Gordon Lily Gordon Michael and Kimberly Corwin Gray ’95 Kimberly Greene Sierra Grennan Linda Groetzinger Susan Grosse Sara Blum Hadden ’69 Patrick and Ann Hainault Piri Halasz Danielle Ramati Hamlin Richard Hanau Peter Hansen and Marie Tapert Alberta Hemsley Aleks Hickey Frederick W. Hilles Jr. Cathryn Holinger Sidney Horowitz and Gladys Deutsch Luke and Andrea Hudak Bill and Heidi Humes Peter and Joan Hunt Zina Huxley-Reicher Jane Hyde Frederick and Jill Hyman Devon and Meredith Jacobs Joplin and Alison James Elsbeth S. Johnson Sarah Jonathan Michael and Denise Josephs Maryna A. Kaplan J. L. Kash Andrea Kavanaugh Isabel Kellers Lauren Kelly Kevin (KK) Kenner Dorothy Kenny Ms. Diane Kletz Andrew and Valery Knox Greta Konkler John and Sarah Koster Sarah Kramer Gioia Kuss ’74 Jack Lazarus
page 11 - Annual Report, September 1, 2012 – August 31, 2013
High Peaks Giving Levels Paul Levy Susan Lloyd-Yolen David and Hallie Localio David Loud Joel Lowsky Martha Mabee ’57 Hugh C. MacDougall Jill and David Magurk Caroline Mandel Lawrence and Ruth Manley Geraldine Marrocco Jane B. Mason and Brian Vaughan Sean McGloon Mary Hordubay McKenzie Donata (Doe) Coletti Mechem Ed and Libby Faron Mell The Majewski Family JoAnn Mendillo Johanna Messer Carlton and Elma Metzloff Susan Miller Matthew Mitchell Maryann Monaco Louise More Adele Morgan and Michael Curran Lena H. Myers Mr. and Mrs. Richard F. Nace Jr. Kimberly Narol Lisa D. Nicholson Sarah Nicholson ’72 Carrie Niebanck George G. Nimick Sr. Rick, Evelyn and Caitlin O’Connor Paul Olin William Ortner Oz and Kris Osborn Joan Pachner and Richard Newman Leona Palmer Timothy Parker Paulette and Mark Peduzzi PepsiCo Foundation Matching Gift Program Jacob Perrin Audrey Petrie John Picaro
Eliza Pillard and Kenneth Spencer David and Barbara Plimpton Wendy Powers David Proctor Kate Kubert Puls Molly Pytleski Amy and Andrew Quinn Lourdes Ramirez Janine Alpert Randol Mark Richards Katherine and Coulter Richardson Helgard Rittenberg Mark Rowley Meg Runyon Lisa Sands and Joan Balash Bonnie Schneider Robin Scribner Robert and Carol Scofield Sharon Scott Sylvia Selig Jeremy and Susan Shamos Margaret Shaw Daniel Sherman Zosh Skowronska Eliot Sloan Margaret Sloane Jack Smart Timothy and Janet Smith Martha Pritchard Spear and John L. Spear, in memory of Anne Martindell Thomas and Carol Speed Zoe Spinks Frances Starn Anne and Marc Starr Mr. Robert M. Stein Jr. Lee Swedowsky Elizabeth Tait Sheila and Bill Tavares Paul Theimer Cynthia Thomas Helen Thomas John and Lesley Trevor Micah Turner Jeremy and Judith Walsh
Leslie Wank Sarah Seabury Ward Sid Jr. and Jan Ward Caitlin Wargo Judith Weitzman Tim Wennrich Jill Werfel George and Susan West Herb Wilkinson Amy Winarsky and Michael Takuff Daniel C. Wing ’62 Patricia Winter Liz Wise
The donor lists included in the Annual Report come from various sources. Despite our best efforts to avoid errors and omissions, they do occasionally occur. If you contributed and your name was omitted, misspelled, or listed in the wrong place, please accept our sincere apology—and do let us know. Please call the Advancement Office at 518-523-9329, x 5446.
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Endowments We are grateful to the individuals and families who have made the extraordinary commitment of establishing named endowments. Many thanks as well to all who have made contributions. These funds honor a friend or family member’s legacy in meaningful fashion while benefiting North Country School and Camp Treetops in perpetuity. If you have questions about a current fund or would like to discuss the establishment of a new fund, please contact Kurt Terrell, Director of Advancement, at 518-837-5446 or kterrell@ncstreetops.org.
General Endowment Fund and Gifts in Memory
Memorial gifts support the general endowment unless the donor specifies otherwise. Others choose to give directly to this fund. Brook Seawell Ashley, in memory of Celeste Crenshaw Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Laura and David Harris Jody Hochschartner-Boyd, in memory of Joan and Norbert Hochschartner Mr. and Mrs. Judson H. Irish Jr. Elise Keely Jessica Koster John and Mary Lou Roblee, in loving memory of Katherine Tait McNally David Stonebraker, in memory of Charlotte Rea
Gifts in Memory of Julia Taft Jonathan Anonymous (2) Ivy Alexander Erica and Herb Bergamini Bill and Carol Collins
Comprehensive Orthopaedics & Musculoskeletal Care, LLC Timothy and Donna Dacosta Michael and Amity Doolittle Carolyn Duman Stephen Eige, Nancy Brown and Rebecca Eige Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund James Ford Laura and David Harris John Hilts Cathryn Holinger Sidney Horowitz and Gladys Deutsch Robert and Danielle Howard Susan Lloyd-Yolen Lawrence and Ruth Manley Geraldine Marrocco JoAnn Mendillo Maryann Monaco Mr. and Mrs. Richard F. Nace Jr. Rick, Evelyn and Caitlin O’Connor Mr. and Mrs. Sumner Parker ’41 Meredith Prime Robin Scribner Robert and Hope Taft Sheldon Toubman and Claire Morduch Rachel Walton Courtney Whitney
Beck Seider Family Fund
Milton and Liesa Allen Fund
For NCS & CTT Endowment
For Faculty Salaries
David and Peggy Bailey Fund
In honor of the founders of Woodstock Country School
page 13 - Annual Report, September 1, 2012 – August 31, 2013
For CTT Scholarships Lisa Beck and Mitch Seider Norman Seider
Beyond the Mountains Fund For Faculty Development
Bob Bliss Fund
For Waterfront Improvements
Bramwell Family Fund (formerly Katherine Bramwell Hamilton) For NCS & CTT Endowment
Mildred Brooks Nature Program Fund For CTT Salaries Susan Localio
Leo and Walter Clark Fund For NCS & CTT Endowment
Brion Crowell Fund Kitty and Carl (C.D.) Dennett Scholarship Fund For NCS Scholarships
Dumont Scholarship Fund For CTT Scholarships Anonymous
Endowments Dr. and Mrs. Allan E. Dumont David and Melanie Dumont Mark Dumont and Lynn Mehlman Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Renaissance Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Harry K. Eldridge Scholarship Fund For NCS Scholarships Betty Clark Eldridge ’53 Bliss Eldridge Oz and Kris Osborn James R. Pugh
Feather Foundation Fund For Gardens and Greenhouse
Eric Feldsberg Memorial Scholarship Fund For CTT Scholarships
Garden Fund
For Program Enhancement
Reginald Gilliam Mountaineering Leadership and Scholarship Fund For Mountaineering Program Support and CTT Scholarships Anonymous (3) Todd and Pam August Anne Leland Benham Alice Gresham Bullock David Carter David Chandler
Kay (Faron) and Denny Ciganovic The Community Foundation for The National Capital Region David deCourcy Lisa Dillmann James and Karen Dumont Mark Dumont and Lynn Mehlman Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Freddie Mac Foundation Reggie Govan Joseph E. and Rosemarie P. Harris Deborah Hecker Tessa Huxley and Andy Reicher Michael and Danelle Kelly Liza Ketchum Mrs. Nell Young Klosterman Bill and Jan Localio Dudley and Jane Mairs Marian Osterweis Mr. and Mrs. Sumner Parker ’41 Patrice Walker Powell James R. Pugh Nancy Reder and Peter Pocock Jake and Mary Redway Dan Silin Timothy and Janet Smith Stan Solomon ’66 Jim and Liz Steyer Charlie and Eve Sutton Rebecca Warner Bethany and Charles Wynder
Tsu Hansen Fund
Govan Family Fund
Restricted Endowment
For CTT Scholarships Freddie Mac Foundation Reggie Govan Shashana Govan
For NCS & CTT Endowment
Harlan Family Fund For NCS & CTT Endowment Rollie Eubanks
Doug Haskell Fund For CTT Scholarships Malcolm Willison
Helen Haskell Fund For NCS & CTT Endowment
Kaye Clark Hoins Fund For NCS & CTT Endowment
Lindsay Johnson Fund For NCS Scholarships
Adlin and Sherman Loud Scholarship Fund For NCS Scholarships Kay (Faron) and Denny Ciganovic Mary Lou Evans Brigit Loud ’96 Ed and Libby Faron Mell
Anne Martindell Gardening Fund The Master Teacher Fund For Faculty Salaries
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Endowments Peter W. Merle-Smith Fund
Olmstead Fund
Kate C. Moore Fund
Arthur W. Parker Fund
For CTT Scholarships
For CTT Scholarships Cornelia and Joseph Tierney
Christopher Nicholson Memorial Fund For NCS Scholarships
Diana E. Oehrli Fund
Restricted Endowment Susan Welch Williams ’54
For NCS & CTT Endowment Martha P. Brooks Mr. and Mrs. Sumner Parker ’41
Spiegelberg Fund For Scholarships Janet Spiegelberg Hyman ’49
Susan Powell Fund
Elizabeth Claire Stein Scholarship Fund
For NCS Scholarships Sarah Powell Culverwell ’51
For CTT Scholarships The Gruben Charitable Foundation Diana Oehrli
Prince de Ramel Charitable Trusts Fund
Okin Fund
Joyce Pearson Prock Fund
For Maintenance on Capital Improvements Laura Okin Ken Okin
Sylvia Pool Sperling Fund For Visiting Artists
For NCS & CTT Endowment
For CTT Scholarships Anonymous (2) Aliza Family Foundation Antonia Bifulco Anne Bretz-Aronoff Sarah D’Agostino Christine Degolyer Mr. and Mrs. Walter Goldfrank J. L. Kash Bill and Jan Localio Anne and Marc Starr
For Faculty Salaries
For NCS & CTT Endowment
Smith Family Foundation Fund For NCS Scholarships
Donor Profile: Sandy Nowicki NCS 57, CTT & NCS Staff, CTT & NCS Parent, Trustee
Support for Today and Tomorrow
Sandy Nowicki first experienced North Country School as a student living in Glass House in the 1950s. She vividly recalls the warm welcome into Walter and Leo Clark’s extended family, one surrounded by classical music and natural beauty. Those first five years at School left a deep impression that helped shape the person she is today. Over the past 60 years, Sandy has remained a devoted member of the North Country School and Camp Treetops family. She has served in nearly every role imaginable—from student, counselor, and teacher to parent, volunteer, and trustee. Her deep institutional knowledge, acquired over decades from several vantage points, informs her inspired support of School and Camp. “The time I have spent on campus shows me not only what we must do for the place today, but also what is needed for tomorrow,” says Sandy. “It feels good to be so involved.”
page 15 - Annual Report, September 1, 2012 – August 31, 2013
Endowments Mr. and Ms. Douglas Stein Helen Stein Judith Stein
Frank H. Wallace Fund
Strong Roots, High Peaks Greening and Renewal Fund Strong Roots, High Peaks Faculty Support Fund Strong Roots, High Peaks Scholarship Fund For NCS & CTT Scholarships Catherine Oppenheimer
For Faculty Enrichment Joel and Christine DeYoung Laura and David Harris
Jerome P. Webster III Fund For NCS & CTT Endowment
Herbert and Maria West Fund
For NCS Intern Salaries David Hochschartner and Selden West
Winter’s Children Fund For NCS Scholarships
John O. Zimmerman Fund
Margaret and Randolph Thrower Fund
For NCS & CTT Endowment
By the Numbers: FY 2012-2013
5
NCS students attending annual Adirondack Youth Climate Summit
305
Guests for Thanksgiving dinner
6
All-school ski days at Whiteface
27
Courses offered during Intersession
800
Dollars raised by a student-organized flea market/silent auction and donated to a community health center in Burundi
For Greening and Renewal Laura and David Harris
11 Head of School and Camp David Hochschartner is grateful for that involvement. “In her quiet and modest way, Sandy has been an invaluable leader for the institution,” Hock says. “Her legacy will live on in the experiences that students and campers have today and for generations to come.” Sandy attributes her longstanding philanthropic commitment—which began when her daughter first came to Camp—to a lifetime collection of poignant moments and enduring memories. She recalls one such moment from this past Friends’ Weekend. “On that last picture-perfect afternoon, I could hardly bring myself to leave the Lake Hill,” she says, “and I felt that there was no place in the world quite like NCS/Treetops.”
Her deep institutional knowledge, acquired over decades from several vantage points, informs her inspired support of School and Camp. “Helping support School and Camp financially is important to me because of all the institution has done for me,” she says. “It’s also for the countless children I have been lucky enough to work with whose lives have been trans-
formed by their experiences at Treetops and NCS.” Her contributions include support of the Strong Roots, High Peaks Campaign. Of the Campaign’s goals, both scholarship availability and endowment growth are especially important to her. “Scholarships make it possible to welcome kids from all over to School and Camp. Support for scholarships helps take care of the needs of today.” At the same time, Sandy continues, “our endowment speaks to our concern for our future, and involvement in the Strong Roots, High Peaks Campaign is one way to secure that future.” Sandy is gratified that her son Stefan (CTT 87-91, 93, staff 97-03, 06, 11) and daughter Sara (CTT 79-83, staff 85-88, NCS 84) share her desire to strengthen the institution through support. “I never asked them to do so,” Sandy says. “Those decisions come from their own positive associations and connections. My children feel they are part of the School and Camp family, too.”
Horseback riders in student drill teams
57
Speaking parts in the spring dramatic production of Wicked
41
International campers at Treetops
17
Countries called home by Treetops’ international campers
7
Children and grandchildren of current and former Treetops’ directors on staff in 2013
2
Scarecrow birthdays celebrated in the Children’s Garden
96
Pounds of chicken harvested by Senior campers
30
Miles canoed in a single day by Junior campers on the Idiot Trip
12
ADK High Peaks summited by campers during the Five-Day hike
275
Attendees at Friends’ Weekend
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Ringing in the New Fiscal Year Hosting Environmental Experts in NYC
The environmental panel in Manhattan on October 1st was a tremendous success. Moderator Amy Davidsen and panelists Richard Rockefeller, Tom Steyer, and Bill McKibben provided fascinating, inside takes on pressing issues of climate change. After the event, Hock posted the following observations on the Head’s Blog on www.northcountryschool.org. My quick take-aways about climate change from the discussion: From Richard Rockefeller: In a society in which so many experience the trauma of poverty, unemployment, poor health, and unsafe neighborhoods, it is no wonder that citizens make shortterm decisions that go against their long-term needs, including those of the planet. From Tom Steyer: Experience with several campaigns suggests that the political will to tackle climate change does exist in this country, but it may well come from local and regional levels and not the federal government. From Bill McKibben: Though knowledge of the biosphere and climate change is important, it is the experiential, close contact with the natural world that will play a key role in raising the next generation of environmental stewards and activists. The bottom-line on which all three panelists agreed: climate change is the defining issue of our time.
Fall Alumni Events
reception before the play and afterwards arranged for actors to meet with our group. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the production and the opportunity to share such an experience together. Also in November, a small group of School and Camp alums and friends gathered at the Paragon in San Francisco. Board Chair Dennis Aftergut gave a brief update on the current state of affairs of School and Camp. Attendees watched a 2.5 minute video of highlights from the environmental panel discussion in New York City. Response to the short trailer was so enthusiastic that staff showed a more substantive 12-minute version of the 90-minute event. Discussion after the longer video was lively and thoughtful. Stay tuned for more details about future screenings of the environmental panel video in your area.
NCS Thanksgiving
The daughter and granddaughter of alumni had the honor of carrying the ceremonial turkey to the head table this year. In her sixth year at NCS, ninth grader Anabell Corwin was this year’s turkey carrier, and she did a wonderful job. She was joined by 285 guests for the annual traditional feast. Eighth-grade waiters maneuvered admirably throughout the jampacked dining room and into the foyer. Head cook Paulette Peduzzi and her kitchen crew prepared their usual spectacular meal, much of it made from ingredients raised on our farm and picked from our gardens. Earlier in the fall students and staff harvested the 10 turkeys that yielded 213 pounds of turkey meat. The meal also included 60 pounds of squash and green beans, and more than 120 pounds of potatoes, all grown in our garden. The homemade stuffing was made from our own onions, leeks, bread crumbs, and sausage. Longtime staffer Jill Magurk baked 44 loaves of sourdough bread the day before Thanksgiving, and Paulette made 70 apple and pumpkin pies for dessert.
In November, approximately two dozen NCS and CTT alums, friends, and former staff gathered at the beautiful Woolly Mammoth Theatre in Washington, DC, for a performance of “Appropriate,” a dark, family comic-drama. Woolly Mammoth Managing Director Jeffrey Herrmann (CTT staff 91-94, 97) hosted a
After lunch, the adults adjourned to the Quonset for Hock’s “state of the school” speech and later were rejoined by their children for the fall term slide show. To close out the festivities, music teacher John Doan led everyone in song.
page 17 - Annual Report, September 1, 2012 – August 31, 2013
Highlights from Fall 2013 Treetops Senior Camp Main House
After the ground breaking during Friends’ Weekend in August, progress on the renovation of the Main House has come fast. Following work to prepare the site, contractors poured concrete for the foundations for the dining room and kitchen extensions. Next came the framing for the walls and roof, followed by the installation of windows, which meant the new structure was almost fully enclosed by late December. After New Years, work continued on the exterior siding, while inside, the focus moved to the installation of plumbing, electric, and interior walls and trim. Work is on schedule to be completed well before the opening of the 2014 camp season. As the building progresses, so too does excitement about the prospect of a brighter, roomier dining room and an upgraded kitchen facility able to process more of the fresh food produced on the farm. Both improvements are in keeping with the mealtime etiquette envisioned by Helen Haskell—one that strengthens community bonds, encourages thoughtful conversation, and pays proper respect to the growing and preparing of our healthy food.
NCS/Treetops win NY State Grants
In mid-December, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the recipients of the state’s Economic Development Council grants. Our seven-county area known as the North Country received $81.3 million in funding, more than 10 percent of the total awarded. Of those, North Country School and Camp Treetops had two proposals funded, an extraordinary measure of confidence in the greening efforts of our small institution. The first grant will fund a mini-district biomass plant to heat Farm House, the small animal barn, and other future farm initiatives; the second will fund a continuous flow, rotating drum composting system that will break down food scraps more efficiently, with fewer opportunities for flies to breed. Both grants are part of the state’s Cleaner Greener Communities Initiative, an effort NCS/Treetops has been involved with for almost two years.
2013 Farm Production Despite a wet summer, 2013 was another banner year for the NCS/Treetops farm. Just as impressive as the numbers is the involvement of students and campers, who are active participants in every step from seed to harvest, farm to fork, kitchen to compost. Farm manager Mike Tholen loves to quote Wendell Berry: “Eating is an agricultural act.” But farming is also a labor of love, and we are more than fortunate for the devotion of our amazing farm staff who run an increasingly productive, year-round operation and pass on to children and adults alike their ardor for their chosen field. Type and Amount
Retail Monetary Value
Vegetables, herbs, greens
$55,739.24
More than 50 species for 15,607.28 lbs
Eggs
$9,732
~ 200 birds averaging 80 eggs/day 29,200 (2,433 dozen) eggs
Goat Milk
$600
Average 20 oz per day, April – November 50 gallons
Maple Syrup
$4,200
75 gallons
Pork
$16,864
16 hogs for 2,428 pounds of meat
Poultry
$5,377.26
215 birds for 1,317.41 pounds of meat
Lamb
$5,679
21 lambs for 549 pounds of meat
Wool 392 skeins, 4oz/260 yards each
$7,056 Total Value: $105,247.50
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Coming Events Keep an eye on your mailbox for more information coming soon or contact Kimberly Corwin Gray at kcorwingray@ncstreetops.org or 518-837-5407.
March to July (dates TBA) Regional Viewings of “From Alarm to Action, What Works?” Watch the video of last October’s environmental panel discussion in NYC
April 9 – 13, 2014 Friends’ Weekend at Alta Lodge A long weekend of spring skiing at one of Utah’s finest resorts
August 20 – 24, 2014 Friends’ Weekend Our annual on-campus gathering for alums and families