Spring 2023 Outlook

VENTURE OUT LAUNCHES SUCCESSFULLY

Do you know what’s inside an owl pellet? Neither did the students from Trenton who attended our new Venture Out Program. For the record, it’s made up of skulls, fur, and bones that an owl can’t digest.

The Princeton-Blairstown Center’s (PBC) new Venture Out Program, an environmental education initiative offered free of charge to Trenton middle-school students, officially launched in April. PBC sees Venture Out as a unique opportunity to move our mission forward and live our core values of service, partnership, sustainability, and social justice, by providing equitable access to high-quality outdoor education experiences to students with limited opportunities and access to green space.

One impetus for the program comes from the fact that students from more affluent surrounding communities near Trenton have opportunities for multi-day trips to outdoor centers built into their schools’ curricula and traditions. This is not true for Trenton students, many of whom have limited opportunities to leave their communities, much less engage in hands-on learning in a pristine natural setting like PBC’s.

Venture Out is a 30-hour residential program that combines inquiry-based, hands-on environmental education and social emotional learning (SEL) sessions that help students engage more deeply with science and the scientific method, understand that science is fun, and enjoy opportunities to explore future STEM careers. Our curriculum was designed by Dr. Mark DeBiasse, Vice President of Programs, and is aligned to the State of New Jersey’s middle school science curriculum standards. With seed funding from the Princeton Area Community Foundation and Janssen, and in partnership with AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps, our vision for Venture Out became a reality.

Our early Venture Out partners were Mercer Street Friends, who brought students from

Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School, and the Boys & Girls Club of Mercer County, who brought students from a range of schools. Students participated in a forest ecology wildlife hike; immersive environmental science lessons that included a stream study; a phenology and climate change exploration; a predator, prey, and survival adaptations exercise; a symbiotic relationships exercise; a stargazing and astronomy lesson; and owl pellet dissections.

Alicia Navarrete, PBC’s Sr. Facilitator for the Venture Out Program, shared that “the owl pellet dissection was new, different, and impactful” for almost every student. She also said they liked, “the forest hike for its inquirybased instruction and the chance to acclimate to and explore their new surroundings.” Student feedback has been positive with some highlights ranging from seeing a salamander, rock climbing, and crossing a rope bridge over water. The vast majority of students thought the experience

was fun because, “We got to try things that we have never done before. We were also able to bond more with each other.”

Research from Stanford University has found that students experienced a 90% increase in social-emotional and academic skills after outdoor education opportunities. PBC’s goal is to grow Venture Out so that one day it serves all Trenton middle school students. Every donation you make allows us to bring more students to our Campus to teach kids that learning can be fun and exposes them to experiences that will encourage them to consider careers in STEM. Thank you, and please give generously so we can serve more students and make this vision a reality!

With gratitude,

Claudia Franco Kelly Pam Gregory Board Chair President & CEO

A program participant gets outside to smell the marigolds, smiling.

1948-1950

1949-1972

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Programming

Overthe the course of the pandemic, PBC’s Vice President of Programs

Dr. Mark DeBiasse and Sr. Facilitator Tabs Alam created a hands-on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) program focused on building a transformative social emotional learning (SEL) framework. “It has been deeply gratifying to see the curriculum we wrote during the dark days of the pandemic come alive and have a positive impact on our participants,” Mark shared.

Anchored in the premise of justice-oriented community, it addresses issues of culture, identity, agency, belonging, and engagement explored as expressions of the five core SEL competencies. The curriculum includes three challenge levels, designed to meet participants where they are and move them along the continuum of the DE&I framework.

During 2022, our first year returning to more traditional programming post-pandemic, Program Manager and DE&I Coordinator Handy Pierre estimated about 15% of groups visiting PBC were interested in engaging in the new DE&I programming. Groups included NJ SEEDS, Princeton University’s Community Action program, Girls; Live, Love, Laugh, Inc. staff, the Hackley School, and Morristown Beard School. He shared, “when staff deliver DE&I workshops, we create safe spaces for difficult conversations. Participants will often say that they don’t really have opportunities to have these conversations and it’s refreshing to have spaces that are created just for that purpose.”

Mark is proud of PBC’s decision to expand our program offerings in this area and “excited about the impact we can have on student groups who might otherwise not be exposed to this type of programming in a safe, outdoor setting.” Tabs hopes that as partners begin to choose DEI programming, new spaces to have more meaningful conversations will emerge. She believes that “holding more spaces for these conversations are necessary, especially for our BIPOC/marginalized communities. Identity is a complicated subject and often a politicized concept around the world but

especially in America. Identity politics is at the center of so many conversations, especially with our primary service population, that it becomes impossible for us to ignore.”

PBC’s curriculum helps staff approach these topics in a way designed to facilitate pathways for conversation rather than confrontation. For instance, one DEI activity that is part of PBC’s curriculum is called “Four Corners.” The corners of the room or area in which students are participating are designated “strongly agree,” “agree,” “disagree,” and “strongly disagree.” Facilitators use a list of prompts to generate discussion in a safe, nonconfrontational atmosphere. For example, the Facilitator may say “sexual orientation is something that can be chosen,” and participants move to the designated area that aligns most with their view. From there, Facilitators guide the discussion.

DEI programming is conducted in small groups with the same Facilitator guiding the small group throughout the visit. This way participants are best positioned to feel most comfortable working on what may be uncomfortable conversations. Once a partner decides to include DEI programming into their PBC adventure, the Center’s facilitators will decide which of our 35+ DEI activities to incorporate into the group’s programming based on a variety of factors such as the size of the group, experience with this type of programming, time allotted, and the group’s goals.

DEI is a new but fundamental piece of PBC’s programming. Handy explained, “DEI training gives us a chance to get to know and understand each other, learn about our differences, but also understand that there is so much more that brings us together.”

Staff from Girls; Live, Love, Laugh, Inc., visited PBC for a retreat focused on DEI, teamwork, and communication.

Philadelphian Purchased 105-acre Bass McAlpin Princeton Summer Frank Broderick Ev Pinneo serves as Princeton Football Society runs property for Lake site Infirmary built Camp closed due becomes student student director of Team practices at the first session of the Princeton purchased and in memory of to WW II director and first the Princeton Summer Princeton Summer the Princeton Summer Camp first year of camp Dr. D. Hunter Africen American Camp Camp every August Sumnmer Camp near Bay Head held at new site McAlpin campers were accepted

A group of participants working on trust excercises.

115 Years of Impact: A Brief Timeline

Honoring Dr. Robert Rivers & Hendricks Davis

PBCrecently honored two outstanding individuals who have been influential in the PBC community, during last year’s annual Woodcutters event. Woodcutters is a day of service and camaraderie for the purpose of winterizing the beautiful Blairstown Campus.

Dr. Robert Rivers was honored with the naming of the “Rivers Porch.” Dr. Rivers’ long history with the Princeton-Blairstown Center began in 1946 as one of the first Black campers to attend what was then called the Princeton Summer Camp. Dr. Rivers has said that receiving the “Best Camper” award –on the same porch that was just named for him – was one of the defining moments in his life. Dr. Rivers entered Princeton University as one of its first black students and served as a counselor in Blairstown during his undergraduate years. He went on to graduate from Harvard Medical School and served as a trustee and honorary trustee of the Center.

Hendricks Davis was also honored. Hendricks was the Executive Director of PBC from 1993-2004. Hendricks believes that the part of his work that was most impactful was creating a sense of community at PBC. The work that he did created a community that is “still connected – across the years, across the miles, and across the world.” However, Hendricks does not give himself sole credit for making an impact on PBC. He said, “So many things were done not because of me singularly, but because of we – together.”

Randy D. Stephens Elected to Board of Trustees

PBC recently welcomed Randy D. Stephens to its Board of Trustees.

Soirée Under the Stars

Welcome back to the Soirée Under the Stars! Happening on May 5, 2023, at Springdale Golf Club in Princeton, NJ, this benefit evening features food, drink, awards, and fun! All funds raised from this event support the Center’s awardwinning Summer Bridge Program.

Scan for more information, tickets, and to purchase sponsorships or visit: https://bit.ly/pbc-soiree2023

Born and raised in Trenton, NJ, Randy is a first-generation college graduate who attended Trenton Catholic High School. Randy holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in Communications from Hofstra University. He also earned a Master’s of Science in Organizational Leadership from Cairn University.

Randy currently serves as a Business Relationship Manager for the New Jersey Business and Industry Association (NJBIA). Prior to that he served as a Regional Sales Manager, as well as a Business Advisor at New Jersey Economic Development Authority.

Dr. Robert Rivers (seated, center) and Hendricks Davis (standing, second from left) were honored for their contributions to the Center.

Hendricks Davis sitting on the bench dedicated to him.

Harold Watters John Danielson Year-round Name changed Ev Pinneo serves as Egner Endowment Name changed Jennie Curtis serves takes over as serves as the first program to Princeton second Executive set up thanks to to Princeton- as third Executive Facilities Manager Executive Director developed Education Center Director bequest by Blairstown Director at Blairstown Carl Egner Center

In Memory of Tom Arnold

Ourbeloved colleague and friend, Tom Arnold, passed away unexpectedly Monday, October 24, 2022, after sustaining injuries from a bicycle fall.

Born in Bronxville, NY, Tom spent his childhood in Old Greenwich, CT and attended Greenwich Country Day School. He studied at the Pomfret School and completed a postgraduate year abroad at Haileybury in Hertfordshire, England. After graduating from Kenyon College in Ohio, Tom moved to New York City where he pursued a successful career in advertising. Tom’s first marriage to Kathleen Reilly ended in divorce but produced his beloved daughter Lucy.

Eventually Tom grew tired of the commute to NYC, and he spent several years managing the Halo Farm and Halo Pub ice cream shops. During this time, he met and married Martha Bolster and they settled in Ewing, NJ.

Tom will be remembered for his love of adventure. After several formative canoe camping trips in Maine in his adolescence, Tom became an avid outdoorsman - enjoying kayaking, canoeing, camping, hiking, biking, and jogging. Tom’s interests took him on a National Outdoor Leadership School expedition in 2004 to the Wind River Valley of Wyoming to develop his wilderness and outdoor education and leadership skills.

Through the Bolster family, Tom became acquainted with Camp Dudley in Westport, NY and spent several summers sharing his love of adventure with its campers and frequently leading overnight hiking trips. He had a unique ability to connect effortlessly with the young

and the old. Later he worked at Project U.S.E., Outward Bound, and became an adjunct at PBC.

In July of 2013, he joined the year-round staff of PBC where he served as an Assistant Program Director and then Program Director until he retired in March of 2018. Tom continued to serve as an adjunct and volunteer for PBC after his retirement, working every Princeton Friends School trip and volunteering for every Woodcutters. During the fall of 2021 and throughout 2022, Tom served as a highly valued adjunct who was omnipresent and irreplaceable to the PBC program team.

His kindness, passion for PBC, love of kids, dedication to experiential education, intellect, sense of humor, and generosity of spirit will be forever remembered and missed by all who knew him. PBC will plant a tree in his memory this Spring.

Tom is survived by his wife Martha Bolster, his daughter Lucy Arnold Gore, Lucy’s husband Nick, and Tom’s beloved grandchildren Stella and Connor Gore.

A Tribute to Tom Arnold

By Martha Bolster

On February 11th we celebrated and commemorated Tom’s life at a venue in Brooklyn, where we learned how many lives he touched. Groups from different parts of his life—from elementary school through PrincetonBlairstown Center, his last place of employment—shared great memories of adventures, live music shows, and deep conversations with Tom.

Everyone who spoke mentioned Tom’s ability to connect with others, his unique laugh, and his lifelong friendships. They also talked about his love of music, books, the outdoors, biking, and his grandchildren.

Tom was laid back, funny, kind, and curious — qualities that came through in the words of his friends and colleagues — and he left us way too soon. He is greatly missed by so many people, who believe their lives are richer for having known Tom.

It is my fondest hope that Tom’s memory will live on at the campus of the Princeton-Blairstown Center and in the hearts of everyone who knew him.

Michael S. Fletcher II Elected to Board of Trustees

PBC recently welcomed East Orange resident Michael S. Fletcher II to its Board of Trustees. For more than two decades, Michael has been committed to providing access to high quality education to youth from historically marginalized communities. He is currently the Chief of Staff and Director, Administration at SEEDS - Access Changes Everything and is also the Founder & CEO of the Ely Prospect Consulting Group.

He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a certificate in African-American Studies from Princeton University and a Master’s Degree in Education Leadership, Policy and Management from Seton Hall University.

Tom Arnold

Hendricks Davis Philo Elmer serves David Moriah serves Wardell Robinson PBC becomes an Summer Bridge Lakeside Johnson serves as fourth as fifth Executive as sixth Executive Moore serves as independent Program begins Wash House Apartments Executive Director Director Director seventh Executive 501(c)(3) organization. built renovation Director Pam Gregory becomes completed eighth Executive Director

Where Are They Now: Ev Pinneo ’48

Formore than seven decades, Ev Pinneo has been involved with the PrincetonBlairstown Center. Over that time, he has had an impact on countless campers, staff, and volunteers, but his modest demeanor means he is often reluctant to acknowledge that impact. As PBC’s “elder statesman,” Ev is the perfect choice to recognize in our Where Are They Now series. If you would like to be featured in an upcoming newsletter, please email Meredith Murray at mmurray@ princetonblairstown.org.

How did you first learn about Princeton-Blairstown Center?

I lived in Cuyler Hall at Princeton and one of the guys who lived upstairs was going to be working at Blairstown in the summer. They were looking for someone to be an athletic coach for the summer and he knew I had played some softball. He tossed a ball, I caught it, and he said, “You’re hired!”

What was your job in Blairstown?

That first summer, I was an athletic director. We would set up football and softball games with other nearby camps which the boys liked. Other years, I met the Community Service Society bus at Penn Station in New York on Monday morning and rode with them to Blairstown. During the 55 mile drive, I would start to learn all the boys’ names, think about how to arrange the groups when we got to Blairstown, and notice who I was going to have to keep an eye on during their 12-day stay with us.

How long did you work for PBC? (chuckling) That’s a little hard to pin down. I

worked for Blairstown for four years as an undergrad, finishing up as the student director before I moved to a job in “industry.” Later in my career, I came back to PBC as the Executive Director for about ten years and then as a part-time Development Director for a few years after that. And, it’s not exactly a job, but I’ve been on the Board a few times and now I’m an Honorary Trustee. Blairstown can’t seem to get rid of me!

In what way did your time at PBC influence your future career choices?

After Blairstown, my first job was selling fiberglass which, as you can imagine, was less than inspiring. I volunteered to help Princeton’s admissions office by doing interviews of prospective students in my spare time and that made me realize that I never really lost my interest in working with young people. For more than 20 years, before coming back to Blairstown, I worked in higher education admissions and administration and still got to work with young people.

What was a highlight of your time at PBC?

Working with so many wonderful people. As undergrads, we had a good bunch of staff that got along well and had fun and enjoyed being with the kids. But really, everybody who worked at Blairstown was – and is – pretty special. George Reeves was the camp cook who spent the school year working at one of the eating clubs on Prospect Street. In Blairstown, he was indispensable. He knew some of the boys who came to us from the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood and would invite them to work with him in the

kitchen when they needed a break from their bunkmates.

The highlight, though, was John Danielson ’58. I met John in the early 1970s when I joined the Blairstown Board for the first time. I was fascinated by this enthusiastic, optimistic leader of Blairstown who was developing an exciting vision of year-round activity. I always said he had “double vision” – a vision of the world as it is as well as one of what it can be. I had great admiration for his daily courage and his unswerving belief in the basic goodness of the human species. I also had the wonderful privilege of counting John as my best friend for more than twenty years, and am happily still in close touch with his daughters Susan and Sarah, and his sister-in-law, Jane Fremon (another PBC lifer!)

Ev Pinneo presents Best Camper award, 1948.

Ev Pinneo circa 1983.

Ev Pinneo at the 2022 Links to Youth Golf Outing.

Princeton-Blairstown Center

13 Roszel Road, Suite B109* Princeton, NJ 08540

(609) 921-0070

www.princetonblairstown.org

Princeton Office

President & CEO

Pam Gregory

Vice President of Finance & Administration

Nicole Nilsson

Vice President of External Affairs

Meredith Murray

Communications & Special Events Manager

Jennifer Fisher

Accounting Assistant

Gina Grieco (part-time)

Operations Professional

Anna Kats (part-time)

Blairstown Campus

Vice President of Programs

Mark DeBiasse, D. Litt.

Assistant Director of Operations & Staff Development

Maren Morsch, MPA

Food Services Manager

Robert Buarotti

Operations Manager

Pat Karl

Program Managers

Ron Franco (Sr. Program Manager)

Holly Lynn

Handy Pierre

Facilitators

Tabassum Alam (Sr. Facilitator)

Malik Church (Sr. Facilitator)

James Frye (Sr. Facilitator)

Alicia Navarrete (Sr. Facilitator)

Anokwale Anansesemfo

Joe Ling

Cooper Metzger

Carly Shenold

Vice President of Facilities

Jody Zengulis

Facilities Manager

Jacob Bruch

Facilities Assistant

John Haney

Address

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Chair

Claudia Franco Kelly, MBA

Vice Chair

Shawn Maxam, MSW

Secretary

Sarah Tantillo, Ed.D ’87 Treasurer

Warren M. Stock, MBA Trustees

Christina Bailey

Russell DaSilva, Esq. ’76

Bruce A. Ellsworth, Ph.D.

Michael S. Fletcher II ’03

Peter Gasparro

Chris Gribble

Praveena Joseph-de Saram *10

Christopher S. Moser

Jessica Perry

Bruce Petersen ’79

Suman Rao

Heather E. Reilly

Karen Richardson, Ed.M. ’93

Donald R. Seitz, MBA ’79

Pulkit Shah

Aline Silva

Derek Simpkins

Randy D. Stephens

Christopher Van Buren, CFA ’84

Advisory Council

Eleazar Adjehoun

Minda A. Alena

Mark L. Antin, Esq.

Rev. Alison Boden, Ph.D.

Susan G. Danielson, Psy.D.

Jon Dec ’13

Barbara DiCostanzo

Jason K. Griffiths ’97

Sari Chang Guthrie, R.A. ’84

Rochelle R. Hendricks

Kevin C. Hudson ’97

James B. Huffman, P.E. ’77

Al Kaemmerlen MBA ’62

Meryl Kessler, Esq. ’84

Yvette Saeko Lanneaux, Esq. ’88

Richard Ober, Esq. ’65

Pamela L. Simpkins, MBA

Jim Thaller

Pam Walker

Honorary Trustees

Janet Smith Dickerson, M.Ed. ◊

Joan Doig ◊

Jane Fremon ’75 ◊

Everard K. Pinneo ’48

Dr. Robert J. Rivers, Jr. ’53

Peter T. Smith ◊

C. Andre Washington, Esq. ‘74 ◊

President & CEO

Pam Gregory

◊- Indicates Past Board Chair

’Year - Indicates Undergraduate Class of Princeton University

*Year - Indicates Graduate School Class of Princeton University