The Keewaydin Way
KEEWAYDIN (kē wā dĭn) [Algonquin] – Northwest wind, considered a bearer of good fortune and fair weather.
To live for a summer in a world largely unstructured and shaped only by nature itself… this is an adventure few are fortunate enough to know. Some find it on the open waters, some on the mountainside. Since 1893, Keewaydin has been a leader in camping. With its rich in-camp programs and nationally renowned tripping program, Keewaydin provides unique opportunities for youth to develop self-confidence, character, and leadership while living simply in beautiful wilderness settings. For over 125 years, Keewaydin has thrived by holding true to its values and traditions, while adjusting to the times. Behind the success of our camps is the commitment of our alumni, families, and friends to our mission.
This is the Keewaydin Way.
Mission
To provide camping experiences and challenges that help children achieve significant personal growth by living in a community, being independent and living simply in rustic and natural settings.
To achieve our mission, Keewaydin:
- Provides a caring community that emphasizes working together, fairness, trust, kindness, tolerance, forgiveness and compassion.
- Provides challenges through its tripping, activities and life style that help children develop self-confidence and resilience
- Strives to continually evaluate and develop its programs in order to ensure their excellence and safety.
- Provides outstanding staff leadership through careful hiring, training and evaluation.
- Brings together children and staff from a broad range of social, economic, racial, religious and national backgrounds.
- Strives to be an inclusive community that values the worth and dignity of each individual, embraces diversity, and fosters respect.
- Teaches the importance of concern and service to others in keeping with the motto, “Help the Other Fellow.”
- Teaches stewardship of the land through an appreciation and understanding of connectedness to our natural world.
- Provides and models a safe, happy, fun and simple life.
Keewaydin Foundation Land Acknowledgment
The Keewaydin Foundation acknowledges that our organization and camp programs are based on the traditional territories of the Western Abenaki and the Teme-Augama Anishinabai. We respect their past, present, and future generations, the land, and their traditions. We are grateful for the opportunity to gather, learn, and travel on these lands and waterways.
You can learn more about the Vermont Abenaki here and more about Temagami First Nation here.
Our Team
The Keewaydin Foundation is run by a team of dedicated staff, with oversight by a volunteer board of trustees.
Meet the Foundation Staff
From camper registration and records to communications and fundraising, the foundation staff provides vital operational support ensuring that all camps and programs thrive.
Daria Carden, Dunmore Office Manager, EMAIL
Daria has been “the voice” of Keewaydin Dunmore since 1999. As the Keewaydin Dunmore Office Manager Daria works closely with parents to ensure their child is ready for camp! From health forms to questions, Daria is the go-to gal for all things Keewaydin Dunmore. In addition, Daria is the technology guru for the Keewaydin Foundation and its programs. In her free time, Daria enjoys knitting and gardening. Daria resides in South Carolina with her husband, Joe, and her dogs Rupert, Diesel, and Lilly Potter.
Sandy Chivers, Development Associate, EMAIL
Sandy grew up spending all of her childhood summers and many more, on Devil’s Island. Her father, Howard Chivers was director of Keewaydin Temagami from 1947 to 1975 and mother, Janie, manager of Ojibway from 1950 to 1975. Sandy managed Ojibway from 1984 to 2012 and was Assistant Director of Development with the Keewaydin Foundation during some of those years as well. She loves to be outside gardening and on woods trails, hiking, walking and adventuring. Sewing, craft and house projects keep her busy at other times. Her daughter, Catherine spent every summer of her childhood on the island and was a camper at Keewaydin Temagami for 6 years and on staff for four. Sandy lives in Hanover, NH.
Annette Franklin, Foundation Office Manager, EMAIL
Annette brought her southern charm to the Keewaydin in 2014 as the Foundation Office Manager, and further added to her duties as a Deveopment Associate in 2021. Always a smiling face and a friendly voice, Annette works closely with the parents of Keewaydin Temagami campers. Whether it’s arranging travel, answering questions, or keeping on top of the Keewaydin Temagami staff, Annette’s got her finger on the pulse. In her free time, Annette is a musician at heart and can be heard all over Vermont, she is also an amazing cook and mother of six. Annette lives in Middlebury, VT with her family.
John Frazier, Associate Director of Development, and Associate Director of Keewaydin Temagami, EMAIL
John grew up spending summers on Lake Temagami, and started at Keewaydin Temagami as a camper in 1996. After six years as a camper, John joined trip staff and led trips for eighteen years. He worked with campers of all ages from Manitou to Long Trips, including eight summers leading Section A. Additionally, John worked by the shores of Lake Dunmore at KEEC for a Spring session. Originally from just outside Philadelphia, John moved to Vermont to join the Keewaydin Foundation in 2020, and works as the Associate Director of Development as well as the Associate Director of Keewaydin Temagami. John loves being in wilderness, paddling wood and canvas canoes, learning and practicing traditional skills, woodworking, and playing various musical instruments. He currently resides in Brandon, VT.
Ann Greenamyre, Business Manager, EMAIL
Ann recently joined the Keewaydin Foundation team after 28 years at NRG Systems in Hinesburg. During her tenure at NRG, Ann gained an extensive amount of Accounting knowledge performing all the various Accounting functions, while spending the last 10 years in the VP of Finance role. When not working, Ann enjoys baking, cross country skiing, jigsaw puzzles and waterskiing. Ann lives in Middlebury with her family; and they are currently renovating their summer camp on Lake Dunmore into their year-round residence. Ann is thrilled to be part of the Foundation team and eager to learn about all the fun and exciting Accounting matters of the Keewaydin camps!
Peter Hare, Executive Director, and Director of Keewaydin Dunmore, EMAIL
Pete grew up at Keewaydin Dunmore, where his father, Waboos, was co-owner from 1949 to 1982 and Director until 2000. Pete serves as the Executive Director of the Keewaydin Foundation and has been the Director of Keewaydin Dunmore since 2001. Before taking on his Keewaydin posts, Pete taught Spanish and history for 20 years. In his free time, Pete enjoys hiking the woods of Vermont, playing basketball, and rooting for his beloved Philly sports teams. Pete’s wife, Diane, is a mainstay at camp, running the tutoring and music programs. In the off-season, Pete and Diane live in Middlebury, VT.
Kirsten Leavstrom, Development and Alumni Relations Coordinator, EMAIL
Kirsten joined the Keewaydin Foundation after 5 years of working at the Weybridge Elementary School, in Weybridge, Vermont. Kirsten brings her passion for providing children with growth opportunities to her position at the Foundation, coupled with her ability to jump into many different roles as needed. Kirsten is looking forward to welcoming the campers this year and participating in the full year cycle of events on and off-season. In her free time, Kirsten enjoys reading, cooking, listening to music and connecting with nature. She lives in Vergennes with her daughters Harper and Elliott and their dog, Tuukka.
Tanya McCubbin, Director of Ojibway Family Lodge, EMAIL
Tanya started as second cook at Keewaydin Temagami in 1995, since then she has held several positions, including five years as head cook, ultimately becoming the manager of Ojibway Family Lodge in 2013. Tanya has continued to play a crucial role, not only in expanding Ojibway’s clientele and improving the guest experience, but also in other aspects of the management of Devil’s island. Ojibway Family Lodge serves families of Keewaydin campers and staff, especially during mid-season and end-season at Keewaydin, as well as Keewaydin alumni, and non-Keewaydin-affiliated guests. As of 2023, Tanya works full-time for the Keewaydin Foundation as the Director of Ojibway Family Lodge. When not on Devil’s Island, Tanya lives in North Bay, Ontario, Canada, about an hour’s drive south of Lake Temagami.
Katie McDermott (Johnson), Business Manager, EMAIL
Katie came to Keewaydin in 2014 after spending 23 years at the ACSWD in Middlebury. Quick with a laugh or sound advice, she brings her wealth of experience to handle all billing and accounting matters for the Foundation and its programs. In her free time Katie enjoys cooking, gardening, visiting the ocean and spending time with friends and family. Katie currently hails from Rutland, Vermont.
Lauren McDowell, Director of Songadeewin of Keewaydin, EMAIL
Lauren joined the Keewaydin Foundation in 2022 as Director of Songadeewin, after twenty years in southern Vermont and a career dedicated to experiential education across cultures for middle and high schoolers. During this time, she led and directed summer programs focusing on community engagement, outdoor education, service, language, and culture in the Spanish-speaking world. Lauren can often be found outdoors soaking up Vermont’s seasonal extremes alongside her husband Drew, and their three boys— Callan, Holden, and Anders. Lauren is thrilled to be a part of the Keewaydin community.
Emily Schoelzel, Director of Keewaydin Temagami, EMAIL
Emily began her career at Keewaydin Temagami in 1999 as a pioneer—leading the first Keewaydin girls’ trips from the shores of Devil Island. Starting in 2010, she spent 10 years as the Associate Director dedicated to the growth of camp and support of staff and campers. Emily became the Director of Keewaydin in January of 2020.
Keewaydin is a family affair for Emily. Her husband Dylan Schoelzel, an alumnus, is the summer Business Manager and maintains the camp’s fleet of canoes. Their kids will continue to be campers for a few more summers. In the off-season, Emily will be enjoying the mountains, spending time on the trails or slopes with her family.
Tim Tadlock, Director of Keewaydin Environmental Education Center, EMAIL
Tim Tadlock has been the Director of KEEC since 2005, after first joining the KEEC staff in the Spring of 2000. A graduate of Prescott College in Prescott, Arizona, Tim’s studies emphasized building communities in experiential education settings. Tim has been a member of the Keewaydin Dunmore summer camp staff since 1997. In the summer Tim serves as the Director of Tripping at Keewaydin Dunmore. Tim resides in Sudbury, Vermont with his wife Heather and his daughter Tallulah.
Ken Troumbley, Director of Facilities and Operations for Lake Dunmore campuses, EMAIL
Ken comes to the Keewaydin Foundation as the new director of facilities. He is responsible for care of the facilities and grounds on both Songa and Dunmore campuses. After twenty plus years in the Marine Corps, retirement found him moving back to Vermont. Ken and his family live in Middlebury and in his free time you will find him exploring the scenery on his motorcycles.
Mary Welz, Director of Development, EMAIL
As the Keewaydin Foundation’s Development Director, Mary’s career in fundraising and alumni relations spans 27 years. Before joining Keewaydin, Mary served as Vice President for Vermont Law School’s Development and Alumni Office. She has also held positions at the Vermont College of Fine Arts, Vermont Student Assistance Corporation, Norwich University, and the Office of the Chancellor for Vermont State Colleges. Originally from St. Maries, Idaho, Mary grew up swimming, paddling and camping the St. Joe River and the surrounding northern Idaho’s river and lakes. Mary and her husband are avid hikers and spend their autumns “bagging peaks” in the Green Mountains, White Mountains, and Adirondacks. She has two rescue dogs “Cooper” and “Maxwell Smart” who accompany her on all of her outdoor adventures.
Board of Trustees:
Jeff Howe, President
Tim Nicholson, Vice President & Treasurer
Laurice Arroyo, Secretary
James Brogan
Laurie Burton-Graham
Bright Dickson
Janice Farrell Day
Tom Gluck
Neal McKnight
Dorothy Novick
Carolina Pardo
Sammy Politziner
Frederick Reimers
Chris Seeley
Jim Sperber
Katie Tanz