Category: Recent Events

Michael Thompson’s new book will be in stores May 1, 2012!  Entitled Homesick and Happy: An insightful and powerful look at the magic of summer camp—and why it is so important for children to be away from home . . . if only for a little while, the book includes a chapter, “Passages,” highlighting Keewaydin Temagami’s 7 week trip to Hudson Bay, as well as interviews with campers and staff from all the camps.

In an age when it’s the rare child who walks to school on his own, the thought of sending your “little ones” off to sleep-away camp can be overwhelming. But parents’ first instinct—to shelter their offspring above all else—is actually depriving kids of the major developmental milestones that occur through letting them go—and watching them come back transformed.

In Homesick and Happy, renowned child psychologist Michael Thompson, PhD, shares a strong argument for, and a vital guide to this brief loosening of ties. A great champion of summer camp, he explains how camp ushers children into a thrilling world offering an environment that most of us at home cannot: an electronics-free zone, a multigenerational community, meaningful daily rituals like group meals and cabin clean-up, and a place where time simply slows down. In the buggy woods, icy swims, campfire sing-alongs, and daring adventures, children have emotionally significant and character-building experiences; they often grow in ways that surprise even themselves; they make lifelong memories and cherished friends. Thompson shows how children who are away from their parents can be both homesick and happy, scared and successful, anxious and exuberant. When kids go to camp—for a week, a month, or the whole summer—they can experience some of the greatest maturation of their lives, and return more independent, strong, and healthy.

 

Earlier this week, Joe Fogg was presented the 2011 Keewaydin Service Award at the annual New York Keewaydin Alumni Reception.

Hosted by Roger Smith Hotel owners Sue II and Jimmy Knowles, the party included a large number of Joe’s family, close friends, the Keewaydin camp directors and the Foundation Board, all on hand to celebrate Joe and all he’s done for Keewaydin.  Joe was a camper at both Dunmore (’60) and Temagami (’61-’62), Temagami staff (’63-’65, ’67), parent (’86-’92, ’99-’04), Co-Owner of Keewaydin Temagami (’90-’01), and a member of the Keewaydin Foundation Board (’01-’07).  In 1999 Joe, with his partner Lew Lehrman, started Songadeewin for girls on Devil’s Island.  In 2001, Joe and Lew generously donated Keewaydin Temagami to the Keewaydin Foundation, bringing back together the two camps after more than 60 years apart.

A copy of Joe’s remarks are here.  Congratulations Joe!