We are pleased to share that Greg Shute, long-time Chewonki staff member and former director of Northern and Coastal Properties has been selected for the 2025 Special Recognition Award from the American Camping Association (ACA). The Special Recognition was first established by the ACA in 1978 to “…honor groups, organizations, or individuals for their efforts to promote camp on a national level.” Past recipients of this award include a notable array of national leaders, activists, and advocates in the youth camping and education field.  “I’m grateful  for the award and pleased to be recognized by the American Camping Association,” said Shute. “I also want give thanks to my good friend and former colleague  Garth Altenburg, who I found out was the instigator  of my nomination.” According to Altenburg, former Chewonki Camp Director (’06-’18), Shute’s selection for the Special Recognition award was due to his many years working to improve risk management standards in youth camping, improve best practices in backcountry trip management, participation in the Maine Trip Leader working group partnered with the Department of Inland Fish and Wildlife, his contributions to the Wilderness Risk Management Association, and a lifetime of engagement and partnership with Indigenous communities throughout the region