As we move into the golden days of fall, I want to take a moment to reflect on where we have been and where we are headed. The Neck is bustling with activity as Semester 73 students settle into their studies. Last week they were off on their backcountry trips, with different groups paddling the Allagash River, hiking the Bigelow mountain range, or exploring the coast island network in sea kayaks. There’s a palpable energy on campus that reminds me of why we love this work, and why your role as members of our broader alumni community is so critical to our future.
Let’s begin with the summer. This year marked our 109th season of Camp Chewonki, and each year brings new challenges, successes, and opportunities. This summer, our campers and counselors found themselves building new traditions while keeping the heart of Chewonki alive through timeless rituals like campfires, singing from the Chewonki songbook, and the ever-present “Rocks” game. There was one moment that stands out—a group of younger campers found themselves stuck in the Hockomock mudflats, and what followed was a glorious, all-hands “rescue mission.” Chaos, laughter, mud—it was the perfect recipe for type-2 fun, the kind of experience that bonds people together and creates lasting memories.
Additionally, thanks to a grant from the Maine Department of Education, we were able to provide fifty local students with the opportunity to spend two weeks on backcountry expeditions this summer. These students, many from under-resourced families, chose between sea kayaking, canoeing, and backpacking trips. This was about more than just getting outdoors. It was about giving these young people—many of whom face significant barriers in their personal lives—the chance to experience the transformative power of nature, leadership, and community. I want to share a story sent to me by one of our trip leaders, Mia Shifrin, who is a Maine resident and a teaching fellow at Gould Academy:
“One student from rural Maine, whose parents build lobster traps and work as a school secretary, came to us unsure of what the trip would hold. By the end of the two weeks, this student was a natural leader in the group and had found individual connections with every other student, most notably his tent-mate who was a recent immigrant from The Democratic Republic of the Congo. In listening to this individual speak about his family and home life, it was clear that his parents held very traditional, blue-collar values and this student becoming close with someone who is African and living alongside students who were trans and multi-racial and queer, and were open about their neurodivergence or mental health, was not something that he could have ever imagined doing. While we often think of Maine as having one of the whitest and oldest populations in the country, this trip was a testament to the future of Maine as a diverse place with hardworking individuals, who care deeply for the natural world, care and support those in their community, and dreamt big when they were young people in order to be the kind of people they hope to be in the world.”
Our work isn’t easy, But it’s worth it. Why? Because we know that what we offer—these moments of challenge, connection, and transformation—are what young people need. At Chewonki, we create the conditions for young people to grow, to learn about themselves and the world around them, and to become leaders who will shape a better future.
As members of Chewonki alumni network, you are part of that mission. You are helping to ensure that we can continue to offer these life-changing experiences to all students and campers, regardless of their background. I am incredibly grateful for your support and guidance as we move forward, navigating both the successes and the challenges with the same spirit of resilience that defines our programs.
With gratitude,
Nancy Kennedy
President, Chewonki Foundation
