Every moment at Chewonki offers a chance for growth, connection, and discovery. From polar bear plunges to caring for farm animals, our students and campers take away meaningful gifts—curiosity, resilience, and inspiration—that last a lifetime.
This November and December, we’re celebrating the gifts of outdoor education with stories from our community. Want to share yours? Email Alexis Grillo at agrillo@chewonki.org.
The Gift of Belonging
It’s a mid-summer gathering at Chewonki, an event that welcomes alumni back to reconnect with the land, the community, and cherished memories. Arthur Myer (camper ’75–’79) and his brother Jack (camper ’74, ’75) are rolling past the farm, breathing in the sweet air scented by sun-warmed pines.
“Am I dreaming?” he wonders.
Arthur hasn’t been a Chewonki camper in decades, but as the familiar sights and sounds unfold around him, it doesn’t feel that way. It’s more than nostalgia—there’s a comforting sense of still belonging to this place, to this community.
For Arthur, returning to Chewonki was like stepping into a dream, where the past and present blend seamlessly in the beauty of the Neck. “Chewonki is more than a place,” Arthur reflects. “It’s a connection to the land, the people, and the memories that shape who you are,” he writes.
The brothers are free to wander, and so they do, checking on their old cabins, still standing strong after nearly 50 years. Jack finds the plaque he made as an Osprey for Juniper-Corral in 1975. “How can it still be there?” he marvels. A song comes to Arthur’s mind, and as he hums, he can hear himself harmonizing with old friends. It feels like stepping into a mid-summer’s afternoon dream–a place where memories and the present magically intertwine.
Eventually, Arthur and Jack make their way to a sunny porch surrounded by pines, where an alumni reception is being held. An old banjo tune echoes in Arthur’s head, and a song wells up in his heart: “‘Neath the pine tree, round the campfire, gather we tonight…” Others join in, harmonizing for real this time.
Arthur joins fellow alumni and staff at our mid-summer gathering, a celebration of shared memories and enduring connections. Pictured from left: Paul Arthur, Arthur Myer, Mike Heath, Dick Thomas, Phil Gammons, and Jonathan Trumper.
As the gathering wraps up, Arthur introduces himself to Nancy Kennedy, Chewonki’s president, and shares a story about a song he crafted years ago, weaving together fragments of campfire songs from his days at Chewonki. He’s dreamed of performing it at a Chewonki campfire. Nancy smiles and responds warmly, “We would love that. Please come back.”
A few weeks later, Arthur returns to Chewonki for a Saturday evening campfire, a cherished weekly tradition where campers and counselors share songs and skits. Before the evening begins, Arthur practices once more with Piper and Levi, two counselors with a knack for music who have volunteered to accompany him. Arthur has been preparing the song for weeks, and now, with their help, it’s ready to share.
As the fire crackles and the pine trees whisper in the evening breeze, the glow of the flames warms faces both young and old. When it’s their turn, Arthur and the counselors step forward to perform. First, they teach the chorus to the campers, encouraging everyone to join in. Then, Arthur leads the group into Margaret’s Song: Look to This Day. The chorus swells, echoing through the campfire circle as campers and counselors sing together, the lyrics blending memories of Chewonki’s past with its vibrant present:
“Rolling along past the farm fields and streams,
Looking for that home I’m missing, see it in my dreams…”
Arthur’s return to Chewonki reminds us that the gift of outdoor education isn’t just about the adventures or skills learned—it’s about belonging to a community that welcomes you back with open arms, no matter how much time has passed.
“Chewonki is more than a place,” Arthur reflects. “It’s a connection to the land, the people, and the memories that shape who you are.”
Thank you, Arthur, for sharing your story and your song. Moments like these are what make Chewonki so special. With your support, we can ensure that these experiences continue to inspire generations of campers, students, and alumni.
Thank you for being part of the Chewonki family.
