 |
| Now a Non-Profit Foundation |
When I think of the Prep culture, the first place that comes to mind is
The Chewonki Foundation. Chewonki, located off of Route 1 in Wiscasset, began almost 100 years ago as "just" a summer camp for the boys of New England's oldest families. It grew to become one of the U.S.'s top rated camps, and has subsequently evolved to a year-round, non-profit Environmental Education Center, which still includes the summer camp as well as the competitive
Semester School program.
It embodies the reconciliation, even the synergy, between such seeming dichotomies as:
- Tradition and innovation;
- Young and old;
- Diverse community with aligned goals;
- Institutions without over-processing; and
- The lowest jobs done by the most senior people.
 |
| It grew tremendously in every sense under the guiding hand of long-time Director Harwood "Tim" Ellis (1991 Photograph by Kip Brundage (www.kipbrundage.com), used gratefully and with his permission.) |
 |
| Some of Spring, 2011's Semester School Students |
 |
| One of the Boat Building Shops |
 |
| On a 400 acre peninsula in mid-coast Maine, along with various islands and other proprieties. |
 |
| Alternative energy explored, from turbines, composting toilets, and bio-diesel to this solar powered utility cart (invariably parked next to a Volvo or Subaru wagon) |
 |
| Horse power used for tilling fields and sustainably harvesting wood. |
My husband spent all of his childhood summers there at the camp, coming back in college to work summers. Being a friend of the Director and his wife, I spent summers there working and volunteering while living on a sleeping porch. (At that time I was one of the few females there.)
It can be hard to describe what the Prep culture, especially stewardship, means to me. But anyone who has spent any time here gets it and never forgets it.
9 comments:
Thanks for a very thoughtful post, this reminds me of my own camp experience as a youngster. Such a simple yet character building time.
It seems like a lovely place to visit in the summer. I would love to join classes there someday.
How very interesting! This looks like an organization that's teaching kids how to think critically and come up with new ways to solve problems. They put the "preparation" back in prep--a fine example of stewardship.
Great resource for families that are looking for a boarding school with less pressure than the elite preps. Although I do not think I could have sent my daughter that far away. I briefly went through the website, and at first glance it is very reminiscent of the values of Waldorf.
Thank you!
I always wondered what the heck the Chewonki Foundation was - when we bought our boat, it had a Chewonki Foundation sticker on it.
Thanks for the info - looks like a very interesting organization.
Chewonki is great! Love the place and my family has ties to it. Wonderful pictures, so thank you for sharing!
As a former camper and a brother of a current camper, I can only stress how great this place truly is.
Many of my friends have done the semester there and each one has come back a changed (for the better) person.
Though I grew up in New York City, Chewonki was the reason why I went a small college in New England.
I love it.
Thanks for a post about values. There's so much out there these days about prep=wearing pink and green (or heaven forbid, JCrew) that's it's a pleasure to read your blog.
Our children's school is lucky enough to be able to send the 6th graders there for a week every spring. It is one of the highlights of the school year! Fabulous!
Post a Comment