Care and Safety of Campers

June 14, 2022

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Hello Parents,

We have received a few trunks already which is awesome! Thank you. 

We have also had multiple campers already receive several small to medium size amazon packages here at camp. This is not sustainable. We really need you to consolidate as much stuff as possible and put everything into a trunk and/or duffel bag. 

Please do not send multiple packages up to camp before your son arrives. Thank you.

June 8, 2022

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Hello Parents,

If you son will be taking medication while at camp thank you for completing registration by this Friday, June 10. You must complete the necessary paperwork and clear with your doctor for all prescripions at camp this summer. This is the only way medicine can be administered at camp.

We need this done (by Friday, June 10) in order to have your son’s medications to camp on time. Please read the FAQs and parent letter attached for more information. Thank you for your timely response.

Please note-

*Camp Tecumseh will cover all fees (including late fees) associated with this service for the summer of 2022.

* The credit card on file will only be used for medication. You will only pay for the medication portion that is not covered by iunsurance.

*Please use the email address and phone number provided on the forms or Laura@campmeds.com for questions related to medication.

*Please use medicalinfo@camptecumseh.net for other medical questions this summer.

Can’t wait for summer!

May 26, 2022

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Hello Parents,

I can’t wait for camp to get going in just over a month! This is the first in a series of emails that you will receive leading up to camp. There is a lot of information in this email, and I hope that you will read it carefully. I tried to capture the most popular questions that people have, and I have also attached two documents (Parent Handbook and *Primary Care Physician Form).

*Note – You do not need to make a special trip to the Doctor for this form. Only use it if your son’s Doctor’s appt is upcoming. If you’ve already had his appt and uploaded his information, thank you.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic there may still be some unclear information in our Parent Handbook due to the fluidity of COVID-19 protocols leading up to camp. We are working to be as free of restrictions as possible, but also don’t want to have a camp that has half of its population sick throughout the summer. Stay tuned for more updated policies and procedures as camp draws near. There will also be a Google Doc circulated before camp starts to capture information and vaccination cards.

FAQs

Does my son have Creamery/Camp Store Spending money in his account?

YES, you can’t register without this. Every camper has money in his account! He will not be deprived of a creamery night or opportunities to purchase items at the camp store.

Is there still space for this summer?

Yes, in some sessions and age groups. Please reach out if you have an interested family. Pemi Day is back on and we are light on 11 year olds in session 2!

When is final payment due?

 Your final payment will be debited from your credit card on Wednesday, June 1. To change your cc # or if you have any questions please contact our bookkeeper, Lynn Fiske at

lynncamp@verizon.net

When will my son receive his clothing?

He will receive the clothes you purchased for him when he arrives at camp. There have been delays and out of stock items in the supply chain, but we will do our best to get your son whatever you ordered and refund your money if not. If he needs additional clothing/gear while at camp we will notify you and get it taken care of for him.

What time is drop-off?

If your son is not taking the bus to camp and you are dropping him off please do so between 2-4pm. Please do not plan to linger as we will help unload the car and have you on your way.

If your son is taking the bus please refer to the parent handbook and note the very early bus departure times.

Is there a visiting day/parents weekend?

We are currently planning for our normal Tecumseh Weekend the final weekend of Camp, August 12-14. Parents are invited on campus Friday evening at 7:30pm to watch our G&S performance at 8pm. Please do not arrive before that time and head directly to the Opera House when you arrive.

Parents are also welcome on campus Saturday and Sunday mornings(August 13 and 14) at 9am. A more detailed schedule will be available as the end of the summer approaches.

Can my son come late or leave and come back for any reason?

I am sorry, but we can’t accommodate these requests. It diminishes the overall experience for all of camp and requires a lot of extra work for each instance. Camp becomes a revolving door if we allow this and it’s impossible to keep track of everyone coming and going as well as have a normal flow to our camp days. Thank you for abiding by the start and end dates of each session.

How is the trunk shipment working this year?

If you are driving your son to camp on the first day of his session you may bring his trunk with you or ship it to camp before camp starts.

If your son is taking the bus we ask that you please ship his trunk to camp. The bus gets filled with sports bags (duffels) so we need to ship trunks to camp. Shipcamps.com is an easy way to do this and significantly cheaper than FedEx, UPS or USPS.

You may also ship their trunks home when camp is over. They can handle all of this for you and give you tracking info over the phone and via email. Generally, weekdays are less expensive to ship and camp will have the trunks ready to go and someone available for the shipping company to pick up throughout the days after your son’s session is over.

Medical questions – 

How do I get my son’s medication to camp? 

New this year will be a company called CampMeds. Stay tuned for more info on this as camp nears. Camp Tecumseh will incur this cost in 2022, but you will need to register for the service if your son will take medication while at camp. This service will make the experience much smoother for our nursing staff and your son.

Pre camp Medical report –

Many of you have asked for a form to have the doctor fill out. If you have NOT already been to the doctor and uploaded all medical documents then please use the attached document. If you’ve already taken care of these uploaded documents, thank you!

Is there a vaccine requirement this summer?

Yes, we have a vaccine requirement for all campers and campers this summer. We have spoken to a few parents and granted exemptions to the requirement

A Google Doc will be distributed the week before each session begins to capture proof of vaccine and any last minute info we need.

For exemptions, this form must be filled out and uploaded to the google doc circulated as camp gets closer.

We can’t wait for camp to begin in a month! As always, please reach out with any additional questions. Thank you.

Doug

March 1, 2022

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Dear Camp Tecumseh Family,

We trust that everyone is having a terrific school year in spite of the continuing challenges we all face with the pandemic. Camp Tecumseh has learned a lot and improved tremendously in the last year. Encouraged by our safe and incredibly successful 2021 campaign we could not be more excited to get back to the lake in 2022.

Detailed planning for the Summer 2022 Camp Tecumseh season is in full swing and we will follow a similar process to last year. Taking the lead again, our COVID-19 Task Force is comprised of physicians, nurses, and emergency management professionals. The Task Force will make recommendations on policy and procedure for the 2022 Camp season based on scientific data. Our decision-making will be guided by recommendations from national, state, and local agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the New Hampshire Department of Health, the American Camp Association, colleagues in the medical community, and Camp medical staff.

The ebb and flow of information about COVID-19 and the subsequent evolution of policy, guidance and best-practices has created challenging situations for decision-makers in almost every setting, including for leaders of summer camps. Despite these challenges, our planning philosophy for the 2022 Camp season will continue to be rooted in our absolute commitment to the health and safety of our campers and our staff as well as their families. We also recognize this responsibility extends beyond the Camp proper to the surrounding community. We want the surrounding community to know Camp Tecumseh as “good neighbors”.

Our task force has decided that a COVID-19 vaccine will be added to the list of required vaccines. Please include this as part of your medical records when uploading those documents.

We will review medical exemptions on an individual basis. Please reach out to me if you would like to discuss a medical exemption.

Because of this, we have decided to push our March 1 payment date back one week to March 8, 2022. If you choose not to have your son attend  because of this vaccine requirement Camp Tecumseh will refund your tuition.

Thank you for partnering with us in this unusual time for all. I have every belief and intention that we will have an even better summer than last year regardless of how hard we have to work for it!

Doug

June 23, 2021
This email is going to campers arriving this Saturday, June 26. There is no need for second session arrivals to worry about this information right now.

For those campers who were not fully vaccinated on or before June 12, 2021, please fill out this form and upload a picture of your negative AT HOME PCR TEST where prompted in the form.

Unvaccinated campers will not be allowed at camp without this form completed! 

Google Form must be completed by Friday, June 25.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd9E3yWIl3rOWoXVkHb-WIJInFFLLsnkNTTBxEXVswvp_y54A/viewform?usp=sf_link

ON CAMPUS testing will still take place on Saturday, June 26 with the previously completed information through Aura.

Additionally, bus trip information will come out in a separate email tomorrow morning.

Thank you.

Doug

June 18, 2021
Hello Parents,

If you read just one email please let this be the one!?!? This is primarily focused on those campers arriving next Saturday, June 26. We are so pumped to get going up here, but want to be sure everyone is on the same page with regard to arrival times, bus trip, testing, vaccinations, camper clothing, and masks.  

Additionally, with one week before the start of camp please help us by allowing your son to participate in low risk behaviors for the next eight days! This will help us all to have a safe and enjoyable summer.

While the Parent Handbook has a lot of information to help you and your son prepare for camp, please be sure you read and understand all the updates that have been sent in the past few months leading up to the start of camp. The most recent and pertinent information has been sent out regularly in the updates.

*****Your son will not be allowed to attend camp if you do not follow the correct testing protocols alluded to in the updates*****

Testing –  (lf your son is fully vaccinated 14 days prior to arrival or has had COVID-19 in the last 90 days you can skip this section) 

1. AT HOME COVID-19 TESTING needs to be scheduled on your own. Please plan ahead looking at next week. This must be a PCR test and ideally scheduled for this Wednesday, June 23.

A google form will be distributed next week for you to upload a picture of the negative PCR test results for your son.

   No unvaccinated camper will be allowed to come to camp without proof of a negative PCR test result 36 – 72 hours prior to arrival.

2. ON CAMPUS COVID-19 TESTING will take place on day 1 (June 26) and day 5 (July 1) of each session for non vaccinated campers. You should have received and email this past Tuesday, June 15 with instructions to register your son for on campus testing. The email came from info@auratracker.org

If you did not receive this email please reach out to Sophia (smigliorini@genetworx.com) or Mike (mdelany@nucleushealthcare.com). They can help you register.

*****The day 1 test will be done upon arrival for all campers***** 

Bus Trips – 

1. There have been a large number of last minute changes adding to and deleting from the bus trip to camp. If you have registered for the bus you can put your trunk under the bus. Some people have chosen to ship their trunks up prior to camp and that is fine too. The information about timing and location of the Bus Trip is accurate in the Parent Handbook. 3 buses will pick up at Haverford School and come to camp. 1 bus will pick up from Grover Cleveland Rest stop and head to Darien rest stop and then to camp.

2. The buses are full. Lists and pickup locations are attached to this email.

3. A specific, more detailed, email discussing the bus trip will come out next week.

4. There will be buses home on July 10, 20 and August 15. This is new for Tecumseh, and we are pivoting on the fly here so please give us some time to arrange sign ups and timing for these trips. They will drop off at the same locations as pickup and the first stops will not be until the afternoon at the earliest.

Camper Cloting – 

Any apparel ordered at registration will be at camp when you son arrives with his name on it in permanent marker.

Arrival Times and Dropoff Procedures –

Please adhere to the following dropoff times for your boys so that we can properly organize our incredibly busy first day of camp. If flights, brothers that are different ages or any other unforeseen travel issues do not allow this we can make it work. Thank you for sticking to the following drop-off times if possible:

11 years old and younger      1pm – 2:30pm on Saturday, June 26.

12 years old and older           2:30pm – 4pm on Saturday, June 26

Parents dropping off campers will be asked to park in designated areas and staff will help with trunks and equipment. We are not allowing visitors on campus. You may, of course, get out of your car to give your son a hug! Please drive slowly and carefully on campus. Thank you for your help with a quick and efficient drop off routine. 

Masks – 

We will wear masks (or gaiters) in designated areas, as a team, for the first 5 days of each session. This will be regardless of vaccination status. Masks only have to be worn when in the trunk room(locker area), lodge, when not at their table in the dining hall, and when we are in a large group gathering of any kind. We simply ask them to pull the gaiter up over their mouth and nose at these times. This is a relatively short period of time and a small list of places. Thank you for prepping your son for this.

We ask that all campers, regardless of vaccination status, wear masks or a gaiter for the bus ride to camp. 

We ask that campers being dropped off arrive with a mask or gaiter, and wear it for the first few hours until after our first meeting where we lay out the groundrules.

They can bring their own, or we also have plenty of gaiters for them to wear while here.

Campers or counselors may certainly wear masks at any time while here if that makes them more comfortable.

Finally, please know that your son is about to have an amazing experience. However, that might come with some sadness and angst. It may start in the next few days, it may start next Saturday morning. Whenever it is, he will get through it. So many of our counselors are former campers that dealt with homesickness, bed wetting, losing a huge sports event and have gotten through these times and become stronger for it. Please have your son arrive with an understanding that things may not always go his way, but that it’s ok to lose, or be uncomfortable and even to make mistakes. Everyone is here to support him, and we’re going to have an awesome summer together!

Thanks.

Doug

June 10, 2021
Hello Parents,

I apologize for so many emails, but they are all relevant and important for us to have a safe summer together:

1. June installments will be charged over the course of the next few days. If you have not already done so please reach out to Lynn Fiske (lynncamp@verizon.net) if you need to change your card on file.

2. All recent updates can be viewed on our website by clicking the banner across the top of our home page. They are listed in order with the most recent update dated at the top of the page.

3. COVID-19 Testing and Vaccine Google Form.  Thank you to the half of you that completed it, the other half….. Please complete as soon as possible!!!

4. Two popular topics heading into this summer have been shipping trunks to camp and bed wetting (no, you and your son are not alone!!!).

A new company called, Ship camps, has been very helpful to a lot of our families. Their prices are half the cost of UPS and FedEx.

Several families are using a nasal spray that their boys are taking at night before bed and it has done a terrific job in keeping boys dry! Please ask your doctor about it.

5. VERY IMPORTANT THAT EVERYONE PLANS AHEAD FOR THEIR SON’S TEST BEFORE CAMP (if not vaccinated). 

    VERY IMPORTANT THAT EVERYONE REGISTERS THEIR SON TO BE TESTED ON DAY 1 and DAY 5 OF CAMP. (If not vaccinated)

Information will be out next week about the testing process run by Genetworx

I love hearing from so many of you telling me how excited your boys are to get here. That excitement is shared by me and the entire staff up here. We are extremely busy getting things ready, but please continue to reach out with any issues. It’s going to be an amazing summer. See you soon.

Doug

June 9, 2021
Hello Parents,

Thank you for completing this very short survey by this Friday, June 11, 2021. Please have a copy of your child’s vaccine card and/or positive test result (if applicable) ready to upload.

COVID-19 Vaccine and Positive Test Survey

Douglas Knight
Director | Camp Tecumseh
www.camptecumseh.net
(610) 513 8564
Enroll Now!

June 7, 2021

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Hello Parents,

Please read our 2021 Parent Handbook. There is a lot of information in here and it can answer a lot of questions leading up to the start of each session.

Given this crazy year, there is also some incomplete and unnecessary information because of restrictions we have in place. Please reach out if anything is confusing and know that we will take care of it.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, please stay informed and take action when necessary regarding updates as we lead to the start of camp.  All updates are posted to our website and you should expect a few this week regarding testing and vaccinations that need action from parents.

I just arrived in New Hampshire yesterday and the place looks incredible! I can’t wait for summer to be in full swing with all of your boys up here.

Thank you for your tremendous support!

Doug

June 1, 2021

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Hello Parents,

Thank you for being so patient and supportive with our efforts to get Camp up and running safely this summer! I want to let everyone know that we will be pushing our June 1 installment payment back a week as we sort through some final steps with regard to testing, vaccinations and positve cases in the last 90 days.

All is good, we have just had a few withdrawals, several new campers register, and some updates to our policies in the last week so we just want to be sure not to charge anyone incorrectly and then have to reverse charges as that gets a bit hectic.

Installment Charges – You can expect your card to be charged by next Monday if you are signed up for installment payments. Please reach out to Lynn Fiske if you would like to change your cc information. lynncamp@verizon.net

Blue Gray Scholarship Applicants – Please reach out to Director, Doug Knight to take care of payment. dknight@camptecumseh.net 

Parent Handbook will be updated and live on website by June 10, 2021

Bus Home July 20 and August 15 – There will be an additional charge for this, but we will have this option available to all campers for these dates. Information to follow. 

Thanks, again, for all your support. Can’t wait to be together with your boys at the lake soon!

Doug

May 28, 2021
Hello Parents,

Recent CDC guidance is encouraging, especially since so much of Camp Tecumseh takes place in open air! The health and safety of our community remains our number one goal. Below are some updates to our plan.

– Our task force, which consists of medical doctor’s and emergency preparedness officers, have agreed that screening testing will not be required for those campers and counselors who are fully vaccinated by June 12, 2021 for 1st session, 5 week and Full Summer campers, and by July 8, 2021 for 2nd Session campers. This allows for the two week period after the final shot so that the vaccine can take full affect.

– You must show proof of vaccination (picture of card), before June 26, 2021. We will be in touch about the best way to do this so please hold off on sending vaccination cards for now.

– If your child has had COVID-19(and is fully recovered and symptom free) in the prior 90 days to camp, and can show proof, that child does not need to be tested.

March 28, 2021 is 90 days prior to June 26, 2021.

April 23, 2021 is 90 days before July 22, 2021

– Everyone, despite vaccination status, will wear masks for the first five days of camp when we are around each other or in high traffic areas. Trunk room, dining hall(when not at table). We will provide gaiters for campers, but feel free to send your boys with their own face coverings.

I will be reaching out on a more regular basis as we lead up to the start of our amazing summer together. As always, do not hesitate to contact me with any questions. I hope that everyone has a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend.

May 12, 2021
Dear Camp Tecumseh,

Please read the body and attachment to this email with equal focus. The body will help you (and your boys) understand how awesome this summer at Tecumseh will be, and the attachment will be your guide to partnering with Camp Tecumseh to ensure everyone’s health and safety.

****Our Camp program this summer will be amazing****

In addition to our awesome regular camp days, please share the below highlights with your boys!

  • More rookie, Jr and Sr league hoops
  • Similar leagues for lacrosse, soccer and wiffleball
  • Top of the hill games extravaganza
  • Frisbee and soccer golf tournaments
  • Floor hockey tournaments
  • Two-ball championships
  • Tennis Ladder
  • Age group challenges
  • Survivor Tecumseh
  • Overnights on the Island
  • Water Polo tournament

We still have a few spots left in certain age groups and sessions. Please let friends and family know!

Thank you for taking equal care in reading the attached plan for Camp’s safe operation this summer.

Doug

Dear Parents,

The health and safety of Camp Tecumseh campers and staff is of paramount importance and has been the driving force behind the extensive planning efforts for the Summer 2021 Camp Tecumseh season. In addition to the planning process aimed at ensuring a healthy and safe camp experience, our COVID-19 Task Force members and the entire Board of Directors have made it a priority to reduce the likelihood that any Camp-related COVID infection may have on the broader Lakes Region community. This is both a medical, and, we believe, a moral imperative and is aligned with the long-held values of Camp Tecumseh. As the late Jim Fraser said of Camp Tecumseh “We do hard things at Camp Tecumseh, and we do them with class.”  The Board of Directors, the COVID-19 Task Force, our staff, and our many planning partners have made every effort to ensure that your son, our staff, and the Lakes Region community are able to enjoy a safe, healthy, and worthwhile summer experience. We are honored that you place your trust in Camp Tecumseh and we need your help to make this work!

Below is an outline of how we currently see the Universal Best Practice for Summer Camps in New Hampshire meshing with Camp Tecumseh’s plan for an amazing summer!

These guidelines are manageable, and we will make this work together. Thank you for your help!

  1. Communicable Disease Plan – Our COVID task force has strategically planned our course for the past year. Our Communicable Disease Plan (CDP)for the summer 2021 will be in line with previous updates, but will also adapt to new and changing information.
  2. Pre-Arrival Procedures – Camp Tecumseh will provide all families (approximately June 10) with a pre-arrival screening form to be filled out for your child and turned in before arrival. We ask that your child participate in low-risk behaviors during that time period and fill out the screening form appropriately. Everyone’s cooperation with this step allows us the best possible chance to secure our bubble. (PRE-ARRIVAL TESTING ADDRESSED IN ‘TESTING’ SECTION BELOW)
  3. Arrival Procedures – Camp Tecumseh will provide all families (approximately June 10) with a drop-off schedule for June 26 and July 22 by age group. For those families with brothers, or if the safest path to travel cannot fit that schedule please reach out and we can make it work. However, arriving campers will not be able to enter camp before 1pm on June 26 and July 22.
  4. Symptom Monitoring – All campers and staff will undergo daily screening to monitor for potential new COVID-19 symptoms.
  5. Masks – Everyone’s diligence in the weeks leading up to camp will allow us to build our bubble safely. Once built, we anticipate being mask free for the duration of each session as long as we remain without any COVID cases. While building our bubble we anticipate the first week to be a period where masks are worn when the larger camp group is together. Masks will be worn on the bus ride up to camp. Each cabin/cohort will not need to be masked when they are on their own for an activity or in their cabin. Cabin groups may go on hikes to remote areas throughout their stay at camp. If this happens, each member of the group will have a mask just in case they encounter another group of hikers. We have a few coaches, a trainer and some essential workers, who will come in from the outside and they will wear masks whenever on campus. They will also remain outside and socially distant from campers. If staff leaves campus, there will be a strict sign in/out process and they will wear masks when they are not on campus.
  6. Physical Distancing and Cohorting – As noted above the cabin group will act as a cohort. These cohorts are not required to mask or physically distance from each other when together. When the larger group is together every effort will be made to physically distance and if that is not possible then masks will be worn during the bubble building stage.
  7. Sleeping and Bathroom Facilities – All cabins have free-flowing air (screens in windows). Our capacity limitations will allow us to have everyone spread at least six feet apart when sleeping. All bathrooms and showers at Camp Tecumseh now have doors and/or curtains to partition off each space. Shower use has always been by cabins. The bath house changing area will be scheduled and monitored to avoid boys from different cabins in there at the same time.
  8. Testing – We will use testing to build and maintain our bubble this summer. Testing to confirm positive cases of COVID-19 will always be PCR based. We will ask all families to provide proof of a negative PCR test between 48-72 hours of arrival at camp. We will also ask families to register in our system with Genetworx (registration information will be available June 1) so that we are able to test the boys while they are at camp. This is not an enjoyable process, but one that is essential to our safe operation this summer. Thank you for your cooperation with all testing procedures.

*******Fully vaccinated or positive in last 90 days******

These situations give us a high degree of confidence in severely decreasing potential spread of the virus at camp, but they do not completely eliminate it. For this reason, we ask that everyone follow the same set of guidelines. In a future communication we will ask for notification if your child has been fully vaccinated or tested positive in the last 90 days.

  1. Movement In and Out of Camp – As mentioned above, all movements in and out of camp will be monitored and a strict sign in/out policy will be followed. Whenever anyone leaves campus, they will be required to wear a mask. We will not allow visitors to campus this summer except in an extreme emergency. If someone visits, they will be required to wear a mask. I am sorry that we will not be able to have Tecumseh weekend this summer. We will have a bus ride home on July 20 and August 15.  Information and signups will be available soon.
  2. Dining and Large Group Facilities – Camp has secured a large tent to double the space of our dining dining hall and be able to spread out. We will eat our meals with our cabin/cohort groups.
  3. Transportation – All transportation while at camp will be with camp vehicles. We will not contract any bus companies for trips while camp is in session. We will be using Wertz Motor Coach company to bring the boys to camp and drive them back home.

***Bus rides home will be available this summer on July 20 and August 15. Information coming soon***

We strongly recommend bringing your boys to camp or having them on the bus. If anyone is in need of airport pick-up please reach out to Paul Poiesz (ppoiesz@camptecumseh.net) and Doug Knight (dknight@camptecumseh.net). We can set you up with reliable and safe car services.

The past year has been incredibly difficult on us all, but there is clearly a light at the end of the tunnel. Our summer together will bring everyone at camp significantly closer to that light. With everyone’s help we will make this summer one of the most memorable in Camp Tecumseh’s incredible history. Thank you for being a part of it!

Doug

Douglas Knight

Director | Camp Tecumseh
www.camptecumseh.net
(610) 513 8564
Enroll Now!

April 1, 2021

Dear Parents,

We are gaining momentum toward an unbelievable reunion in June at the Greatest Place on Earth!

The task force continues to work together to ensure all campers and counselors safety before, during and after camp. As the summer approaches and the New Hampshire state guidelines are solidified, we will provide greater detail on our procedures. Thank you for staying informed and helping us by following these policies and procedures.  For continuity, we are keeping with the four key areas we identified in March, and below we have provided more detail in each area.  All new information is in Italics.

1. Pre-Camp Travel/Onboarding/Camp Start (for 1st and 2nd Session)

-Our current thinking is that we will have bus transportation available to campers at the start of each session. We will have no more than 28 people on a 56 passenger bus. Campers will be grouped according to cabin/cohort on the buses.

We have secured four, 56 passenger buses on Saturday, June 26 and Thursday, July 22. Campers will be grouped with their cabins on the buses to begin our cohorting process.

-Drop-off schedule and specific age group locations on campus will be prepared for those not taking the bus.

For parents choosing to drop their campers off, we will have an arrival window on June 26 and July 22 for each cabin. Please be prepared to drop off your camper and all bags at that time. Unfortunately, we cannot allow parents to get out of their vehicle at drop off.

-Negative COVID Tests will be required prior to arrival for each camper, and we are planning on testing staff and campers upon arrival as well as a few days into camp.

-PCR testing will be performed. Camp is planning to partner with a premier testing facility in New England.

-We plan to create a “Bubble” at camp and will use the cabins to group campers in smaller cohorts.

-Regardless of how vaccines play out, we expect that everyone will follow the same set of rules.

  1. Pre-Arrival Molecular PCR Test 72-96 hours before arrival. In order for any individual to board the Camp bus or be allowed onto Camp’s property, each camper and counselor must provide proof of a negative PCR test from 72-96 hours(3-4 days) before arrival. THIS IS OUR MOST IMPORTANT TEST AND WE TRUST OUR STAFF AND FAMILIES TO TAKE CARE OF THIS ON THEIR OWN. Research from schools and universities has suggested that sending these tests home is not effective for a variety of reasons. Each individual family is responsible for the PCR test on their own. If cost is an issue please reach out to Director, Doug Knight.

  2. Arrival Day Molecular/PCR Test. These will be conducted by an independent company to ensure most accurate results and to allow our own medical staff to carry out their normal check in procedures on our busiest days of the summer.

  3. Day 5-6 Molecular Test or Lab PCR conducted at camp.  Again, these will be conducted by the same independent company as our Arrival Day testing.  They are devised to capture any potential Arrival Day travel exposure and confirm that our Tecumseh bubble is secure!

  4.  Additional Testing. As needed, there will be Rapid Antigen and PCR testing for symptomatic individuals and/or contact tracing. We will have periodic/random testing if current best practices and advising physicians recommend it.

  5. What if my son has already had a confirmed positive test for COVID-19? There is still evolving information with regards to positive tests at this point, and our medical team is currently assessing this situation. We will elaborate on this in the near future.

Additional guidance is still to be determined by the state of New Hampshire in three key areas:

Once we have guidance, we will determine our policy for each.

            -Masks – Expect that masks will be worn for at least the first 6 days of camp. Once we have safely built our bubble, we plan to relax the mask mandate. Large gatherings in close proximity will be severely limited this summer. If it does happen, we will properly mask participants regardless of our bubble status.

            -Air Travel to Camp – Air travel, when following proper protocols (masking, distancing in security lines and waiting areas, frequent hand washing/sanitizing), can be carried out safely, and it is our hope and understanding that traveling by air and then directly to camp will be permissible. Most recent NH State Guidelines have lifted the quarantine period for air travelers from within the United States. This is great news for us! International campers must still quarantine in New England for 10 days prior to the start of camp. We are hoping this will change.

            -Pre-Camp Quarantining – WE ARE COUNTING ON OUR FAMILIES TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO LIMIT EXPOSURE AND PARTAKE IN LOW RISK BEHAVIORS DURING THE 14 DAYS LEADING UP TO ARRIVAL AT CAMP. PLEASE NOTE THAT GOING TO SCHOOL IS CONSIDERED A LOW RISK BEHAVIOR. We will have more information on this in the coming months and may use a pre-arrival daily screening form, attesting to remaining symptom free, to be handed in on arrival day.

2. Camp Operation – COVID-19 Safety

-Camp will operate at 75% capacity this summer.

–WE ONLY HAVE 9 SPOTS LEFT

-With 300 acres of land and 2.5 miles of open waterfront, Camp has ample space to operate. This will allow for adequate space between cohorts and limited time indoors.

-For indoor activities, additional space has been added and existing structures will be configured to support best-practice public health behaviors.

-More focus will be placed on personal hygiene including additional hand washing and sanitizing and increased use of showers.

-Surfaces and spaces throughout camp will be regularly sanitized.

-All camp activities will operate in compliance with New Hampshire state health guidelines that are in place at the time.

3. Isolation/Quarantine at Camp

-Our medical team is currently working on pathways and protocols for multiple different scenarios, including those where Isolation and/or Quarantine measures are necessary. We are learning daily and relying on the experience of local schools, universities, Primary Care Physicians offices and hospitals. Our summer medical team has been living and working in these environments all year.

We have secured additional tent space and also set aside cabin space to be used in an emergency situation. We also have the ability to quarantine groups in their cabin together if it is needed. We are confident that we have adequate space for the isolation and quarantining that may be needed.

WHAT IF MY SON HAS A CONFIRMED POSITIVE TEST FOR COVID-19 – Thankfully, most children testing positive are asymptomatic or face only mild symptoms. However, if this situation arises it is Camp’s expectation that you will make every effort to pick your son up as soon as possible and within 48 hours at the most. This is consistent with New Hampshire state guidelines which read, “If a person is confirmed to have COVID-19, they should leave Camp immediately and be picked up by family and brought back home by private transportation.”

4. Departure/Finance/Other

Currently we are looking into a bus ride home from Camp(July 20 and August 15) since we will not have any closing weekend festivities. This would require an additional fee for the bus and shipment of trunk home via fedex, as well.

-Sadly, we will not have our Tecumseh weekend to close camp.

-We will be restructuring the final weekend and how we close down camp with the staff.

-At this point we anticipate drive thru departures (similar to drop off) to end the 1st and the final weekend.

-We will be carefully coordinating the departure of the first session and the arrival of the second session campers.

-We will be adding a nominal COVID Fee which will be assessed with June 1 payment. If this presents a hardship for anyone please reach out. Camp Tecumseh is prepared to fund the incremental expenses to operate our facility safely in the age of COVID, but we do ask that families pay for the testing that will be needed. We anticipate the fee to be around $150.

We are asking for a COVID fee of $175. This will cover the cost of two tests per camper. Though there was cheaper PCR testing available, we felt it was incredibly important to pay for the company to bring their own team of experts to test for us so that our entire staff is able to focus completely on welcoming our campers on day 1 of each session. Camp is prepared to cover all additional fees associated with preparing and running camp under these conditions. Please reach out to Director Doug Knight if you need assistance with the COVID fee.

Please contact our bookkeeper, Lynn Fiske, with any questions about payment. (lynncamp@verizon.net)

Thank you for trusting your boys to us this summer. It’s going to be an amazing time at Camp Tecumseh!

As always, please reach out with any questions or concerns.

Thank you.

Doug

March 1, 2021

February 1, 2021

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Register for Camp! I hope everyone is healthy and safe and enjoying the snow if you’re anywhere in the northeast today!?

Based on last year’s State of New Hampshire guidelines, as well as a preliminary look at the recommendations for this summer, we are confident that we will be able to open and have an amazing summer together. Currently we are planning for BOTH sessions as well as the full summer and five week options to be available. Camp is approximately 2/3 full and we will begin our waitlist soon since we do not know what our capacity limit will be from the state. Register today!

The task force is committed to having our policies and procedures in place for this summer within a week of the New Hampshire state guidelines being released. Currently, they are slated to be released in March. Please reach out with any questions at all. Stay warm and think summer.

Thank you.

Doug

Douglas Knight

Director | Camp Tecumseh
www.camptecumseh.net
(610) 513 8564
Enroll Now!
10/08/20

Dear Tecumseh,

It is our sincere hope that everyone is using the Tecumseh spirit to thrive in this difficult time.

For the last six months, Camp Tecumseh has been carefully planning with the health and safety of our entire community in mind. It was heart wrenching not to gather at the lake this past summer. We are committed to being together with a full staff and full camp in 2021. Our experience and preparation in 2020- along with models from a few camps that were able to open, and remain open, safely throughout the summer- solidifies this decision.

WE ARE ECSTATIC TO OPEN REGISTRATION!!! PLEASE CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

We are, however, subject to all New Hampshire state guidelines. In 2020 those guidelines limited residential camp occupancy to 50% of the capacity. Tecumseh has taken steps (including designing and building a new cabin scheduled to be completed for the summer of 2021) to help adjust to this possibility. The reality is that we may not be able to accept every camper who registers. Wait pools will be used for all sessions and we will re-evaluate and update our plan every three months (January 1, 2021, March 1, 2021, June 1, 2021). If we have to narrow down our population based on New Hampshire guidelines, we will do so by a combination of length of stay, camper seniority and registration date. Thank you for working with us in this difficult situation.

We are opening registration with the below three scenarios in play. We will do whatever we can to get as many people to camp as possible this summer.

  1. Normal Camp Summer opening June 26, 2021

     A. Full Summer Session     June 26 – August 15

     B. Session 1                       June 26 – July 20

     C. Session 2                       July 22 – August 15

     D. Session 3 (2 Weeks)     June 26 – July 11

     E. 5 week option                June 26 – August 1

  1. *One start date opening June *26, 2021 (*Note – No Session 2 in this scenario)

    A. Full Summer Session     June 26 – August 15

    B. Session 1                       June 26 – July 20

    C. Session 3 (2 Weeks)     June 26 – July 11

    D. 5 week option                June 26 – August 1

  2. **Full Summer Session     June 26 – August 15, 2021 (** Note – One, seven week session in this scenario)As always, please reach out with any questions at all. Thank you!

Doug

Director | Camp Tecumseh

dknight@camptecumseh.net

(610) 513 8564

Enroll Now!

9/30/20

We are actively working to open registration at this time. With so much changing every day Camp Tecumseh is diligently planning a registration model that will fit several different scenarios for the 2021 summer. We are committed to opening and being together at the lake this summer!

9/18/20             

2021 Camp Dates are set: Saturday, June 26 – Sunday, August 15 

6/1/20

Fraser Sunbeam

5/19/20
Dear Camp Tecumseh,                                                         5/19/20         

I hope this letter finds each of you and your families in good health. 

As you know, our COVID-19 Task Force has continued to meet and gather all of the pertinent information necessary to decide the best course of action for Camp Tecumseh this summer. In reviewing required and recommended protocols under New Hampshire, Center for Disease Control and the American Camp Association guidelines, the Task Force has recommended to the Board of Trustees, and the Board has agreed to not open Camp this summer. With heavy hearts we concluded it would be impossible to maintain the health and safety of our campers and counsel staff, and simultaneously deliver an appropriate Camp Tecumseh experience under these most unusual and unfortunate circumstances.

The burden of this decision is massive and cannot be understated. Tecumseh is an institution defined by grit, resilience, toughness, and togetherness. We have run successfully and continuously for 117 years, through world wars and other challenging circumstances. This was not the outcome any of us wanted. 

Now that we have arrived at this decision, however, we are determined to innovate and do all we can to help the Camp Tecumseh family remain connected and grow stronger.

There are so many things that make the Camp Tecumseh experience special. We all have our favorite aspects of Camp: taking in a Tecumseh sunrise, hearing an inspiring huddle or prayer speech, learning from a dedicated counselor at our favorite instruction period, running a High Noon, enjoying our friends during free time, chowing down on chicken fingers and fries, competing in a fiercely contested Blue-Gray activity, battling together in outside competition, nailing a game winning bucket in Senior League, performing in our G&S operetta or conquering a challenging mountain climb! While we will miss these types of experiences this summer, we are determined to do all we can to make the most of the 2020 camp season. The senior staff and I are now working on a Summer 2020 plan that will include a variety of virtual Tecumseh experiences. We are committed to working with each family and camper to drive home Tecumseh values, and make our community and every individual in it stronger.

Please allow us until the end of May to communicate with you regarding refunds, credits and donations that will best help Camp Tecumseh. Anyone who wants a refund will receive it, and all June 1st installment payments have been canceled. We are also committed to compensating our staff during this difficult time. They work hard every summer and will do the same this summer.

This will not be the last that you hear from us, but rather the start to a unique Camp Tecumseh experience that will make our bonds stronger, and bridge the gap until the summer of 2021. Do not hesitate to reach out with thoughts or suggestions in this unprecedented time as we move forward together. 

“United we shall always stand, Tecumseh sons, are we.” 

~Camp Tecumseh song

Douglas Knight

Director 

Robert L Gray IV

Chairman, Board of Trustees
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Dear Camp Tecumseh Community,                                  5/13/20
I hope you are in good health and good spirits. I’m writing to update you on our planning for this summer. As you may recall from previous emails, the Board of Trustees established a COVID-19 Task Force that has been working with me and other senior staff members to monitor and assess COVID-19 information. That process is guided by our Board Chair, Bob Gray, Vice Chair Buck Buckley,  and two trustees who are practicing medical doctors, one in Boston, Dr. Michael Kain, and the other in Hanover, NH, Dr. Campbell Levy. The Task Force has worked diligently and deliberately to help me assess how, if at all, we can open Camp this summer. Their dedication to and support of Camp Tecumseh in such a difficult time is a tremendous inspiration to me. I cannot thank them enough.

While we are fearful that we may not be able to be together this summer at Camp, we continue to gather information. The health and safety of our campers and staff is our top priority. New Hampshire Governor Sununu’s task force is set to publish guidelines for residential camps in the next week. If they are true to their timeline, then Camp Tecumseh is on track for a mid to late May decision about Camp as originally set forth. It’s not clear if those guidelines will allow us to open Camp, and even if they do, whether or not we can conform to those guidelines and still provide our boys the great Tecumseh experience we all know and love.

As a Camp community, I believe we owe it to ourselves and those that came before us to not relinquish hope. We ask the boys to grind out every point, stroke, pitch and play, and not give up on anything until the very end. Our Board Task Force is bringing that same resilient spirit to this process.

We completely understand if you need to make decisions before we make an official announcement. If we do not open Camp, I will send a separate email regarding your choice of a refund, credit or donation. In the meantime, please feel free to reach out to me with questions.

Thank you for being part of the Tecumseh community. Let’s all remain Tecumseh Strong!
Doug
Dear Camp Tecumseh,                                                                                               April 27, 2020

It was with great sadness that I shared with all of you earlier this week the news of Jim Fraser’s passing. I’ve been inspired but not surprised by the outpouring of love and support in memory of a man who epitomizes all the great things about Camp Tecumseh. Certainly, the Camp Tecumseh family will miss Big Jim. Please look forward to a May Sunbeam dedicated to Mr. Fraser, as well as updates to our alumni webpage that will include tributes to him and other CT legends.

I know that we continue to be anxious about whether we will be together this summer on the lake. In consultation with the Board of Trustees, our senior staff and our medical team, I have decided to delay a decision regarding the opening of camp until mid to late May. We feel as if there are too many changing circumstances right now and don’t want to rush unnecessarily to make a decision. Please know that the safety of our campers and staff is our priority. We want to open, but will do so only if we feel it is safe. Some of the benchmarks we are evaluating are the ability to potentially test those attending, our capability to maintain a constant safe environment, and the capacity of the local New Hampshire healthcare system to provide high level care if the need arises.

We continue to monitor all communications from the American Camp Association, New Hampshire Camp Directors Association, Center for Disease Control and New Hampshire Department of Health. The Board of Trustees COVID-19 Task Force has been meeting weekly since the onset of the pandemic to evaluate all available information. We are fortunate that two of our Trustees are medical doctors practicing in Boston and Hanover, New Hampshire. They are leading our Task Force’s efforts and bring tremendously valuable insights from their health systems. While some organizations have made bold decisions about their summer programming, the frequency with which information changes has tempered our response and we are confident in our current approach.

We are planning for the possibility of three different scenarios:

– (1) starting on our planned start date and running our standard seven week camp with two 3.5 week sessions;

– (2) delaying our start date and modifying the schedule to run one 3.5-5 week session; and

– (3) closing Camp for the entire summer.

Regardless of which path we ultimately take, the Board and I have decided we will refund any payments families have made if they choose not to send their son(s) or we cannot open. If for any reason you cannot wait for our decision, please reach out to me and we can discuss it. We have also decided we will pay the entire staff at least a percentage of their planned summer earnings. It is a great group of extremely dedicated folks who care deeply about providing your sons a first rate summer experience and we want them all to know Camp appreciates their commitment and wants them to return this summer and beyond.

Camp Tecumseh has stood strong since its founding in 1903. It will continue to stand strong for years to come because of its loyal and dedicated community. In such a time of uncertainty and dislocation, it is important that our families, campers, staff and alumni know that Camp Tecumseh is a place they can count on.

I will remain in frequent contact and update you on our plans in the coming weeks. In the meantime, keep an eye out for weekly Blue-Gray Challenges and stay connected with each other. Be well, be safe and please reach out if you have any questions.

Doug

Special Edition Sunbeam 4-12-2020

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Dear Camp Tecumseh Community,                                                      3/20/20

Good morning! I hope this note finds everyone healthy and safe. Most of you have just finished up your first week of a very different type of school than you are accustomed to.

At Camp we pride ourselves on ‘Making Good Boys Better’. That is, improving the physical, emotional and social abilities of all of our boys without the use of technology while we are at camp. Yet now we find ourselves in this predicament in which we are forced to be apart and therefore somewhat reliant on technology to maintain our connections.  We are facing everyday with a need to dig deep and embrace our inner Tecumseh warrior.  With that in mind, Camp Tecumseh will be increasing our social media presence and email correspondences in an effort to bring the Camp spirit and community into everyone’s home.

Two of the social media feeds we offer are on Instagram. Our base account is @tecumseh1903, and we now have a brand new account,  @tecumseh_cals. This was created for members of our community who are looking for workout challenges, tips, and inspiration to stay active while potentially confined at home. As a reminder to the Tecumseh community, it is our clear expectation that everyone will engage respectfully on social media as Tecumseh gentlemen!

Additionally, I will send emails and post updates on our FROM THE DIRECTOR page of the website. In these correspondences, I will share huddle and prayer speeches from previous CT summers. The first two talks I am sharing from counselors John Washington (J Wash) and Chris Northrup are very poignant given the current situation. I am also attaching them to this email for your convenience.  It would be awesome if the boys wanted to read them, either silently or aloud to their families.  Anyone who feels moved to write and share a reflection is encouraged to send it to our new email address designed for this purpose,  tecumsehtogether@camptecumseh.net

Camp Tecumseh is excited to roll out this new dimension in our long and amazing history and hope that it will provide the boys with the opportunity to read, write, think, and exercise everyday, all while keeping their Camp spirit and brothers close!

If you are like the Knight family,  you have missed games, practices, performances and events of all kinds over the past few weeks. However, we have cherished this time together. Yesterday, alone, we went for a family run, sat outside and shot hoops, had a family dinner, and played several rounds of President.  It has allowed us to come together (yes, sometimes we drive each other a little nuts!) and focus on what is important, each other. My family, my friends and Camp Tecumseh have kept me grounded for the last week. Don’t stop dreaming about the amazing summer we have planned at the Lake- I know I won’t-  and enjoy this extra time to connect with who and  what is important to you.

Please reach out any time with questions or concerns. Thank you!

Doug

Director – Camp Tecumseh

dknight@camptecumseh.net

tecumsehtogether@camptecumseh.net

www.camptecumseh.net

610-513-8564
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Douglas Knight

Camp Tecumseh – Director

dknight@camptecumseh.net
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Dear Camp Tecumseh Community,                                                3/16/2020

We hope this note finds you and your families healthy and safe. As of now, we are hopeful for a full summer at Camp Tecumseh. Given the seriousness and fluidity of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we recognize these plans may change and as such will communicate regularly to update the entire Tecumseh Community.

In the meantime, please know that our primary focus is the health and safety of our campers and staff. To this end, we are monitoring the developments of the pandemic and assessing Camp’s readiness for the summer with our senior staff and a subcommittee of the Board of Trustees which includes two physicians, both of whom are directly involved in addressing the pandemic at their respective health care institutions. In addition to monitoring communications from the Center for Disease Control, the World Health Organization, and the American Camp Association, we are in direct contact on a nearly daily basis with local experts at the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services as well as the largest health system in the state, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health. Additionally, we are assessing our current medical care resources at Camp and the surrounding healthcare infrastructure.

We are confident the Tecumseh spirit will endure beyond these challenging times and Camp will remain The Greatest Place on Earth for our boys. Please take care of your families and do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Doug Knight, Director                              Robert Gray, Chairman, BOT
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Douglas Knight

Camp Tecumseh – Director

dknight@camptecumseh.net

2018 Director’s Final Sunbeam Article

Jill and Doug backstage at the Operetta 2015

Jill and Doug backstage at the Operetta 2015

Dear Camp Tecumseh,

I gave the opening prayer speech this past summer because I felt it was important to share some of the legacy of Mr. Don McBride with our current campers. Sadly, Mr. McBride passed away this spring, but left a huge family to remember and celebrate his life. Both of his sons and 10 of his eleven grandsons have been campers and counselors here at CT (and the 11th will be here soon!!!).

Mr. McBride was the 4th Director of Camp Tecumseh from 1977 – 1983. The following words, from him, were in the final Sunbeam 41 years ago!

Most people go through life only partially aware of the full range of their abilities. Many of these capacities are not easily discovered. So many of us have potentialities that never develop, mainly because the circumstances of our particular lives never call them forth. This is why Tecumseh can and should be so vital to your growth; it places you in a set of circumstances that forces you to reach within yourself and come up with qualities that under a more conventional environment might have gone undetected.

But, in order for this to happen successfully, you must not have a fear of failure. This fear or lack of it has probably intrigued me more than anything else about the population of Camp Tecumseh.

Learning is a risky business. When an infant is learning at a fast rate, he is also experiencing a great number of failures. Watch him! See the countless things he attempts and how little he is affected by failure. As we get older, we tend to avoid things we have never tried. Fear of failure, particularly under the scrutiny of our buddies, certainly hinders our full growth. DON”T let it happen.

Some are obviously not as afraid as others – lucky them. So what if they fell of their skis, lost the set, struck out, failed the swim test, forgot their lines or missed the penalty kick. To keep on learning and growing, you must continue to risk failure – all your life. What a wonderful place like Tecumseh to test this theory.  Keep on trying – everything. I, for one, will never ridicule your failure, rather laud your spunk.

I would like to thank Mr. McBride for inspiring me, and countless campers, to ward off the fear of failure. After reading his words, I made it a goal to participate in as many activities as possible this summer. I was able to compete in a counselor soccer game, four v four soccer tournament, two ball tournament, floor hockey tournament, water polo tournament, ironman race, mini marathon, play catcher in a baseball game, and play countless tennis matches.

The above is not even a fraction of what the campers have been a part of this summer. We start each summer and spend a little time at the beginning of each session getting into a rhythm, but after a few weeks the amazing spectacle that is Camp Tecumseh leaves me completely speechless. I felt it most about a week ago, sitting at the top of the hill during free play while tennis balls, football, frisbees and bean bags were flying all around and smiles and positive energy were everywhere. It reminded me of the book, Flow; the Psychology of Optimal Experience. In it, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi describes Flow as people typically experiencing deep enjoyment, creativity, and a total involvement with life.

This, to me, is Camp Tecumseh! It’s a marvel to watch kids playing together whether the time is structured or not, getting along, settling their differences, and simply enjoying life. Sadly, I do not feel this happens enough during the other ten months of the year. There are far too many outside distractions that cause kids to lose focus of what is important to them. Hear at Camp Tecumseh we have a lot of sports and a lot of friends/brothers pushing one to be better. As, Asst Director, Blake Stabert told us in his prayer speech, age is meaningless at camp. You can compete against and lose to someone five years younger than you and turn around ten minutes later and beat someone five years older than you.

The true beauty of Camp Tecumseh lies in the relationships we build here together. Take them with you for the next ten months and build on them. I challenge campers to do more than follow someone on Instagram or snapchat. Instead, try to reach out with a letter to explain what you’ve been up to or call someone on the phone to have a more meaningful conversation.

For my part, I plan to have as many in person functions as possible this offseason as there is no group that fills me with such an energetic and youthful feeling as the Camp Tecumseh family. Thank you for a great summer, and see you in the offseason and back here on Lake Winnipesaukee next summer!

Doug

Director – Camp Tecumseh

dknight@camptecumseh.net (please reach out any time!!!!!)

October 1, 2015

Dear Camp Tecumseh Family,

It has been an amazing ride for the past year culminating with an unbelievable summer in 2015. We will, no doubt, be riding that momentum into next summer. The staff was diligent and enthusiastic, translating into an amazing experience for campers. A large majority of the staff at Camp Tecumseh has been in the shoes of the campers, and all they want is for the experience to be even better than it was for them. The example set by staff members is commendable and a major reason why I am so glad that my own children are campers. What follows are a few observations from this summer that I think capture just what the boys enjoy most about Camp Tecumseh.

First, the boys all want to be good at something- really good at something- and there are so many opportunities for this to happen at Camp. There are so many words of wisdom that we want to pass on to our children, but it is often difficult to get through to them as parents. However, when they hear the same messages from the counselors whom they idolize, the ideas resonate more powerfully. From instructions on the soccer field to personal hygiene tips to lessons about empathy, I watched as eager campers soaked up all the words and actions of their counselors. Specifically on the athletic fields we have a large number of counselors that have played or are currently playing high school, college or professional sports. This gives our campers something to strive for as well as someone to talk to about the experience. Incredibly, we have had a few staff members (who are former campers) switch sports while in college. This speaks directly to the well-rounded environment we provide at Camp. I believe strongly that sport specialization all too often leads to burnout and injuries that will rob children of the fun that is supposed to be had while playing sports. Camp provides an incredibly competitive environment for boys to learn many different sports and figure out, when they are ready, which sport they would like to pursue. At Camp, boys have the freedom and space to strive for excellence in personal and athletic endeavors.

Secondly, the boys want to feel connected to others. Camp Tecumseh provides this connection with its small community and the messages we give to the boys on a daily basis. With twelve to twenty boys per cabin and four to five counselors per cabin, each boy automatically has a group he can cling to. Additionally, with morning huddle, evening prayers and countless other opportunities to make oneself better- High Noon Club, Bald Peak Club, Cross Fit Club, Yoga- Camp Tecumseh helps to instill positive character traits that are fostered for a lifetime. The aforementioned clubs and activities offer the boys an opportunity to pursue personal growth during free time in small groups with like-minded campers and staff, fostering not just personal improvement but also connection to others. Evidence of the connection made by the boys is apparent on the final Sunday of camp. Eight year olds all the way up to grown men are crying and hugging because they do not want Camp to be over. The bonds formed during seven weeks are so strong that boys come back year after year. As Director I have heard from countless alums about how powerful their experience was at Camp, and how experiences at Camp shaped the person they are today. We have hosted many alums for very short visits simply to show their girlfriend or wife the place they talk so much about!

Finally, the boys desire freedom and independence. There is no better place to get this than the safety of Winnipesaukee’s wooded shores! Undoubtedly, Camp provides boys with an opportunity to be on their own, but it also provides structure and supervision. Boys are free to make choices about whom they would like to be around, what activities they would like to participate in and how hard they want to work to make themselves better at something. These choices help them to understand who they are and who they want to be. It is not uncommon to see a pack of boys the same age running a Tecumseh Warrior together or a few boys of differing ages playing 2 ball together on the hoops court. Each age group learns from the other in so many ways, and that is one of the many unique things about Camp. One of our staff members spoke of this phenomenon at the start of camp when he quoted a saying that was outside the library at his school.

“He who knows only his generation remains always a child.” – George Norlin

While we all wish our boys could remain children forever to some extent, it is without question that they grow up, mature and become men at Camp Tecumseh. The perfect balance of freedom and structure that they have at Camp creates the brotherhood of love that helps provide our boys with confidence as they move towards independence and adulthood.

I chuckle every time someone asks me how the summer was because it is impossible to put all of this into a brief statement that answers that question. Amazing, incredible and extraordinary are three words that I use most often, and then try to explain as best I can why so many boys benefit from their summers at Camp Tecumseh. The opportunities to strive to be really good at something, to feel connected to others, and to gain independence are readily available for every boy that attends Tecumseh. I look forward to spending many summers at ‘The Greatest Place on Earth!’

Please feel free to reach out to me at any time.

Sincerely,

Doug

Douglas Knight
Director, Camp Tecumseh
dknight@camptecumseh.net

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