2018 Director’s Final Sunbeam Article

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 11^th will be here soon!!!).

Mr. McBride was the 4^th 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.info (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.info

ABOUT THE WEEKEND

Arrival: Generally it is ideal to arrive during the day on Friday. Projects will begin on Friday afternoon.  If you arrive on Thursday night, that’s fine, the senior tents are open to make yourself at home. If you can’t join us until later Friday or even Saturday, that’s fine too!

Projects: We will have a menu of projects to choose from to accommodate all ages and abilities. We will send teams of work crews off to accomplish each project. All tools will be provided. Have ideas of something you want to accomplish at Camp? Let us know and we will see if we can accommodate it.

Accommodations: We are offering the senior tents to sleep. You must bring your own pillows, blankets, etc. The shower facilities and bathrooms will be open for your use.

Meals: The first meal will be a cookout at the Waterfront on Friday evening. Breakfast and lunch will be served in Dining Hall on Saturday and dinner will again be a cookout. Breakfast will be served on Sunday morning and we ask that you depart some time before Sunday evening when the full staff arrives.

Cost: There is no cost to be part of Alumni Work Weekend. However, along with the theme of Sense of Service, we ask that you consider making a Blue-Gray gift to create an opportunity for a camper to go to Camp this summer. You can do it online at www.camptecumseh.info

FAQ: Can I bring guests? Yes. If you have young children (especially boys) that would like to experience Camp as a prospective experience, bring them along. Wives and significant others may also attend. However, we cannot accommodate the families uniquely, and work priority will remain with alums.

Sample Day Schedule:

8:00 – 9:00am  –  Breakfast in Dining Hall

9:00 – 11:30am  –  Projects

12:00 – 1:00pm  – Lunch in Dining Hall

1:00 – 3:30pm  –  Projects

3:30 – 4:45pm  –  Fun (waterfront, basketball, softball – “Al Piper Hamstring Classic”, etc)

5:00 – until  –  Waterfront BBQ for Dinner

Space for the weekend is limited! First come, first served.

An introduction from the new Director:

Doug Knight (right) and former Director, Don McBride (left), in the Director’s Office. In the background is Mr. Munger’s desk and Mr. Grant’s dog, Jiller.

Dear Camp Tecumseh Family,

It is with equal parts respect and relief that I accept the challenge to be the next Director of Camp Tecumseh. The respect is for the thousands of campers and counselors that have come before me, and the relief is for the values and traditions that have endured at camp for the last 111 years. These values align perfectly with what I have emphasized to students, players, families and my own children for the last seventeen years as a teacher, coach, administrator and father. Words like discipline, resilience, selflessness, leadership and sportsmanship are just a few of what I heard from alums, campers and parents while interviewing for this position, and witnessed firsthand with my family this summer.

The passion of everyone involved with Camp Tecumseh is contagious. It makes me wish I was a camper, and it inspires me every day to do my job better!

I’d like to sincerely thank Jim and Nina Talbot for turning over to me and my family, a camp in fantastic shape. Their work along with all the previous Directors, staff and campers have shaped the “Greatest Place on Earth”.

Before we left camp in August I spoke with the entire staff and emphasized two key points. The first is that I want as many of them back as possible. 2014 was a great summer at Tecumseh and one of the main reasons for this is how terrific the staff was. It was a cohesive, energetic group that cared about each other and the campers they lead. I have already begun to meet with staff members and plan to throughout the offseason to learn more about camp and try to ensure their return to it.

The second thing that I said to them is that we can always get better. I quoted Jim Collins in ‘Good to Great’ when I said that “once you begin to think of yourself as great, your slide to mediocrity will have already begun”. Camp Tecumseh cannot rely on its reputation. We must strive, every day, to get better as a community.

In that regard, if you have any questions, concerns, recruits or just want to talk about camp please do not hesitate to contact me. My email address is dknight@camptecumseh.info and my phone number is 610-513-8564. As we begin to prepare for the 112th year I want to let you know some of the goals I have for the next 12 months:

• Make every decision with the best interest of CT campers in mind.
• Build a new website by September, 2015. This will consolidate all of CT’s databases and make the entire user experience much easier for all.
• Start an online CT holiday clothing and apparel sale.
• CT Staff Blue Gray fundraising bike-a-thon. More information to follow, but we have a group of staff members that plan to bike from Banff, Canada to Cape Horn, the southern tip of South America. There are a great number of amazing ways we plan to incorporate CT events with this ride. Stay tuned!
• Plan and carry out CT webinars with Youth, HS and College coaches to inform parents about how you can best prepare your child for the next in life and in sports.
• Plan and carry out small group recruiting gatherings in strategic areas, as done in years past, to maximize campers for CT.

In closing, I leave you with a quote from Alexander Grant that speaks to the rich history and tradition of Camp Tecumseh.

“I have believed in Camp Tecumseh as a great American institution for the development and training of a boy’s own best self, and of his character, qualities of leadership and sportsmanship, and of his ability in various forms athletic, aesthetic and manly endeavor” – Alexander Grant, Last Will and Testament, June 28, 1943

I have never seen an organization stick so closely to its values for such an extended period of time as Camp Tecumseh has. This is why boys and men continue to come back year after year!

8 months until camp starts. See you soon!

Doug

Douglas Knight
Director, Camp Tecumseh
dknight@camptecumseh.info