CHEWONKI FOUNDATION INC
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My son will attend Chewonki for his third summer this year. It has been a fabulous experience for him. He has grown from an awkward, impulsive, quirky little boy, into a helpful, compassionate, and responsible 13 year old who has the confidence to try new things, make new friends, and express his ideas. Each year his councilors and activity leaders have serve as amazing positive role models for him as he explores his developing self. He will tell anyone who is listing that he love's Chewonki. Over the past few years, he has learned to eat salad, how to manage his emotions when hiking and discovering you are NOT there yet, found his power in a paddle, and a love of Archery. We're excited to see what stories he returns with this summer!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
My Son
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If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
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Review of Chewonki Camp for Girls. Our daughter attended this camp in the summer of 2009. We would NOT recommend this camp. Unlike the Boy’s Camp, the Girl’s Camp is far more rigid with emphasis on areas one would not expect. Focusing on a girl’s willingness to try what the camp defines as delicious food rather than a girl developing independence to make one’s own choices is one example. We will focus on the rigid rules around food because it is unexpected when one is choosing a camp and this rigidity extends to other aspects of how the girl’s camp is run.
Food was a particular concern of ours due to a diagnosed medical condition diagnosed at a leading Children’s Hospital that limits the variety of foods our daughter can eat. She needs simply cooked foods with no spices or strong textures. The camp director, Genell Vashro, said that alternatives would be provided to her.
While the camp did provide alternative to vegans, it did not to our daughter. Instead, we assume the director made a judgment that our daughter’s condition was actually pickiness and arrogantly thought that by forcing our daughter to eat the camp’s food, her condition would disappear. Even when a food made her physically ill, she was forced to eat that same food again several days later in front of the entire camp. Our daughter adopted a dangerous strategy to eat little until a food appeared that she could tolerate and then she binged. Our daughter was not alone she said. Many girls who did not like the food also did a mild form of fasting and binging.
The director assumes that girls who do not like the camp’s unusual food need “weaning off their addiction to sugar and their expectation of a processed-food diet.” We suspect that most, if not all, parents who choose to send their girls to a remote wilderness camp are not feeding their children a processed food diet. Be sure to read “Food meets Philosophy” in the fall 2009 newsletter (http://www.chewonki.org/alumni/thechronicle.asp) to understand the policies. We were surprised that the girls receive letters at the end of the summer assessing whether they ate the food heartily. Our daughter’s letter read: “Sometimes you were a bit reluctant to try new things such as food. We hope that you realize and appreciate where our food comes from, and will be willing to try new adventures.” We were stunned that trying new foods was important enough to make it into a letter to our daughter about her camp experience—that was certainly not one of our goals in sending her to camp!
The camp had many spoken and unspoken rules that lead to a tightly controlled environment. It was not what we hoped for in a camp: It was not a place to spread your wings.
After the summer was over, we talked to Genell Vashro, who basically dismissed our concerns. We then wrote to the president and the Chairman of the Board about our concern about their rigid approach to food as well as other aspects of the camp. For months and months, we didn’t get a reply, despite several phone calls to follow up. Finally, we did have a lengthy phone conversation with the president, who listened and said he would follow up with us, which he never did. (This was more than 3 months ago.) So we don’t know if the camp has implemented any changes. We hope it has, particularly since it is dealing with girls at a vulnerable age when eating disorders emerge for so many.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The poor results are described in my review
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would make radical changes in the leadership and the philosophy at the GIRL's camp
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
It is my strong belief that the summer camp at Chewonki is a bedrock of environmental education. Providing solid information and hands-on learning about the environment and the impact you have on it begins at camp. My grandson spent his first sleepaway at Chewonki this past summer and is returning along with his younger brother because he thrived on this experience. Spending so much time outdoors and learning how important it is to be kind to the environment and the benefits for everyone as a result. When you live in the city you lose a sense of nature at work and the Chewonki experience was a springboard to understanding how vital it is to know your environment. Sharing this information with children at an early age is key to a successful experience for them. In my case, it was extraordinary. Most summer camps concentrate heavily on competitive sports and the refreshing program at Chewonki provides children of all ages an opportunity to learn and respect the earth. I might add, the staff at Chewonki is superb. After a Chewonki summer session the camper is undoubtedly a better educated and happier individual. With a Chewonki attitude the world will be a sweeter place.
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The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Patient, knowledgeable, caring, relaxed and obviously enjoyed their time at Chewonki summer camp.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
Even two years after my semester ended, I cannot overestimate Chewonki's importance to me. I had never before been in a community that upheld and taught its values with such genuine enthusiasm, nor had I before been challenged so to support what I believe.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my own life. I returned to my home school a changed person, more open to new experiences, and much happier with myself and my values.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the community. Chewonki as a whole is an amazing extended community of faculty and staff, and within the foundation, Maine Coast Semester is an incredible atmosphere in which to learn–I have never been so close to my teachers.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Truly make a difference in promoting sustainability and environmental awareness through education and community action.
Ways to make it better...
My experience could not have been better.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Funding.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About once a year
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2007
The months I spent living at Chewonki still rank as among the best of my life. I had no idea what to expect from the semester when I arrived. What I found was an entirely new way of thinking about the world and about my life. I was able to step outside the frantic, competitive world I was raised in, and I gained an immense new understanding of what really matters to me: community, meaningful work, natural beauty. Thanks to MCS, I've spent countless hours over the past two years working for the environment, and I plan to spend the rest of my life doing the same. But, more importantly, thanks to MCS, I've discovered how to live a better life. I'm happier, more confident, more open to new experiences. I couldn't have ever found that without MCS: without the walks in the woods, the community meals, the intense class discussions of philosophy and history alongside with lessons in gardening and woodstoves and sailing.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my own life.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
again, expand financial aid and recruitment efforts (for MCS specfically, and for all programs).
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the four months I spent on the coast of Maine, living with people I loved, doing chores, learning tons, walking in the woods.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Incredible: dedicated, brilliant, and close knit.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Expand its financial aid and recruitment efforts, so that all kinds of students could have the experience I enjoyed.
Ways to make it better...
there had been more diversity in the MCS class: racial diversity, socioeconomic diversity, general diversity of opinions and backgrounds.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
it still isn't as well known as I think it should be!
One thing I'd also say is that...
I'd love more than anything to some day return to the Neck.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2007
Chewonki changed my life starting at age 9. My first experience was as a camper and it left me with a profound appreciation for nature and a significant boost in self-confidence. It was the first place that I ever strapped on a backpack and hiked several sections of the Appalachian trail. They also took me to remote island off the coast of Maine with a naturalists who could identify just about everything we saw, from plants to birds, to species in tidal pools. I later returned with a school group and then worked there as a counselor. With each step I've taken deeper into the organization, I have been more and more impressed. The quality of education they provide, the sincerity and drive of the hard working staff and the vision that they both teach and live is inspiring and impact-full. Chewonki is a spectacular, top-notch organization, well deserving of every accolade it receives!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my heart, my life, and my life choices.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
possibly increase the outreach offerings-- encouraging more visitors to the region to stop in for a look around, or provide more classes for locals. That said, they may be doing this already.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
The sincerety with which they engage their mission and the spirit of teamwork that enables them to accomplish so much!
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
positive, confident, informed, eager to help, curious, pro-active and good natured!
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Create extension programs elsewhere in the region, further broadening its great sphere of influence.
Ways to make it better...
...I honestly can't think of any improvements! They are true leaders in their field.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Growing while maintaining a sense of intimacy. But I think they'll do just fine.
One thing I'd also say is that...
I am currently a director of Adult Education and Research at an organization in Texas and I look to Chewonki to inspire us in new directions.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About once a year
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
Right from the start, Chewonki worked towards fostering a close community of students and teachers. Together, we developed a sense of unity and comfort between all members of Chewonki, such that anyone could take a seat at any table at a mealtime and feel included. The relationships developed between students and teachers, advisers, and other faculty have proved to be long-lasting and meaningful, months after the semester ended. The knowledge I gained at Chewonki, from identifying bird calls to graphing sinusoidal curves, from learning how to milk a cow to the details of American economy during the Civil War, and from lighting a woodstoves to whitewater kayaking, all came from a great experience. Chewonki has taught me countless lessons that extend beyond sustainability, transforming me into a more valuable member of any new community.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
noticing the changes within myself after my semester ended, particularly with my new interest in green energy and conservation.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
being a part of a community that nurtures individual talent with care, while helping to serve a larger, collective purpose.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
friendly, interesting, and all more than willing to work hard for the benefit of the community.
Ways to make it better...
I had been more willing to open myself up to other people earlier on in the semester.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I spent four months at the Chewonki Semester School and had the opportunity to learn and participate in a lot of what the Chewonki foundation does. It is truly a remarkable organization. During my time there, I identified countless trees, worked at the Outreach program feeding birds whose names I had recently learned, read
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
gaining awareness and a desire to live sustainably
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
how it has shaped my views
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
exceptional
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
change lives
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
Chewonki was one of the most formative experiences of my life. As a Maine Coast Semester student, I learned 80 birds by their calls and plumage, gathered eggs from the hens in the morning, read and discussed one of my favourite books of all time (the Beak of the Finch), ate 'close to the earth' and participated in building a respectful and loving community. My time at Chewonki shapes my decisions until this day, in my academic and career path, my consumption choices, and my feeling of connection to the natural world.
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If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Open the Chewonki experience to more people from different backgrounds. Chewonki offers a fair amount financial aid, but for most participants the programs are necessarily quite expensive. $10 million would allow for many more accessible spaces.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
1998
The Maine Coast Semester succeeded in creating one more steward of the environment in our daughter, thanks to her wonderful experience as a student there during the fall of 1994. The dedication of the staff, the unique location, and the mission all conspire in a way that has been perfected to make this happy event a natural occurrence.
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The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
In the many years of reading reports from my children's teachers, I have never read anything like the careful, thoughtful, insightful remarks that so clearly spoke to the dedication of the teaching staff at Chewonki.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
1997
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