Comments on: Welcome http://blog.camppemi.com/pemi-alumni/welcome/ A camp for boys in the White Mountains of NH, founded in 1908 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 02:54:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Bob Fetter http://blog.camppemi.com/pemi-alumni/welcome/comment-page-1/#comment-18248 Bob Fetter Mon, 04 Apr 2011 04:27:51 +0000 http://blog.camppemi.com/?p=3#comment-18248 For Your Pemi Archives: My brother just sent some info from your website, and asked me about my memorable camp experiences at Pemi back in the Summer of 1940, when I was one of the youngest campers....Ed See was our counselor...and was noted that particular summer for his "Six Years as a Camper...Six Years as a Counselor." I was known that summer as "Cue Ball." When I last stopped by Pemi...probably the Summer of 1992...it was after camp season, but some of your team was there enjoying a picnic....I recall that you told me that Ed See had just stopped by a few days earlier. Doc Win was the director who helped me "Swim The Distance"...As I recall, I was among the three last campers to "Swim The Distance"....and we were each taken under the wing of one of the directors....It was a great triumph when on the same day...all three of us finally "Swam The Distance."...There was a huge celebration at Dinner that evening...with a Special Cake for the Three Campers who at last made it! It was a wonderfully affirming and motivating experience. I also still have the "What Is It" Nature Award I received in 1940 for naming so many of the "What Is Its" which each day appeared in the Nature Center. It is framed on my book shelf for such special momentos. Not sure why I never returned to Pemi, as that was a splendid, horizon expanding summer for me....Of course the war years changed a lot, and our family existed on the salary then available for professors at small colleges.... Rest of this is "optional reading," as little of this is pertinent to Pemi, except for my comments about my last visit in 1992: I went to a much simpler camp [Quinebarge on Lake Kanasatka] the summers of 1943-44-45...and then to Putney Work Camp in Vermont the summers of 1946-47. Both Quinebarge and Putney were very strong on instilling the "virtues of hard labor" ethic....which led me next into five summers 1948 through 1953 of work on railroad track maintenance and construction gangs in Illinois, Ontario, Alaska and Wyoming.... Following Swarthmore College graduation, my service as an Army Draftee, and then Harvard Business School, my career was with the Railroads...most satisfying, as we never ran out of problems. Now, my wife and I live in a Quaker retirement community north of Baltimore...When our grandchildren come to stay with us for a few days...as the two oldest will again shortly...we call this "Camp Broadmead"...They have a great time, as they can move freely all around our acreage and trails and paths..and enjoy a range of activities. At one time, I had a dream of our son coming to Pemi, but we became immersed in the Quaker Camping Programs of our Baltimore Yearly Meeting [our group of Quakers] starting in the 1970's....with our son and daughter** involved...much like Ed See...six years of camping followed by several years of counseloring. And now our grandchildren are involved with Catoctin Quaker Camp. I served as Clerk of our Camping Program Committee thirty years ago, and our son has been Clerk of the Camp Property Management Committee for the Baltimore Yearly Meeting Quakers. **From your website, you mention many Oberlin connections....that is where our daughter graduated, and then met and married her husband... Not sure whether you need to hear from former campers, but the thoughts I shared with my brother [Tom Fetter lives over in Vermont] earlier this evening provided a real nostalgia high. Regards, Bob Fetter Broadmead E-2 13801 York Road Cockeysville, MD 21030-1837 Phone: 443-578-8228 For Your Pemi Archives: My brother just sent some info from your website, and asked me about my memorable camp experiences at Pemi back in the Summer of 1940, when I was one of the youngest campers….Ed See was our counselor…and was noted that particular summer for his “Six Years as a Camper…Six Years as a Counselor.”
I was known that summer as “Cue Ball.”

When I last stopped by Pemi…probably the Summer of 1992…it was after camp season, but some of your team was there enjoying a picnic….I recall that you told me that Ed See had just stopped by a few days earlier.

Doc Win was the director who helped me “Swim The Distance”…As I recall, I was among the three last campers to “Swim The Distance”….and we were each taken under the wing of one of the directors….It was a great triumph when on the same day…all three of us finally “Swam The Distance.”…There was a huge celebration at Dinner that evening…with a Special Cake for the Three Campers who at last made it! It was a wonderfully affirming and motivating experience.

I also still have the “What Is It” Nature Award I received in 1940 for naming so many of the “What Is Its” which each day appeared in the Nature Center. It is framed on my book shelf for such special momentos.

Not sure why I never returned to Pemi, as that was a splendid, horizon expanding summer for me….Of course the war years changed a lot, and our family existed on the salary then available for professors at small colleges….

Rest of this is “optional reading,” as little of this is pertinent to Pemi, except for my comments about my last visit in 1992: I went to a much simpler camp [Quinebarge on Lake Kanasatka] the summers of 1943-44-45…and then to Putney Work Camp in Vermont the summers of 1946-47. Both Quinebarge and Putney were very strong on instilling the “virtues of hard labor” ethic….which led me next into five summers 1948 through 1953 of work on railroad track maintenance and construction gangs in Illinois, Ontario, Alaska and Wyoming….

Following Swarthmore College graduation, my service as an Army Draftee, and then Harvard Business School, my career was with the Railroads…most satisfying, as we never ran out of problems. Now, my wife and I live in a Quaker retirement community north of Baltimore…When our grandchildren come to stay with us for a few days…as the two oldest will again shortly…we call this “Camp Broadmead”…They have a great time, as they can move freely all around our acreage and trails and paths..and enjoy a range of activities.

At one time, I had a dream of our son coming to Pemi, but we became immersed in the Quaker Camping Programs of our Baltimore Yearly Meeting [our group of Quakers] starting in the 1970′s….with our son and daughter** involved…much like Ed See…six years of camping followed by several years of counseloring. And now our grandchildren are involved with Catoctin Quaker Camp. I served as Clerk of our Camping Program Committee thirty years ago, and our son has been Clerk of the Camp Property Management Committee for the Baltimore Yearly Meeting Quakers.

**From your website, you mention many Oberlin connections….that is where our daughter graduated, and then met and married her husband…

Not sure whether you need to hear from former campers, but the thoughts I shared with my brother [Tom Fetter lives over in Vermont] earlier this evening provided a real nostalgia high.

Regards,

Bob Fetter
Broadmead E-2
13801 York Road
Cockeysville, MD 21030-1837
Phone: 443-578-8228

]]> By: Bart Kimball http://blog.camppemi.com/pemi-alumni/welcome/comment-page-1/#comment-1600 Bart Kimball Tue, 06 Jul 2010 12:05:26 +0000 http://blog.camppemi.com/?p=3#comment-1600 I went to Pemi in 1958-59. My older brother was a counselor in one of those years. I wasn't a typical camper -- I hated mountain climbing and I'm still afraid of heights. However, Pemi is where I learned to swim, canoe, and shoot (which came in handy when I went into the army,) and I loved the woods and water. Watching someone learn to fly fish, encouraged me to take it up years later. Oddly enough though, the thing I remember most was the music, I still find myself singing "The Bloomer Girl" or the odd college song on occasion. Pemi offered a great deal even to a book worm like me, and I loved the old books in the lodge, some of which must have dated back to the camp's founding. I'm glad it continues on. I went to Pemi in 1958-59. My older brother was a counselor in one of those years. I wasn’t a typical camper — I hated mountain climbing and I’m still afraid of heights. However, Pemi is where I learned to swim, canoe, and shoot (which came in handy when I went into the army,) and I loved the woods and water. Watching someone learn to fly fish, encouraged me to take it up years later. Oddly enough though, the thing I remember most was the music, I still find myself singing “The Bloomer Girl” or the odd college song on occasion. Pemi offered a great deal even to a book worm like me, and I loved the old books in the lodge, some of which must have dated back to the camp’s founding. I’m glad it continues on.

]]> By: Derrick Bell III http://blog.camppemi.com/pemi-alumni/welcome/comment-page-1/#comment-356 Derrick Bell III Mon, 12 Apr 2010 21:00:29 +0000 http://blog.camppemi.com/?p=3#comment-356 I attended Pemi as a camper from 1973-78. I was 10 years old when I arrived at Pemi. Of all things to happen that year was a flood. Water covered the main entrance to camp, no cars, trucks, buses, etc. Could not cross the bridge. Counslers bought people over in row boats, 300 yards into camp. The question going through the minds of the Directors at that time was how can parents of new campers, leave their sons with us without seeing the main entrance? At first I was affraid to swim my distance, but Bill Dickerman maid a believer out of me. He and I worked on different swim strokes, he gave me individual attention after rest hour. Then one day he came to me and said, how about swimming your distance? I aggred to, and I did so. I was very happy that I accomplished something. I was the last person in my cabin swim my distance, and one of the last in the junior camp to do so. I had many happy experiences as a Pemi Camper, and I hope the tradition continues. I attended Pemi as a camper from 1973-78. I was 10 years old when I arrived at Pemi. Of all things to happen that year was a flood. Water covered the main entrance to camp, no cars, trucks, buses, etc. Could not cross the bridge. Counslers bought people over in row boats, 300 yards into camp. The question going through the minds of the Directors at that time was how can parents of new campers, leave their sons with us without seeing the main entrance? At first I was affraid to swim my distance, but Bill Dickerman maid a believer out of me. He and I worked on different swim strokes, he gave me individual attention after rest hour. Then one day he came to me and said, how about swimming your distance? I aggred to, and I did so. I was very happy that I accomplished something. I was the last person in my cabin swim my distance, and one of the last in the junior camp to do so. I had many happy experiences as a Pemi Camper, and I hope the tradition continues.

]]> By: Eileen Bonetti http://blog.camppemi.com/pemi-alumni/welcome/comment-page-1/#comment-134 Eileen Bonetti Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:49:23 +0000 http://blog.camppemi.com/?p=3#comment-134 My son, Charlie, went to Camp Pemi for the first time two days after turning 9 years old. The uniqueness of being part of a long Pemi tradition is instilled in the boys from the start. Not only are the outdoor activities, nature, sports and comraderie thrilling but the boys gain a sense that they are part of something bigger. Charlie was touched that his cabinmate was a fourth generation of Pemi campers. One of Charlie's first questions to me after camp was "can I start the Pemi tradition for our family so that my sons and grandsons go to camp there?" I was moved that a deep thought could come from a 9 year old but that is what Pemi does! My son, Charlie, went to Camp Pemi for the first time two days after turning 9 years old. The uniqueness of being part of a long Pemi tradition is instilled in the boys from the start. Not only are the outdoor activities, nature, sports and comraderie thrilling but the boys gain a sense that they are part of something bigger. Charlie was touched that his cabinmate was a fourth generation of Pemi campers. One of Charlie’s first questions to me after camp was “can I start the Pemi tradition for our family so that my sons and grandsons go to camp there?” I was moved that a deep thought could come from a 9 year old but that is what Pemi does!

]]> By: Jay Remer http://blog.camppemi.com/pemi-alumni/welcome/comment-page-1/#comment-32 Jay Remer Sat, 06 Feb 2010 18:15:08 +0000 http://blog.camppemi.com/?p=3#comment-32 Imagine stumbling upon this blog while checking on the spelling of Pemi as I write another page in a memoir. I was delighted to see it actually getting some action. I first attended camp there in 1959 and loved it for five consecutive summers. I would cross paths with Doc Nic in Sea Island; Fauvers on various ski slopes; and chatted with Tom Reed (jr) just this past winter. I remember fondly my endless hours in the Nature Lodge where I mounted countless specimens of butterflies, moths, trees, ferns, etc. I remember some fine friendships, especially one with Bill Westfall. He was a counselor and we exchanged correspondance up until he tragically died. I learned a lot at the camp and am so glad to see it thriving. I look forward to contributing to this blog and reconnecting with anyone who may recall this skinny blond kid. Imagine stumbling upon this blog while checking on the spelling of Pemi as I write another page in a memoir. I was delighted to see it actually getting some action. I first attended camp there in 1959 and loved it for five consecutive summers. I would cross paths with Doc Nic in Sea Island; Fauvers on various ski slopes; and chatted with Tom Reed (jr) just this past winter. I remember fondly my endless hours in the Nature Lodge where I mounted countless specimens of butterflies, moths, trees, ferns, etc. I remember some fine friendships, especially one with Bill Westfall. He was a counselor and we exchanged correspondance up until he tragically died. I learned a lot at the camp and am so glad to see it thriving. I look forward to contributing to this blog and reconnecting with anyone who may recall this skinny blond kid.

]]> By: JOHN TARBELL http://blog.camppemi.com/pemi-alumni/welcome/comment-page-1/#comment-21 JOHN TARBELL Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:40:06 +0000 http://blog.camppemi.com/?p=3#comment-21 I recall back in 1976 watching is disbelief as my parents drove away. They tell me I had this "You're actually going to leave me here?" look on my face as the dust rose behind the car as it headed down the road from Upper 2. I wandered into the cabin, and met Fred Rittner, serving as a first year assistant counselor for my cabin. In the great scheme of things, there was probably not a better way that the Pemi experience could have started for me. Fred convenienced me to join the swim team. I guess that worked out fairly well, as the last I knew, there was still a record or two on the board from the 1978 15's that still has my name listed. I returned as an assistant counselor in 1980 and found myself under the guidance of cabin couselor, yep, Fred Rittner. The next five summers probably shaped the person that I have become. While working on the waterfront, rifle range and ski boat occupations, and working with the young men in my cabins, the meaning of giving of one self for the betterment of others truly sank in. "And I wonder if anyone's better for anything I've done or said" is probably the truest single line that tells us what Pemi is about and what it should continue to be long after our time on the shores of Lower Baker is over. It has pretty much provided the core values around which I run my business, help with the youth programs at my church and raise my children. I can not say enough about the guidance and faith that Tom Reed Sr. had in me, and I give his leadership during my time there full credit for the memories, magic and formation of all his many Pemi Men. In this era of false hero's, he is truly a real one for alot of us. I would hope that the blog could be used to help reconnect with many of my long lost friends. Scotty, Sternsy, Happy Hayes, Seebeck, how you guys all doing? Tarbs. I recall back in 1976 watching is disbelief as my parents drove away. They tell me I had this “You’re actually going to leave me here?” look on my face as the dust rose behind the car as it headed down the road from Upper 2. I wandered into the cabin, and met Fred Rittner, serving as a first year assistant counselor for my cabin. In the great scheme of things, there was probably not a better way that the Pemi experience could have started for me. Fred convenienced me to join the swim team. I guess that worked out fairly well, as the last I knew, there was still a record or two on the board from the 1978 15′s that still has my name listed.

I returned as an assistant counselor in 1980 and found myself under the guidance of cabin couselor, yep, Fred Rittner. The next five summers probably shaped the person that I have become. While working on the waterfront, rifle range and ski boat occupations, and working with the young men in my cabins, the meaning of giving of one self for the betterment of others truly sank in. “And I wonder if anyone’s better for anything I’ve done or said” is probably the truest single line that tells us what Pemi is about and what it should continue to be long after our time on the shores of Lower Baker is over. It has pretty much provided the core values around which I run my business, help with the youth programs at my church and raise my children.

I can not say enough about the guidance and faith that Tom Reed Sr. had in me, and I give his leadership during my time there full credit for the memories, magic and formation of all his many Pemi Men. In this era of false hero’s, he is truly a real one for alot of us.

I would hope that the blog could be used to help reconnect with many of my long lost friends. Scotty, Sternsy, Happy Hayes, Seebeck, how you guys all doing?

Tarbs.

]]> By: camppemi http://blog.camppemi.com/pemi-alumni/welcome/comment-page-1/#comment-15 camppemi Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:29:16 +0000 http://blog.camppemi.com/?p=3#comment-15 Thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts here! A follow-up item is now live, and accessible here: http://blog.camppemi.com/daily-life-at-pemi/thank-you/ warm regards, Rob Verger Thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts here! A follow-up item is now live, and accessible here:

http://blog.camppemi.com/daily-life-at-pemi/thank-you/

warm regards, Rob Verger

]]> By: Camp Pemigewassett » Blog Archive » Thank You http://blog.camppemi.com/pemi-alumni/welcome/comment-page-1/#comment-14 Camp Pemigewassett » Blog Archive » Thank You Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:21:44 +0000 http://blog.camppemi.com/?p=3#comment-14 [...] Camp Pemigewassett « Welcome [...] [...] Camp Pemigewassett « Welcome [...]

]]> By: Jaime Garcia http://blog.camppemi.com/pemi-alumni/welcome/comment-page-1/#comment-13 Jaime Garcia Tue, 19 Jan 2010 01:52:04 +0000 http://blog.camppemi.com/?p=3#comment-13 When I arrived at Pemi in 1976, I had a one track mind for sports. If my memory is correct, I took baseball as an occupation every week for two summers. I finally visited the Nature Lodge and ended up developing a significant interest in the program. Throughout my trips around the world (Navy career), I have appreciated the natural beauty of the visited ports and had the opportunity to go on several nature trips during my time-off (hiking, whale watching,etc). Even while the ship cruised through the Pacific Ocean, I appreciated taking a few minutes to watch the stars – they always reminded me of standing the “night patrol” duty (As a counselor in the 1980's) during those PEMI clear but cold summer nights. Then and now, I remain extremely grateful to PEMI for expanding my horizons in many different ways and for all the developed friendships that endure to this date. Warm regards to all. Jaime Garcia When I arrived at Pemi in 1976, I had a one track mind for sports. If my memory is correct, I took baseball as an occupation every week for two summers. I finally visited the Nature Lodge and ended up developing a significant interest in the program. Throughout my trips around the world (Navy career), I have appreciated the natural beauty of the visited ports and had the opportunity to go on several nature trips during my time-off (hiking, whale watching,etc). Even while the ship cruised through the Pacific Ocean, I appreciated taking a few minutes to watch the stars – they always reminded me of standing the “night patrol” duty (As a counselor in the 1980′s) during those PEMI clear but cold summer nights. Then and now, I remain extremely grateful to PEMI for expanding my horizons in many different ways and for all the developed friendships that endure to this date. Warm regards to all. Jaime Garcia

]]> By: Erik Muller http://blog.camppemi.com/pemi-alumni/welcome/comment-page-1/#comment-12 Erik Muller Mon, 18 Jan 2010 02:15:49 +0000 http://blog.camppemi.com/?p=3#comment-12 The opportunity to share a few thoughts about Pemi produces instant writers block...simply because the prevailing question is 'where do you start?' Pemi holds so much responsiblity in shaping the person I am today (the good parts, that is). The Summer of 1984 was my first and I remember how scared I was unpacking my trunk in Junior 4 not knowing anyone other than Chris Long, who joined me in coming to Pemi from a previous sleepaway camp in Maine. Chris's first Summer was his last and my first Summer led to 8 more both as camper and staff. I can easily say no one place in the world means more to me than Pemi. I arrived an immature little boy and left an immature older boy...BUT...I discovered so many things to appreciate. The importance of sportsmanship, trying new things, giving, the beauty of the outdoors, and just how to live with others began at Pemi for me. To sum up my feelings about camp, Sky Fauver said it pretty well at the 100 year reunion. When I mention Pemi to my friends outside of the camp community, many of them roll their eyes and laugh at the mention of it. A 35 year old guy still talking about sleepaway camp. But it's ok if they 'don't know'...'we know' what it's all about. We are all so lucky to be in the know about such a special, special place. The opportunity to share a few thoughts about Pemi produces instant writers block…simply because the prevailing question is ‘where do you start?’ Pemi holds so much responsiblity in shaping the person I am today (the good parts, that is). The Summer of 1984 was my first and I remember how scared I was unpacking my trunk in Junior 4 not knowing anyone other than Chris Long, who joined me in coming to Pemi from a previous sleepaway camp in Maine. Chris’s first Summer was his last and my first Summer led to 8 more both as camper and staff. I can easily say no one place in the world means more to me than Pemi. I arrived an immature little boy and left an immature older boy…BUT…I discovered so many things to appreciate. The importance of sportsmanship, trying new things, giving, the beauty of the outdoors, and just how to live with others began at Pemi for me. To sum up my feelings about camp, Sky Fauver said it pretty well at the 100 year reunion. When I mention Pemi to my friends outside of the camp community, many of them roll their eyes and laugh at the mention of it. A 35 year old guy still talking about sleepaway camp. But it’s ok if they ‘don’t know’…’we know’ what it’s all about. We are all so lucky to be in the know about such a special, special place.

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