Read Our 2019 Anchorline
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SPRING 2019 ANCHORLINE An annual publication for alumni, parents and friends of Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer UNLOCKING POTENTIAL: BUILDING STRONG LEADERS ONE CAMPER AND STAFF MEMBER AT A TIME WHAT’S INSIDE On the Dock with the Directors ......... 3 Alumni Highlights .........................4-5 Hurricane Recovery ......................6-7 A Look at Lifelong Friendships ..... 8-11 Annual Campaign ...................... 12-13 Leadership Transitions ................... 14 Gifts & Giving ...........................15-35 Officers’ Club ........................... 36-37 Volunteers..................................... 38 Last Word ...................................... 39 SAVE THE DATE August 11 – 17, 2019 Follow Us Family Camp Week – Camp Seafarer August 30 - September 2, 2019 Family Camp Weekend – Camp Seafarer September 6-8, 2019 Mother-Daughter Weekend – Camp Seafarer September 13-15, 2019 Father-Son Weekend – Camp Sea Gull September 27-29, 2019 Anchoring the Family Weekend – Camp Seafarer Contact Us October 11 – 14, 2019 Camp Sea Gull & Camp Seafarer 2019 Optimist Southeast Championship – Camp Sea Gull 2744 Seafarer Road Arapahoe, NC 28510 January 10-12, 2020 (252) 249-1212 Run a Kid to Camp 20th Anniversary – Charleston, SC SeaGull-Seafarer.org 2 ANCHORLINE | SPRING 2019 ON THE DOCK WITH THE DIRECTORS John Hyde Diane Hillsgrove Allison Simmons Executive Director, Camp Sea Gull Executive Director, Camp Seafarer Executive Director, Extended Season A LETTER FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS It has certainly been both a challenging and wonderfully required reading for all who believe in the importance of an inspiring time since Hurricane Florence swept through our overnight camp experience – Michael Thompson’s Homesick Camps and our community in September 2018. and Happy. In the book, Thompson explores the idea that At every stage of the process, you have offered words independence, in principle, is cultivated away from parents: of encouragement, a willingness to pitch in at Camp or in the surrounding communities, and in many cases provided Parents ask me questions about subtle financial support to aid in the recovery process. We are [challenges]: how they can help their child incredibly grateful, and it has been remarkable to observe the Camp spirit at work – the positive, can-do attitude that get over fears, or learn to take risks or defines what it means to belong to the Sea Gull and Seafarer become more responsible. It often seems family. A special thank you goes to our Facilities Directors - to me that no matter how loving the Mike Askew, Robbie Pegram, and Paul “Coach” Kennedy parents, they are not going to be able to - for their tireless efforts and indomitable spirit every step of help their child through these challenges. the way. It is going to take someone else. We now stand stronger than ever with reinforced shorelines, rebuilt piers and many additional improvements all completed That someone else could be a neighbor, relative, trusted friend in time for the 2019 program season. Already this spring we or mentor, but it is often a camp counselor who selflessly have hosted thousands of father-son and father-daughter gives his/her time so their campers come home better versions pairs at Sea Gull and Seafarer for fun and impactful Y Guides of themselves. It is our aim that children and staff alike leave weekends. We’re now welcoming the first wave of summer with the confidence to navigate new experiences, the ability staff to begin training before campers arrive for the summer to drive toward a bold goal by dividing it into achievable season. milestones, and the courage to be a leader of character, As our Director teams have traveled around the country guided by values of the Good Sport Award, so they stand up this year on Camp Night tours, we have been energized by for what is right. our conversations with new and prospective campers and In the following pages, you’ll find inspiring stories of campers, their parents, as well as the returning families who come to staff and alumni who understand the transformational power reconnect. Some of our favorite moments at Camp Nights of a camp experience and the lifelong impact it can have. You’ll this winter were during a segment of the evening we call the read about Brantly Baynes, who continues to sail and draw “parent perspective,” an opportunity for seasoned Camp upon Camp’s values in her daily life. You’ll also read about parents to share stories of real transformation observed in Billy Harbert, whose Camp experiences helped him grow and their children after returning from a session at Sea Gull or develop professionally. We hope these stories kindle the Camp Seafarer. Often the anecdotes involve developmental leaps spirit within you – a reminder that Camp is not just a place you in confidence and independence that positively impact their go for a weekend, a week, or a month, but an idea we carry communities back home. with us as we all try to leave the world – and each other – a These parents are the very core of why we do what we do and little stronger than before. perhaps unknowingly echo the central idea in what should be ANCHORLINE | SPRING 2019 3 ALUMNI HIGHLIGHTS Biggest Influence: Then: Muff Carr, “Youngest Camper” former Years at Camp: – Judy Bright, former Head Counselor 8 as a camper Camp Director (1968-1975) Now: and 4 on staff (1980-1983) Pediatrician Seafarer alumna Brantly Baynes first took the helm while learning to sail decades ago. Today, she continues not only to sail but to lead, take chances and be adventurous. Now residing in Hawaii, Dr. Baynes shared a look back before returning to Camp this summer as a Mother Duck leading Starter campers on their Camp journey. Professional Background • Smith College undergraduate • Uniformed Services University’s F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine graduate • Airforce service including two years as a Flight Surgeon, 24 years • Operation Smile, 26 missions Brantly W. Baynes, MD Physician Q: How do the values or Q: Can you share a skill or Q: What do you see as skills learned at Camp lesson that you learned while at Camp’s mission and show up in your everyday Camp and how it applies to your core values? work or personal life? professional role today? A: Unplugging from technology A: Camp has been influential in A: Camp taught me about building a team and becomes a more important my humanitarian work with understanding group dynamics. My forward part of Camp as each the Airforce, during time thinking decision-making and work ethic summer passes. The spent in Turkey and Korea, were all developed at Camp. I now have a Seamanship program, along and in becoming a boatman on very diverse set of skills that can be applied with the ability to choose the Grand Canyon. It’s about to anything in life, both personal and your activities, allows for a motivating others and sharing professional. freedom and independence that benefits your decision- knowledge while encouraging “The skill of being responsible for another making skill process. others to take chances. Seafarer person’s life leads to all other skills.” taught me the patience I need Attending a single-sex Camp Sailing is also a big part of my life. I currently as a pediatrician in working with gave me an extra level of race three to four days a week on various children and parents. I have the confidence in attending an teams. I hadn’t done it in 20 years, yet the ability to talk to people, have all-girls school. empathy and respond quickly skills came right back! I am currently a with composure. member of three sailing clubs. People at Camp don’t expect you to be a rockstar, but they do expect you to try and will support you no matter how many times you fail. 4 ANCHORLINE | SPRING 2019 Camp taught me about lighting a fire IN someone rather than UNDER them. It showed me the difference between motivation and intimidation. Camp’s rigorous schedule helped develop my work ethic, leadership skills and understanding the hierarchy of an organization. Now a player on the global stage, Billy Harbert’s first trip to Camp left him overwhelmed and homesick. Giving it another try returning to Sea Gull the follow summer taught him lessons he relies on today. “I remember visiting Camp 35 years later, a summer or two before Lloyd retired. Lloyd heard my voice and came from his office to the main lobby and retold the story of me going home and coming back as a kid…verbatim!” Q: What was your first impression Q: The overnight camp landscape is every evolving. and experience at Sea Gull like? What qualities, values or program experiences do you want to see continued in the years to come at A: Camp taught me about lighting a fire Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer? IN someone rather than UNDER them. It showed me the difference between A: The four-week session structure is critical. That’s where the long- motivation and intimidation. Camp’s term impact is. I still sail a Hobie and believe the seamanship rigorous schedule helped develop my work component is a significant life-long skill that differentiates us ethic, leadership skills and understanding from all other camps. Role modeling that truly develops young the hierarchy of an organization. leaders is best done through those close relationships. Billy L. Harbert, CEO and Chairman, BL Harbert International Favorite Food: Bug Juice and Fireballs Years at Camp: Biggest 2 as a camper Influence: starting in 5th grade Lloyd Griffith, Former Camp Director Professional Background • Auburn University undergraduate • Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, MBA • CEO and Chairman, BL Harbert International, LLC - provides construction services throughout the world and is a leader in sustainable and design-build construction.