SPRING 2003 THE CHEWONKI FOUNDATION HRONICLE AMYTHICAL PLACE CHEWONKI LANDS A PIECE OF MAINE’S HISTORY Chewonki President Don Hudson remembers the day he learned Big Eddy might be up for sale. Barely able to contain his enthusiasm, he walked the Farm House hallway to Wilderness Programs Director Greg Shute’s office and, with his best attempt at understatement, casually mentioned the news. “Greg’s jaw nearly hit the floor when I asked him if buying Big Eddy would be a good idea,” recalls Don. Indeed, it was a very good idea, and Don and others worked hard to make it happen. In August 2002, Chewonki purchased Big Eddy Campground, situated on a famous salmon pool on the West Branch of the Penobscot River. The deal protected one of the most valuable recreation properties in the Northeast and was made possible by the generosity of one anonymous donor. With its purchase, Chewonki has taken title of more than just a campground. It is now the custodian of a piece of Maine history. Continued on page 16 INSIDE 2 PRESIDENT’S NOTES 4 COMING BACK TO CAMP 8 TAKING THE MCS SCIENCE EXAM 13 A TWO-MILLION-YEAR JOURNEY 21 PEOPLE INSERT: ANNUAL REPORT PRESIDENT’S NOTES On August 25, 1930, in his annual Parents’ Bulletin, Camp Chewonki founder THE CHEWONKI Clarence Allen wrote “I want all of you to know that throughout every day there FOUNDATION 485 Chewonki Neck Road has been constant striving here to create an atmosphere of sincerity, of joy in Wiscasset, Maine 04578-4822 (207) 882-7323 doing for others, and of joy in the doing of hard work.” Fax: (207) 882-4074 email: [email protected] www.chewonki.org The essence of a Chewonki experience is captured community with others by providing educational CHEWONKI FOUNDATION STAFF Don Hudson, President in those words, offered by the Boss almost 75 years experiences that foster an understanding and appre- Scott Andrews, Maine Coast Semester, Director Dot Lamson, Environmental Education, Director ago. Our mission statement—written in 1962 when ciation of the natural world and that emphasize the Greg Shute, Wilderness Programs, Director the year-round Chewonki Foundation was created— power of focused, collective effort.” Dick Thomas, Camp Chewonki, Director was drawn from these sentiments, which have I like Clarence Allen’s treatment of the mission! William Abbott, Farm Intern echoed through the ages. We say that Chewonki “is Over the years we have applied this vision to one Ingrid Albee, Health Care Coordinator Mark Albee, Farm and Woodlot Manager dedicated to helping people grow individually and in wonderful program after another. Where campers Peter Arnold, Renewable Energy Pathways Project Coordinator Paul Arthur, Maine Coast Semester, English, E.I., and Admissions Madeline Bachner, Outreach Intern Amy Barker, Accounting Assistant Hauns Bassett, Big Eddy Campground, Manager; Outreach Cathy Callam, Maine Coast Semester, Math Emily Clark, Cook Chris Coleman, Outreach, Assistant Program Director Jenn Cross, Environmental Education Erin Cummings, Development Assistant Robin Dabney, Maine Coast Semester, Alumni Relations and Admissions Matthew Douglas, Environmental Education/Boat Builder Lynne Flaccus, Head Naturalist Pam Foxley, Outreach Ginny Freeman, Camp Registrar Bob Gilmore, Buildings and Grounds Bill Hinkley, Maine Coast Semester, Math Lucy Hull, Development Director Anna Hunt, Outreach, Director Lee Huston, Boat Builder and Waterfront Manager Pieter Ingram, Outreach Bob Jackson, Facilities Manager Donna Jackson, Receptionist/Secretary Carol James, Facilities Brad Johnson, Assistant Farm Manager Loryn Kipp, Kitchen Manager Don Lamson, Carpenter Ginny Libby, Receptionist/Secretary Ryan Linehan, Wilderness Programs, Assistant Director Meadow Linn, Maine Coast Semester, French Annie Merrill, Chief of Staff Linda Moore, Cook Michelle Morgenstern, Environmental Education, Program Director Kimberly Pelletier, Big Eddy Campground, Manager Logan Perkins, Environmental Education Chris Riley, Outdoor Equipment and Logistics Manager Amy Rogers, Maine Coast Semester, English Melina Shannon-DiPietro, Maine Coast Semester, History and Environmental Issues Sara Stewart, Maine Coast Semester, Spanish Betta Stothart, Director of Community Relations Ed Thompson, Librarian Kathy Thompson, Business Manager Kate Tremblay, Environmental Education, Assistant Program Director Jessica Wasilewski, Maine Coast Semester, Math and Work Program Coordinator Sue West, Maine Coast Semester, Art Ken Wise, Carpenter Bill Zuehlke, Maine Coast Semester, Science Elizabeth Zuehlke, Development Associate CHRONICLE STAFF Elizabeth Pierson, Editor Annie Merrill, Assistant Editor Betta Stothart, Assistant Editor Fall Design,2 Design and counselors sailed in sloops in the 1930s, we When the opportunity came to purchase the Big now paddle kayaks built in our shop. Maine Coast Eddy Campground, we reflected for a moment and Semester students struggle to understand the intri- said, “We can do this!” The months have flown as cacies of fisheries management in the Gulf of the work and future plans have unfolded. The sum- Maine. Thirty years ago, Maine Reach students mer experiences envisioned for the Big Eddy are explored forest management issues and a proposal built on the solid foundation of 88 years of summer to build an oil refinery near Eastport—with the camp experience. Young people who learn to paddle same dedication and passion as their modern-day a kayak and hike the slopes of Katahdin, or paddle a counterparts. Students in our residential environ- canoe to a quiet corner of Third Debsconeag Lake, mental education programs have had the most con- will be sharing a Chewonki experience with thou- stant experience, I believe. We remain the only sands of others who came before them. environmental and conservation education center If we continue to create an atmosphere of sincer- in the country—the world—where small groups of ity, of joy in doing for others, and of joy in the students camp with their teachers and Chewonki doing of hard work, we shall succeed at the Big staff while learning about life in coastal ecosystems Eddy and at all of our endeavors at Chewonki. ■ and learning to work together. W. DONALD HUDSON, JR. OM TH FR E N CHEWONKI PURCHASES AN ISLAND DOWNEAST S E Chewonki is the proud new owner of what Don Hudson calls “one of the prettiest campsites on Maine’s DownEast coast.” W C E K It’s 7-acre Bowline Head, situated in Pleasant Bay east of Schoodic Peninsula. The island was owned for more than 75 years by the N Chewonki Neck Ewing family, which has a long connection to Chewonki. Don’s wife, Josephine Ewing, proposed the sale to Chewonki over a year ago, and it was finalized last December. A conservation easement was placed on the island at the time of the sale and was trans- ferred to the Great Auk Land Trust. “This was a bargain for Chewonki,” says Don. “The island was appraised at $110,000 and sold for $30,000. The difference is the value of the conservation easement, for which the Ewings can realize a tax deduction. This is an excellent, and often used, mechanism for protecting land.” The conservation easement allows for a campsite and the right to build a lean-to and tent platforms, thus ensuring a safe harbor for Chewonki trippers DownEast. Work will begin in the summer of 2004—carefully timed so it doesn’t interfere with the nesting cycle of the two Bald Eagles that took up residence on the island last spring. “An added bonus!” notes Don. CHEWONKI MAKES “GREEN” CONNECTIONS Chewonki is one of five charter members of the newly formed Maine Green Power Connection, an innovative program bringing “green” power to customers across Maine. Chewonki President Don Hudson and Renewable Energy Pathways Coordinator Peter Arnold took part in the program’s public announcement on January 23. Since then, nearly 350 customers have signed up for the program, despite a slightly higher charge—1.5 cents per kilowatt hour—on their electric bill. The program offers residential customers and small business owners two ways to purchase electricity generated from clean, 100% renewable domestic sources (e.g., wind, solar, biomass, and low-impact hydro- electric facilities). Customers who purchase “Green Tags” don’t switch their electricity supplier but make a tax-deductible donation to put more green electricity onto the power grid in the U.S. Also, a portion of the revenue from Green Tag sales will be invested in new renewable energy facilities here in Maine. Customers who purchase “Green Supply” do switch their supplier and buy electricity generated from existing renewable energy facilities in Maine. (They do not, however, switch their provider, e.g., CMP or Bangor HydroElectric.) Supporters of the project believe many Maine citizens will opt for a slightly higher electric bill in exchange for the benefits of supporting “green” power, thus helping preserve our environment, health, and energy independence. Chewonki is among the program’s first customers, having purchased Green Tags for the Center for Environmental Education and Green Supply for the Farm House. Residents interested in signing up for the program (which takes only a few minutes and does not change how a customer is billed) can call 207-729-9665 or visit www.meipl.org (the website of Maine Interfaith Power and Light, another charter member of Maine Green Power Connection). 3 COMING BACK TO CAMP Where “now” looks Camp Director Dick Thomas hears it time and time again. “Returning campers, remarkably like “then” whether they’ve been away for 10 years or 50 years, tell me they get chills driving down the road to camp,” he says. It may be paved now, but the familiar approach is still long and straight, still lined only with trees, and it immediately evokes a flood of memories. Of boats, swinging on their moorings at the water- front. Of Tent Days and Cabin Trips. Of Saturday night campfires and hiking in the Camden Hills. Of racing for the dining hall and scrambling to make a line when the big bell rings.