THE EAGLE’S NEST FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER
Inside this issue: Welcome Jack Pitfield
2
A New Look for ENF
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Alumni Spotlight
4
Putting a Price on Priceless Making camp a reality 5 With a Single Step
6
Student Poetry
7
Welcome New Trustees 8 Experiencing the Culture of Spain 9 Spanakopita
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Nest Chatter
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Experiential education for young people, promoting the natural world and the betterment of human character Visit our website at www.enf.org to make a donation, apply to a program or learn more about Eagle’s Nest.
FALL 2013
Outdoor Academy Alumni: The Hero’s Return By Michael Brown, Head of School When we talk about The Outdoor Academy, we often frame it as a Hero’s Journey following the stages Separation, Initiation, and Return. Students leave the comfort of home for the special world of OA where they discover new connections with themselves, each other, and the natural world. Then, students encounter the challenge of how to translate that confidence and knowledge back to their sending schools and home. In the traditional Hero’s Journey, this is the moment that the hero fully meets the responsibility of community, translating individual adventure and experience for the good of the whole. As I have talked and corresponded with our most recent alumni, I am happy to report that they are finding creative and powerful ways of making that complex transition.
finding a community of like-minded people, or as one student put it, “Find the OA away from OA.” This might include joining environmental clubs or seeking out mentors such as other OA alumni or teachers at school. One student from last year says, “OA helped me to see teachers as people and to learn how to have a relationship with them.” Another says it in other words, “I didn’t think teachers who don’t work at OA could be cool, but apparently it’s possible.” Students gain great community building skills at OA, and it is important to put them into practice. This puts it well: “It took a while, but I've realized there are people everywhere who care about you; you just have to let them into your life. Just like you have OA, most other people have beautiful experiences they want to share!” Continued on Page 2
Alumni know well that the shift back home after OA is not always easy, but then again, being a hero never is. They say that one of the most important keys to success is www.enf.org
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And as our alumni build those communities and take on leadership roles, they do amazing things. An alumna from last year recognized that “OA caused me to not only develop strong leadership skills, but to imagine the impossible and take on really big projects and be able to accomplish them.” Many of our recent alumni have taken their personal passion for the outdoors as a call to make positive environmental change. As one Semester 35 alumna wrote, “The OA outdoor education program gave me a reason to save the world, and helped me to realize the importance of nature in my life.” She and other students have planned and participated in climate change marches in Raleigh and Washington, DC and have created or reinvigorated environmental clubs at their schools. We could spend pages listing the particular accomplishments of our alumni, but this puts it best:
“All of this
confidence stemmed from OA.”
I had a conversation with one of my friends the other day and I was telling her about how this is the first time that I have been really proud of myself and been excited for what the future has in store. Needless to say, all of this confidence stemmed from OA. There really isn’t anything that can quiet my beliefs from shining through, whether it is about my faith, my stand on the environment, or my overall perception of life. I one hundred percent know that the reason I am no longer afraid to stand up for all of these things is because of the kindness all of the faculty laid upon me. That is a heroic voice if I ever heard one.
Welcome Jack Pitfield, Outdoor Academy Admissions Counselor By Lindsay Martin, Admissions Director, The Outdoor Academy We have very exciting news to report in the OA Admissions Team! Jack Pitfield, our male Resident from the 2013-2014 school year, has stayed on as our new Admissions Counselor. He has already been on the road for the past 6 weeks giving school presentations, meeting with prospective students, and promoting The Outdoor Academy all over the Southeast. Jack brings an unparalleled enthusiasm for his work and a deep understanding of and appreciation for the OA experience due to his time as a Resident. Jack is well known by his students of Semesters 35 & 36 for his delicious breakfast burritos, star gazing, “Philosophy Question of the Week,” and pivotal role in supporting our white water canoeing program. He also brings a wealth of knowledge and technical wilderness skills from 4 years in the Colgate Outdoor Education Program and as an Instructor and River Specialist with North Carolina Outward Bound.
For more information about The Outdoor Academy, contact Jack at jpitfield@enf.org or Lindsay Martin at admissions@enf.org. You can also see their travel schedule on the calendar on our website. www.enf.org
The Eagle’s Nest Foundation Newsletter
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A New Look for Eagle’s Nest By Noni Waite-Kucera, Executive Director What's in a name? For Eagle's Nest Foundation it is 86 years of history steeped with traditions, innovations, growth and inspiration for generations of young people. As we look forward to what Eagle's Nest will be at 100 years we wanted to "freshen up" how we visually define ourselves. With three strong programs operating within the Eagle's Nest we wanted to find a way that each could visually distinguish itself and at the same time be clearly identified as a program of Eagle's Nest Foundation. Hence, our four new logos you are seeing today.
Elements from each of the individual program logos are incorporated with our iconic Bald Eagle; strong and lofting upwards on air drafts from the Little River Valley.
Each ray of the sun is a guiding principle at OA. Do you know how they work with our four cornerstones?
Do you know what constellation is in this logo? Check out our blog to learn more.
One feather creating the nest for our camp community. Learn more on our new website!
It is remarkable to look back over the years at the visual pieces we have used to portray Eagle's Nest and know that at each stage we were marking who we were at that time. Sometimes it feels sad to leave behind a look, but it will always be there as part of our growing history. Our staff is very excited to share these new looks with you after months of scheming and drafting. We are even more excited to be working together to set our vision and our path to a vision of ENF at 100 years old. Eagle’s Nest Foundation Centennial Vision I would like to thank all of you who joined us in cities across the country to share your feedback, insight and dreams for what Eagle’s Nest will look like at 100 years old. From Boston to Miami to Chicago to San Francisco we heard from OA, Camp and Hante alumni, staff and parents. We delved into how we perceive Eagle’s Nest’s cultural mission and what we need to do to keep it authentic and relevant. We discussed our perception of diversity, and the opportunities to promote diversity in all of our programs. And finally we discussed how we can help ensure that ENF is a financially resilient foundation operating for generations to come. Thoughts from those gatherings are being compiled with research being conducted by staff and trustees, and White Papers are being written by volunteers to summarize the findings. These White Papers will form the basis and the lens through which we conduct our planning retreat with the trustees and administration in March of 2014. You will be hearing much more about the outcomes of the discussions and the retreat in the months to come. Stay tuned to our website for updates! www.enf.org
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Eagle’s Nesters Making an Impact By Gary Sorcher, Outdoor Academy and Eagle’s Nest Camp Alumni It’s an exciting time to be doing environmental work. The outpouring of support from people all over the world has been incredible to see, and inspires me to keep going through the 60-70 hour work weeks.
Since I graduated from Colorado College two years ago, I have been doing a wide variety of jobs. For a while, I was working at a production company that makes rock climbing films. I worked at OA as the boys’ Resident. I was a ski instructor in Vail, Colorado. And in between these jobs I have traveled and climbed all across the Western United States. Currently, I am working for a small, but dedicated and powerful, political non-profit called New Era Colorado. Currently we have been working hard to create a municipal electric utility here in Boulder and break from the monolithic corporate giant, Xcel Energy. We are at the forefront of the fight against climate change here in Colorado. On November 5th, our grassroots campaign defeated a coal industry giant. Basically, Boulder wants to be the first city to ever take over its own electric utility for environmental reasons. Other cities have done this in the past, but mostly for economic or other reasons. Boulder wants to completely free itself from reliance on coal-power and have 70% of its energy come from renewable resources. I am the Voter Registration and Outreach Coordinator for the organization. In a nutshell, my job is to get young people engaged in our democracy and educated on the issues that will affect them.
I feel incredibly lucky to be doing this work. I have spent my days (and nights as the election loomed) with the most devoted and passionate people I know. It’s incredible to think that with our small staff, our army of dedicated volunteers, and crowd-sourced financial support from a supportive community we defeated a Goliath corporation. This is a huge step in the right direction in the fight against climate change and a decisive victory for renewable energy. And if Boulder can do it, other cities can too. I first learned to compost, recycle, and treat the natural world with respect at Eagle’s Nest and The Outdoor Academy. I remember doing the “Zero Waste” dance after a meal if no one had any leftover food to throw away. At OA, one of my chores was hauling the compost down to the pile by the barn. But more importantly, Eagle’s Nest is where I developed a strong connection with nature that motivates me to really care about environmental issues. Climbing on rocks, playing in the dirt, and staring at the stars are my favorite things in the world. And it’s those simple things that make environmental issues so important to me and so many people.
www.enf.org
The Eagle’s Nest Foundation Newsletter
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Putting a Price on Priceless: Making Camp a Financial Reality By Liz Snyder, Assistant Camp Director When I’m at Eagle’s Nest, I find incredible inspiration in the truth that every single person around me is constantly growing in a positive way. Each day, campers learn new skills in their selected activities. Even more important are the things happening beneath the surface. Campers and staff alike are learning the true meaning and value of relationships with others. They’re realizing the vital role that each individual plays in our community and communities beyond the Nest. They are building confidence and discovering their best self. Each person is developing the life skills they need to be successful, as well as the ability to define what “success” really means to them. While we can’t put a price on the transformation that happens at Eagle’s Nest, creating an environment which nurtures that process isn’t inexpensive. Employing talented educators and role models, offering exciting adventures, and providing healthy, delicious meals are all factors that are considered when determining tuition amounts. Fortunately, the year between summers offers time to save for camp. Setting aside money each month will help the overall tuition payment feel more manageable. We also encourage you to involve your child(ren) in the funding process. It will help them take ownership of their camp experience and teach them the importance of earning and saving money. Following are a few ideas for making camp financially feasible for your family:
able, it also serves as a great introduction to basic economic concepts, such as opportunity cost. Give the gift of Camp. In my opinion, a session at camp is one of the best gifts a child can receive. It may not be a tangible present, but camp will provide 1 to 3 weeks of fun, exploration and growth. And it doesn’t end when they return home; the friendships they form and confidence they gain will stay with them long after they leave Hart Road. When grandparents and other family members inquire about gifts they can give your child, suggest making a donation to the camp fund. They can even wrap up an camp t-shirt or a photo from camp for your child to open on their special day.
Start a “Camp Fund”. This can take the form of a decorated jar or an actual savings account. Your child can earn money to contribute to the fund by helping out with household chores that are similar to the duties they have at camp, like setting the table, washing dishes, and keeping their personal area clean.
Tell a friend. We count on camp families to help us spread the word about our programs. Families can earn significant tuition discounts by hosting an Eagle’s Nest informational party and recruiting new campers. By referring friends, not only will you save money, you’ll help introduce young people to the magical world of summer camp. That’s a winning combination!
Explain to your child that in addition to earning money, they can contribute to the camp fund by making choices that will save money. For example, instead of purchasing a new toy, they could put that money toward a session at Eagle’s Nest. Choosing to give up something now to gain something later not only helps make camp more afford-
Eagle’s Nest also offers a number of other discount opportunities to help make camp more affordable. In addition to taking advantage of early registration discounts, families can receive returning camper, sibling, and multi-session discounts. Limited financial aid (“Camperships”) is also available. www.enf.org
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Where Forever Meets the Journey of a Thousand Miles Under the apparent simplicity of a day at OA, Camp, or Hante lies a lot of careful preparation. Someone organized the staff and schedule for the day, cooked the food you enjoy, planned the lessons, and taught you how to participate in activities safely. This is awesome!
sion. This is the “forever” core of what we do. So when you consider making your gift to Eagle’s Nest this year, I hope you will look at all of the levels where your gift will make a difference. Your gift may bring a camper or student to us with a scholarship. It may purchase that safe equipment, or provide inspirational professional development to our staff. Your gift might even fuel our Centen-
Let’s go a level deeper. Someone else arranged to pay those people and abide by employment laws, kept the kitchen in compliance with health codes, made sure school credits transfer, “ Now you know that the forever feeds kept the principles of experiential education front and center, and evaluated gear important, which feeds the awesome” according to risk management best practices. This is important!
the
Whoa. All that is paddling below the surface of a typical exciting day at OA, Camp, or Hante?
nial Plan, which will guide us into our 100th year and beyond into, as far as we can know, forever.
Yes, and it’s done in the same joyful, purposeful spirit as everything else at ENF.
That proverbial journey of a thousand miles can happen because of single steps taken by many people, working together. With your gift. With a conversation that leads a young person to Pisgah Forest. With the conviction in your heart that what happens here is awesome, important, and should be forever.
But that’s not where the preparation ends. Look more deeply with me to what flows beneath every day, year, and decade of our programs. Here lie love, wisdom, strength, and passion for our mis-
OA Alumni—Where Does the Challenge Begin? Simple and consistent. That’s how Semester 32 Semester Leaders Allison Moore and Lily Tidwell spurred their classmates to victory in the Ted Challenge last year. I would look on Facebook and see the word, “Ted,” posted to walls by these motivated alumni. Every day, “Ted.” Every single person in Semester 32 voted their support for OA and won the coveted campout at Ted and Jane’s house during the 85th Anniversary Reunion. That challenge was motivated by external rewards. They are a good way to encourage new habits. Alas, the reward loses its thrill if repeated too often. This is where the practice can become its own reward. I invite you to try a new challenge, one that comes from within your heart. OA Alumni are essential to OA’s future success. There’s no question about this. Without alumni involvement and support, OA will have a hard go of it financially. Independent schools depend upon donations to accomplish what tuition can’t cover. Give it a try. Make a gift to OA, online or by mail, and see if it feels good. Check in with Gratitude, one of our seven principles. I hope you will find that the action of giving without receiving is its own reward.
www.enf.org
The Eagle’s Nest Foundation Newsletter
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Titles in Roboto 16 bold
Two Poems by Dasha Alexander, Outdoor Academy Semester 37 Student 1. She stared at a man Who stared back as a man Who smiled as she smiled As they only watched themselves. He spoke to himself As she spoke to herself And both closed their eyes As they gazed at each other. She gazed at a woman Who gazed back as a woman Who fell in love as she spoke As they listened only to themselves.
-Inspired by A.R. Ammons’ “Reflective”
2. And suddenly the Earth fell into itself. And suddenly everything was new. Light fell from the sky like autumn upon the Earth. You could even hear the trees talk as they moved about their busy day—smelling only of wild things.
- Inspired by Annie Dillard’s “Heaven and Earth in Jest” At The Outdoor Academy, students read texts inspired by the landscapes in which they hike, climb, paddle and meet for discussions. They are locations that inspired authors such as Charles Frasier, Forrest Carter and William Bartram. Students develop critical and creating thinking, writing and discussion skills while creating strong stories, connections and ethics in relation to our personal and public landscapes. www.enf.org
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Welcome New Eagle’s Nest Foundation Trustees Gail Bunce, Nate Byrd, Tom Rogers and Cormac Conner were elected to three-year terms on the ENF Board of Trustees in the past year. Gail is the mother of three campers and one OA alumna. She and her family live in Apex, NC. Gail and her husband, Dean, served admirably as a Parents Campaign Co-Chair for Semester 33. Nate is a lifelong Eagle’s Nester. His parents, Cissy and Rich, met at Camp. He and his three brothers were campers and staff all their lives, and Nate’s brothers all attended The Outdoor Academy. Nate lives in Chapel Hill, NC, and works as an investment advisor. Tom has taken the ENF lifer status to a new level. Tom grew up at camp, his father, Hugh, was a longtime ENF Trustee, and his siblings attended OA and Camp. Tom’s wife, Hannah, is the daughter of Trustee Elen Knott, and is a lifetime camper herself. The icing on the cake? Their daughters are now ENF campers. Those seasons sure do go ‘round and ‘round. Tom is an Assistant Professor of History at Emory University and lives in Decatur, Georgia. Cormac is also a long time Eagle’s Nest camper and staff member originally from Coral Gables, Florida where his parents where camp Representatives. Cormac now lives and practices law in Washington, DC. He hopes that his three daughters will be campers soon.
Do you need a holiday gift for someone special that is: - Environmentally-friendly - Completely useful - A perfect symbol of your relationship - Able to spread joy far beyond the gift Make a gift to Eagle’s Nest in honor or memory of your dear ones. We will send them a grateful notice of your kindness, including any special message that you would like to include. You can set it all up online or by mail. It’s so fast that you’ll even have time to bake cookies to go along with your gift! Double It: Does your company match your charitable gifts? Make sure to apply for the match of your gift to ENF! We are eligible for most matching gift programs as a 501c(3) organization and an accredited school. Contact development@enf.org for more details.
Registration for Eagle’s Nest Camp, Hante Adventures and exciting new Added Adventures is open. Visit our newly redesigned website and register! www.enf.org
Be a Hummingbird: you can spread your gift out through the whole year! You asked, and now we can make it happen. Set up a recurring gift on our new website, and you’ll be recognized as a Hummingbird. No matter where you migrate, you will represent the beauty of energy flowing in and out consistently. Consider giving $10 per month, and become a sweet sustainer of Eagle’s Nest! www.enf.org
The Eagle’s Nest Foundation Newsletter
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Experiencing the Culture of Spain on Hante Adventures By Rodrigo Vargas, Outdoor Academy Spanish Teacher & Hante Instructor For over 40 years, Hante Adventures has given teenagers the chance to experience the “Hero’s Journey” – through 100-mile hikes on the Appalachian Trail, challenging bike treks along the Great Divide Trail, and summiting countless mountains. This summer, Hante Adventures will reMarlin Sill on El Camino 2012 turn to El Camino, an ancient system of pilgrim paths that stretch across Europe. Here Rodrigo Vargas, Outdoor Academy Spanish teacher and Hante Spain instructor, gives a taste of the Spanish culture participants will experience as they walk through history along the Camino.
in Catalán, our driver in Galicia spoke a mix of Galician and Spanish with me, and I found similarities between the culture of Spain and that of Costa Rica, where I am from. As we travel across the country this summer we will experience these differences in culture. But everything will change when we start our hike along El Camino de Santiago. The route is neither a road nor a highway. It’s a walkway trod by travelers of all kinds for more than 2,000 years. As we walk along the Camino, we will experience the culture of the pilgrim and the camaraderie and support that is part of it. Following old Roman roads, we will make our way through many towns, some no more than a handful of farm houses and a small church. Our destination for this journey is Santiago de Compostela, the Spiritual ending of the Camino. Another three days of hiking will take us to Finisterre (literal translation: The End of the Earth) where many pilgrims trekked to see what they believe to be the last piece of solid earth before the great ocean ended the world. This route will take us along small coastal towns and villages where we can truly embrace Galician culture. I look forward to returning to experience the rich culture that Spain, and the Camino have to offer. Will you join me?
The name Spain derives from the Latin Hispania, the name of the Roman territory that covered the entire Iberian Peninsula. Spain has a long history of eight centuries of invaders and a unique religious harmony that make its culture rich and diverse. Spain is divided into 17 autonomous communities and 2 autonomous cities. When the Spaniards started the reconquest, every time that a group conquered a region, they created independent and disunited kingdoms. This is reflected today in communities, like the Basque and Cataluna regions, that still desire to be independent from Spain. As a result, travelers to Spain can listen to a variety of different regional languages. In my last visit with Hante, I noticed the signs of the streets in Barcelona www.enf.org
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Spanakopita—Greek Spinach Pie Spanakopita is one of those hearty, delicious meals that make even the pickiest of eaters love spinach (and all that rich, melted cheese and butter). At camp we serve it on the last night of the session to celebrate our time together, but you don’t have to wait for a special occasion to prepare this yummy meal!
Ingredients 18 sheet Fillo dough 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted 2 lbs frozen spinach or 5 lbs of fresh spinach 6 oz. Feta cheese 6 oz. Ricotta cheese 6 oz. Grated mozzarella 1 1/3 cups chopped onion Olive oil 1 egg 1 TB flour Salt and pepper to taste
Did you know that many of our delicious camp and Outdoor Academy recipes (including this recipe and the recipes for soups, Ali’s Chocolate Covered Granola Bars, and Cho Chos) have been compiled into a small cookbook : The Whole Kitchen Kaboodle.
Next time you’re on campus, stop by the Canteen to pick up a copy!
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Start by sautéing the onions in a skillet with 2 tablespoons of oil until glassy, then remove from heat. Beat together 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the egg. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients for the spanakopita filling. Blend thoroughly. Melt the butter. Lightly grease the bottom of a baking dish that will fit your fillo dough sheets. Next, layer 7 sheets of fillo dough on top of one another using a pastry brush to brush each sheet lightly with melted butter before placing the next on top. You might want to place a lightly dampened towel over the fillo dough while working to keep it from drying out. Take half of the spinach mixture and cover the fillo dough spreading it out evenly with a rubber spatula. Repeat the process with the fillo dough using only 4 sheets this time for the middle layer. Pour the rest of the mixture onto the dough, again spreading evenly. Layer it with the remaining 7 sheets of fillo dough, brushing the top layer with an extra coating of butter. Cut the spanakopita into 8 portions with a sharp knife before baking. Bake in the oven for 35— 45 minutes or until the crust is flaky. Enjoy with warm fresh bread and a garden salad. www.enf.org
The Eagle’s Nest Foundation Newsletter
Congratulations to John Lodge for the success of the summer camp he created for Historic London Town and Gardens. Bo Dossett has spent his Junior year abroad in Italy and did an internship on organic agriculture with the Spannochia Foundation. Lindsay Jones recently did the sound design and original music
for two shows currently on Broadway: Bronx Bombers and A Time to Kill. Congratulations to Cecilia Kucera who recently performed her senior violin recital at Wake Forrest University. Noah Berch interned with the menswear designers at Rag & Bone this summer.
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BIRTHS Madison Elizabeth Connor To Brendan & Marilyn Connor February 22, 2013 Sona Chaturvedi Connor To Cormac & Anu Connor April 2, 2013 Leighton Beatrice Heilbut To Wendy & Nick Heilbut April 25, 2013 Benjamin Elijah Davidoff To Arieh & Carla Basse-Davidoff May 9, 2013 Asher Jonathan Capps To Jonathan & Lindsay Capps May 13, 2013 Miles Miguel Nelson Teixeira Lopes To Isabel Nelson & Diogo Lopes May 28, 2013 Evelyn Vertes George To Evan & Eva George July 30, 2013
WEDDINGS
PASSING
Scott McKenzie to Catherine Timmins
Our sympathies to the family of Lionel Prescott, who passed away in September, and to the family of John Kelton, who passed away in November. Lionel was a long time supporter, friend and Trustee of Eagle’s Nest. John was a former Eagle’s Nest Trustee and Program Director.
August 3, 2013 Andy Cino to Kaitlin Friedman August 24, 2013 Michael Fanning to Karen Day September 20, 2013 Steve Orthwein to Margaret Lipman September 28, 2013 Tyler Alford to Sara Carlson October 5, 2013 Amos Barclay to Kate Sessions
Lucas Jackson To Sharon & PJ Jackson August 8, 2013 William Travis Schulz Jane Rosenberg Schulz & Karl Shulz August 19, 2013 Dominic William Cranford To Charles & Beth Cranford August 23, 2013 Robert Clayton Allen To Anna Conrad Allen & Willis Allen August 27, 2013 Miles Hunt Latham To Jen & Brandon Latham
October 5, 2013
September 5, 2013
Matt Balzer to Toby Beaver
Rigney Clapp Otahal
October 12, 2013
To Roz & Chris Otahal
Mark Wulff to Ariana DeToro-Forlenza
September 28, 2013
October 19, 2013
Tolliver James Engimann Ackermann
Jake Nikolayevsky to Caitlin Smith
To Melissa Engimann & Daniel Ackermann October 21, 2013
www.enf.org
www.enf.org
How well do you know Eagle’s Nest? (Hint: read our new website to find the answers!) ACROSS: 6. What is the destination of the international Hante this summer? 9. Where did Liz Snyder go to college? 11. Who is the Trustee from Decatur, GA? 12. What is the color of the “Give Now” button on the website? DOWN: 1. The time the bell rings in the morning at camp 2. Who teaches music at The Outdoor Academy 3. Organization that accredits Eagle’s Nest Camp 4. The name of our Garden Manager 5. The first campership deadline is in this month 7. Organization that accredits The Outdoor Academy 8. What is a relaxing item on the Wish List? 10. How many stars are in the Foundation logo? 13. What year did Dr. Alex Waite purchase Eagle’s Nest Camp?
Hante Adventures
The Mountains are calling, and I must go… ~ John Muir
Eagle’s Nest Camp
The Outdoor Academy