LEGACY OF WOMEN GUIDING THE WAY
Sophie Pippin, OA Admissions Counselor
Iremember the moment that I realized how important it was to be a woman leading young women. I was a counselor on the infamous Advanced Rox three-day to Linville Gorge, and we’d gone on a sunset hike that turned into stargazing on top of Table Rock. As the sun set, we could see golden hour in Linville, which is always spectacular. Picture 360° views of endless sky and all the quiet mountain sounds that turned loud as soon as we really listened. That night we were lucky. The sky was full of shooting stars. One camper said, “That was my first ever shooting star!” At that moment, I could see the point of outdoor programming so clearly. If we didn’t provide these experiences, our participants may never have them.
On our way back to the campsite, another camper turned to me and said, “It’s really cool that you’re here. I’ve never had a female counselor on one of these trips.” With that one sentence, I knew that yes, it was important to provide these experiences regardless, but it was even more important for me and other women to be able to provide them.
It’s no secret that the outdoor industry can be challenging for women and even more so for other lessrepresented populations. It’s a male dominated space,
requires extensive training, and it isn’t cheap. There are rumors about women’s physical abilities. Yet, women continue to push the boundaries of what society says is possible.
By the time I had my own realization in Linville that night, ENF had been helping women push these boundaries since the start of Eagle’s Nest Camp in 1927 when Mrs. Oppenheimer purchased it. Decades later, Helen Waite, former Executive Director, began her work to revolutionize Eagle’s Nest programming. When she started Hante Adventures in 1973, women in the US were still not able to have a credit card in their name. Yet, Helen continued to dream up new possibilities for what was soon to become Eagle’s Nest Foundation.
In 1993, Ruth Bader Ginsberg became the second woman appointed to the Supreme Court, Lynn Hill was the first person to free climb The Nose on El Capitan, and soon Congress would adopt the Gender Equity in Education Act. With all of these life changing events happening around her, Helen saw a need for connection between Camp, Hante, and the new program she was about to start: The Outdoor Academy.
With the addition of OA, ENF was now offering year round programming. It had become more than a campus where children spent their summers - it had become a place where you could continuously return and build upon skills that are both useful and exciting. As Helen put it, “It’s not just a summer camp. It’s an educational institution. That’s why I created Eagle’s Nest Foundation… so that one umbrella could support these three programs.” Although the intent wasn’t just to push the boundaries of feminism and opportunities for adolescent girls, that was one of its clear impacts.
When Helen first started her tenure at ENF, she worked with directors from other camps with similar philosophies. “It’s interesting, all those other camps had male directors,” Helen noted. Though it was rare in her time to see other programs with women in charge, Helen was able to pass down that legacy of mentorship for the next generation.
At Eagle’s Nest, kids could come back year after year to participate in technical activities like climbing, paddling, or backpacking. They could progress to higher levels and gain technical skills that they didn’t have access to in other places. And, year after year, they could observe women in leadership roles teaching these skills. Whether or not women made up the majority of outdoor programming staff every year, they were always there.
When an organization is around for as long as ENF, families stay involved for generations. “My mother is a climber and an outdoor educator who did a lot of work with Camp and Hante,” said Lucy Meyer-Braun, Camp’s most recent Climbing Head. “She taught me not only self-confidence, but also to continue experiencing joy in climbing for myself.”
For example, this past summer, Lucy taught a Beginning Rox class that was made up of all young women of multiple ages. “Whenever I find myself feeling defeated or questioning my own place in this industry, I look at them and see the future.”
Looking back since the night with the shooting stars, I have seen so many strong young women come through ENF outdoor programming, led by today’s generation of female instructors. Thanks to the culture of community and mentorship here at ENF, there are still multiple generations of women supporting women in our outdoor programs. The legends that you hear about from back in the day all have recognizable names and faces, and they want to be called on to help. As just one organization, we can’t fix all the barriers to women succeeding in the outdoor industry, but we can keep giving young women the opportunity to see what might be possible. In the end, it’s not only about climbing mountains and seeing shooting stars. It’s about who climbs those mountains and sees the shooting stars with you.
With Thanks to Noni
Paige Lester-Niles, Camp Director Cara Varney, Development Director
At the end of September, after a lifetime at Eagle’s Nest Camp and nearly 25-years as Executive Director, Noni Waite-Kucera retired as a hardworking and visionary leader whose impact on thousands of children will not be forgotten, and whose tireless efforts saw tremendous growth for Eagle’s Nest Foundation. You can read more about her many accomplishments in the Fall 2023 Eagle or in this article: https://magazine.wfu.edu/2024/08/06/fromcamper-to-camp-grandma/ from Noni’s alma mater, Wake Forest University.
Now that she has a little more time on her hands, we thought it would be fun to ask Noni some questions about her time at Eagle’s Nest.
Noni, where is your favorite place on campus and why?
Goodness - I have many! Top of the list is Kindred Grove and the sense of community and history that you can feel when you walk over the little bridge into the circle of towering trees with boughs swaying in the breeze above you.
You’ve been around Eagle’s Nest for most of your life; what is the quintessential memory you have about wanting to make this part of your life’s work?
I think it is the continuous growth that I have seen time and again in our campers and students as they mature through the programs, and in turn, come back to the community to share their love of learning, connection to community, and the natural world with the next generations. Eagle’s Nest fosters the growth of changemakers and that is what has kept me in this work for so long.
What are three simple things that you love about Eagle’s Nest?
Watching a group of young campers chatting away while they make their way to their next activity, totally in charge of themselves and where they are going.
Circling up with OA students at lunch with the Leader of the Day sharing what is next for the community and the gratitude they have in that moment.
Working alongside first time camp staff and seeing them find their inner teacher as they connect with the campers.
What’s something that you’ve done for Eagle’s Nest that you’re proud of?
The work we did to place our woods, streams, and pasture under a land and water conservation easement, protecting our classrooms and homes for wildlife in perpetuity.
Tell us a little about Noni’s Nest Egg Fund*
As the Little River Valley and Western North Carolina in general continues to develop, it is becoming increasingly important that Eagle’s Nest has the outdoor spaces to run the depth of programming that we do. To have surrounding properties be developed would be very detrimental to our programming. Building a “Nest Egg” to be able to move quickly if land or adjacent housing becomes available will be invaluable!
What should we expect to see you doing at Eagle’s Nest next?
For the short term it will be a time of reflection and seeing what opportunities arise. I am not rushing into anything at the moment and have lots of family to keep me busy as I see what unfolds. Certainly I will be helping Eagle’s Nest as the needs arise as well.
*You can read more about “Noni’s Nest Egg” fund in this edition of the Eagle; p. 15
A Big Welcome to New Executive Director Beth Venable
By Noni Waite-Kucera, Foundation Advisor
We are all so very happy to welcome Beth Venable as our next Executive Director of Eagle’s Nest Foundation! On August 1st, Beth began her onboarding process with an immersion into summer camp life jumping in as an activity counselor, table parent, and everything in between. Over the following two months, she and I worked side by side as she learned the ins and outs of The Outdoor Academy during the all faculty orientation, traveling to meet friends and supporters of ENF in Nashville and Atlanta, budgeting and finances for the Foundation, the history of the organization, and as much as we could pack in. Our final days working full time together were spent surveying the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and the new work ahead that the storm of the century brought to our campus and surrounding community. After two months working side by side, and the months prior to that preparing for the transition, I can say that I could not be more confident and excited about the future of our Nest with Beth at the helm. You will be hearing much more from her in the days to come but for now, please join me in surrounding her with a big “WELCOME”!
Learn more about Beth here and here in this Blog Post.
The Camp Connection
Paige Lester-Niles, Camp Director
One of my favorite times of day at camp is snack time. The treats that Ali makes for the postTwilight / pre-evening activity are delicious, but what I really enjoy is watching cabin groups gathered in circles, sitting on the ground in front of their cabins, or on the front porch of the Dining Hall or a small bench (as Cabin 9 did all summer). Counselors use this as a time to check in and build connections with their cabin group. When I walk around, I can hear laughter and words of compassion as each camper shares their “Rose” (something great that happened that day), “Bud” (something they are looking forward to), and “Thorn” (something that was challenging for them) or other thoughts about the day. This is one of several times that are intentionally created to give campers a chance to connect and share on a personal level, something that can be more challenging as ownership and use of smartphones and other technology increases among kids.
As of 2023, about 42% of 10-year-olds owned a smartphone, and by age 12, this figure jumped to 71%. Ownership rates continue to rise as children age, with approximately 90% of teens aged 14-15 having smartphones. This sharp increase in ownership around middle school reflects the growing role of mobile devices in communication and social interaction at these ages
According to the Pew Research Center, around 95% of teenagers in the U.S. are using some form of social media: YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and gaming platforms. Teens continue to use these platforms at high rates, with some describing their social media use as “almost constant”. Social media plays a major role in teens’ lives, influencing their connections, creativity, and emotional well-being. While there can be good uses of social media and technology, we have all heard or read research that shows that
excessive screen time and social media usage can have negative effects on mental health, contributing to anxiety, loneliness, and depression.
While the majority of American teens spend many hours a day connecting through texting and social media platforms, in-person interactions at school, during extracurricular activities and in communities remain essential and play a significant role in socializing. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children limit screen time to 1-2 hours a day. Limiting time on social media has been shown to significantly enhance mental health, particularly for teens. Reducing daily use can lead to marked improvements in well-being, as seen in studies that emphasize the benefits of social connection and engagement in real-life activities
At Eagle’s Nest, we focus on making genuine, faceto-face connections within the community. Campers leave their devices behind and are given tools, like “Rose, Bud, Thorn”, for connecting with each other on a deeper level than through a text or Snapchat message. Our tech-free environment fosters a real sense of belonging and stronger friendships. The respite from constant stimulation and comparison
culture driven by social media helps campers develop mindfulness, creativity, and an appreciation for nature. With no headphones or earbuds to plug in, campers can hear the sounds of nature and gain awareness of the world around them. At night, instead of spending hours scrolling through social media and staring at a blue screen, campers settle into their bunks and listen to their counselors play guitar for them and then use flashlights to continue reading the book they’ve become engrossed in since they arrived at camp.
Over the years, I’ve spoken to teenage campers about what it feels like to leave their phones at home. Almost all express a sense of relief that phones aren’t allowed at camp. They seem to understand the negative effects of smartphones and social media, but they also somehow feel that they need to be digitally connected when they are home. Being at camp gives them a chance to relax, free their minds, and be present to what’s happening around and within them.
Hurricane Helene and its Impact
As Helene raged through North Carolina, our experience at OA was both clarifying and confusing. We were lucky to suffer minimal damage from the storm and subsequent flooding, but the impact of its aftermath has been intense for all of us.
Helene came on the tail end of a local rainstorm that caused rivers to swell and stretch their banks, and that often necessitate local traffic to reroute through our campus in order to avoid a low spot on Hart Road. Faculty who commute to work left with their work computers on Wednesday, before Helene came through, prepared to work from home for several days if needed. When Helene arrived, it brought more of the same drenching downpour, like someone pouring a bucket of water through a screen above your head at moderate speed. Strong winds gusted through the night before sunrise on Friday. Although some staff were isolated off campus, the students experienced the storm with our residents: Jay, Chloe and Colin. Power went out, and cell phone service was minimal. Jesse helped guide the students through the experience, as did Colleen and several other staff on campus. Jesse, Director of The Outdoor Academy sent this message out on Friday:
While some of our lower lying areas on campus accumulated rising water, students are on high ground and enjoying a relaxed morning together as we have canceled
Friday classes. We lost power at about 7:30 this morning, but students were prepared with extra water, flashlights, and plenty of food on hand. As expected, we are seeing trees and branches fall in the winds that picked up this morning — including on campus— and several road closures nearby which we are monitoring closely in case we need emergency access to and from campus. For the most part, we are satisfied to hunker down together until the worst of the storm passes.
Water levels began receding on campus on Friday evening, and over the weekend there was an incredible sense of camaraderie as students, faculty, and neighbors all came together to clean up the damage. It was surprisingly encouraging to see the warmth and presence of humanity emerge so fast without power or cell phone reception.
Some of us who were off campus were able to see the devastation that Helene had unleashed, but those who were stuck on campus experienced a disaster relief effort played out in the most local of circumstances. Jesse sent this update on Sunday:
We managed to hook up the generator today and are able to run the well pumps for fresh water on campus, and to power the freezers at the whole kitchen.
Morgan Moores, Outdoor Education Manager & Medical Coordinator
Kyle [Maintanence Director] made it to campus midday on his tractor - though Everett Road remains impassable for most vehicles. Tomorrow he’ll work on clearing more of the downed trees on campus. Already, his work has helped us move around a bit more freely.
Students have split into work teams to take care of water supply and food and manage the Sun Lodge space. Residents have been holding down the fort, and Colleen [Dean of Students] even taught Circles class today. We’re feeling so lucky that we’re the kind of school that has comfort in outdoor situations and a great attitude toward work.
Those first several days were very clarifying. There was a simple set of goals that provided purpose and direction, and it felt good to be cleaning up with
neighbors whose names we could now put faces and interactions to. Once faculty were able to return to campus and students were able to reach out to families, however, it became complicated. Students heard some news about the effects of Helene on our surrounding communities, but were not able to get the depth of understanding or clarity that they wanted. Faculty were struggling to face the duality of having pressing responsibilities at OA while being in the midst of a major emergency.
Think: “All we want to do is go out and help, but we have to plan dinner for the next three nights and just store it in coolers.”
We were able to resolve some of those feelings by going to local, affected communities and helping people who needed it. We still had class; we still sang songs. We also moved ruined furniture out of houses in our surrounding community that were flooded four feet high with water and carried a warped trampoline out of a backyard and into a huge trash pile. We stacked three or four cords of muddy firewood for a couple that feeds people for a living. Power came back on campus Thursday, October 7th. We have done extensive cleanup on our own campus, and continue to do so as we go. In many ways we have moved on and are already back to normal, which is a strange relief to carry along with so much guilt. This will certainly be a lasting learning experience that takes time to fully understand.
Are you ready for a semester of a lifetime?
The Spirit and Impact of Hante Lives On...into 2025
Ed Haubenreiser, Assistant Camp Director
If you were in attendance for the Opening Days of second session or third session of Camp, you would have noticed a campus energy that was dearly missed from previous summers: the parking lot was at maximum capacity, families were touring all there was to see, old friends and returning campers hugged and joyously caught up with one another, and many more stuck around on the new Sun Lodge deck to soak in the magic that permeates from the trees, leaves, and creeks. There was a tangible excitement in the air, from returning to a familiar place, from reuniting with people of importance, from the camper experiences ahead, and from the potential of memories within these three weeks to last an entire lifetime. And once families left, the camper’s unique journey began: setting up their cabin, eating with their table family, running around with their kindred, and learning within each of their classes.
Communities abound here, and shuffling amongst the hustle and bustle of the first 24 hours of the Camp session is a particularly special community. For them, it is the first time such a group has been a part of Opening Day since 2022. Some within the group see their younger selves in the faces of Cabin Library and Cabin 9. Another few in the group look at the stairs of Cheoah and remember posing for their OA semester photo. Others in the group observe their surroundings with a mixture of awe, bewilderment, and confusion at being in a new place for the first time. Regardless of their backgrounds, they are united with one another because they have a common purpose: to set off away from a structured environment towards an uncertain future, working together in order to find out more about themselves, each other, and the world around
them. Helen Waite saw young people desiring such an opportunity over 50 years earlier, and so began the Hante program that has now sent groups all over the world – this time, in 2024, to both coasts of Spain and the northern reaches of Minnesota’s Boundary Waters.
With a visible presence on the first day and a heroic departure on the next, the second session and third session Hante groups made an impact on the community staying on campus: campers frequently checked the map in the dining hall to track the group’s progress, they spent rest periods writing letters, and they often questioned me and our community members from Minnesota and Spain about what exactly was being done on that particular day. Whether it was demonstrating how to portage a canoe and quantifying the length of a rod, or explaining the global magnitude and history of the Camino de Santiago, campers breached the limits of widening their eyes and dropping their jaws. The members of each group felt those profound limits firsthand as they paddled canoes in a vast wilderness or trekked
cobblestone roads in a foreign country for days on end. After each group’s three weeks together, they noted arriving on the other side of the experience wielding newfound knowledge and skills that they can bring with them into future endeavors.
Although the Hante groups were not able to speak of their experience to the Camp community afterwards, the experience of hearing the tales and their potential outcomes from such a trip clearly left a lasting mark on this summer’s campers. Interest in cabin campouts, excursions off campus, and general outdoor programming were widespread. This interest coincides with a noticeable yearning to return to Camp and the surrounding area, thereby continuing to learn about the beauty, biodiversity, and culture of Western North Carolina. To accommodate both the interest and our deep connection to this part of the natural world, one of our Hante groups in 2025 will venture into the Smokies, meet and learn from the eastern band of the Cherokee, trek along the Appalachian Trail, and hear from local foresters about conservation efforts in the mountains.
This will be known as Hante Appalachian Exploration (or “ApEx”), and it will be offered following another session of our historic Hante across Spain.
These are experiential opportunities rooted in our unique mission and history, and they both expand and strengthen the Eagle’s Nest community that creates the magical feeling, nudging folks to return. We hope you –or someone you know – receives this invitation to be a part of something bigger than one person, and join us this upcoming summer!
APPLY
Welcome New Trustees
Beth Venable, Executive Director
The commitment to serve Eagle’s Nest as a Trustee is huge! The time and expertise each board member gives makes us both stronger and more nimble as the Foundation continues the mission of experiential education for young people promoting the natural world and the betterment of human character. We are especially grateful for the expertise new trustees Suzanne, Sarah, and Ami bring in fund development, as well as physical and mental health and well being. Please join us in welcoming them!
Suzanne Hogg
Suzanne was introduced to Eagle’s Nest in 1998 by then-Executive Director Helen Waite. By the following year, she was on board as a development consultant to lead the Nest’s first capital campaign. Working with the Board of Trustees and other supporters of Eagle’s Nest, she witnessed first-hand the multi-generational impact of Eagle’s Nest Camp, OA, and Hante. In short, she was hooked. After 30 years in development, Suzanne retired in 2022 and is happy to now serve as Trustee of an organization that has influenced so many in its proud history. Suzanne lives in Richmond, VA where she is an active community volunteer, primarily mentoring young development professionals through the VA Association of Fundraising Executives and devoting time to VCU Health Systems as an administrative volunteer in Palliative Care.
Sarah Mackey, MD
Sarah first came to Eagle’s Nest in 1999 as a wee little camper in Cabin Library. Since then, she has participated in all three Eagle’s Nest programs as a camper, Outdoor Academy alumna (Semester 21), participant and leader of Hantes and Added Adventures, camp counselor and Assistant Program Seasonal Director. Sarah completed her BA in Biochemistry with a minor in African studies at Colorado College and earned her medical degree from Campbell University in North Carolina. She recently completed her medical training and works as a pediatric oncologist and hematologist in Knoxville, TN. Sarah loves spending time with her husband, Brady (whom she met at Eagle’s Nest!), her two young daughters, Parker and Ella, and a very large lab named Bolt. When she can, she enjoys reading, being in nature, exploring local restaurants, and growing her amateur garden.
Ami Student, PsyD
Ami has been a member of the Eagle’s Nest community since 1989, participating in camp, added adventures, and Hantes, as well as serving as a JC, counselor, and camp administrator. He deeply cherishes the memories and bonds he created, and believes that Eagle’s Nest has been instrumental in shaping many of his core values and life choices. He is grateful for the opportunities Eagle’s Nest has provided, and is committed to giving back to the organization. Ami holds a Bachelor's Degree from Wesleyan University and a doctorate in clinical psychology from the PGSPStanford PsyD Consortium. After years of providing mental healthcare to underserved rural Veterans at the VA, he now works in private practice, specializing in health psychology and working with LGBTQIA+ adults. Ami splits his time between the urban landscape of downtown LA and the majestic beauty of the Southern California desert, where he and his family enjoy regular hikes with their beloved senior dog, Oren.
The Little River Valley’s Legacy of Land: Reorienting Perspective
Molly Herrmann, Registrar and Foundation Data Administrator
Eagle’s Nest Foundation assembled a brief history of the peoples of the Little River Valley and surrounding area in an attempt to reorient the historical perspective on this land and offer a more comprehensive view of the legacy and history of this land where we partake in creek hikes, nature explorations, and frequent cerebral contemplation. This history can be found on our website as a resource for acknowledging and engaging in a reorienting of the perspective or lens through which we understand and examine the land as a product of both time and place so as to reconsider the area and land with regard to its comprehensive historical significance spanning thousands of years.
The process of reorienting perspective with regard to the Little River Valley is both figurative and physical by challenging commonly held assumptions and dominant narratives, which can exclude entire swaths of history in favor of an isolated snapshot in time and place.
The process of reconsidering the history of land, as a product of both place and time, is largely contingent on the concept of perspective, which entails adopting a lens through which to view land in terms of: the symbolic and physical value imbued in the land; the ways in which the land is used, manipulated, and arranged through climate; as well as the interactions between peoples of various cultures and the land.
The history of the “Little River Valley and Its Surrounding Area” is being used by Eagle’s Nest as a tool for engaging campers, students, staff, faculty, and constituents in a study of the land around us as it was used by peoples over time and space. In the various programs offered here, we take the opportunity to share these legacies through experiential education techniques that introduce and prompt students, campers, and staff to reorient their own perspective and consider their individual role in connecting peoples, land, and environment in a symbiosis of time and place.
Jonathan Capps (Camp, OA, Former Staff) was chosen as a participant on the Netflix show, Blown Away! The show was filmed in spring 2023 in Canada and was dropped on March 8, 2024. Read Jon’s bio on his website jonathancapps.com and follow him on Instagram: @jonnycappucino. These pictures were taken during the show by Blown Away photographers.
Fall 2024 NEST CHATTER
Maggie Barclay (Camp) married
Thomas Deskin
June 8, 2024.
Susan GiesConley married Arthur Link
May 5, 2024
Anna Jordan (Camp) wrote a young adult fiction book, SHIRA & ESTHER’S DOUBLE DREAM DEBUT. The switcheroo fun of The Parent Trap meets the showbiz spirit of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel in this timeless coming-of-age story about family, friendship, and following your dreams.
Eagle’s Nest alums and their children who are current campers enjoying Pisgah Forest this summer!
Atticus Head (OA) is finishing up a semester abroad in Australia at Wollongong University. He will then return to UNC-Asheville for his senior year, where he is majoring in environmental science.
Reily Kennedy (OA, Staff) & Morgan Moores (Staff): Baby Remy born April 18, 2024
Vic Goetz (Camp): Baby Tyler Davis born May 2024
Gina Weinstein (Camp) & Ben Weinstein: Baby Margot Emmy born June 17, 2024
Indigo Grady (Camp & OA): Baby River James born October 1, 2024
Arrington McCoy (OA staff) & Patrick Hunnicutt: Baby Julia Wren born October 12, 2024
Noni’s Nest Egg
A fund to honor and celebrate Noni Watie-Kucera
As Noni Waite-Kucera officially steps back from her daily work at ENF, we are excited to ensure the lasting impact of all her years of work on conservation and preservation of the land and facilities that make up our campus at 43 Hart Road by establishing an endowed fund for future land and facilities projects: Noni’s Nest Egg Fund.
The purpose of the fund is to honor Noni by building an endowed fund that will financially support the campus and surrounding land she so carefully stewarded in her 25 years as executive director and her lifetime of commitment to the ENF mission. Going forward, annual withdrawals will support ongoing loan payments for land and buildings and assist with special conservation projects. Additionally, in the event the opportunity arises for ENF to purchase adjoining mission-appropriate land, housing, or other needed facilities, the corpus of the endowment may be used in part or full as a down payment or for outright purchase.
You can help TODAY by making a gift in 2024 in honor of Noni’s retirement for the continued conservation of the special places in and around Eagle’s Nest. Your pledge can be spread out over three years and we hope you will give generously. I know it would be meaningful to Noni and the foundation as a whole during this time of transition.
The ENF Board of Trustees has raised over $28,000 to establish the “Noni’s Nest Egg” Fund in honor of Noni’s years of dedication. You can make your commitment in honor of Noni too, with a gift today and a pledge towards our sustainable future.
2000- Became Executive Director
Noni’s ENF Milestones and Accomplishments:
2014- Assisted in the Centennial planning for 2027 with the ENF Board of Trustees
2016- Assisted in placing 143 acres of ENF property under Conservation Easement
2018-ongoing- Leads the foundation in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies and practices
2020- Navigated the Covid-19 pandemic, second ever closure of summer camp
2024- Retired as Executive Director of the Foundation