The “Hats Off to Karen Hale” campaign has been a joyful outpouring of gratitude, with a sea of hats—caps, visors, cowboy hats, and everything in between—tipped in Karen’s honor. It has been moving to see so many current campers, alumnae, counselors, staff, and families pause and send their love and heartfelt messages to Karen as she steps away after a lifetime of commitment to Camp Nakanawa. Each tribute is unique, but every single one brims with appreciation for Karen’s courage, humor, hospitality, and unwavering dedication.
With well over 25 hat tips pouring in from Tennessee to Texas and far beyond, this campaign is a true reminder of how many lives Karen has touched. Click to see the video tributes and relive the Nakanawa spirit we all share.
With 75 campers, 68 mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and friends, and 28 smiling staff, camp was alive with laughter and fun. Families enjoyed horseback riding, a lively Nature class featuring Toadally Awesome, the toad, Charlie the snake, and baby raccoons, plus camp songs, arts & crafts, and—of course—s’mores! The highlight was a spirited mother–daughter game of Double Trouble that had everyone cheering. New friendships were made, memories were shared, and the camp spirit shone brightly all weekend. Best of all, the weekend sparked 15 registrations for the 2026 camp season!
A big thank-you goes to Blair Mayfield Rissing, Ashley Thomas Smith, and Samantha Lunn for their wonderful planning and leadership. Special thanks to the campers and counselors who gave their time and energy to lead activities and groups—you made the weekend truly unforgettable! And a heartfelt thank-you to Chris and Nicole Deluzain Dezendorf TR ‘89 for cooking such delicious meals that kept everyone fueled and happy.
All attendees reported that they enjoyed MDW, and 100% would recommend MDW to others. Mothers’ comments included enjoying “spending time with my daughter and making new friends. Her favorite was the nature lessons.” Other highlights were “Canoeing and swimming, evening entertainment, time at the Crow’s Nest.” Our staff were just as positive: “This MDW went so smoothly, well paced and with genuine hospitality all around. Keep it just like this one!”
Mother Daughter Weekend 2025 was a great success! Every Senior cabin was in use, and the sunset cookout was picture-perfect. First-timers did not want to go home. Stay tuned next spring for registration details! Mother-Daughter Weekend returns September 18-20, 2026, inviting new and returning families to experience our special camp community.
I think this MDW went so smoothly, well paced and with genuine hospitality all around. Keep it just like this one!
With tremendous excitement we introduce to you Camp Nakanawa’s Director of Development, Britney Sink! Were it July in Mayland, Britney Sink might hear the above ringing through the dining hall –with the clinking of glasses — to greet her at her first meal at Camp. Alas, it is September, we are not at Camp, so this introduction will have to stand in for our singing.
Britney has more than sixteen years of experience driving growth, engagement, and impact for purpose-driven organizations. Her superpower is strategy. Skilled in both high-level planning and hands-on execution, Britney is a natural problem solver, known for taking complex challenges and turning them into clear, actionable solutions. Passionate about building stronger, more effective nonprofits, she thrives where she can apply her expertise to create sustainability.
A graduate of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, with degrees in International Studies and Spanish, Britney received her Master of Public Service degree from the University of Arkansas William J. Clinton School of Public Service. Britney has served on various nonprofit boards and enjoys being involved in her community. She has been recognized in Knoxville Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” and is a graduate of Leadership Blount and Leadership Knoxville. Originally from High Point, NC, Britney, her husband, and their daughter just moved to Greensboro, NC from Knoxville, TN.
Britney has been working with the Nakanawa Board and has met with our development committee. She has jumped right in and is excited to get to know more of the Nakanawa community. Those of us who have already had the pleasure of working with Britney cannot say enough good things about what she has contributed, in a very short time, to Camp’s mission and development strategies. We are so fortunate to have her join our team.
When asked what drew her to Camp Nakanawa, Britney replied, “I want to support and promote the development of women and girls so they have the best chance to make an impact in our world. Camp Nakanawa is building up girls in such a meaningful way, and I’m excited to use my skills to share that impact. With greater support, we can grow even further.” She added “Everyone I’ve met speaks about Camp with such passion. I’ve been impressed by the commitment of the board and alumnae who give their time and energy to make sure each summer is the best one yet. It’s clear Camp Nakanawa is a special place people care deeply about and are proud to carry forward.” WoHeLo, Britney!
Before you go, we want you to know, it’s been such fun the things we’ve done!
Alongside her warm, personal magic with the campers, unflagging sense of humor, countless cook-outs and splashy back-flip dives, Executive Director Karen Rathgeber Hale has led Nakanwa through a once-in-a-hundred-years period of organizational change, growth and community building.
During her time at the helm, Camp Nakanawa has seen:
– five summers of consecutively rising camper enrollment and retention;
– the resurfacing of the tennis courts and building of dazzling new docks in Junior and Senior Camps;
– the addition of year-round professionals in counselor recruitment, counselor training, media production and equine management;
– consultation with arborists and environmental scientists on healthy maintenance of our forests in an era of destructive storms;
– initial staging of enhanced security including installed emergency radio systems and ongoing security gate design;
– national networking with the American Camping Association and among kindred private camp directors;
– fostering Nakanawa goodwill to strengthen local community relationships.
Thank you, Karen, for your energy, hard work and dedication to all things Nakanawa. Gifts made in your honor are already enriching our campers and programs.
