Author: Admin Nakanawa

“I love people, I love nature, and I love to help – if that’s not Nakanawanian, I don’t know what is.” Say hello to Margaret Van Clief! If you know Margaret, you know this statement is MORE than true. And if you don’t, allow us the privilege of introducing her to you.

Margaret grew up in Charlottesville, VA, and since 2008 has resided in Cape Charles on Virginia’s Eastern Shore where she now lives with her mom, “just a block away from the Chesapeake Bay. We have fun, and it’s a gift to be able to help her and spend time with her”, she shared. She feels fortunate to be living just across the Bay from her sister and best friend, Courtney, who was also a Nakanawa girl and has fond memories of Camp Nakanawa. Margaret’s father is a “short three hours away” in Charlottesville, and she sees him often. Family has always been and remains extremely important to her.

As a 5-year camper, from 1990-95, Margaret says her favorite activities included rock meetings, pep rallies (especially prior to Varsity Soccer as Valkyrie Head Cheerleader), war canoe races, making bunkie gifts and spending time with friends in cabins, on the lake, and on the trails around Camp Nakanawa.

Margaret described certain Camp feels beautifully when she said, “the sensory experience of walking the trail to Valkyrie Rock – the sounds and fragrance of the forest, the rocks and roots beneath our feet, our arms linked and hearts beating as one.” A true standout for Margaret was Valkyrie Vespers. “I would love to call out a particular year or experience, but it truly is the spirit of all my Valkyrie Vespers combined that is in my heart.”

These cherished moments evoke memories for Margaret, accurately describing the spiritual feeling of being outdoors at night, sharing the magic of Camp with friends who felt like family, especially members of the Igleheart and Reed families, whom she credits for introducing her to Nakanawa. Diane Foster Igleheart was a camper, as were her daughters and granddaughters, and was “one of my grandmother’s best friends.” Freddy Wilhelm, Brook Reed’s grandmother, was also best friends with ‘Aunt Diane’ and ‘Grammie’. Margaret refers to her contemporaries and fellow campers in this fabulous group of women as the “Van WilDHeart frousins” and treasures their “bond which is strengthened further by also being Nakanawa sisters.” Although Margaret’s mother and grandmother never attended Camp, she knows they would have been “excellent Nakanawa girls.”

Her passion for nature helped her land her “dream job” as the Community Engagement Specialist for The Nature Conservancy’s Virginia Coast Reserve. “I work to connect people of all ages with the benefits of nature . . . whether that is catching butterflies in our pollinator meadow with kiddos from our county schools’ summer migrant youth program or facilitating community discussions in coastal villages endeavoring to adapt and increase resilience in the face of climate change.” Always an adventurer, Margaret has also held jobs as a kayak guide, a field organizer, a marine field technician, “and a house cleaner, to name a few!”

On January 20th of this year, Margaret was presented with the 2025 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Award from the Northampton County, VA. branch of the NAACP, “for dedicated service, effort, and support for the many activities that foster unity and equality on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.” Alongside three other women whom she “admires very much”, Margaret was “immensely humbled and proud” to receive this honor.

In addition, Margaret recently received a Community School Partnership Award from Northampton County Public Schools in recognition of her ongoing work with The Nature Conservancy and the local school district.

When not working and contributing to her community, Margaret loves “to sit on a good back porch with friends, talking and laughing,” or “sitting alone by my fire pit, listening to music and poking at the coals for about four hours straight.” She is currently learning Spanish and enjoys volunteering to support community non-profits which are dear to her heart.

Margaret returns to Camp Nakanawa “every chance” she can get and remembers Centennial Weekend as a really “special visit.” She also shared, “while there are plenty of weird things about social media, being able to keep in touch with Camp friends is wonderful, even if we don’t all talk frequently. I love keeping up with my sisters online!”

We join you in that love of connection, Margaret and have loved getting to know you!