The echoes of campers laughing and the sunlight shimmering on Lake Aloaloa carry more than nostalgia for Mariela Moscoso, TR 90. Those echoes carry the voices of three generations of women whose lives were shaped by the same summer magic.
Originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Mariela’s journey to Nakanawa began long before she was born. “My mother passed on the tradition to me,” she recalls warmly. “And she inherited it from my grandmother. I’m a third-generation Amazon. That connection makes our bond to camp even more special.”
Mariela spent “six unforgettable summers” at Nakanawa. “I loved tennis, horseback riding, and arts and crafts,” she says, smiling at the memory of her hand-made lap desk and her first cross- stitch project. “And Casey’s leadership and Jeep’s fabulous sense of humor made everything magical for me.”
The memories she treasures most are soulful. “Singing under the stars by the campfire, the thrill of riding horses in open fields, and the excitement of getting the yearbook with everyone’s addresses. Those small, perfect moments shaped me.”
Mariela’s path led her to The Catholic University of America, where she earned a BA in Archaeology and a Minor in Art History, followed by a Masters in Arts Education from NYU. Her professional life has been an extension of what Nakanawa taught her — leadership, creativity, and service.
She has spent years uplifting young voices through the arts and engagement in cultural diversity as Executive Director of YEAH! (Youth Empowerment through Arts and Humanities), as a youth advocate at Monroe Harding, and as a champion for Latino communities with HOLA Indiana. “My love for developing storytelling, culture, and community was fostered at camp,” she reflects. “Art builds confidence, empathy, and connection, the same values I learned at Nakanawa.”
After fifteen years in New York City, Mariela moved to Franklin, Tennessee, in 2017 and now calls Spring Hill home. There, she and her husband are raising their two children, a son in high school and a daughter preparing for her fourth summer at camp, plus two cats who, as Mariela jokes, “rule the household.”
Returning to camp as an adult felt like stepping back into a cherished photograph for Mariela. “I was not able to attend camp as a counselor, but after we moved back to the area, I was overjoyed to stop by and show my family where I spent so many summers; and my favorite return to camp was dropping our daughter off for her first summer.”
Even years later, Mariela keeps in touch with camp friends through reunion chats and old photo swaps. “We may not see each other often, but the bond is still there,” she says. “Those friendships and the lessons behind them last a lifetime.” Between her work, her family, and her love of tennis and gardening, Mariela continues to live out the spirit of Nakanawa. “Camp taught me to find joy in community and confidence in my voice,” she says. “Now I try to pass that same spark to every young person I meet.” For Mariela, the magic of Nakanawa isn’t just a childhood memory, it’s a legacy, stitched carefully into every story she tells, every lesson she teaches, and every song she sings beneath the stars.
The Executive Director Search Committee has spent the past few months meeting and interviewing a talented pool of candidates. While their respective backgrounds and experience were varied, they all shared one important trait: love and respect for Nakanawa, her traditions and her values. We are grateful for those who expressed such a deep commitment to camp and are fortunate to count them as part of our Nakanawa family.
On behalf of the search committee, we are excited and honored to officially welcome Cindy Alexander Dubose ’86 as our next Executive Director. As a former camper and longtime counselor, she brings a deep love for camp and a spirit of mentorship to help counselors and campers experience their best selves through camp and throughout the year.
You can learn about Cindy below and will hear more from her throughout the year. Thank you for your shared enthusiasm as we carried out this important search.
The Executive Director Search Committee
Pamela Griffith Pabian ‘03 and Alex Seblatnigg ’88, co-chairs
Wyeth Burgess ‘75
Ginny Bass Carl ‘79
Georgia Graham Mattern ‘81
Lori Wagner ‘86
Cynthia Alexander DuBose grew up in deep South Texas along the border with Mexico. Her experiences in the small town of Edinburg taught her to enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of many cultures and appreciate the beauty of nature. Her mother, LuAnn Alexander, was a Nakanawa counselor in the 1950s and encouraged Cindy and her older sister, Sharon, to join the fun at camp. In 1980 as a Junior Camper, Cindy first experienced the joy of a summer at Nakanawa. As part of Tent Row 1986, she was elected Amazon Secretary. While attending the University of Texas at Austin, Cindy served three summers as a cabin counselor while teaching tennis and sailing at Nakanawa. She returned to camp in 2015 as a tennis counselor. Since 2016, Cindy has served as Junior Camp Head Counselor for the Two- and Four-Week sessions.
For 30 years Cindy taught social studies, served as an instructional leader and coached tennis in Texas public high schools. She recently retired from her role as Instructional Dean for Lady Bird Johnson High School in San Antonio. During her teaching career, she received several recognitions including Johnson Campus Teacher of the Year, Lady Bird Johnson Legacy Award and McAllen ISD District Technology Teacher of the Year. Her husband David also recently retired after serving as a Licensed School Psychologist in several middle and high schools for over 30 years in the San Antonio area. Cindy and David have been married since 2008. They both share a love of working with students of all abilities and all ages. The DuBose family would not be complete without their dog, Lulu, an energetic six-year-old Vizla who is definitely going to enjoy her time at camp. She looks forward to making many new friends at Nakanawa.
Cindy loves all things outdoors and looks forward to being in the beauty of the Cumberland Plateau. She grew up playing tennis and other sports. Recently, she has caught the golf bug and competes in LPGA Amateur events and her team has qualified for several national tournaments. At camp, Cindy loves opportunities to sail, canoe, hike, fish and simply watch the starry sky at night.
Cindy is a natural camp counselor. She can plan a day of activities then pivot when rain threatens to cancel the fun. Her talent for making learning experiences fun is rare. As part of the Nakanawa leadership team for the past decade, Cindy considers herself fortunate to have been mentored by the outstanding leaders that have shaped Nakanawa’s transition to a non-profit organization. She is grateful that Karen, Ann and Pepe have generously shared their knowledge and expertise regarding camp. Cindy looks forward to working with the Nakanawa Board of Directors, leadership team, staff, alumni, parents, counselors and especially the campers to build on Nakanawa’s strong history to provide a joyful and transformative experience. Her favorite line is “Nakanawa girls can do anything”. She believes camp prepares young girls for life’s challenges and offers lasting relationships that will carry them through good and bad times. Cindy is humbled and excited to continue the traditions of camp, serve our Nakanawa community and provide summers of joy for many years to come.
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!
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.
All of us have at least one Nakanawa touchstone. For Elizabeth Lewis Sankovitch (TR 77), Camp provided her the opportunity to commune with and appreciate the nature around her. The lake, the woods, the sound of the frogs at night. “Connecting with nature has always provided me with a deep sense of peace.” Elizabeth “loved being at camp for 8 weeks each summer with my camp friends”. She enjoyed challenging herself in all activities and during her 6 years as a camper earned club in Soccer, Tennis, Posture, Archery, Glee Club, Fencing, Sailing (Skipper), Horseback Riding (Tally-Ho) and Canoeing (War Canoe). To say Elizabeth was a busy and committed camper is an understatement. Both of Elizabeth’s daughters, Laura Sankovitch King (TR 05) and Sarah Sankovitch (TR 10) were campers. Laura for 10 summers and Sarah for 11 summers. Elizabeth said, “Knowing my daughters were able to have the same wholesome opportunity I had to enjoy all that camp has to offer, and gain the Nakanawa spirit, made me so overjoyed.” After graduating from Smith College with a B.A. in Economics and Government and a minor in American Studies, Elizabeth continued her education and earned her MBA in Marketing from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business. She lives in Evansville, IN with her husband Jeff and 2 cats recused by Laura. But Camp Nakanawa was never far from her mind. “During COVID, our TR group started zoom visits. It was awesome to strike up our friendships again and revisit stories that made us laugh so hard the years melted away and we were silly 14-year-olds again”, said Elizabeth. She and several of her TR 77 friends attended Service Weekend in May of this year. “We all discussed how wonderful the Nature Hut programs have been for campers. We met with Margaret Hawkins Matens and asked how we could support this beloved activity to keep it alive for future campers.” One of the gifts we all receive from Nakanawa is reflection – of our times there as young girls; as mothers, aunts, grandmothers of current campers; and as alumnae with hearts open to continue to give back to this place we all hold dear. On her trip home in May, Elizabeth thought of ways to contribute to nature programs at camp. “Appreciating the natural world around us is critical to girls’ character development, mental health, and lifelong curiosity. To this day, I see Margaret’s influence in the lives of my daughters as they fearlessly pick up a snake, stop to watch an insect, rescue a critter or advocate for environmental preservation.” Elizabeth and her daughters joined together to make a generous donation to camp designating their gift for the purchase of an incubator for baby animals, as well as other Nature Hut supplies, programs, and building projects for both Junior and Senior camps. They believe the awe of flora and fauna fostered at Nakanawa helps campers grow in their love of nature and become champions of saving our precious planet. They gave the gift in honor of Margaret Hawkins Matens who left a positive imprint on each of their lives as a Senior riding counselor for Elizabeth and the Junior Nature Hut counselor for Laura and Sarah. We thank all three of you for your continued support of Nakanawa and wish Elizabeth well in her retirement as she and her husband Jeff fulfill their quest to visit every United States National Park. As she so passionately shared, “Nature = peace, peace, peace!”
1976 second year senior last day. Top Row: Elizabeth Lewis, Mary Fischer, Cynthia Yeager, Jane Beth Parker, Allison Horon; Bottom Row: Kathy Glover, Frances Robinson, Lisa Wolfe
Dressed up to go to The Cumberland Playhouse 1976 (Second Year Senior). Top Row: Mary Fischer, Elizabeth Lewis, Frances Robinson, Cynthia Yeager, Kathy Glover; Bottom Row: Jane Beth Parker, Allison Horan.
Service Weekend 2025. TR ’77. Top Row: Allison Horan, Pride Forney, Charlotte Cunningham, Frances Robinson; Bottom Row: Danna English, Elizabeth Lewis, Kathy Glover, Charlotte RobinsonElizabeth’s daughter, Laura, TR ’05.Elizabeth’s daughter, Laura, TR ’05.
May Musings: As we look forward to the Service Weekend 2025, many thoughts and plans begin to take shape.
They say April showers bring May flowers… but around here, May brings rakes, paintbrushes, pruners — and an enthusiastic band of volunteers. Service Weekend was a big success! A huge thanks to everyone who came out to help get camp looking sharp. We were especially thrilled to be joined by the reunion crew from TR ’77. Let’s just say: they still know their way around a broom and a good camp story.
Camp is getting itself in tip-top form for the arrival of our campers — and we’ve got more of them than last year! Enrollment is up 6%, which tells us one thing loud and clear: the great outdoors still beats great Wi-Fi. Time spent in nature, screen-free, is something families are truly valuing — and we’re thrilled to be part of that unplugged magic.
We’ve also begun welcoming our international staff, bringing a whole world of energy and new perspectives. Each day, more of our summer team arrives, and every new face makes it feel more real: camp is happening.
I can’t wait until it all comes together with the laughter of campers and counselors! Until then, here’s a chuckle for you:
What did the graham cracker say to the marshmallow at the campfire?
“You make me feel all warm and gooey inside!”
Until next month — keep your sunscreen handy and your bug spray closer.
Campfully yours,
Karen
Paige, Alden, and Emily on Crow’s Nest during sunset.
Almost 65 women – former campers, counselors, and “friends of camp” – came together for a weekend of work and fun to prepare Nakanawa for the upcoming summer sessions. Tent Rows from the 1960s-2010s were represented, creating a wonderful opportunity to make new friends across decades and deepen ties to our Nakanawa sisterhood. We painted, planted, weeded, wood burned and assembled awards and name tags, inspected cabins, and helped prepare and serve meals. A dip in the lake and sunset views over Lake Aloaloa were welcome rewards after a day of work. Thank you to each of our attendees whose service and love of camp made the weekend a success.
Interested in joining us next year?Mark your calendar for May 15-17, 2026 – come on and join the fun!
Claims to fame for Clarksville, Tennessee include The Monkees hit, “The Last Train to Clarksville” (well, sort of), The Leaf Chronicle – the oldest newspaper in Tennessee, being a neighbor to Fort Campbell where Jimi Hendrix was a Paratrooper in the Army from 1961-62, and the hometown for our very own Emily DeLoach Gatlin, (TR 2000). And Emily has a personal/professional connection to Jimi Hendrix closing the loop on all things Clarksville.
Emily credits Hansi Orgain Russell (TR 68) and her daughter, Darby Russell Walden (TR 95) for introducing her to Nakanawa. They were her neighbors growing up and invited Emily to camp slideshows before she was “even old enough to attend camp.”
Emily spent 8 years at Nakanawa as a camper and 3 years as a counselor. She refers to her final summer as a counselor in 2006 as “my Quarter-Life Crisis Summer”. Emily was Head of Tennis that year but also spent those 6 weeks determining what direction her life would take post-college. “I felt like I was floating around in different directions with no idea what to do next or where to land . . . and the only thing I could think to do was return to the place that shaped me and made me who I am.”
During her TR summer in 2000, Emily excelled in and medaled in Riflery. She had “never shot a gun” in her life but a sprained ankle sidelined her from most physical activities so she “really zoned in on riflery.” Emily still has her framed “Target of the Week” hanging in her office to this day. Glee Club was another favorite activity. “It was always a nice break in the middle of the day to sit on the Crow’s Nest and sing camp songs.” Like so many of us, Emily shared “rock meetings hold a special and sacred place in my heart – the moss, the smells, everything . . . I can be outside at just the right time when the wind blows and I’m right back there on the Valkyrie Rock.”
Molly Cook, Emily, and Jane Claire Choate Jacobi at Trophy NightTR jackets, Emily and Allison DavisEmily, Lauren Russell Stephenson and Elizabeth Seeger
“I think every moment of my TR summer was special,” said Emily, but the three-day canoe trip in 2000 was one for the books. A severe thunderstorm blew through shortly after the campers had gone to bed for the night. “The thunder and lightning were terrifying, and we made a run for the vans.” The stormy weather prevailed through the night. When asked the next morning if they wanted to go back to camp, “there was not a single protest. We came back and got to spend the next two days in our pajamas, had a pizza party at the Big House”, and the rest is TR 2000 history.
TR 2000Emily and Karen Rathgeber Hale in 2000Emily receiving the Riflery medal in 2000
TR 2000 is a close-knit group. “Several of us reconnected after our 10-year reunion, and since then we try to take a trip/meet somewhere centralized every year. We’re still using a Marco Polo group video chat we started several years ago during the pandemic to keep up almost daily.” Emily admits, “one of my most cherished possessions is the support system we have built with each other . . . a real-life tangible thing and we’ve run the gamut of life together.”
TR 2000 Reunion in Watercolor, FL
Other camp experiences of note for Emily included being the Wild Woman in the circus as a counselor, and she is “pleased to report she does not have a ketchup aversion.” She was co-head of the Circus that year and honestly feels that role prepared her “later in life for being the author coordinator for the Mississippi Book Festival. Grouping people by personality type, coordinating scheduling – you don’t realize how much things like that come into play as an adult.”
Emily’s career path has been “storied with many editions.” After marrying her husband, Robert, they moved to Tupelo from Oxford. She took a job at a local downtown department store that also housed “a full-fledged independent bookstore.” She soon became manager of the store “scheduling events, staying on top of publishing trends, making connections with authors, publishers and Mississippi readers.” Before long, Emily started a blog called Bookseller Barbie, “a name I was given at a trade show that was probably supposed to be snarky, but I’m a Nakanawa girl and not much phases me.” The blog allowed her to easily share book recommendations with her customers and get noticed by “a quiet group of local publishers.” Offers started pouring in to write for several local magazines, which eventually lead to her being published by USA Today,The Huffington Post, and she even briefly wrote the monthly advice column for Men’s Fitness before the magazine went out of print.
Emily and husband, RobertEmily with Copper
In 2013, Emily met Ole Miss adjunct professor, and SPIN Magazine Editor Bob Guccioni, Jr. Guccioni approached Emily about starting an online travel magazine called WONDERLUST, which was put on hold when she was traveling to New Orleans for a reunion with her TR friends and Guccioni called to ask, “What do you know about Jimi Hendrix? I’m creating a bookazine.” Emily mentioned the connection she and Hendrix both share to Clarksville, Tennessee and Guccioni loved the hook. The short bookazine piece she thought she was writing turned into a full on 8 weeks of research that culminated into a book length magazine titled The Unknown Hendrix, which debuted in August 2015 with an initial print run of 200,000 copies. Emily and Guccioni collaborated on a second bookazine titled The 101 Greatest American Rock Songs and The Stories Behind Them.
Even with several hundred thousand copies of her works in print and viral online articles, Emily believes her lasting legacy is that she is one of the co-founders and first Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Book Festival, which just celebrated its 10th year with a historical marker that was unveiled on the grounds of the State Capitol in Jackson.
Emily’s childhood book of stories. A little foreshadowing!Emily with author John GrishamEmily’s second project with Bob Guccioni, Jr.
Admitting that she “operates best when I have a full load,” Emily has not stopped retooling her talents. In March of 2022 she took a job at Mississippi’s #1 real estate firm by volume as the Executive Administrator for one of the firm’s founding partners. “Every single day is different,” she says, “and it’s never the day I expected!” Not a real estate agent herself with no plans to become one, she says “it’s far more fun to be behind the scenes and make sure clients are taken care of as best as possible.”
When Emily is not writing, coordinating, developing, or dreaming up the next best thing, she and her husband enjoy time together walking their two Golden Retrievers Dolly and Copper and “feeding SEC sports teams, ESPN crews, and even a few famous families” from their HoneyBaked Ham franchise in Oxford, Miss, which they purchased in 2023. Regardless of her busy life, Emily finds time to play tennis, pickleball, and mahjong and attends Ole Miss games.
What was it that Mitch always said? “Busy girls are happy girls!” Emily, you must be incredibly happy!
Emily sees The Unknown Hendrix on shelves for the first time at her neighborhood Kroger
TR ‘77 (Left to Right): Danna English, Charlotte Robinson, Allison Horan Wiltison , Charlotte Cunningham Burton, Frances Robinson Snipes, Elizabeth Lewis Sankovitch, Kathy Glover Carrington, Pride Forney
“Straight from Heaven TR 77” had a glorious reunion during Service Weekend. They gathered for their 48th anniversary this May as they look ahead to their 50th, which they will celebrate during July Reunion Weekend. This super-organized group has already secured the Garden Inn B&B for July 2027. Highlights for this group were a hike to the dam, walking to Junior on the trail, two beautiful sunsets, exploring all the facility improvements, and spending time in and cleaning the Library (their group service project). Continuing our May Weekend tradition, TR 77 dug through boxes of memorabilia to find remnants of their TR church. They put together a truly meaningful Sunday morning service on the theme of clouds. It was a “heavenly” parting gift for all those who attended Service Weekend. We can’t wait to see them receive gold Carson Crosses in two years.
Changed and Unchanged?
We asked TR 77 what impressed them most that was JUST THE SAME and what NEW CHANGES at camp they found exciting. Here are their replies:
UNCHANGED
At first glance, it looked the same as when I was a camper 55 years ago. In a world where “nothing stays the same,” it is such a blessing.
I love that the old dining room tables (that were built by Carson) are still in use.
The smell of the pine trees, the sound of our voices singing camp songs, the taste of Sunday coffee cake, the touch of hugs from true childhood friends, the peaceful lake. Years of the layers of my life instantly peel away when I am at Nakanawa.
I felt warmly welcomed and inspired by wonderful Nakanawa women.
It was (and still is) a place that inspires trying new things, pushing self to new limits, being creative and embracing deeper friendships. I love that Amazon and Valkyrie traditions remain and positive moral character traits are still taught/expected by all.
The connection between old friends remains unchanged. The experiences we shared at Nakanawa almost 50 years ago formed the bond eternal that still links us.
Camp itself! I love how the minute I drove in it felt so familiar, so comforting. It was a heart touch to be right back where it was when we were there, and yet it’s all in wonderful shape!
CHANGED
The thoughtful approach being taken by the board to ensure Nakanawa’s future for generations of girls yet to come is very exciting. The efforts being made to honor tradition while acknowledging Nakanawa must change to remain relevant will be transformative.
The new thing that blew me away were the waterfronts both in senior and junior camp. The new docks are beautifully done and improved.
The new Stargazing program (revived from the Col. Rice days) is an awesome addition!
The nearly 100 trees that have just been planted all over camp. They are not saplings, but 5 feet tall!
The improvements are stellar and desperately needed. I love the cover on the Riding Ring in Junior.
The improvements to the waterfront and around camp are more functional AND fit into the woodsy style of camp.
The new program I am excited about (Bold and Ready) emphasizes teaching the girls more nature/ camping/ outdoor living skills. Colonel Rice and Mitch would be so pleased!
