Spring has arrived, bringing with it daffodils, yellow forsythia, and a much-needed splash of color after winter’s grip. Unfortunately, it also brought some high winds – too strong for kites and a bit too much for a few of our beloved trees. But no worries! Our amazing staff and volunteers have rallied, tidying up and making repairs to keep Nakanawa looking its best. On a brighter note, we’ve got 40 new trees of various species ready to plant at both camps, promising even more beauty and shade for years to come.
This spring, in early March, we were thrilled to welcome Deaton Dock and our brand-new boathouse. This project is a game-changer for the health of our war canoes, providing them with a safe, dry spot all year long. It will also serve as the home for our sail boats and kayaks, making water activities even better for everyone.
While enrollment is looking fantastic, we still have a few spots available. We didn’t fill our new session, so we’ve offered those already enrolled a spot in our original two-week session. We’re excited for next year’s session, with word spreading earlier than ever!
We recently attended the Tri-State Camping Conference – the largest of its kind in the world – and walked away more inspired than ever. Camps across the globe share our commitment to enhancing security and ensuring our staff is trained to handle any situation. Nakanawa is rolling out a multi-phase plan based on expert recommendations, and security is our top priority as we head into counselor training and the summer season.
I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful season of spring!
There’s a brand-new addition floating on the waters of Lake Aloaloa — and she’s a big one! Welcome Camp Nakanawa’s new boathouse.
Earlier this month, five full semi trailers rolled into Junior Camp, packed tight with aluminum frames, floats, and materials for what would soon become our brand-new boathouse. Thanks to the expert work of Deaton’s Waterfront Services, each piece was carefully unloaded, transported down to the water’s edge, and assembled right here at camp.
The process was no small feat. After building the main frame of the boathouse on the water, the Deaton’s crew did something extraordinary — they floated the entire structure from Junior Camp across the lake to Senior Camp, where it was secured and attached to shore. Floating a building across Lake Aloaloa is no everyday event, but with clear skies, teamwork, and a whole lot of determination, the new boathouse found its home.
This beautiful new structure will soon be the heart of our waterfront activities — housing the iconic war canoes, nimble kayaks, and majestic sailboats that campers use throughout the summer. With improved docks, more space, and a strong, modern frame, the new boathouse will serve generations of Nakanawa girls to come. You can see Casey approves!
Deaton’s Waterfront Services will return in just a few weeks to complete the final stages of construction. Once the finishing touches are in place, this floating boathouse will be ready to launch a whole new chapter of lakefront fun.
The water is calling, the sun is shining, and the new boathouse is almost ready to welcome our campers back to their home on the lake. We can’t wait for you to see it in person this summer!
“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.”
Margaret presenting to high school students “in the field.”Margaret in South Bay near Wreck Island, helping out with the world’s largest seagrass restoration project.Margaret and biology students from Chincoteague HS leave the village of Wachapreague, bound for Parramore Island.Margaret with bilingual interns at TNC’s Summer Picnic 2024.Emily Wheat Maynard and Margaret Van Clief reunite at The Shanty on Cape Charles Harbor in June 2019.We’ll have our reunion!TR ’95 at the Centennial.Margaret and Mary Shearer Baker as counselors, Circa 1997.Nakanawa girls & Van WilDHearts in Evansville, IN. (October 2019) Wendy Igleheart Walker, Margaret Van Clief, and Diane Foster Igleheart
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!
Amazons, Valkyries and friends came together for a weekend of work and fun during Service Weekend. This annual event provides alumnae an opportunity to help prepare camp for the upcoming summer sessions while making new friends and reconnecting with old ones. This year’s event also included several groups like Tent Row ‘74 who celebrated their 50th reunion!
https://youtu.be/ISuP7YzRGSs?si=LofYjbK67oQEhkZN
Alumnae and Staff enjoyed a weekend of cleaning and prepping for the 2024 Camp season!
The weather report wasn’t promising, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of those in attendance. Karen welcomed us all for “Happy Am I Hour” and dinner at The Big House. As the group gathered later in the Wigwam, a hearty rendition of “Mr. Sun” was sung with fingers crossed for better weather for the rest of the weekend.
Saturday was wet and overcast, but Nakanawa spirit and singing did the trick as the sun eventually came out! Ties were tied, medals and name tags were created, and gardens were replanted and pruned. Clearing the basement of the Council House, cabin checks, repainting table tennis tables and more kept attendees busy all morning. We also wrote welcome notes to our 2024 counselors — a special project to help our staff kick-off this summer on a high note.
After lunch, Rest Hour, and some final project work, we enjoyed a beautiful evening on the Crow’s Nest for another “Happy Am I Hour” and a cookout dinner. We recognized attendees celebrating their five-year Service Weekend anniversary and honored our 50th reunion group. A spectacular sunset was the perfect end to the day.
Sunday’s weather was perfect. Following breakfast, we enjoyed church on the Crow’s Nest, led by Tent Row ‘74. We wrapped up projects and attendees started to head home, savoring memories of a weekend spent at a special place where everyone’s contributions were celebrated and appreciated. We thank each person who took time out of their busy schedules to spend the weekend with us. Save the date for the third Weweekend in May 2025. We’ll see you at Camp!
