Nakanawa Sponsors Fifth Annual Crossville Character Banquet
A crowd of outstanding young athletes, their coaches, families and banquet sponsors filled the Cumberland County Community Center on the evening of April 11 for the Fifth Annual Character Banquet. The event honors character with college scholarships awarded to nominees from Cumberland County and Stone Memorial High Schools. Camp Nakanawa’s name and directors were prominent on this special evening, an initiative of Pepe and Ann Perron, to promote values we share: team over self, sportsmanship before score, hard work with personal integrity.
Keynote speaker Chris Lofton, University of Tennessee All-American basketball star and recent Hall of Fame inductee was a focus of the festive evening. Tennessee orange was prominent in the room, but Nakanawa provided table runners in sky blue and gold for the CCHS Jets and black and gold for the SMHS Panthers. The Nakanawa office crew extraordinaire including Program Administrator Corie Wilson, Registrar Rene’ Smith, Executive Director Cindy DuBose and David BuBose were vital to set-up and clean-up as they greeted local leaders from the education, business and health care sectors of Crossville. Master of Ceremonies Pepe coordinated introductions and thank-you’s. Cindy DuBose gave the blessing before dinner.
Twenty-three nominees representing all high-school teams submitted essays on character; three athletes from each high school were chosen to receive $500 college scholarships. Their honors extend a different kind of win, $500 to their teams. This year’s cross country, soccer, girls’ flag football, tennis and basketball teams have double victories.
Chris Lofton recounted stories of dedicated practice, clutch-victories, lonely disappointments and challenges to his faith in times of adversity. The grit and work ethic Chris brought to his team delivered great wins and long after the buzzer, his humility and grateful attitude exemplify character-based leadership for which Nakanawa is proud to stand.
Shelly Landau recently returned from CU Boulder, where she recertified with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) Wilderness First Aid program. This two‑day course prepared students to assess, treat and make critical decisions for injured or ill people in remote environments—skills that fit hand‑in‑glove with Camp Nakanawa’s long commitment to safe outdoor adventure.
Note Taking
Shelly's studious scribing during the two day event.
NOLS Handouts
Illustrations of specific wraps for injuries while in the wild.
Workshops
First person POV at the National Outdoor Leadership School Wilderness First Aid
Shelly brings this knowledge back to camp to help educate and train her fellow counselors. During counselor training, Shelly and Margaret Matens give “an overview of basic hiking first aid while at Nakanawa,” which reminds everyone that our safety practices are rooted in the real places our girls explore—from trails around the lake and the Dam to nearby Cumberland Cove, “only a 15 minute drive from camp… at the edge of the Cumberland Plateau.” Using slides filled with familiar photos and stories, Shelly walks counselors through the everyday issues we’ve quietly managed for generations: dehydration, sunburn and heat illness, insect stings and ticks, blisters and the occasional sprained ankle.
She gives simple but powerful habits—packing water, hats, sunscreen, insect repellent and closed‑toe shoes; drinking before you feel thirsty; and treating every sting with care, including knowing when an epi‑pen and 911 are needed—showing how good planning makes adventure possible. In this way, today’s training echoes the example set in the 1920s by Col. Rice, who first inspired our Bold & Ready outdoor education by leading campers on long trail walks from camp to Cumberland Cove, where they camped out and explored the Plateau. His spirit of preparation, resilience and love for the woods still motivates us every time we lace up our boots and head down the trail with our girls.
Shelly, Margaret and the entire Bold & Ready team continue Nakanawa’s long history of pairing outdoor exploration with thoughtful, up‑to‑date safety. For more than a century we’ve taken girls into the woods, along the trails and out onto the water, always with trained counselors, on‑site nurses and doctors and clear protocols guiding each step. As Shelly says, we are “really looking for some young blood to start taking this on,” and we are still seeking active, enthusiastic Bold & Ready counselors who feel called to carry this legacy forward for the next generation of Nakanawa girls. That legacy continues in our Bold & Ready program, where campers hike to places like Cumberland Cove, play in the waterfalls and learn to love wild spaces—backed by leaders who know that “YOU set the tone” and that true boldness grows best in a carefully tended, safe environment. Wo‑He‑Lo!
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.
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!
As we count down the days to sunshine on Lake Aloaloa, it’s time to start gathering gear and goodies for the best summer ever with Everything Summer Camp! 🌤️ We’ve partnered withEverything Summer Camp to make packing easier and more meaningful.
Use our camp code trail335NK at checkout and enjoy exclusive discounts on all your camp essentials. When you shop using this code—or by selecting NAKANAWA from the Find My Camp menu—we receive a portion of each sale. These funds then support Camp.
Laundry bags, water bottles, camp trunks, personalized towels—you name it! Every item is approved for Nakanawa life and crafted for quality.
To see only the items eligible for your discount, click the My Camp Deals button once your code is active.
Whether you’re a first-time camper or packing for your final year, this is one small way to prepare with care. In doing this, you carry the Spirit of Nakanawa into everything you do.
It is with deep gratitude and excitement that I stand before you today to announce a truly meaningful step forward in the stewardship of Camp Nakanawa’s cherished natural beauty. The fact that our founder, Colonel Rice, was able to acquire this land — land that had remained largely undeveloped despite its long and rich history — and that the Directors and their families have preserved and protected it for 106 years makes Nakanawa truly one of a kind. This continuity, this unbroken chain of stewardship, is a rare and precious legacy among camps. Such heritage does not endure by chance. It takes deep care and a shared commitment to conservation—an ongoing promise to protect the ecosystem and safeguard the natural beauty that define Camp Nakanawa. This land is more than our setting; it is our guide. It helps shape the values we hold dear as Nakanawa girls and reminds us every day of the importance of living in harmony with nature. Today, Arbor Day 2025, we announce the development of the Camp Nakanawa Arboretum — an initiative that will serve not only as a living library of our region’s unique and diverse tree species, but as a lasting symbol of our commitment to conservation, education, and the preservation of the natural world for generations to come. On this rainy day, we all know that “without the showers, there would be no flowers”… or trees. And here at Nakanawa, we’ve been blessed with a forest rich in life and beauty—a place “where the trees are big and strong,” and the memories run just as deep. For more than a century, Camp Nakanawa has been a place where young hearts are inspired by the rustle of leaves, the calm of shaded trails, and the wonder of our forested surroundings. We’ve all felt that magic beneath the pine trees where there is a soft breeze, and we’ve gathered “‘neath the shining stars and tall trees,” forming friendships and stories that last a lifetime. Now, with this new arboretum, we take action to ensure that these beloved trees — and the stories they hold — continue to grow, thrive, and inspire long into the future. This vital project would not be possible without the extraordinary generosity and vision of Carolyn Thomas Rogers, Tent Row 70, and her husband, Robert Rogers. Their love for Nakanawa and their unwavering support of its mission have made this conservation effort a reality. Carolyn and Robert—thank you. Your gift is more than a donation; it is a legacy, one that will keep Nakanawa green, shaded, and lush, and one that will echo with the laughter of campers and the rustling of branches for years to come. I also want to extend heartfelt thanks to the many people who helped make this dream a reality—and continue to do so. Mary Shearer Baker and Barbara Keith Brown Payne, Wyeth Outlan Burgess, Ashley Stroud, and our Arboretum Committee—chaired by Karen Schneider, with Lucie King, Mollie Gaines, and Corie Wilson—have each played a vital role in bringing this project to life. Your dedication and love for Nakanawa shine through every step of this journey. At Nakanawa, we strive to be good stewards of the land entrusted to us. This arboretum is a major milestone, but it is also just the beginning. It marks the first step in a broader conservation plan—one rooted in care, responsibility, and a deep respect for the natural world. We know that golden wishes do not grow on trees, but we also believe that with hard work and heart, we can grow something just as magical. As we look ahead, long may we cherish thee—woods and lakes adore. We are committed to ensuring that this special place remains vibrant and thriving, not only for those who are here today, but for all who will walk these paths tomorrow. Thank you for being part of this journey. Let’s step forward together—into the shade, into the breeze, and into a future that stays forever green. 💚 – Karen Rathgeber Hale, Camp Nakanawa Director
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!
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