Alex, Wyeth, and Karen prep food for Service Weekend 2025.
CategoriesKaren's Corner, Service Weekend, The Valkazon by

Karen’s Corner: May 2025

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

Sunset on Crows Nest
Paige, Alden, and Emily on Crow’s Nest during sunset.

Karen Hale smiling in ski gear on a snowy mountain slope with distant mountain range under a dramatic sky
CategoriesCamp News, Karen's Corner, Newsletters, The Valkazon by

Karen’s Corner

Spring at Nakanawa – New Beginnings, New Updates

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!

S’mores truly,
Karen

CategoriesCamp News, Karen's Corner by

Karen’s Corner: WE’RE HERE & HAPPY!

On Opening Day, campers gathered to reunite with old friends and warmly welcome our
new campers. Thanks to our wonderful counselor staff and all of you parents, the day
went very smoothly. We are truly grateful to everyone!

During the first assembly, the campers were entertained by the counselors who performed pop songs with camp-themed lyrics to welcome them to camp. A thorough walk-through of the activity schedule was conducted to ensure that everyone knows
where to go, what to bring, and what to wear to have the most fun and be successful.
The excitement and various activities surely worked up everyone’s appetite. Spaghetti,
salad and Texas toast was devoured at dinner. The excitement reached its peak during Team Drawings. Junior Camp had 66 new campers while Intermediate welcomed 17 to
either draw or choose to honor the team legacy of their family members. At the end of
the evening, the Amazons and the Valkyries celebrated with their new members. Today, camp is bustling with activity. After breakfast, all activities are in full swing. Tennis is being played and laughter can be heard from the docks as campers enjoy
swimming and jumping off the diving boards.

Our photographers are doing their best to capture as much as they can on camera. If
you haven’t signed up already, please make sure to download the CAMPANION app for
easy access to photos of your camper(s). It is a great tool to have all things Camp Nakanawa in one place on your phone.
We are all about having fun and playing games here! Enjoy the next two weeks because here in Mayland, we DEFINATELY are!

In the Spirit of Nakanawa,

Karen