• Camper Stories
  • Daily Life at Pemi
  • Education at Pemi
  • News
  • Pemi Alumni
  • Resources for Parents
  • Staff Stories

Pemi’s Mission in a Rapidly Changing World

This past fall, 17 members of the Camp Pemigewassett family* gathered near Boston to discuss Pemi’s past, present, and most importantly, Pemi’s future. The agenda – crafted as a result of in-depth, one-on-one conversations between facilitator Nat Follansbee and each participant prior to the weekend – was ambitious, relevant, and varied, and kept the group engaged for two full days and then some.

All of our conversations—whether in the meeting room, during coffee breaks, or over group meals—were energetic, informative, positive, and productive and were often (not surprisingly) laced with good humor. But perhaps the most critical dialogue took place when the group, ranging in age from 17 to 67, tackled the task of articulating Pemi’s mission. Why do we exist? Who do we serve? How do we do it? What are the key words that best define Camp Pemigewassett? Part of the exercise involved looking back at our long history, considering what it is we’ve traditionally tried to do and why we’ve done it. Part of it involved looking forward and thinking about how Pemi might best respond and contribute to a rapidly changing world. We knew that an objective look at ourselves and clear identification of our mission would provide an invaluable roadmap for all future decision-making.

Below is the result of that session. It is posted on our web site and serves as a touchstone for all of us at Camp Pemigewassett as we move towards this summer and beyond.

Camp Pemigewassett’s Mission

Since 1908, Camp Pemigewassett’s abiding mission has been to inspire and support boys aged 8 to 15 as they find their own distinctive paths in becoming self-reliant, caring, and successful young men with a passion for all that they do.

For over a century, Pemi has balanced tradition and innovation to fulfill our mission in the context of an evolving world. Today, we continue to realize that mission in the following ways:

CAMPERS of differing backgrounds from all over the world live simply in small and inclusive cabin groups. These close-knit camper families meld with the larger Pemi community in ways that foster key civic values, such as respect for others, integrity, responsibility, sustainability, and generosity of spirit. Our varied program teaches and nurtures practical skills while it encourages the self-challenge, creativity, and resilience that develop a boy’s self-confidence. From the beginning, Pemi’s culture has been one of good humor and joy.

Pemi recruits STAFF members who are dedicated to the development of the whole camper, and we train them carefully with an eye to the most informed thinking on the social, physical, and emotional well-being of boys. Our staff’s enhanced leadership, mentorship, and communication skills serve our campers and parents well and become vital traits for staff to carry into future roles and relationships.

For PARENTS at home, Pemi offers support and guidance, sets clear policies, and communicates honestly and dependably as parents navigate the profound challenge of “letting go” – a crucial aspect of their partnership with Pemi and one that is essential to launching their sons on the first stages of their own life journeys.

Pemi serves as a practical and inspirational resource for ALUMNI of all ages as they carry “Pemi” back into their schools, communities, professions, and ongoing involvements. Alumni in turn form a vital network of kindred spirits and lifelong friends who welcome and support our “graduates” as they find their own way in the world beyond our mountain valley. They are our most potent and inspiring examples of the enduring benefits of the Pemi experience.

________________________________

Special thanks to Nat Follensbee, of The Loomis-Chaffee School, who guided the discussions. Participants included Board members Penelope Reed Doob, Peter Fauver, Fred Fauver, Danny Kerr, Roger McEniry, Tom Reed, Jr., Fred Seebeck, and Ander Wensberg, joined by Deborah Fauver, Dottie Reed, and 7 of the 9 members of the fourth generation of the founding Reed and Fauver families, Megan Fauver Cardillo, Sky Fauver, Jonathan Fauver, Alison Fauver, Abigail Reed, Sarah Fauver, and Alex Fauver.

You may enjoy these, as well

Pemi Hut Trips: Part Two

If you missed Part One of our hut trip series, focused on Greenleaf Hut, here ...

Pemi Hut Trips: Part One

From their earliest days as Juniors, Pemi campers take to the trails to experience the ...

Cans from Campers Program Receives National Award

New Orleans, LA – February 6, 2024 Camp Pemigewassett is proud to announce that our Cans from Campers ...

Defining Photos of 2023

As we count down to the end of 2023, we want to take a moment to ...

Alumni News & Notes – Winter 2023

Greetings, Pemi Family! As we steadily march towards the end of an eventful 2023, I’m ...

Pemi West 2023

Pemi West provides former and new campers alike with the opportunity to hone their wilderness ...

Community Service & Engagement at Pemi

The Pemi experience provides innumerable opportunities for boys to have fun, try new activities, improve ...

2023 Newsletter #7

Greetings from Pemi! Hard as it is to believe, we’re well into the final ...

2023 Newsletter #6

Camp Pemi and our friends from Camp Tecumseh on Lake Winnipesaukee have engaged in a ...

2023 Newsletter #5

Hello from Wentworth! The second session of Pemi’s 116th summer continues to benefit from ...

2023 Newsletter #4

Greetings from sunny Wentworth! The sky is blue, the sun is shining, and it’s ...

2023 Newsletter #3

Hello from the shores of the expanded Lower Baker Pond! It’s been quite a ...

2023 Newsletter #2

Hello from the shores of Lower Baker Pond! On the heels of a wonderful celebration ...

2023 Newsletter #1

Greetings from Camp Pemigewassett! I’m thrilled to be sharing the first newsletter of the 2023 ...

2023 Pemi Staff

We’re under two days away from the opening of Pemi’s 116th summer! Our ...

Waiters & Camp Aides

As boys progress through their Pemi journey, the opportunities for new adventures and leadership increase. ...

Birthdays at Pemi

What could be better than getting to celebrate your birthday once a year, every year? ...

Reading After Taps

It should come as no surprise to anyone who’s ever been around boys aged 8...

2022-2023 Pemi Board Updates

Last fall, Pemi’s Board of Directors welcomed two new members and also saw the ...

Defining Photos of 2022

As 2022 draws to a close and winter begins to rear its head in earnest across ...

2022 16s Trip

In many ways, the 2022 Pemi West trip could be described as a homecoming. Our first ...

Bertha Hofstra Fauver – September 23, 1920 – October 1, 2022

We are saddened to share the news that Bertha Fauver died on October 1, just one ...

115th Reunion Newsletter!

After a hugely successful 2022 season, including record attendance at our third annual Family Camp, members ...

fireworks at Camp Pemi

Welcome back Johanna Zabawa!

I’m thrilled to share that Johanna Zabawa, a veteran staff member and great-granddaughter of ...

Karl Grafton See – October 2, 1970-September 9, 2022

Karl Grafton See, consummate Pemi boy, counselor, and lifelong friend, has died in Duxbury, MA ...

banner image newsletter 8

2022 Newsletter #8

Greetings from Camp Pemigewassett! I’m writing, sadly, not from the placid shores of Lower ...

2022 Newsletter #6

Good afternoon from yet another beautiful day in Wentworth, The weather here at Pemi continues ...