To shake up an old cliché (is there any other kind?), we have some sad (but not bad) news and some good (make that great!) news!

We start with a heartfelt goodbye and thank you to Nikki Tropeano, Pemi’s inaugural Alumni Coordinator, who recently launched a new career as a State Farm Team Agent near her home in Alabama. From building our database of alumni contact information to overseeing the digitalization of old Bean Soups, to managing Pemi’s 105th Reunion, Nikki’s year of tireless effort, enthusiasm, and eye for detail built the foundation for Pemi’s exciting future plans for alumni engagement. We’re certain you join us in wishing her all the best in her new endeavor. We all count on seeing her back at Pemi.

The great news? We’re absolutely thrilled to announce that Kenny Moore has joined the ranks of year-round Pemi employees, adding the oversight of Alumni Relations to his Assistant Director portfolio. Ken will continue as Head of Program, the task he’s fulfilled so dynamically over the past several years, and will take on some other added responsibilities, including oversight of social media, enhanced work with off-season Open Houses, and recruiting for Pemi West. We feel extremely fortunate to have secured Kenny’s full-time services and can’t wait to see the energy and innovation that are sure to come from full time involvement.

We asked Kenny to give us a brief Pemi bio, and he responded with his characteristic passion and thoroughness. Why not let him speak for himself?

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1992. J5 cabin photo. Ken is front and center, with his ever-present smile.

I started at Pemi in 1992, first session in Junior 5 with Ray Hearey as my counselor.  I remember him fondly, Ray being a Harvard man and my parents being Harvard grads as well. It was a good cabin placement for me.  I spent the next summer as a first-half camper, and in my third year, I came full season to Pemi and had Colin Brooks as my counselor in Lower 4.  (He would be my counselor in S2 as well.) Three more summers rounded my camper seasons at six, all told, three as a first-half boy and three full-time.  I spent the majority of my time on the waterfront, swimming, sailing, and doing a bit of knee-boarding. [Colin’s influence?]  My last summer as a boy, 1997 in the Lake Tent, was superb.  I took advantage of the trip program, journeying with Reilly to Maine twice, for the Allagash and Katahdin senior trips. Those two expeditions provide some of the most vivid memories of my cabin days. Reilly also led an infamous canoe trip down the Connecticut River that ignited an everlasting bond between James Finley and me.

The Lake Tent gang, 1997.

In 1999, I began my counseling career in Lower 5 as Josh Fischel’s assistant counselor.  That summer Chris McKendry, my future cousin-in-law, was a camper in L-5 as well!  Josh’s demeanor with the boys and his tremendous patience provided an invaluable model for me as a young counselor trying to find his style.  My other major counseling influence would be Colin Brooks, Josh and he making up a unique duo for sure! Initially, it appeared that I would focus on Archery, but soon enough, in 2002, I began my career as Head of Waterfront, which lasted until 2012.  In 2002, I also became a Division Head in the Junior Camp, living in J-3.  It was a memorable summer for me, highlighted by my selection as the Joe Campbell Award winner by my peers on the staff. 

After three summers as a counselor in the Junior Camp, I then served as Upper Division Head in 2003 & 2004 and finally as the Division Head in Senior camp in 2006.  In 2007, I graduated from cabin life, serving a more administrative role as Assistant Athletic Director, working on organizing Pemi’s massive athletic schedule.  In 2011, I became Assistant Director and Program Director overseeing occupations, teaching, and scheduling.  

In my new full-time Assistant Director role, I am very excited to be working throughout the winter with Pemi boys of all ages, from alumni to prospective campers.  Pemi provides boys with an excellent framework for being productive, accomplished, and caring citizens of their community.  Our values of independence, responsibility, and cooperation translate directly from campers’ days by Lower Baker to their future careers and relationships.  I look forward to fostering close and fulfilling personal relations with all members of the Pemi community and to connecting alumni back to the institution and to each other.  Friendships made at Pemi last a lifetime, as I am so well aware as I look to my own close-knit group of friends, Brian Mitchell, Rob Follansbee, and Porter Hill, to name only a few.  I was incredibly fortunate to grow up with a special group of Pemi boys, who in turn became veteran staff members and passionate educators. It’s exciting to think of how many others like me could tell the same story.

My goal to help alumni re-connect to Pemi is first and foremost.  Theirs will be a crucial role in continuing the mission of Camp as we move further into our second century.  Utilizing social media, and other Pemi publications, will aid the process in new and exciting ways – and remind all to carry our values into the outside world.  In sum, I am absolutely thrilled to undertake this initiative, advancing Camp Pemigewassett and its mission, educating boys to take a fulfilling and rewarding place in an-ever changing world.

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We are thrilled as well. Please join us in welcoming Kenny to 24/7/365 Pemi!