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The Moultonboro News
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Sportsmanship and loyalty highlight values at Moultonboro's Camp Winaukee
MOULTONBORO - Life at Camp Winaukee revolves around the "Tree of Values." Its six branches are enthusiasm, loyalty,
sportsmanship, friendship, achievement, and cooperation. "The tree exemplifies the values we always try to teach
young men," says Bart Sobel, one of the two current camp directors. "We never give individual awards for sports -
we give them for sportsmanship," he continues.
The tree is only the beginning of the unique camp culture at Winaukee. Since 1946, when director "Doc" Sobel purchased
Black Island, Winaukee has been split into two autonomous camps: the mainland camp and the island camp. Each camp is
equipped with its own facilities, including fields, courts, cabins, a dining hall and a playhouse, and offers both traditional
land sports as well as water-based activities.
The mainland camp, directed by Bart Sobel, is home to 230 boys, ranging from seven to 12 years of age. "I've spent every summer
of my life here," says the former professor, who carries on the legacy of his father Doc. The culture of Winaukee is built
around its unique traditions. Sport leagues, campfires, special events, and outings are just a few of the things that keep
campers coming back for more on the mainland. Every Sunday is a special event day, culminating in the Indian Council, a campfire
ceremony in which awards are doled out to campers by staff members dressed in traditional Indian garb.
The island camp, located on a 50-acreprivate island just minutes off of the mainland shore, hosts 160 campers ranging in age
from 13 to 15. Director Jeff "Freedo" Freedman, a former collegiate NCAA All-American athlete, began his experiences with
Winaukee in the 1970s as a camper. "I had the best summers of my life here, and I wanted to recreate that experience for other
boys," says the former NCAA attorney who returned to camp in 1999 as a director.
Campers describe life on the island as "a double stuffed Oreo," and after speaking with several, it is apparent that
"Island pride" is alive and well. "If I could spend my summer anywhere, it would be here," says camper Sidney Schleiff.
"You need to experience it. It's indescribable, and putting it into words doesn't do it justice."
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