Agawam Council

Camp is governed by the Agawam Council Board of Directors. The Council is a non-profit corporation formed in 1985 to ensure that Agawam would continue to thrive as a summer camp after the retirement of the former directors and owners, Dave and Peg Mason. The Board helps oversee camping programs and works with our camp director to ensure an outstanding experience for our campers.

The Board of Directors is made up of Agawam alumni, parents, and friends who volunteer their time to further the mission of Agawam Council.

For further information on Agawam Council, please contact “Mander” Karen Malm at mander@campagawam.org.

Mission Statement

Agawam Council is an organization that provides a group living experience for young people through its programs: Camp Agawam and Main Idea at Camp Agawam. The nurturing, safe environment and facilities permit a wide variety of sports and learning activities. The ultimate goal is to promote personal growth, character, development of optimum potential and responsibility, leadership skills, enhancement of self-esteem, and awareness of community, beauty, truth, fortitude, and love for everyone involved with the organization.

Agawam Council Board and Committees

Officers

Robert L. Fryer - President
Scott C. Malm - Vice-President
Alexander R. Cobb- Treasurer
Peter B. Wilson, Jr. - Secretary

Life Directors

Elmer C. Bartels
Porter D. Caesar, II
Matthew M. Gardner, Jr.

Camp Director Emeritus
David W. Mason
Peg H. Mason
Garth R. Nelson

Trustee Emeritus
John C. Esty
W. Marshall Schmidt

Term Directors
H. Franklin Anthony, III
William H. Auerswald, Jr.
Thomas E. Barnard
Alexander R. Cobb
Arthur G. (“Chip”) Connolly, III
Jacob T. Creem
Robert L. Fryer
David Griffiths
Jeffrey D. Henderer

Robert W. Holland

Meghan G. Lockwood
Scott C. Malm

Peter H. Mason
Murray H. Morse, Jr.
Oliver G.C. Reid
Jonathan T. Sands
John M. Schmidt

Benjamin G. Small
Jonathan K. Sprole
Peter B. Wilson, Jr.

Committee Members

Sloan J. Baxter

Howard R. Blum

Eric R. Calhoun

James M. Carroll
Daniel J. Cluchey
Jeremy H. Cluchey
Scott N. Degerberg
Robert D. Demont
Michael P. Forbes
Robert E. Gregg, Jr.

Catherine B. Griffiths

Joseph B. Murray
Joseph H. Norena
Stephen J. O’Leary

Darcy F. Phillips

Duncan A. Phillips

Andrew B. Rogers
Benjamin B. Rogers
Richard A. Schaberg
Steven H. Slovenski
Edward F. Tufaro

Janet R. Ver Planck
Karin J. Whitten

Agawam Alumni Association Roster

Kenneth W. Abele
David W. Ames
Erik H. Andrews
Mark F. Andrews
Garret M. Bensen
Frank Blauvelt
John S. Calhoun
Timothy D. Carnes
Timothy C. Crane
Timothy J. Creem
Amy D. Davis
Robert Dow
Morgan S. Dunnan
Peter T. Esty
Robert H. Fleiss

William B. Fleiss
Thomas Gammill
Simon F. Gerson
William K. Glass
John T. Gorby
George J. Gould
Peter J. Gould
Andrew J. Greene
Robert E. Gregg, III
Walter H. Gregg
E. Livingston B. Haskell
Mark F. Hogan
Stephanie L. Hogan
Mark C. Jones
Marc Knevett
Appleton A. Mason
Byron Miller
Peter M. Moran
Stephen S. Murray
Stephen C. Nash
Nicholas J. Norena
David H. F. Pragoff
E. Scott Pragoff
Zachary B. Rioux
Daniel Schuker
Jacob E. Shechtman
F. Russell Sprole
Patrick A. Wright

Agawam Council Committees

Agawam Council has a number of committees to support Board functions:

Development Committee - The Development Committee raises funds to carry out the corporate purpose. It works with the director, the director of development, the director of alumni relations, and the Communications and Alumni Relations Committee to solicit funds for the endowment, Main Idea, camperships, preservation, and other capital initiatives.

Development Committee Members
"Bos'n" Tom Barnard
"Guide" Howard Blum
"Capt." Pete Caesar
"Ranger" Jim Carroll

"Trapper" Dan Cluchey
"Coach" Bob Demont
Mike Forbes
"Lt." Bob Fryer
"Colonel" Matt Gardner
Cathy Griffiths
"Ensign" Jeff Henderer
Joe Norena
"Cox’n" Rich Schaberg
"Major" Ben Small
Jon Sprole-Chair

The Finance Committee provides planning and oversight of the financial and investment affairs of the corporation. Duties include preparing budgets, reviewing operating performance, arranging for independent audits and reviews, assuring corporate conformity with state and federal tax laws, and planning and oversight of the Council's investment strategy.

The Budget Subcommittee oversees development of the annual Council budget and its implementation.

The Investment Subcommittee oversees investment of the Council’s endowment, preservation and other funds according to Board policies and in light of financial requirements and long-range plans.

The Audit Subcommittee provides oversight assistance to the Agawam Council Board in fulfilling its fiduciary responsibility and accountability.

Finance Committee Members

"Bos'n" Frank Anthony
"Bos'n" Bill Auerswald
"Chips" Alex Cobb-Chair
"Bowman" Jake Creem
"Mander" Scott Degerberg
"Bos’n" Bob Holland
"Trapper" Oliver Reid
"Cox'n" Ben Rogers
"Cruiser" Jon Sands
Marsh Schmidt
Jon Sprole

"Sarge" Russell Sprole
"FM" Ed Tufaro

Budget Sub-Committee Members
“Bos’n” Frank Anthony, Chair
"Chips" Alex Cobb
"Mander" Scott Degerberg
"Bos'n" Bob Holland
"Trapper" Oliver Reid

Investment Sub-Committee Members
"Chips" Alex Cobb
"Bowman" Jake Creem
"Mander" Scott Degerberg
"Cruiser" Jon Sands - Chair

"Sarge" Russell Sprole

Audit Sub-Committee Members
"Bos'n" Bill Auerswald - Chair
"Cox'n" Ben Rogers
Jon Sprole
"FM" Ed Tufaro

The Plant Committee provides oversight of the physical assets of the corporation in regard to real property and long-term planning for capital needs. It helps the director of operations update the maintenance and replacement schedule for infrastructure and plan major facility improvements.

Plant Committee Members
"Bos'n" Tommy Barnard
"Commodore" Bob Gregg
"Capt." Peter Mason

"Major" Duncan Phillips
"Gimpy" Karin Whitten

“Admiral” Peter Wilson - Chair

The Communications & Alumni Relations Committee is charged with communicating the essence of Agawam, its needs and plans for the future to our constituency. It reviews plans for all communications vehicles, maintains alumni records, and organizes reunions and other alumni activities. The committee also helps create marketing strategies to recruit high quality campers and staff.

Communications & Alumni Relations Committee Members

"Mode" Jeremy Cluchey

"Colonel" Will Fleiss
Mike Forbes
Dave Griffiths

"Bos'n" Bob Holland - Chair

"Cruiser" Meghan Lockwood
"Ensign" Skip Morse

"Commodore" Basil Murray
"Chips" Steve Slovenski
"JVP" Janet Ver Planck
"Gimpy" Karin Whitten

The Human Resources & Evaluation Committee facilitates the annual evaluation of the director by the Board members, with and for the Agawam Council president and Executive Committee. It also evaluates the Board itself, based upon member input, and helps develop evaluation criteria and techniques for other Council staff. The committee also helps design an equitable benefits package for the paid staff. As needed, the committee manages communication between the Board and the fulltime staff, and helps ensure successful transitions for key staff and Board leaders.

Evaluation & Human Resources Committee Members
"Commander" Elmer Bartels
"Lt" Chip Connolly - Chair

"Trapper" Dan Cluchey
"Capt." Peter Mason
"Corp" Steve O’Leary
"Trapper" Oliver Reid
"General" Andy Rogers

The Governance Committee identifies individuals to serve on Agawam Council. Working with the Board, the director, the director of development, and director of alumni relations, the committee nominates members of the Board of Directors, officers of the corporation, trustees emeriti and new committee members. The Council president appoints the chairs and members of standing committees. The committee also oversees matters of governance and ethics.

Governance Committee Members

"Bos'n" Frank Anthony

"Commander" Elmer Bartels

"Slugger" S.J. Baxter
"Bos’n" Eric Calhoun
"Ranger" Jim Carroll
"Loot" Bob Fryer
"Colonel" Matt Gardner
"Commodore" Bob Gregg
"Cox’n" Rich Schaberg
"Capt." John Schmidt – Chair

The Long Range Planning Committee reviews the organization and structure of Agawam Council as defined in the By-Laws and implemented by the Board of Directors. It maintains and updates the Long Range Plan (LRP) by acting as a liaison between the director and the Board of Directors and integrating standing committee ideas and Board decisions into the LRP.

Long Range Planning Committee Members

“Commander” Elmer Bartels
"Capt" Pete Caesar - Chair
"Ranger" Jim Carroll
“Bos'n” Bob Holland
“Bowman” Scott Malm
“Trapper” Oliver Reid
“Admiral” Peter Wilson

The Program Committee oversees and evaluates activities conducted on Agawam Council properties. It reviews the camp director’s plans for program duration, enrollment, staff development, and recommendations for program improvement. It also researches program expansion and explores facility usage beyond the traditional camp season.

Program Committee Members

"Bos'n" Bill Auerswald
"Ensign" Jeff Henderer
"Cruiser" Meghan Lockwood
"Bowman" Scott Malm - Chair
"Admiral" Darcy Phillips
"Chips" Steve Slovenski
"JVP" Janet Ver Planck

Strategic Objectives of Agawam Council

STEWARDSHIP

Preserve the sense of place that is present on the Agawam campus, by seeking a balance of simplicity and prudent modernization in facilities and equipment, and by engaging the entire Agawam community in embracing responsible environmental management. Preserve the best of the past, as we move into the future.
FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

Utilize good financial practices and planning in achieving a robust and sustainable level of operating performance, by diversifying our sources of funding beyond fully paid tuitions, and by generating increased financial aid and program support from endowments, annual fundraising, planned giving, and grants.

CONSTITUENT RELATIONS

Deepen and broaden our ties with all of our constituents, by improving the quality and increasing the frequency and promptness of communications, by reinforcing a strong sense of belonging and connection, and by creating tangible opportunities to engage and to contribute meaningfully as stakeholders in Agawam's lasting success.

GOVERNANCE

Focus on effective governance and preservation of institutional continuity as Agawam Council continues to evolve, by instilling a unity of purpose among board directors, committee members and staff, with absolute clarity of roles, responsibilities and expectations and with transparency in every quarter.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

Focus on youth development programs true to our Mission, by maintaining and continuously improving our strong and vibrant Camp Agawam and the Main Idea programs, and by being opportunistic, incremental and entrepreneurial in considering new program initiatives.