1 person found this review helpful
CHEWONKI FOUNDATION INC
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April 30, 2009
1 person found this review helpful
Chewonki's mission is one that has grown within me over the years. The lessons learned benefitted me both as an educator, but more importantly as a person.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
...the faces and minds of those who are involved with the oranization. It is very easy to identify people who have been through the Chewonki program in New England and throughout the country. In speaking with a young woman in the Atlanta airport a couple of years ago, I asked her if she had gone to Chewonki. She was amazed to know how I knew.
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When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
April 30, 2009
I attended the Maine Coast Semester and it was the first time I had ever been away from home. I honestly did not think I would make it because I was so homesick and scared to do the solo that is part of every Chewonki experience as a Maine Coaster. But through the unfailing support of my teachers and new friends I made it through and absolutely loved it. I learned so much about what it means to be independent and yet rely on others and be able to contribute to the community as well. I would never trade my Chewonki experience for anything because I learned that I had the capability to adapt to so much. Even today, several years after graduating from Chewonki, I am always happy to help when the opportunity presents itself.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my current students who attended the Maine Coast Semester.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Continue the tradition of keeping each semester small. But I would hope to raise more money in order to compensate the faculty and staff better because they give their hearts each day working with the students in the classroom, on the farm and everywhere.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
how close you become with your classmates. Because my semester had only 36 students, we really bonded very well. I think that every semester gives students the chance to really create TRUE friendships with people you otherwise would never meet or interact with in your regular school.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
nothing short of phenomenal. I mean they are truly amazing. I used to take it for granted that I could talk to the staff any time I wanted but I never realized how much energy it required to teach us, talk to us and take care of us students. But they did it and they still do it and what always comes through is that they LOVE what they are doing and that makes every difference in the world.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Bring in more students from around the U.S.A and around the world that need financial aid but are talented and would love to experience Chewonki either through the summer camps or the Maine Coast Semester. It would also be able to compensate its staff better and hopefully retain more each year.
Ways to make it better...
I hadn't been so homesick the first two weeks but everyone was incredibly supportive throughout the nonstop tears. It was my first time away from home.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Finances. Chewonki is in real need of people to donate as little and preferably as much as they can. It will not solve it's problems but it would be helpful for Chewonki to have access to the resources it needs to keep it the great place that it is.
One thing I'd also say is that...
You cannot go wrong by supporting Chewonki. Chewonki has done nothing but wonderful things for me and I hope that anyone who has ever had a positive experience there make the effort to donate something back to either the camps or the Maine Coast Semester.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
April 29, 2009
I attended Chewonki's Maine Coast Semester and cannot express how much I loved the program. I met amazing friends and deeply enjoyed spending time at the Chewonki Foundation's site, and with their faculty. I had a wonderful experience.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
My own personality
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Travel with my students to more locations in Maine.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
The nurturing community created during my time there.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Very kind, intelligent, and caring.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Give more financial aid allowing more students to attend.
Ways to make it better...
I had better succeeded at my studies.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Making their program known, advertising.
One thing I'd also say is that...
They should expand their facilities to allow for more students to attend Maine Coast Semester
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2007
April 29, 2009
Chewonki gave each of our sons terrific grounding - reverence for nature, community, and self, music, humor,fairness and fun. Our family has been partaking of Chewonki programs for over 30 years and it is very much a part of our lives still. As an institution Chewonki balances traditional vallues such as camp with 21st Century technology such as solar panals. A challenging, dynamic, supportive place.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my sons' life choices. Chewonki's life lessons continue to inform them and their families.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the thrills I feel whenever I go to Chewonki, talk with kids there, learn a little more about environmental stewardship, and reflect on what an outstanding institution this really is - across the board.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
remarkable, open, smart, modest, and enthusiastic.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
change the world.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
April 29, 2009
I've been involved in one way or another with Chewonki since 1986. It very simply changes peoples lives in a significant way. Chewonki brings people closer to each other in small intentional communities while focusing on the natural world around them.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
just about every person that has come through one of their programs.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the people I've met and the places I've taken them.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
of the highest caliber
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
put it toward endowment and help with both scholarship and staff enrichment.
Ways to make it better...
it was longer
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
the current economic situation.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
April 29, 2009
My experience at MCS allowed me to break out of standard path of the prep school youth and taught me to dare to be different and creative. Chewonki is a place I think of often and an organization I hold in extremely high esteem for its relentless efforts to improve what they do and how they meet their goals although they are light years ahead of almost any others in this field.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the type paths those of us who spent time there have chosen. I think we were all deeply impregnated by the philosophy behind the program.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
beware that poverty is one of the greatest enemies of the environment. It is the disadvantages who need just as much if not more to have their awareness to these issues awakened in a contructive manner.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the contact with a working farm and the whole concept of the work program.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
dedicated to their work and incredibly generous to the stundents.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
strengthen it´s capability to reach an audience that desperately needs to hear its message.
Ways to make it better...
it had been longer. This would perhaps have permitted the practical and hands on learning to overlap more with the classroom work.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
financial since they are constantly undertaking new projects, building, offering increasing numbers of trips as well as extending these opportunities to the less well off.
One thing I'd also say is that...
people today need the opportunity to experience how one can live differently, that we are not completely trapped by our lifestyle. So nature adventure trips are great but we are missing the practical side of the work programs because who has the chance to shingle a boathouse or raise a barn or recycle wood. Our cities would different if people had windowboxes with herbs and suburb gardens vegetables.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2000
April 29, 2009
Through a private school in the Pittsburgh area, my high school daughter discovered, applied to and attended a semester at Chewonki. Being a somewhat timid child who was overdue in developing confidence and independence, it took about a month or so for her to fully experience all Chewonki had to offer. The incredible and positive experience at Chewonki enhanced not only her academic abilities, but also her appreciation for herself, others and nature. This nature reserve provides the ultimate positive experience for all who attend and should be the role model for sister camps with locations all over the USA and beyond. Thank you Camp Chewonki - keep it up for the sake of all humanity!!!!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the ecological way my daughter lives!
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Make it more affordable to high school students.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
i finally got to see Maine!
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
diverse.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
create more camps like it, across the usa.
Ways to make it better...
I could have spent more time in nearby Wisscassett - the prettiest village in Maine!!
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
getting donations in thee trying financial times.
One thing I'd also say is that...
just remember, kids make mistakes and deserve a second chance.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2004
April 29, 2009
Chewonki is a unique and truly wonderful place. I first discovered it when I was invited by friends to visit during family week in the early 70s. Twenty years later both my two New York City born and bred sons attended camp as youngsters and then took the same amazing expedition as teenagers: sea kayaking from Chewonki Point to Bar Harbor. Our whole family is grateful for the wonderful experiences Jon and Alex had every summer at Chewonki.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
personal experiences over the course of many years.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
be very happy.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the place and the people.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
extraordinarily dedicated and knowledgeable.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
continue to provide an unforgettable educational experience to more poeople.
Ways to make it better...
couldn't have been any better.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
preserving its singularity in a changing world.
One thing I'd also say is that...
I wish my sons were still young enough to attend camp at Chewonki.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2005
April 29, 2009
Chewonki is an amazing place where children and adults can learn more about the natural world and the future of sustainability while also learning more about themselves! The organization is filled with dedicated professionals who spend endless amounts of time and energy improving the environment around them.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
myself and my family and students I have worked with in my job as a school teacher.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
work with the experts who are already there.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
their dedication and enthusiasm is infectious!
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
amazing!
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
do anything!
Ways to make it better...
we had more money, as usual!
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
budget and program size.
One thing I'd also say is that...
I am biased as a member of the founder's family.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
April 29, 2009
Both of my brothers went to Chewonki and now my son and cousin's son are there too. The spirit and culture of education, exploration, and support of the natural world that has endured nearly 100 years. This is a place where boys can learn to become citizens of the world while having the best time of their lives.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
My son learned more about the natural world, sustainability, energy, and preservation in one summer than I have in many years.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Do exactly what they are doing. They are true leaders in sustainability and natural education.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
The spirit of education coupled with exhilaration in the camp experience. It is also a low-key place that does not emphasize competition but rather cooperation. For boys, this is especially important (I'm sure it's true of the girl's camp and coed trips as well.)
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Smart, fun, educated, caring, deeply committed to Chewonki
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Give more scholarships. Spread the word about their education programs. Continue to build a sero emissions campus.
Ways to make it better...
I can't imagine how to make it better.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Financial.
One thing I'd also say is that...
I love this place.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
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