CHEWONKI FOUNDATION INC
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Chewonki changed my life starting at age 9. My first experience was as a camper and it left me with a profound appreciation for nature and a significant boost in self-confidence. It was the first place that I ever strapped on a backpack and hiked several sections of the Appalachian trail. They also took me to remote island off the coast of Maine with a naturalists who could identify just about everything we saw, from plants to birds, to species in tidal pools. I later returned with a school group and then worked there as a counselor. With each step I've taken deeper into the organization, I have been more and more impressed. The quality of education they provide, the sincerity and drive of the hard working staff and the vision that they both teach and live is inspiring and impact-full. Chewonki is a spectacular, top-notch organization, well deserving of every accolade it receives!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my heart, my life, and my life choices.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
possibly increase the outreach offerings-- encouraging more visitors to the region to stop in for a look around, or provide more classes for locals. That said, they may be doing this already.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
The sincerety with which they engage their mission and the spirit of teamwork that enables them to accomplish so much!
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
positive, confident, informed, eager to help, curious, pro-active and good natured!
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Create extension programs elsewhere in the region, further broadening its great sphere of influence.
Ways to make it better...
...I honestly can't think of any improvements! They are true leaders in their field.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Growing while maintaining a sense of intimacy. But I think they'll do just fine.
One thing I'd also say is that...
I am currently a director of Adult Education and Research at an organization in Texas and I look to Chewonki to inspire us in new directions.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About once a year
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
Chewonki Foundation consistently walks the talk of sustainability. It finds and retains some of the most energetic and compassionate staff of any organization, whether nonprofit or for profit. Sometimes, the experience of being on site seems almost magical. With self-deprecating humor, the Chewonki staff and campers refer to the comforting "Chewonki bubble" to remind themselves that the experience is to be shared and enlarged beyond the confines of Chewonki Neck, not only to be enjoyed while there.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
its ability to innovate as the sustainable energy R&D center in Maine and its respected reputation.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
create a task force to plan online and onsite coursework to certify EE teachers worldwide in Chewonki methods and mission, especially in the girls wilderness camp.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
you cannot spend an hour there without learning something fascinating and hearing laughter.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
fully engaged human spirits.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
franchise itself worldwide and become a destination center for EE teachers.
Ways to make it better...
it were easier for advisors to travel to the girls camp, but that is why it is the wilderness!
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
housing assistance for onsite, retiring teachers; healthcare for staff; maintaining and improving IT.
One thing I'd also say is that...
there is revenue in a longterm franchise and certification program.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
Chewonki shapes the lives of future leaders in conservation and sustainability. Lessons learned at Chewonki translate into more conscientious life choices that are better for human and natural communities.
Photos
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my career and personal choices and those made by others who attended educational programs at Chewonki and worked there.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
how it shows thousands of kids and young adults that a strong sense of community and a materialistically simple life makes us happier than lives structured around consumerism.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
enthusiastic, supportive, energetic and thoughtful.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
put Maine and the region on a better path towards true sustainability.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
My semester at Chewonki proved vital to my understanding of myself and the world around me. The program facilitates a comprehensive understanding of the connections between humans and the earth, combining practical experience with traditional education in a positive and holistic manner.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the passion for the environment fostered in my classmates and myself.
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The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
friendly, outgoing, compassionate and intelligent individuals with a passion for the natural world.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
I spent the fall of my junior year in high school at the Chewonki Foundation at the Maine Coast Semester. I had the best time of my life. My eyes were opened to an entire world of possibilities and of global awareness. Chewonki takes its role of spreading the importance of the environment very seriously; the Chewonki Foundation brodened my scope of vision beyond measure.
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If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
change the entire world.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2007
I love this place and the people working and living there. Chewonki makes a difference in many peoples lifes, including mine.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the eyes and smiles of many people throughout the summers
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
try to be as fantastic as Dick Thomas an Don Hudson!
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
being part of it and making new friends
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
mostly awesome: as always there are lots of different people, most of which, however, are very dedicated and great, each in their own way.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Doesn't it have?
Ways to make it better...
I don't know, sometimes I wish I would have been there when I still was a kid.
One thing I'd also say is that...
Keep up the great work!
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2007
great foundation. They have a real commitment to the environment, and educating kids and adults about green choices and everyday changes people can make to help the environment. overall an great place and a wonderful foundation.
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The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
helpful, knowledgeable and down to earth nice people.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
Next Spring, I'm going to Chewonki as an MCS student. In preparing for this, I've learned a lot about them. They are a wonderful program with an amazing outreach program that changes lives. I believe their environmental sustainability work is going to change our world.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the changes in MCS students before MCS and after.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
broaden the amount of people we reach.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
their policies towards people and the planet.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
amazingly kind and humane.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
CHANGE THE WORLD and stop global warming.
Ways to make it better...
more people knew about MCS.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
people's denial of environmental issues.
One thing I'd also say is that...
they're amazing.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
It's not an exaggeration to say that Chewonki provided a rare and truly life changing experience. I was a Maine Coast Semester student 17 years ago, and I still carry the confidence and positive energy I gained from those times with me today. Chewonki is an organization that says "yes" to new challenges and lives up to its ideals.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
students, campers and staff. People who are lucky enough to spend time at Chewonki become positive problem solvers.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the people, the time to reflect on the important things in life and how a life should be lived, the connection to farming and the land...
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
positive, enthusiastic, blindingly intelligent, and caring.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
offer valuable experiences to many more people.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2001
I was a staff member at the Boys' Camp and in my travels across the country, I often run into people who know of Chewonki or who had experiences there. I think it says a lot that Chewonki is a place where people want to come back to year after year. Campers become counselors and counselors become full-time staff. Chewonki fosters the development of environmental stewards, from teaching kids how to harness solar energy to leaving no trace in the wilderness. As the organization continues to grow, they do so in an environmentally responsible way. Chewonki will buy land for more camps and conservation and new buildings are built following strict green guidelines.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
watching the campers grow to be thoughtful about the environment.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
keep following the mission.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the lasting friendships I have as a result.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
and are my friends forever.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
conserve more land, do more programs at little or no cost to area schools, and protect more wildlife.
Ways to make it better...
I had been able to be at Chewonki every summer.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
continuing to attract families to send their children away for the whole summer and maintaining the focus of the mission.
One thing I'd also say is that...
I have no complaints about my time at Chewonki.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2006
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