Birocapedia - User contributions [en]

Thomas Joyce

2009-04-12T21:43:11Z

Tylox:

[[Image:Thomas3.jpg|thumb|]]
Thomas Joyce is currently Birch Rock's Woodshop Instructor but has had many roles at Birch Rock. Thomas was an Assistant Director and, for four summers, Head Counselor. He has also taught sailing, boating, lacrosse, and at times many other activities. But most importantly, Thomas was a camper for many summers. Thomas has always been skilled with tools and has had the honor of working on the plaques in the lodge a number of times.

==Life Before Birch Rock==
Thomas first went to Birch Rock in the summer of 1989. He found out about Birch Rock through Jonas Miklayonas' family. Thomas' mother sold Jonas' mother's house. Thomas went to camp for the whole six weeks that summer. At that time, the majority of the campers stayed for the entire season.

==Camper Years==
[[image:Thomas4.jpg|thumb|Thomas was Manner Meister for many summers.]]
===Summer of 1989===

Thomas first went to Birch Rock in the summer of 1989. He found out about Birch Rock through Jonas Miklayonas' family. Thomas' mother sold Jonas' mother's house. Thomas went to camp for the whole six weeks that summer. At that time, the majority of the campers stayed for the entire season.

Although Thomas certainly suffered from homesickness in the first few days, it was not very long before he was loving the place. Certainly, one of Thomas' vivid memories of that summer would be [[The Eclipse]] prank that the staff played on the campers.

===Summer of 1990-93===
In the mid-late '90s, Birch Rock had something called the [[Manner Meister]]. Thomas was always in the running for Manner Meister at the end of each summer. He was so knowledgeable about manners that as a staff member he is often asked to review certain manners with the boys in the lodge.

===Summer of 1994===
As a sailor, Thomas had picked up on knots at an early age. By his senior camper year, he was being called all over the waterfront to check or often tie the knots. Thomas was a true role model of our motto as he was always helpful.

During Thomas' senior camper summer, he and his cabin mates, Ben Serrell, Bret Ingold and Tyler Johnston, would often play pranks on their cabin counselor Head Counselor Josh Church.

==CIT Summer==

===Summer of 1995===
Thomas loved his CIT year because his CIT group were the same guys, Bret Ingold and Tyler Johnston, who he had grown up with for many summers. Rich Deering had many sit down meetings and talks to keep the group well bonded and it also helped develop communication skills, an important part of what we do at camp. Thomas was all over the place his CIT summer trying his hand at many different activities.

==Staff Years==
[[Image:ThomasTable.jpg|thumb|Somewhere in the late '90s Thomas built a lodge table]]
===Summers of 1996-1998===
Thomas was seen teaching many activities but was certainly a Master Sailor. Thomas taught sailing for a few summers and always was a natural in almost any boat. In his pre-Head Counselor years Thomas taught Sailing, Lacrosse, Boating.

Thomas was always taking on carpentry tasks around campus. One summer he built a table for the lodge, another summer he was helping build the new tent platform, and still another summer he'd be making signs for cabins. He was showing signs right away of a future Woodshop Instructor.

===Summers of 1999-2002===
[[Image:Booming.jpg|thumb|Thomas saying "Musciano!"]]
In 1999, Associate Director Mike Mattson who had been Head Counselor for four summers was ready to pass the torch and immediately started helping Thomas take on the roll. It wasn't long before Thomas was in full command. By the end of '99, Thomas was running everything day to day and was always available for camper, staff or parent. He would be seen everywhere and always knew what was happening around campus with every age group, especially the staff, this is the sign of a true Head Counselor. But by 2002, Thomas was ready for a break, and decided to take a summer off.

As Head Counselors go, Thomas will probably be best remembered for his boomming voice around campus. In fact, he used to hollar after the morning bell to help wake everyone up. His best remembered hollar was certainly, "Nicholasssss!...The Italion Stalion!....Muuusciano!"

===Summers of 2004-2009===
Before the summer of 2004, Thomas was contacted by Mike to act as the Assistant Director. Excited to return to camp, Thomas accepted. Thomas helped in the office and also was a terrific mentor for the younger staff.
After a couple summers off, Thomas reached out to Birch Rock again, offering to return as a senior counselor and teach in the [[Woodshop]].

==Thomas' Summers at the Rock==

[[Image:Thomas1.JPG|thumb|left]]
[[Image:Thomas2.JPG|thumb]]
[[Image:Thomas.jpg|thumb|left]]
[[Image:2008-7-5 5.jpg|thumb]]
<div align="center">
{|class="wikitable"
!Year
!Cabin
!Role
!Note
|-align="center"
|1989
|Hilton B
|Camper
|with Counselor Dave Jenkins
|-align="center"
|1990
|Hiton B
|Camper
|with Counselor Rob Christie
|-align="center"
|1991
|Cabin 1
|Camper
|with Counselor Justin Ingold
|-align="center"
|1992
|Buzzards' Roost
|Camper
|with Counselor Chuck Hatcher
|-align="center"
|1993
|Pete's Palace
|Camper
|with Counselor Brian Roskow
|-align="center"
|1994
|Cabin 8
|Senior Camper
|with Counselor Josh Church
|-align="center"
|1995
|Eagles' Nest
|Counselor-in Training
|with CIT Director Rich Deering
|-align="center"
|1996
|Hilton B
|Junior Counselor
|
|-align="center"
|1997
|Hilton B
|Counselor
|
|-align="center"
|1998
|Hilton A
|Counselor
|
|-align="center"
|1999
|Eagles' Nest
|Head Counselor
|
|-align="center"
|2000
|Owl's Perch
|Head Counselor
|
|-align="center"
|2001
|Omar's Cabin
|Head Counselor
|Omar's made into Head Counselor cabin
|-align="center"
|2002
|Omar's Cabin
|Head Counselor
|
|-align="center"
|2003
|''skipped''
|
|
|-align="center"
|2004
|Lion's Den
|Assistant Director
|
|-align="center"
|2005
|''skipped''
|
|
|-align="center"
|2006
|''skipped''
|
|
|-align="center"
|2007
|Pat's Cabin
|Woodshop Instructor
|First Session
|-align="center"
|2008
|Albert's Cabin
|Woodshop Instructor
|also did part of MWA trip
|-align="center"
|2009
|Pat's Cabin
|Woodshop Instructor
|First Session
|-
|}
</div>
[[Category:People]]

Campfire

2009-04-12T21:38:14Z

Tylox:

[[Image:Campfire.jpg|thumb|Campfire]]
Campfire is the [[Evening Activity]] the camp does on Saturday nights. It consists of cabins putting on skits that they had prepared for the last week. The cabins that do skits at campfire alternate, each cabin does a skit every other week. [[Senior Camper]] [[cabin]]s, the [[CIT]]s, and the counselors do [[skits]] every week. Campfire is run by the campfire MCs, who's job it is to remind cabins they have skits, announce skits during campfire, and preform an opening skit for the night each campfire. For the last couple of years the last skit the counselors do is the "Wheel of Doom" in which a counselor shoots an arrow at a target with potential skits written on it. The skit he shoots will be the skit the counselors do for that act. The potential skits mostly consist of a randomly picked counselor having something bad happen to him, like being attacked by [[Hiltonites]].

==Past Campfire MCs==

* 1986: Ron Mattson and Chris Brandjes
* 1987: Joe Curry and Ron Mattson
* 1988: Joe Curry and Ron Mattson
* 1989: Joe Curry and Ron Mattson
* 1990: Dave Jenkins and Mike Mattson
* 1991: Josh Church and Justin Ingold
* 1992: Josh Church and Justin Ingold with [[Sideshow]] staff
* 1993: Josh Church and Justin Ingold
* 1994: Brian Roskow, Mike Mattson, Josh Church & Justin Ingold, Alternate Pairs Each Week
* 1995: Jared Levine and Jesse Barnes
* 1996: Jared Levine, Jesse Barnes, and CJ Nesher
* 1997: Thomas Joyce and Chris Kilborn-Peterson
* 1998:
* 1999: Tyler Johnston and Bret Ingold
* 2000: All Staff, Different Pair Each Week
* 2001: Lenza Latendresse, Brad Corbin and Mark Sutherland
* 2002: Mike Wilson and John Wargo then Mike Nordlom
* 2003: Mike Nordblom and Mark Sutherland
* 2004: Pearson Jenks and Brad Corbin
* 2005: Pearson Jenks and Dave Barrette
* 2006: Pearson Jenks and Ben Schreiber
* 2007: Matt Clifford and Sebby Weeks
* 2008: Sam Deeran and Alasdair Thornton

Prince of Biroca

2009-04-12T21:34:11Z

Tylox:

[[image:Prince of Bircoa.jpg|thumb|Starring David Nesher as the Prince of Biroca]]
The Prince of Biroca was a play written by [[Mike Mattson]] and was originally performed as a regular Saturday evening Campfire skit sometime in the late '90s. For a few years, Birch Rock used the old Riflery Range as an outdoor theater, and the Prince of Biroca was a highlight of those outdoor skits.

During the summer of 2000, Mike Mattson started talking to [[Ryan Massey]] and Tyler Johnston about resurrecting that outdoor theater and bringing the Prince of Biroca back to camp once more. It was not until the summer of 2001 that they decided to do it, and this time it would be a Sunday afternoon event, which meant it had to be a little longer. Mike quickly fired out a skit and had all the staff on board. Ryan and Mike prepped the old Riflery Range by weedwacking and clearing away some fallen brush. Props and costumes were purchased or made, including a paper-mâché Dragon's head that Ryan, Mike, and Cole Penley put together.

The skit had background music for slow motion battle scenes, low-budget special effects pyrotechnics acomplished with powder and sparklers for when the witches entered, and a water balloon in a bowl of ketchup used by a witch as a heart pulled out of a knight's chest. The campers were told to act as the sickened townspeople between scenes and were handed M&Ms as a temporary medicine until the Prince could journey to the Spring of Longevity and bring its liquid back to the people. By the end of the skit upon the Prince's slaying of the dragon a chest was found with the Spring of Longevity inside, which was cans of Sprite.

Although Mike was a barbarian in the original skit, he chose to act as a narrator this time as a way to better control the pace.

== The Story ==

[[image:Dragon.jpg|thumb|Dragonslayer]]
The story begins with the Prince and the court's wise Man-in-Arms practicing sword play. Music plays in the background as the two battle all through out the audience. As the music fades, a few knights enter and sound the horns and one knight hollers, "The King" and kneels. They all kneel as the King enters escorted by knights. The King is coughing and is not well. He explains to his son that is up to him to save the King and his sick people (the audience is told to cough). The King has his servants offer a temporary medicine to the audience and asks the Prince to travel to the Arch Bishop of Biroca and seek his advice.

As they adventure all around the audience and along the wall in the back of the old rifle range, the groupg is attacked by the mighty Salmador. One knight is knocked down and plummets to his death.The Prince travels with his trusty Man-in-Arms and a few knights to the great church of Biroca. There the Arch Bishop tells them that they must travel to the caves of the Three Witches and learn from them the location of the Spring of Longevity. They immediately muster and move out.

They then travel off into the woods behind [[Lion's Den]] and march down around from the other side. Next they are attacked and netted by a troop of Wood-Elves. Luckily they are rescued by a mighty Wizard who appears up on the roof of the bike shed, firing bottle rockets in the air from his wrists. After the wizard joins them they journey some more and are attacked by Mountain Giants hurling boulders (soccer balls) down on them. A pair of barbarians come to their aid and join them.

The now massive group travels all around the range and eventually arrives outside the "cave." The witches are chanting around a fire pit three feet from the front of the audience. They weave spells and sprinkle sparkler dust into the fire. Just then one of the knights charges in screaming, and a witch pops up and yanks the water balloon heart away from the knights chest as he drops dead. The witch holds the heart high and then licks the balloon. The Wizard shouts, "Enough!" and blasts the witch. The rest attack the other witches and capture them quickly. The witches tell them where the Spring of Biroca is in exchange for their release and slink off into the woods.

After one more dangerous journey they finally arrive at the Dragon's lair. The Nexus Dragon, three staff members under a black blanket, one manning the paper-mâché head to open and close the mouth, comes surging out of the old Riflery Range building and kills a barbarian quickly and manages to eat the wizard as well. Finally, the Prince, older Barbarian, and Man-in-Arms overcome and destroy the dragon. Shortly after that the chest with the Spring is found and the audience members all get a Sprite.

== Cast in 2001 ==

[[Image:King Prince.jpg|thumb|left|Rich Deering as the sickened King]]
[[Image:Arch Bishop Thomas.jpg|thumb|Thomas Joyce as the Arch Bishop]]
[[Image:Lenza the Barbarian.jpg|thumb|left|Lenza Latendresse as a Barbarian]]
[[Image:EriktheViking.jpg|thumb|Erik Joelsson as a Barbarian]]
[[Image:TheWizard.jpg|thumb|left|Ryan Massey as the Wizard]]
[[Image:Van the Witch 2.jpg|thumb|Gerhardus Van Rensberg as a Witch]]
[[Image:JacstheWitch.jpg|thumb|left|Jacubus Pietrse as a Witch]]
[[Image:ClintontheWitch.jpg|thumb|Clinton O'Leary as a Witch]]
<div align="center">
{|class="wikitable"
!Role
!Actor
|-align="center"
|Narrator
|Mike Mattson
|-align="center"
|King
|Rich Deering
|-align="center"
|Prince
|David Nesher
|-align="center"
|Man-in-Arms
|Josh Pincus
|-align="center"
|Arch Bishop
|Thomas Joyce
|-align="center"
|Wizard
|Ryan Massey
|-align="center"
|Barbarian
|Lenza Latendresse
|-align="center"
|Barbarian
|Erik Joelsson
|-align="center"
|Knight
|Mark Sutherland
|-align="center"
|Knight
|Mike Nordblom
|-align="center"
|Knight
|Pete Callanan
|-align="center"
|Witch
|Gerhardus Van Rensburg
|-align="center"
|Witch
|Clinton O'Leary
|-align="center"
|Witch
|Jacobus Pietrse
|-align="center"
|Witch
|Kwan Lee
|-align="center"
|Witch
|Robert Doran
|-align="center"
|Salmador
|Orin Dodge
|-align="center"
|Many Roles
|Colin Penley and Owen Wolfertz
|-align="center"
|Wood-Elves
|2001 CITs
|}
</div>

[[Category:Skits]]

Rich Deering

2009-04-12T21:28:53Z

Tylox: /* Summers of 1993–1995 */

[[Image:RichD.jpg|thumb|Rich and his dog Roxie 2002]]
Rich Deering is currently Birch Rock's first Alumni Director, a position he has held since 2002. Before that Rich held many roles at Birch Rock: He was the assistant director to [[Brad Smith]] for a couple summers in the mid-'90s, and was [[Head Counselor]] in the mid-'80s, but probably enjoyed his [[Waterfront Director]] years in the '80s the most. Since being Waterfront Director, Rich can still often be found on the waterfront helping with Instructional Swim.

In the mid-'90s, when the Board of Trustees hired Director Brad Smith, Rich was the perfect man to assist Brad in settling in and recovering the somewhat dwindling Birch Rock. Rich's business savvy and amazing sales ability have always been strengths for the camp community, but it is his love for the Rock and knowledge of its history that was of great use to Brad and the camp in the '90s and today.

Rich will likely be best remembered for what he did during his own summers as [[Camp Director]]. Brad did a terrific job of keeping the camp numbers up enough to stay afloat, but it was Rich who took the camp to the next level. He did this in many ways such as getting the camp accreditated by the American Camp Assocation, hired a seasoned and talented staff, expanded the camp season from six weeks to seven, launched Family Camp and Maine Wilderness Adventure programs, worked closely with the Board of Trustees on facility management, financial stablity and much more....

Rich has always said that, "...camp is a place of life-long learning for all, no matter what your age."

== Life Before Birch Rock ==
Rich grew up in Falmouth, Maine. The youngest child and only son of Jack and Ann Deering, Rich came from a family where summer residential camp was the core of one's summers. Both his mom and dad attended summer camp as children, and his two elder sisters spent many summers at Camp Se Sa Ma Ca in Raymond, NH.

At the age of eight, his dad and mom toured his father's alma mater, Camp O-At-Ka on Sebago Lake as a possibility for Rich in the summer of 1973. However, the Deerings close family friends from Cape Elizabeth, ME - Bob & Helen Cleaves insisted that they tour Birch Rock in East Waterford as a possible alternative as their sons, Bobby and Harry were currently campers and the second Cleaves generation. Upon entering the campus and touring with Assistant Director Mike Deneault, the Deerings savored the spirited energy and saviored the delicious home-made brownies of Chef Albert. Birch Rock became Rich's new summer home, and the rest of his life journey began........

== Camper Years ==
[[image:RichDkid.jpg|thumb|He has always been at home on the BRC Waterfront]]
=== Summer of 1973 ===

Rich's memories from his first year at camp from the 2001: A Short History booklet:
<blockquote>
The carved names, the stuffed animals, the smell of freshly brewed coffee, popovers with jam and brownies that tasted like fudge, everybody saying hello and introducing themselves to me—those are memories of my first hour at camp. I do not remember my parents leaving, but I do remember the bell ringing loudly, calling us together. My first summer at Birch Rock had started.
</blockquote>
Rich will always have fond memories of hot cocoa, polar bear swims, operation motivation and the [[Midnight Phantom]] to name a few. Rich also talks often about his time spent with [[Onie Brewster]] in the library as he was tutored daily with his lifelong friend Harry Cleaves.

=== Summer of 1974-1978 ===
After spending his first year in the cabin's relatively new deluxe cabin, Hilton B, Rich enjoyed his six camper years in both lower and upper camp. Tennis, riflery, archery, campcraft and swimming were his primary activities of choice. However, the mountain trips along the Applachian trails with Mike Apicelli and Nat Weeks were some of his fondess memories.

== Staff Years ==
[[image:DaveNRichD.jpg|thumb|Dave Needle & Rich in the early '80s]]
=== Summers of 1979-1981 ===
Rich was a cabin counselor at the young tender age of 15. During Rich's staff summers he taught mostly swimming and tennis. Rich seems to best remember the years he was a staff member in the Upper Camp quad, Eagles Nest and Buzzard's Roost. The teenagers seemed to best fit Rich's talents as a counselor. Rich was able to reign them in with ease and a firm commitment to teach campers to "Put Your Head Where Your Feet Are."

=== Summers of 1982-1985 ===

When Rich moved into the administrative ranks on campus is was a natural fit for him to be the Waterfront Director. He always had a love for swimming and the swim area and was a terrific venue to work with all ages and stages of campers each and every day. Rich was known to push the kids hard to learn and would often focus on endurance with long swims and long periods of treading water and survival skills. Rich specialized in Basic Rescue and Water Safety as well as ARC Lifesaving.

At the end of the season, Rich and the other waterfront staff would dress up in "costumes" and act as waterfront gods on a throne. Each camper would enter the counselor's swimtent (the [[Moose Manor]]), an area they were never allowed to go into, and bow before the swim gods. After being tapped on each shoulder by a sort of plunger scepter (a swim snorkel), Rich as the Waterfront Director would inform the camper that he passed his swim course that season. It was always entertaining.

In 1985, Rich became the camp's Head Counselor but of course could always be seen helping in the swim area and in fact taught a few classes everyday. Rich was a well organized Head Counselor, and even at that point you could see a developing Camp Director in the making. [[Mike Mattson]] and Rich both fondly remember Rich sending then [[Senior Camper]] Mike into the kitchen at least twenty times that summer to work with Janice. Mike loved it! It was the beginning of a life-long mentoring partnership and friendship........

===Summer of 1988===
Rich returned to work with the CIT group. This particular group was to be CITs for a second summer in a row because Birch Rock decided to move the CIT age to 16. Rich worked with CITs Adam Whinston,Evan Farmer, Matt Woodworth and Tom Bull to name a few. It was during this summer, that Rich began to learn more about the overall organizational operation of BRC from his mentor and lifelong friend, Toby Brewster. For the past four years, Toby was the camp's director and he surrounded himself with a core cabinet of faithful Birch Rockers including his brother Seth, Ryck Birch, Scott MacGregor, Harry Cleaves and the ever constant and dedicated: Donald Munn and Janice Walker.

== Director Years ==

=== Summers of 1993–1995 ===
[[image:RichBrad1993.jpg|thumb|Rich & Brad Smith at the 1993 Waterford Parade]]
In 1993, Director Brad Smith hired Rich to be his Assistant Director. Rich had Birch Rock deep in his fabric, which helped make him the perfect assistant to Brad who was entirely new to the BRC community. Rich had remembered and absorbed each and every detail taught to him as a camper and young counselor over the years and was a fountain of information in a time when there was no real written history. Rich ended up being a link between BRC's heroes of the past and its new legends of the future.

Although Rich was unable to return in 1994 he was right back on campus at Brad's side in 1995, and by the next season was the first full-time Camp Director.

For both 1993 & 1995, Rich used his own CIT program that he had worked on as a part of his Masters degree in Adult Education and Counseling. The first year it was a difficult program to truly implement because we only had one Super CIT, Andre Ezequelle, but in 1995 Rich had a great CIT group: Thomas Joyce, Bret Ingold, and Tyler Johnston.

=== Summers of 1996–2001 ===

[[image:RichDMikeM1993.jpg|thumb|Rich & Mike Mattson on a day off in 1993]]
Rich stepped up into the Camp Director role in 1996, and he continued the up hill march that Brad had started in helping BRC grow. Rich noted that there was very little documented history over the past decades and new camp regulations and external expectations had to be put in place. With the help of the beloved and giving Brewster Family and Trustees,years of BRC history and records were gathered from files, photos, equipment, etc. and organized to help build the camp foundation and launch the community for the next century. Although it was a supreme and daunting task, Rich spent much of 1996 reaching out to to the past Birch Rock Family, so that the present community could be stronger and preserved.

He also started to connect with the other camps and researched returning Birch Rock to accreditation status with the American Camping Association (ACA). Rich hired [[Mike Mattson]] as a year round employee at the end of the summer of 1996. The plan was for Birch Rock to be visited in the summer of 1997 and there was much work to be done. Under Rich's leadership and diligence, and with the assistance of a few of the key staff members, the ACA standards book was prepared, along with all the other on campus manual and we would master the accreditation visit. The Birch Rock staff that summer was top notch, as always.

[[Image:RichPuppet.jpg|thumb|Mike gets puppet of bearded Rich made 2001]]
Thanks to all that hard work and the extra efforts to come over the next few summers Birch Rock was beginning to grow. After the summer of 1998, Rich reported continued growth and the Board of Trustees endorsed the change of the program season from 6 weeks to 7 weeks. In 2000 a new cabin, [[Owl's Perch]] was built with beds for more campers. This new cabin pushed Birch Rock passed the 100+ campers per summer mark.

It was sometime late '90s that Rich and Dave Jenkins created the Quest activity. This zen-like activity which focused primarily on communication and listening. Had the boys focus on themselves and their Birch Rock myth. This was a great way for Rich to get some quality time with individual campers. This activity was around for about 3 or 4 summers.

Also, during the summer of 2000, Rich, with help from Mike Mattson, along with Camp Runoia Director Pam Cobb and their Trip Leader Todd Erler developed a new coed trip program for BRC's older campers. This was the Maine Wilderness Adventure program which started up in 2001.

=== Summers of 2002-Present ===
[[image:MikeMRichDRock.jpg|thumb|Rich & Mike with Kiko & Roxie 2007]]
With so much growth and positive momentum it was time for a slight shift in roles and responsibilities. Although the Deering/Mattson team stayed together, Richard redirected much of his energies to the external camp community as the camp's new Alumni Director. He focused on fundraising and development as the camp started up a major campaign: A Call for Character.

Not including his membership with the American Camping Association, Rich has spent much of his recent camp years getting to know the camping industry all over the state. His interest in Maine youth camping in general motivated him to become the President of the Maine Youth Camping Association in 2007. Rich has developed strong relationships with many Camp Directors in the state and has called upon those connections a number of times to the benefit of Birch Rock.

At this point, with so many summers under his belt, Rich wears many hats for Birch Rock. Ultimately, the fact is he still finds himself down on the waterfront teaching swimming where he himself learned as a camper. He continues to be an important link between the old brc history and the new legends that are present and future leaders.

Rich has been recognized with one of the grandest honors at Birch Rock, a special plaque on the wall in the lodge for his many summers of service to the Rock.

== Rich's Summers at the Rock ==

[[Image:RichD1.JPG|thumb|left]]
[[Image:Swim81.JPG|thumb]]
[[Image:Mike&Rich.jpg|thumb|left]]
<div align="center">
{|class="wikitable"
!Year
!Cabin
!Status
!Note
|-align="center"
|1973
|Hilton A
|Camper
|with Counselor Chris Carney
|-align="center"
|1974
|Cabin 3
|Camper
|with Counselor Tom Amezholt
|-align="center"
|1975
|Cabin 3
|Camper
|with Counselor Cam Miller
|-align="center"
|1976
|Eagle's Nest
|Camper
|with Counselor Phil Goodwin
|-align="center"
|1977
|Eagle's Nest
|Camper
|with Counselor Ben Brewster & Pete Haas
|-align="center"
|1978
|Cabin 8
|Camper
|with Pete Haas
|-align="center"
|1979
|Cabin 3
|Junior Counselor
|w/campers Glenn Brengel, Kit Carson
|-align="center"
|1980
|Cabin 2
|Counselor
|w/campers John Russell, Spaulding Goetze
|-align="center"
|1981
|Cabin 4
|Counselor
|w/campers Will White, Spaulding Goetze
|-align="center"
|1982
|Buzzard's Roost
|[[Waterfront Director]]
|w/ campers Spaudling Goetze, Rob Mendelsohn
|-align="center"
|1983
|[[Buzzard's Roost]]
|Waterfront Director
|w/Ron Mattson, Rob Christie
|-align="center"
|1984
|''skipped''
|
|
|-align="center"
|1985
|The Swordfish
|[[Head Counselor]]
|Program Director
|-align="center"
|1986
|Trustee
|
|
|-align="center"
|1987
|Trustee
|
|
|-align="center"
|1988
|[[Swordfish]]
|[[CIT Director]]
|
|-align="center"
|1989
|Trustee
|
|
|-align="center"
|1990
|Trustee
|
|-align="center"
|1991
|Trustee
|
|
|-align="center"
|1992
|Trustee
|
|
|-align="center"
|1993
|[[Lion's Den]]
|Assistant Director
|worked with Brad Smith
|-align="center"
|1994
|Trustee
|
|-align="center"
|1995
|Swordfish
|Assistant Director
|worked with Brad Smith
|-align="center"
|1996
|[[Swordfish]]
|[[Camp Director]]
|Full-time @ BRC
|-align="center"
|1997
|Swordfish
|Camp Director
|ACA Accreditation
|-align="center"
|1998
|Swordfish
|Camp Director
|Campus Capital Improvements begin
|-align="center"
|1999
|Swordfish
|Camp Director
|Expand to 7 week season
|-align="center"
|2000
|Swordfish
|Co-Director
|Ran Camp with [[Mike Mattson]]
|-align="center"
|2001
|Swordfish
|Co-Director
|Ran Camp with Mike Mattson
|-align="center"
|2002
|Swordfish
|Alumni Director
|New MWA and FC Programs
|-align="center"
|2003
|Swordfish
|Alumni Director
|Launch Campaign:
|-align="center"
|2004
|Swordfish
|Alumni Director
|New Boathouse
|-align="center"
|2005
|Swordfish
|Alumni Director
|New Chief's Cabin
|-align="center"
|2006
|Swordfish
|Alumni Director
|
|-align="center"
|2007
|Swordfish
|Alumni Director
|Elected Pres of ME Youth Camps
|-align="center"
|2008
|Swordfish
|Alumni Director
|New Infirmary
|-align="center"
|2009
|Swordfish
|Alumni Director
|
|-
|}
</div>
[[Category:People]]

Ryan Massey

2009-04-12T21:27:07Z

Tylox:

[[image:Ryno.jpg|thumb|Ryan "Ryno" Massey]]
Ryan "Ryno" Massey has been a member of the BRC community since the summer of 2000. 2009 will be his 10th summer at Birch Rock. Over the years, Ryan has been a major player on campus. He was originally hired to teach [[art]] but by the end of his first summer he was very interested in [[Campcraft]]. Ryan has made the Campcraft activity one of our best and most popular. Ryan has also been the [[CIT]] director for many consecutive summers and is credited with training most of Birch Rock's current staff.

== Life Before Birch Rock ==

Ryan and his twin Blake are both world travelers and Ryan can honestly say he has set foot on all seven continents. Ryan met his close friend Tyler Johnston at the Cambridge School of Weston, where Ryan studied studio art in preparation for his undergraduate studies at RISD. Tyler, who was a long time Birch Rocker, new Ryan would love the Rock. So just before the summer of 2000, [[Mike Mattson]] hired Ryan to be the camp's art counselor.

==Staff Years==

===Summers of 2000-2002===
[[image:McWainMonster.jpg|thumb|Ryan's McWain Monster float 2000]]
Ryan showed up at camp determined to give his all to the art program. His plan was to focus on outdoor art and sculptures. In fact, he was put to work right away by Rich Deering who asked him to help the campers design a float for the Fourth of July parade. Ryan immediately keyed on the [[McWain Monster]] legend and decided to make a [[McWain Monster]] float. It was a top notch float. Ryan enjoyed the art but seemed to be drawn to the Campcraft activity. He quickly developed a bond with one [[Mike "Don Miguel" Appicelli]], and asked to be moved to the Campcraft area for the summer of 2001.

Although Tyler Johnston did not return the following summer, Ryan was drawn in and sold on what Birch Rock is all about. Ryan learned much from Don Miguel and focused mostly on Knife Rights and Fire Rights for the children in '01.

By 2002 Ryan was highly experienced and fully energized about Campcraft. He was able to bring in the rest of the traditional Campcraft skills like Axe Rights, Knots, and Shelters, etc.

===Summers of 2003-2008===
[[image:CITs2003.jpg|thumb|Ryan's first CIT group 2003]]
In 2003, Ryan moved into the Rat's Nest and became the new CIT Director. Ryan was a little nervous but also excited to be working with the same guys he had in Pete's Palace the summer before. Ryan created a fabulous CIT program and did such a great job with the program that he continued in that role for 5 more summers. Also in 2003, Ryan and Head Counselor CJ Nesher decided to make Campcraft a mandatory piece of our program to make sure all the campers learned about the basics of camping like knives and fire.

Leading into the summer of 2004, Mike Mattson and Ryan were talking about the need for a new Evening Activity, and it was Ryan who immediately started planning out Geronimo. This game was first played in '04 and has slowly taken shape over the summers. It is one of the most popular activities at camp.

By 2005 Ryan had decided to adjust the Campcraft program and added a new fourth badge to the Campcraft activity. This new badge was called the ranger. Ryan's long time camp "apprentice" Sam Deeran would soon become the first awarded with the Ranger badge.

From 2005-2008, Ryan has also been one of a team of plaque makers who work on the season's plaques for the lodge wall.

== Summers at Birch Rock ==

[[Image:Float Paint.jpg|thumb|left]]
[[Image:Ryno3.JPG|thumb]]
[[Image:Ryno2.jpg|thumb|left]]
[[Image:Ryno1.jpg|thumb]]
<div align="center">
{|class="wikitable"
!Year
!Cabin
!Role
!Activity
|-
|-align="center"
|2000
|[[Buzzard's Roost]]
|Counselor
|Art instructor
|-align="center"
|2001
|[[Pete's Palace]]
|Counselor
|[[Campcraft]]
|-align="center"
|2002
|Pete's Palace
|Counselor
|Campcraft
|-align="center"
|2003
|[[Rat's Nest]]
|[[CIT Director]]
|Campcraft
|-align="center"
|2004
|Rat's Nest
|CIT Director
|Campcraft
|-align="center"
|2005
|[[Lion's Den]]/Deneault's Den
|CIT Director
|Campcraft
|-align="center"
|2006
|Deneault's Den
|CIT Director
|Campcraft
|-align="center"
|2007
|Deneault's Den
|CIT Director
|Campcraft
|-align="center"
|2008
|Deneault's Den
|CIT Director
|Campcraft
|-align="center"
|2009
|[[Deneault's Den]]
|Wilderness Adventure Director
|Campcraft
|-
|}
[[Category:People]]

Ryan Massey

2009-04-12T21:21:27Z

Tylox:

[[image:Ryno.jpg|thumb|Ryan "Ryno" Massey]]
Ryan "Ryno" Massey has been a member of the BRC community since the summer of 2000. 2009 will be his 10th summer at Birch Rock. Over the years, Ryan has been a major player on campus. He was originally hired to teach [[art]] but by the end of his first summer he was very interested in [[Campcraft]]. Ryan has made the Campcraft activity one of our best and most popular. Ryan has also been the [[CIT]] director for many consecutive summers and is credited with training most of Birch Rock's current staff.

== Life Before Birch Rock ==

Ryan and his twin Blake are both world travelers and Ryan can honestly say he has set foot on all seven continents. Ryan met a friend named Tyler Johnston at the Cambridge School of Weston; Tyler who was a long time Birch Rocker, thought Ryan would love the Rock. So just before the summer of 2000, [[Mike Mattson]] hired Ryan to be the camp's art counselor.

==Staff Years==

===Summers of 2000-2002===
[[image:McWainMonster.jpg|thumb|Ryan's McWain Monster float 2000]]
Ryan showed up at camp determined to give his all to the art program. His plan was to focus on outdoor art and sculptures. In fact, he was put to work right away by Rich Deering who asked him to help the campers design a float for the Fourth of July parade. Ryan immediately keyed on the [[McWain Monster]] legend and decided to make a [[McWain Monster]] float. It was a top notch float. Ryan enjoyed the art but seemed to be drawn to the Campcraft activity. He quickly developed a bond with one [[Mike "Don Miguel" Appicelli]], and asked to be moved to the Campcraft area for the summer of 2001.

Although Tyler Johnston did not return the following summer, Ryan was drawn in and sold on what Birch Rock is all about. Ryan learned much from Don Miguel and focused mostly on Knife Rights and Fire Rights for the children in '01.

By 2002 Ryan was highly experienced and fully energized about Campcraft. He was able to bring in the rest of the traditional Campcraft skills like Axe Rights, Knots, and Shelters, etc.

===Summers of 2003-2008===
[[image:CITs2003.jpg|thumb|Ryan's first CIT group 2003]]
In 2003, Ryan moved into the Rat's Nest and became the new CIT Director. Ryan was a little nervous but also excited to be working with the same guys he had in Pete's Palace the summer before. Ryan created a fabulous CIT program and did such a great job with the program that he continued in that role for 5 more summers. Also in 2003, Ryan and Head Counselor CJ Nesher decided to make Campcraft a mandatory piece of our program to make sure all the campers learned about the basics of camping like knives and fire.

Leading into the summer of 2004, Mike Mattson and Ryan were talking about the need for a new Evening Activity, and it was Ryan who immediately started planning out Geronimo. This game was first played in '04 and has slowly taken shape over the summers. It is one of the most popular activities at camp.

By 2005 Ryan had decided to adjust the Campcraft program and added a new fourth badge to the Campcraft activity. This new badge was called the ranger. Ryan's long time camp "apprentice" Sam Deeran would soon become the first awarded with the Ranger badge.

From 2005-2008, Ryan has also been one of a team of plaque makers who work on the season's plaques for the lodge wall.

== Summers at Birch Rock ==

[[Image:Float Paint.jpg|thumb|left]]
[[Image:Ryno3.JPG|thumb]]
[[Image:Ryno2.jpg|thumb|left]]
[[Image:Ryno1.jpg|thumb]]
<div align="center">
{|class="wikitable"
!Year
!Cabin
!Role
!Activity
|-
|-align="center"
|2000
|[[Buzzard's Roost]]
|Counselor
|Art instructor
|-align="center"
|2001
|[[Pete's Palace]]
|Counselor
|[[Campcraft]]
|-align="center"
|2002
|Pete's Palace
|Counselor
|Campcraft
|-align="center"
|2003
|[[Rat's Nest]]
|[[CIT Director]]
|Campcraft
|-align="center"
|2004
|Rat's Nest
|CIT Director
|Campcraft
|-align="center"
|2005
|[[Lion's Den]]/Deneault's Den
|CIT Director
|Campcraft
|-align="center"
|2006
|Deneault's Den
|CIT Director
|Campcraft
|-align="center"
|2007
|Deneault's Den
|CIT Director
|Campcraft
|-align="center"
|2008
|Deneault's Den
|CIT Director
|Campcraft
|-align="center"
|2009
|[[Deneault's Den]]
|Wilderness Adventure Director
|Campcraft
|-
|}
[[Category:People]]