Thomas Joyce

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.

Early Years

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

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 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 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

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.

Summers of 1999-2002

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. By 2002, Thomas was ready for a break, after many summers Thomas was to take a couple summers off.

As Head Counselors go, Thomas will probably be best remembered for his boomming voice around campus. In fact, when he was Head Counselor 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 2005-2009

Before the summer of 2005, 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 summer off, Thomas reached out to Birch Rock again, offering to return as a senior counselor and teach in the Woodshop. In the 2008 season he lived in Albert's Cabin and taught woodshop. For the last week of second session 2008 he led MWA.

Thomas' Summers at the Rock

File:Thomas1.JPG

Year	Cabin	Role	Note
1989	Hilton B	Camper	with Counselor Dave Jenkins
1990	Hiton B	Camper	with Counselor Rob Christie
1991	Cabin 1	Camper	with Counselor Justin Ingold
1992	Buzzards' Roost	Camper	with Counselor Chuck Hatcher
1993	Pete's Palace	Camper	with Counselor Brian Roskow
1994	Cabin 8	Senior Camper	with Counselor Josh Church
1995	Eagles' Nest	Counselor-in Training	with CIT Director Rich Deering
1996	Hilton B	Junior Counselor
1997	Hilton B	Counselor
1998	Hilton A	Counselor
1999	Eagles' Nest	Head Counselor
2000	Owl's Perch	Head Counselor
2001	Omar's Cabin	Head Counselor	Omar's made into Head Counselor cabin
2002	Omar's Cabin	Head Counselor
2003	skipped
2004	skipped
2005	Lion's Den	Assistant Director
2006	skipped
2007	Pat's Cabin	Woodshop Instructor	First Session
2008	Albert's Cabin	Woodshop Instructor	also did part of MWA trip
2009	Pat's Cabin	Woodshop Instructor	First Session