John Mason
John Mason was a member of the camp community from 1979‒1988. His primary focuses were on the soccer field and tennis court, although his final year was in a Trip Leader role.
Contents
Life Before Birch Rock
John found Birch Rock through a family connection. His cousin Seth Wheeler had visited the Rock and shortly after that both were on board. Seth's sister Sarah was a camper down the road at Bendito.
Camper Years
Summers of 1979-1981
John and his brother, Bill, arrived at camp to bring a taste of Connecticut class to the Maine woods. Bill brought the class.
Counselor-in-Training Year: 1982
John's CIT group was the first group to live in the new Pete's Palace built going into the 1982 season. John helped more on the field than the waterfront and was often seen on the tennis court.
Staff Years
Summers of 1983, 1985‒1988
John transformed the Birch Rock tennis program. The mid-80s produced a number of young tennis prodigies, and John was instrumental in taking Tennis to the next level. It often unnerved John's opponent to attempt to return a blistering forehand while his left hand was under his shirt tweaking his nipple.
As a counselor, John was force in energizing Lower Camp. Campers in Lower Camp did not awaken to the bell. They awoke to John's loud bellowing. During the summer of 1985, John was the counselor in Cabin 6 (the one with the large rock out front) and had a camper named Peter Wright in the cabin. Wright was often nicknamed "Wrong". After the first morning bell, in an effort to motivate Peter out of his bed, John would step out onto the rock outside of Cabin 6 and yell, "WRONG!!!" John would hold his fingers in a W shape when yell. This would echo across campus and wake all of lower camp. After a few days of this many lower campers would look forward to hearing this morning shout. A few years later as a counselor in Cabin 8, John would yell out in response to the morning bell, "DOWWWW!"
In 1988, John moved on to lead the trip program. Carrying on a great tradition of trip leaders, John brought a passion to camp's trips that was felt by each Birch Rock camper. While John showed the boys the beauty of the Maine woods, he also showed the importance of letting your energy and attitude show on each and every trip.
John's Summers at the Rock
| Year | Cabin | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Eagles Nest | Camper | with Counselor Ben Brewster |
| 1980 | Cabin 8 | Camper | with Counselor Dick Snyder |
| 1981 | Cabin 8 | Camper | with Counselor Mike Rentoumis |
| 1982 | Petes Palace | CIT | |
| 1983 | Cabin 2 | Counselor | Tennis & Soccer |
| 1984 | "skipped" | ||
| 1985 | Cabin 6 | Counselor | Tennis & Soccer |
| 1986 | Pete's Palace | Counselor | Sailing |
| 1987 | Cabin 8 | Counselor | Tennis & Soccer |
| 1988 | Cabin 8 | Trip Leader | Trips |
