A Camp is born…
Dr. William C. Kendall, 1910 to 1919
Dr. William C. Kendall first came to Lake Sebago in 1907 for the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries and studied the habits of the famous landlocked salmon, Salmo Salar Sebago. His map of the soundings of the lake formed the basis for maps still used to this day. He introduced a group of young naturalists to Sebago and by 1910 the group was organized as Camp Wawenock for Boys. As Dr. Kendall’s daughter, Minerva, had her friends visit her during the summer, it was inevitable that a girls’ division should be established, Camp Owaissa. The campers came by train to Sebago Lake Station at the southern end of the Lake and were transported by steamer, the “Songo,” to the camp dock in front of Owaissa.
Ideals Become Traditions…
Dr. Elroy and Marian LaCasce, 1919 to 1929
In 1920, Dr. and Mrs. Elroy LaCasce began to direct the two camps. “Casey” and “Mrs.” were true educators with a lively interest in sports of all kinds. (The LaCases ran Fryeburg Academy in the winters and Wawenock Camps in the summers.) Campfires were big, with great stories! In 1924, the boys’ division was discontinued and the girls’ camp became Wawenock-Owaissa.
The Tribes, now called Teams, were formed using the two existing names of the divisions. The colors blue and orange were adopted, symbolic of the orange sun setting over blue Sebago.
Wawenock Spirit Grows…
Eloise Vest and Mary Parkinson, 1929 to 1948
In 1929, Wees and Parky–educators and psychologists–came to Wawenock. A big improvement was electricity in 1930! The Great Depression, World War I and World War II were challenges but camp moved ahead. The Dining Hall and Kitchen were built on Middler Hill. During the winter, three waterfront cabins along the shore of the present Lodge were hauled over the snow to start the Middler Unit on the Hill. Stables and the Health Center were built. The cabin at the end of the Row was enlarged and became the Point. The Lodge was built, Owaissa was enlarged, more cabins were built, along with the archery and riflery ranges and a stone pier. Sailboats were a big purchase! During the 20 years of WEES AND PARKY, many strong traditions were established and a loyalty to the component parts of Wawenock Spirit became even more apparent. WEES wrote: “As I Linger Beside the Campfire’s Gleam.”
Wawenock Spirit Lasts Forever…
Lillian and Syd Ussher, 1949 – 1997
In 1949, Lillian and Syd Ussher came to Wawenock as Directors. Each had a professional background in education and camp directing. They wanted a camp of their own. They had directed camps in NY, CA, Michigan and Hawaii–boys and girls. Lillian had directed camps in Turkey and Czechoslovakia. They were married in 1941 and Syd spent 3 years in the Navy. They saw Wawenock on a rainy, gloomy fall day but the moment they walked out to the Images they knew this was the camp! The next 48 years they devoted themselves to the ideals of Wawenock, while continuing to refine the program and camp facilities. As the years passed, they decided to prepare for camp to live on and invited first June Gray and then later Pat Smith to join the administration – Pat first working with them part-time and eventually year-round. Syd and Lillian lived and worked at Wawenock until their respective passings in 1989 and 1997.
Keeping the Dream Alive…
June Gray, 1956-2011, and Pat Smith, 1968-2022
June Gray worked at Wawenock from 1956 to her passing in October 2011. Prior to becoming a year-round employee at Camp Wawenock, June did her graduate work in Education at Penn State University, taught and coached at public and private schools and also at the college level. June was a Director at Wawenock from 1979 through 2011. For 55 years, June was counselor, instructor, camp director and mentor to hundreds of young women who enjoyed their summers as campers and staff here. Her tenure on staff was devoted to finding the best in each of them and building on their strengths. Pat Smith began as a summer staff member in 1968. Prior to becoming a full-time Director at Wawenock in 1985, Pat gained her Masters in Education at Boston College, and was on faculty at Bates College for 10 years, where she also coached varsity sports. Pat was, for many years, President of the local Raymond Recreation Association – a not-for profit organization for local community residents that focuses on their involvement in sports and outdoor pursuits. Both June and Pat were encouraged by Lillian and Syd to follow their leads in serving the camping industry at local, regional and national levels – and this they did throughout their years in camping. June and Pat were proud to have ‘Kept The Dream Alive’, at Wawenock, where they constantly strived to ensure the preservation of Camp’s finest traditions and values – along with the beautiful natural setting. In 2011 their dream of preserving Wawenock’s pristine woodlands was realized as 60% of the Camp property was placed in conservation easement for all time.
The Dream Lives On
Andy and Catriona Sangster, 2005 to the present time…
Andy and Catriona Sangster joined June and Pat as Directors in 2005 and the four worked together closely to ensure that Camp Wawenock would continue to thrive for the next hundred years! Andy has a degree in Physical Therapy and has worked as a full-time camp professional since 1992. He has an extensive sports instruction, coaching and refereeing background – stemming from a lifetime love of many sports. Catriona holds her Masters in Education and taught at the High School level before becoming a full-time camp professional in 1996. Like other Wawenock Directors before them, Andy and Catriona have continuously been involved in volunteering at local, regional or national levels, within the camp profession, as well as being involved with local community organizations. Andy and Catriona have two daughters, Mackenzie and Sophie. The Directors make their home at Wawenock, providing a year-round relationship with Camp. They know each girl personally and follow her development from one summer to the next.