Our Director and Staff
Our Director and Staff
Our Director
Ellen Flight, the director of Songadeewin, has been a member of the Keewaydin family since 1958. She spent nine summers at Songadeewin on Lake Willoughby, first as a camper and then as a staff woman. In 1977 she joined the Keewaydin staff on Lake Dunmore, and in 1989 she became director of Annwi, working with eight-to-ten year olds. She has been the Songadeewin director since it opened on Lake Dunmore in 1999.
An educator by profession, Ellen holds a BA from Skidmore College and a M. Ed. Degree from Lesley University. She taught seventh and eighth grade in Washington, D.C. and Dover, Massachusetts, for fifteen years, and continues her commitment to children's education as director of Songadeewin.
Our Staff
The ratio of staff to campers is one to three. The staff serve as role models for campers, inspiring self-reliance, initiative, and sense of fair play. The staff in each cabin see that the girls in their care have a happy and well-rounded summer.
Staff attend a week-long orientation before campers arrive. During the week, staff discuss all aspects of camp, focusing especially on the particular needs of girls.
In addition, all new staff take part in the week-long Keewaydin Trip School to learn about tripping and safety. Staff hold current Wilderness First Aid, CPR and Small Craft Safety certifications.
Our consulting psychologist, Michael Thompson, helps us with our staff training.