“There is a growing understanding amongst child development experts that camp is so much more than just fun,” says Mohawk Day Camp Director and Horace Greeley graduate Ken Schainman. “Camp has always been terrific at teaching swimming, sports, arts, and an appreciation of nature. What is so exciting about camp today is that we have become much more sophisticated in mentoring children in critical life-skills, from perseverance and resolve, to leadership and collaboration. The opportunity to have this type of impact is what drew me back into camping.”
Ken joined his parents, longtime Chappaqua residents Steve and Barbara Schainman, as a Director at Mohawk in 2004. “I get to work every day with my own role models. They set a pretty high standard. After all, the American Camp Association gave them its highest recognition as ‘Legends in Camping’ for their contributions to the field,” says Ken.
The Schainman family has directed Mohawk for 50 years, and have both watched and led a major shift in camping. “I learned to play ball and swim at camp, and developed my closest friendships there,” says Steve. “Those fundamentals are still in place. When I took over Mohawk in 1965, though, I never imagined the range of activities that children can try today. And I certainly never thought that I would hear counselors congratulating campers on their grit and resilience. It’s wonderful that camps have been able to create an even broader experiential education.”
“My husband was the athlete. I was a shy artistic child. Mohawk was where I developed confidence,” says Barbara Schainman, who met Steve at Mohawk during his first season as Director. “I’ll always remember that my parents marveled that I starred in a play in front of an entire camp audience. Camp provides such a wonderful opportunity for children to explore and try new things–things that they never imagined doing!”
Ken, who left camping to earn an MBA at Duke and pursue a consulting career, feels fortunate to carry on his family’s camp tradition. “Today’s camps talk about ‘21st Century Skills,’ those that are necessary to succeed and thrive in today’s world. More than 90% of companies say that the things we learn at camp–teamwork, communication, determination and independence–are lacking in today’s workforce. We used to believe that success brings happiness. The research is clear, however. Happiness promotes success, and the happiest place I know is camp!”
PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Thank you to Camp Mohawk for their sponsorship in our Spring editions.
