Council, in recognition of his many years of dedicated loyalty, service, and
leadership given to Camp Agawam and the Agawam Council. Pictured: “Capt” Pete Caesar gives”Commodore” Bob Gregg the official proclamation.
Camp Agawam is governed by the Agawam Council Board of Directors. Agawam Council is a non-profit corporation formed in 1985 to ensure that Agawam would continue to thrive as a summer camp after the retirement of former Directors and Owners, Dave and Peg Mason. The Agawam Council Board of Directors helps oversee the camping programs we provide, and works with our camp director to ensure an outstanding camp experience for our campers.
The Board of Directors is made up of Agawam alumni, parents, and friends who volunteer their time to further the mission of Agawam Council.
Mission Statement
Agawam Council is an organization that provides a group living experience for young people through its programs: Camp Agawam and Main Idea at Camp Agawam. The nurturing, safe environment and facilities permit a wide variety of sports and learning activities. The ultimate goal is to promote personal growth, character, development of optimum potential and responsibility, leadership skills, enhancement of self-esteem, and awareness of community, beauty, truth, fortitude, and love for everyone involved with the organization.
Strategic Objectives
(Approved 2/7/10)
STEWARDSHIP
Preserve the sense of place that is present on the Agawam campus, by seeking a balance of simplicity and prudent modernization in facilities and equipment, and by engaging the entire Agawam community in embracing responsible environmental management. Preserve the best of the past, as we move into the future.
FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
Utilize good financial practices and planning in achieving a robust and sustainable level of operating performance, by diversifying our sources of funding beyond fully paid tuitions, and by generating increased financial aid and program support from endowments, annual fundraising, planned giving, and grants.
CONSTITUENT RELATIONS
Deepen and broaden our ties with all of our constituents, by improving the quality and increasing the frequency and promptness of communications, by reinforcing a strong sense of belonging and connection, and by creating tangible opportunities to engage and to contribute meaningfully as stakeholders in Agawam’s lasting success.
GOVERNANCE
Focus on effective governance and preservation of institutional continuity as Agawam Council continues to evolve, by instilling a unity of purpose among board directors, committee members and staff, with absolute clarity of roles, responsibilities and expectations and with transparency in every quarter.
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
Focus on youth development programs true to our Mission, by maintaining and continuously improving our strong and vibrant Camp Agawam and the Main Idea programs, and by being opportunistic, incremental and entrepreneurial in considering new program initiatives.
Agawam Council Board 2019-2020
Officers (4)
Peter B. Wilson, Jr. – President
Alexander R. Cobb – Vice-President
William H. Auerswald – Treasurer
F. Russell Sprole – Secretary
Life Directors (2)
Porter D. Caesar, II
Matthew M. Gardner, Jr.
Director Emeriti (2)
Robert E. Gregg, Jr
W. Marshall Schmidt
Term Directors (13)
H. Franklin Anthony, III
Thomas E. Barnard
Daniel J. Cluchey
Robert L. Fryer
Brian D. Grzymski
Robert W. Holland
Carl D. Jones
Meghan G. Lockwood
Scott C. Malm
Peter H. Mason
Andrew B. Rogers
Paul S. Terkovich
James A. Waters
Young Alumni Representatives (2)
William N. Degerberg
Committee Members (26)
Sloan J. Baxter
Frederick C. Beddard
Matthew W. Benseler
Jeremy H. Cluchey
Arthur G. (“Chip”) Connolly, III
Jacob T. Creem
Scott N. Degerberg
Robert D. Demont
Morgan S. Dunnan
Allyn B. Engle
Michael P. Forbes
Dave Griffiths
Preston L. Hershey
Joshua D. Lemaitre
Brenton S. Locke
Sergio A. Mendoza
Murray H. Morse, Jr.
Joseph B. Murray
Joseph H. Norena
Stephen J. O’Leary
Oliver G.C. Reid
H. Barton Riley
John M. Schmidt
Steven H. Slovenski
Benjamin G. Small
Alexander D. Spence
Jonathan A. Sprole
Agawam Council Committees
Agawam Council has a number of committees to support Board functions:
The Development Committee raises funds to carry out the corporate purpose. It works with the director, the director of development, the director of alumni relations, and the Communications and Alumni Relations Committee to solicit funds for the endowment, Main Idea, camperships, preservation, and other capital initiatives.
Development Committee Members
“Sarge” Matt Benseler
“Capt” Pete Caesar
“Coach” Bob Demont
Mike Forbes
“Colonel” Matt Gardner
“Coach” Brian Grzymski – Chair
Joe Noreña
“Major” Ben Small
“JJ” Jon Sprole
The Finance Committee provides planning and oversight of the financial and investment affairs of the corporation. Duties include preparing budgets, reviewing operating performance, arranging for independent audits and reviews, assuring corporate conformity with state and federal tax laws, and planning and oversight of the Council’s investment strategy.
Finance Committee Members
“Bos’n” Frank Anthony
“Bos’n” Bill Auerswald – Chair
“Skipper” Fred Beddard
“Chips” Alex Cobb
“Bowman” Jake Creem
“Mander” Scott Degerberg
“Admiral” Will Degerberg
“Bos’n” Bob Holland
“Trapper” Oliver Reid
H. Barton Riley
Marsh Schmidt
“Ranger” Paul Terkovich
“Admiral” James Waters
The Plant Committee provides oversight of the physical assets of the corporation in regard to real property and long-term planning for capital needs. It helps the director of operations update the maintenance and replacement schedule for infrastructure and plan major facility improvements.
Plant Committee Members
“Bos’n” Tommy Barnard – Chair
“Chips” Alex Cobb
“Commodore” Bob Gregg
“Ensign” Preston Hershey
“Capt” Peter Mason
“Chips” Steve Slovenski
The Communications & Alumni Relations Committee is charged with communicating the essence of Agawam, its needs and plans for the future to our constituency. It reviews plans for all communications vehicles, maintains alumni records, and organizes reunions and other alumni activities. The committee also helps create marketing strategies to recruit high quality campers and staff.
Communications & Alumni Relations Committee Members
“Mode” Jeremy Cluchey
“Ace” Allyn Engle
Mike Forbes
“Loot” Bob Fryer – Chair
Dave Griffiths
“Lt” Josh Lemaitre
Sergio Mendoza
“Ensign” Skip Morse
“Commodore” Basil Murray
The Governance Committee identifies individuals to serve on Agawam Council. Working with the Board, the director, the director of development, and director of alumni relations, the committee nominates members of the Board of Directors, officers of the corporation, directors emeriti and new committee members. The Council president appoints the chairs and members of standing committees. The committee oversees matters of governance and ethics. In addition, the committee oversees human resources as well as the evaluation process of both the Camp Director and the Board.
Governance Committee Members
“Bos’n” Frank Anthony
“Bos’n” Bill Auerswald
“Slugger” S.J. Baxter
“Lt” Chip Connolly
“Loot” Bob Fryer
“Colonel” Matt Gardner
“Commodore” Bob Gregg
“Corp” Steve O’Leary
“General” Andy Rogers
“Capt.” John Schmidt
“Admiral” James Waters – Chair
The Long-Range Planning Committee reviews the organization and structure of Agawam Council as defined in the By-Laws and implemented by the Board of Directors. It maintains and updates the Long-Range Plan (LRP) by acting as a liaison between the director and the Board of Directors and integrating standing committee ideas and Board decisions into the LRP.
Long- Range Planning Committee Members
“Bos’n” Bill Auerswald
“Bos’n” Tommy Barnard
“Loot” Bob Fryer
“Coach” Brian Grzymski
“FM” Carl Jones
“Bowman” Scott Malm – Chair
“Admiral” James Waters
The Program Committee oversees and evaluates activities conducted on Agawam Council properties. It reviews the camp director’s plans for program duration, enrollment, staff development, and recommendations for program improvement. It also researches program expansion and explores facility usage beyond the traditional camp season.
Program Committee Members
“Bos’n” Bill Auerswald
“Trapper” Dan Cluchey
“Ace” Morgan Dunnan
“FM” Carl Jones – Chair
“Cruiser” Meghan Lockwood
“Bowman” Scott Malm
“Chips” Steve Slovenski
“Coach” Alex Spence
“Sarge” Russell Sprole
“Cruiser” Jen Wright
!["...Many times [my son] has been able to make the right choices in difficult or confusing times due to in part, we believe, the fact that the staff you hire at Agawam have been such inspiring mentors and guides."-Agawam parent #CampAgawam #MainIdea50 #2020staff #bestjobonearth #makingadifference #workatcamp](https://www.campagawam.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)