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 2020-2021
Officers (4)
Alexander R. Cobb – President
Jonathan A. Sprole – Vice-President
William H. Auerswald – Treasurer
Joseph M. Noreña – Secretary
Life Directors (1)
Matthew M. Gardner, Jr.
Director Emeriti (3)
Porter D. Caesar, II
Robert E. Gregg, Jr
W. Marshall Schmidt
Term Directors (15)
H. Franklin Anthony, III
Christine L. Barnard
Thomas E. Barnard
William N. Degerberg
Adrienne O. Frame
Robert L. Fryer
Brian D. Grzymski
Carl D. Jones
Robert H. Kurtz
Meghan G. Lockwood
Scott C. Malm
H. Barton Riley
F. Russell Sprole
Paul S. Terkovich
Peter B. Wilson, Jr.
Young Alumni Representatives (2)
Noah A. Faison
Charlotte V. Phillips
Committee Members (20)
Haley E. Acker
Katheryn H. Ascione
Sloan J. Baxter
Adam J. Bechler
Matthew W. Benseler
Arthur G. (“Chip”) Connolly, III
Scott N. Degerberg
Robert D. Demont
E. Livingston Haskell
Christopher W. Hayes
Robert W. Holland
Peter H. Mason
Oliver G.C. Reid
Alice Roebuck
Christopher T. Rogers
John M. Schmidt
Steven H. Slovenski
Benjamin G. Small
Lauren Tobias
James A. Waters
Agawam Council Committees
Agawam Council has a number of committees to support Board functions:
The Advancement Committee responsibilities are threefold: fundraising, stewardship and events and outreach. The Fundraising arm works to oversee and support an overall fundraising program to support the philanthropic programs of the organization. The Stewardship arm works to support outreach and engagement with former, current and potential donors. The Outreach and Events arm fosters engagement with Agawam by all constituencies and reinforce Agawam’s brand attributes.
Advancement Committee Members
“Commissioner” Haley Acker
“Bos’n” Frank Anthony (Stewardship Lead)
Kate Ascione
Chrissy Barnard (Advancement Chair/Campership Committee Designee)
“Sarge” Matt Benseler
“Capt” Pete Caesar
“Coach” Bob Demont
“Loot” Bob Fryer (Outreach and Events Lead)
“Slugger” Chris Hayes
“Skipper” Charlotte Phillips
Alice Roebuck
“Major” Chris Rogers
“Major” Ben Small
Lauren Tobias
“JJ” Jon Sprole (Fundraising Lead)
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, overseeing all physical and real property assets, overseeing enrollment strategies and campership program, and planning and oversight of the Council’s investment strategy.
Finance Committee Members
“Bos’n” Bill Auerswald (Finance Chair)
“Bos’n” Tommy Barnard (Physical Assets Co-Lead)
“Mode” Adam Bechler
“Mander” Scott Degerberg
“Admiral” Will Degerberg (Budget Lead)
Adrienne Frame (Enrollment Lead)
“Coach” Brian Grzymski (Physical Assets Co-Lead)
“Bos’n” Bob Holland
“Capt” Peter Mason
“Trapper” Oliver Reid
Bart Riley (Investments Lead)
“Major” Chris Rogers
“Chips” Steve Slovenski
The Governance Committee manages the structure, organization, operations, ethics and governance of the Agawam Council. Under the purview of the Governance Committee are nominating and educating members at all levels of service, oversee programs conducted by the Council and monitor compliance with applicable standards, monitor, assess and manage non-financial risk, oversee financial reviews and audits, and oversee human resources as well as the evaluation process of both the Camp Director and the Board.
Governance Committee Members
“Slugger” SJ Baxter
“Capt” Pete Caesar
“Lt” Chip Connolly
“Commissioner” Noah Faison
“FM” Carl Jones (Standards of Excellence Lead)
“Coach” Livy Haskell
“Mander” Bob Kurtz
“Cruiser” Meghan Lockwood (Governance Chair)
“Bowman” Scott Malm (HR Lead)
“Cujo” Joseph Noreña
“Capt” John Schmidt
“JJ” Jon Sprole (Risk Management Lead)
“Sarge” Russell Sprole (Nominations Lead)
“Ranger” Paul Terkovich (Audit Lead)
“Admiral” James Waters