WEST DUMMERSTON-After an exhaustive search, Samantha "Sam" Lucheck has been hired as the new executive director for Green Mountain Camp for Girls (GMC). Lucheck began her new position in December 2023, relocating from Wisconsin with her family this past February.
Gina Stefanelli, a member of GMC's board of directors and head of the search and transition committee, says she is happy with the choice of Lucheck, who succeeds Billie Slade, who retired in December after 12 years.
"We wanted to honor Billie's legacy by picking exactly the right candidate," Stefanelli said, "and I think we did just that."
The GMC board began a nationwide search for their next executive director more than a year ago.
"We received some very impressive [applications] both locally and from away," said Stefanelli, who explained that the process included phone screenings, Zoom interviews, and finally an invitation to come to camp to meet GMC leadership in person.
The process involved the search and transition committee as well as the full board, community members, parents of campers, and other "friends of GMC."
"We wanted to judge people by who they were and what they would bring to camp, not compare one candidate to the other," Stefanelli said.
"We had some great people, and I can't express enough how excited we were about the applicant pool, as there were so many wonderful choices," she added.
A love of the outdoors
"I have a lot of passion for camp myself. It's been a huge part of my life," says Lucheck.
"In my last few positions, I've gotten more into the property operations and programing portion of summer camps," she adds. "At Green Mountain Camp, I'm thrilled to be getting back to working with campers while directing. I've missed working directly with the kids."
According to Stefanelli, Lucheck stood out because "she's been a camper since she was a child. She spent her teenage years as a camp counselor, went to college, got her degree, and has a lot of experience as director in semi-rural camps."
Lucheck has spent 10 years as a camp director at other camps, and Stefanelli noted her relevant experience in programming and capital projects.
"She loves camp life," Stefanelli said. "Like Billie Slade before her, camp is in her blood. It's a passion for her, being in the outdoors."
Lucheck is aware of the "wonderful history and traditions of GMC" and plans to learn from the staff and returning campers "the songs, activities, and traditions that have made GMC the magical place it is."
She feels it's important to listen and learn, especially in her first year.
"I want to hear from everyone involved - parents, campers, community members, all the stakeholders - [about] what's important to them. I'm here for the campers, the staff, and look forward to the opportunity to grow and help foster this important place," she says.
Lucheck has been housed locally for the past three months until her future home on the GMC campus is completed.
Last August, the board began dismantling the ancient "White House," as it has always been known, which stood at the entrance to the 13-acre property since before the camp's founding.
Stefanelli is excited about the new building that will replace the much-loved farmhouse.
"We want to build a new house that is designed to last for the next 100 years. It's a 'green' building," she says with pride.
The new structure will stand on the site of the original house, and the board intends to cover it with white siding so that it can assume the nickname of its predecessor.
The home should be ready for Lucheck to occupy in May, before camp opens for the season.
Honoring the history
Green Mountain Camp for Girls was founded by Sarah Bradley Gamble and Grace Holbrook Haskell in 1917, and it has operated contuniously since then. Gamble's grandson, Richard Epstein of Brattleboro, is a current member of the board of trustees for the camp, which for the past century has been a nonprofit organization.
The vision for campers has always been female empowerment.
In its early years, Green Mountain Camp was a place to wear bloomers instead of restrictive corsets and long dresses, and a place for girls to learn about agriculture, archery, and arts and crafts.
In the past 20 years, the focus has been on creating a safe place for girls to be themselves without the distractions of cell phones, tablets, or social media - all of which are banned from the campus.
Although this will be a year of discovery for her, Lucheck still wants to incorporate something new for returning campers.
"We'll be bringing in some international staff in addition to our many returning staff members," she says, noting that the camp has hired women from Spain and Australia.
"I think it will be great fun for campers to get a taste of culture from other countries," Lucheck says.
While much of the hiring has been completed, some positions remain available.
"We need lifeguards, counselors, and kitchen help to make sure we're prepared for this summer," she said.
Lucheck has been working closely with the board and with Slade.
"I've had the opportunity to work directly with Billie. I appreciate her passion and the impact she has had on the camp," says Lucheck.
For her part, Slade is pleased with the Board's choice.
"With [Sam's] experience and skills, I trust that she will bring new ideas and energy to the job that will help the camp continue to thrive under her direction," Slade says.
Those who wish to meet the new director will have an opportunity during the annual Spring Workday at Green Mountain Camp on Saturday, May 4, beginning at 9 a.m. Promotional materials welcome both "skilled and nonskilled volunteers to help wake up camp from its winter slumber and prepare it for summer."
Green Mountain Camp for Girls will open its 107th summer season on June 24. Girls from ages 5 to 13 can sign up for day camp, overnight camp, or "try me camp," which gives day campers the option to spend the night if they choose to.
Seven sessions will take place over six weeks, ending on Aug. 2. The complete camp schedule is available at greenmountaincamp.com.
This News item by Fran Lynggaard Hansen was written for The Commons.