Welcome to Pemi

amp Pemigewassett (Pemi for short) will be opening in 2008 for our 101st consecutive season under the same family ownership and management, and has earned a reputation as an outstanding boy's camp.

Much of what is unique about Pemi will be difficult to convey: the tradition of generations, which is passed on by sons, grandsons and great grandsons of former campers; the sense of community which is so pervasive; the consideration for others; the spirit, happiness and humor. To know these, you will have to visit Pemi during the season, and we welcome you to do so.

The information contained in this web site should serve as a useful introduction, however, as we describe the location, facilities, staff, program and activities of Pemi, and try to answer many of the questions prospective parents and campers ask.

The camp season runs for seven weeks from late June through mid-August. 170 boys between the ages of 8 and 15 are enrolled at any one time. Most go for the entire season, but there is a limited number of half-season spaces available each summer. Applications and enrollment information are mailed to returning and prospective families each fall.

Pemi's campers and staff are a wonderfully diverse group. Each season, the camp family comes together from at least 25 states and several countries. Pemi is a non-sectarian camp.

There are several ways in which you can become better acquainted with Pemi, The first is to visit during the summer. If you are interested in doing so please contact the Director. There are other ways to see Pemi during the fall, winter and spring. We have a DVD which gives an excellent sense of the place, and we can loan you a copy of this. We have a number of Open Houses during the winter, and we will be glad to send you a schedule of these gatherings, which bring together current camp families, prospective parents and boys, alumni and friends. We will also refer you to parents of current or former campers in your area, so that you may speak to them directly. Finally, we can probably arrange for a director to visit you in your home.

For now, we invite you to Explore Pemi with the help of this website.

A Tradition of Excellence

e believe that Camp Pemigewassett is the oldest summer camp in the country under the same continuous family ownership and management. It was founded in 1908 by three close friends, Drs. Edgar Fauver, Edwin Fauver and Dudley Reed. All graduates of Oberlin College Columbia Medical School, they had worked as counselors at a nearby camp and decided to star their own. Following a long search, they chose the present site on the shore of Lower Baker Pond.

While serving on the faculties of Wesleyan University, the University of Rochester, and the University of Chicago, respectively, they remained as Pemi directors until their deaths in 1946, 1949 and 1955.

They were joined in 1910 by Dr. John H. Nichols, also an Oberlin graduate, who served first as a counselor, then as a director until his death in 1979. "Doc Nick" was also a college educator, first at Ohio State and later at Oberlin, where he was director of the department of Physical Education for decades. The high standards set by these "Four Docs" prevail at Pemi today.

Beginning as campers in the 1920's, Al Fauver (son of Edgar Fauver) and Tom Reed (son of Dudley Reed) served served as counselors and Assistant Directors, becoming Directors and owners in the 1950's.

Al Fauver received a B.A. from Oberlin and a Master's degree from Wesleyan. He continued as a director until his retirement in 1980, and is active in Pemi affairs as an owner and trustee.

Tom Reed also graduated from Oberlin and received a Ph.D. from Harvard, serving on the faculties of Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design. He was Director until 1988, and continues his involvement as an owner and Trustee.

Thomas L. Reed Jr. has been at Pemi for 40 years as a camper, counselor, and Associate Director for nearly 20 years. A graduate of Yale University with a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia, he is Professor of English at Dickinson College. He has been Head of Pemi's outstanding trip program for 23 years, and also currently serves as Head of Kitchen Operations and 12 and under soccer coach. Tom and his wife Dottie have two children, Abigail and Daniel.

Jonathan Fauver is a 23-year veteran of Pemi, beginning as a camper and continuing as counselor and Head Counselor. A graduate of Brown University, he received his M.B.A. from Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business, and a J.D. from the University of Connecticut School of law. After overseeing the first three years of Pemi West, Jon returned two summers ago as Assistant Director. His responsibilities include Head of Maintenance and Waterfront Operations, and coach of 13 and under soccer. He and his wife Janet Duchaine are the parents of Jameson.