Sailing has been an instrumental aspect of the Kawanhee program, and it was two sailboats racing on Lake Webb that G.R. saw that helped finish the view that “almost defied description” on top of Mount Blue that day. Sailboats were a part of the camp program since the first summer when there were only a small number of campers. What is now known as the Crow/Badger/Sailing Department Building was originally built even before the first season ended in 1921 to store boats as well as serve as a garage and manual training shop.

In the 1930s, sailing was a particularly popular activity, but also a weather/wind dependent one. Thus, at each meal and announcement would be made to communicate if sailing was available that day or not.

The regatta is another popular activity as Kawanhee, and in woodshop is where campers build their own traditional Kawanhee sailboat to compete in the regatta, a tradition since the 1930s!

Fun History Fact! Ed Tulloss was hired in 1948 as the Sailing Department head, does that name sound familiar? It should because that’s the father of Rees Tulloss who is Kawanhee’s current sailing master.

Fun History Fact #2! Did you know that one year (BA’s favorite reading of the score!), BA Altmaier had the final number for the score come in on the jib sail of a Kawanhee sailboat? Talk about dramatics!

Fun History Fact #3! Do you know how many Kawanhee campers have achieved the highest award in sailing (the Racing Skipper Award)? Hint: It is more than one, but less than three!