The Foundation solicits approximately 2,800 alumni and over 200 current parents and friends once a year, during the late fall. Any size gift is appreciated, from $25 to the cost of a full summer at camp ($6,800). Several alumni have "adopted" a camper and funded his tuition for as many years as he is at camp. Material gifts, appreciated stock, matching corporate gifts and bequests are additional ways to help perpetuate the Foundation. Please donate below:
Sign up for our newsletter below. We will inform you when we launch our new website.
The Deerwood Foundation was created in 1994, the camp's fiftieth season, as a memorial tribute to Ferris Thomsen, founder and director of the camp for its first thirty-five years.
The Foundation's sole purpose is to provide financial aid to eligible families who wish to send their sons to Deerwood. The summer of 1995 saw the first campers enrolling who benefited directly from the foundation's effort and money.
Deerwood is extremely proud of its program which is run with as little regimentation and as much freedom of choice as possible. Deerwood strives to provide a healthy and happy summer in an atmosphere which will make a camper cheerful, cooperative and considerate. All activities are well planned and the boys are encouraged to set goals and work towards achieving them - thus developing their skills and self-confidence. The teaching of traditional values is at the center of all activities, with a strong emphasis placed on responsibility, self motivation and respect for others and the environment.
Deerwood offers a variety of activities which provide campers with challenges and new experiences. The program encourages participation in all activities, with a goal of reaching one's fullest potential in many areas. These activities include: swimming, canoeing, sailing, water-skiing, board sailing, mountain biking, fishing, archery, riflery, campcraft, tennis, basketball, lacrosse, soccer, and crafts (woodworking, blacksmithing and ceramics.) In addition to these activities at Deerwood, every camper is exposed to mountain trips in the nearby White Mountain National Forest and canoe trips on the lakes and rivers of New Hampshire and Maine.
Chip Crothers, President
Tom Riehl, Treasurer
Jim Vose, Secretary
Henry Damon, Executive Director