EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Kenley Perry
Since stepping into his role in Fall 2024, Kenley has embraced Kawanhee’s enduring traditions and values — “fun with a purpose,” “learn to do by doing,” and “freedom within a framework.” Guided by these principles, he works alongside Kawanhee’s dedicated staff, alumni, and families to ensure that each summer continues to offer campers transformative experiences rooted in adventure, character, and community.
Kenley is known for his blend of confidence and humility, his respect for Kawanhee’s history, and his commitment to its mission. Under his leadership, the camp continues to thrive as a place where boys learn, grow, and build lifelong friendships on the shores of Lake Webb.
Kenley Perry
“Passing the torch is always hard, but we know we are offering it to an experienced and promising leader who will represent the values of Kawanhee,” the Standens say. “Kenley is an outdoor educator who believes in the value of children spending time in nature. He’s also a parent of multiple children spanning a wide range of ages from middle school to college. This prepares him well to understand the developmental variations in children of the ages that Kawanhee serves. As Kenley has already demonstrated to us, he has a natural regard and clear respect for the individual child, which means he will continue to make the child’s experience the number one priority at Kawanhee.”
Kenley joins the Camp Kawanhee family after 28 years of working in camps and schools. He has been a leader in a wide range of settings, including overnight camps, day camps, tripping expeditions, private schools and interscholastic sports. Kenley grew up in rural New York, where he spent his summers attending various summer camps. Those experiences led him to pursue degrees in outdoor recreation and psychology at Houghton University, where he graduated in 1996. Kenley then moved to Chicago to work full-time at a Jewish camp named Henry Homer, initially as director of the ropes course and outdoor education. He stayed at Henry Homer for 18 years, including five years as the executive director, ultimately overseeing 150 staff members. He also worked with the American Camping Association, serving as a standards visitor and regional board member.
Kenley shifted to private education in 2014, joining Westlake Christian Academy, the school his children attend. He began in marketing and fundraising before becoming a physical education teacher and the director of both athletics and facilities. But he had an itch to return to camping and eventually found Kawanhee, drawn to its values, history and incredible community.
Kenley has six kids with his wife of 28 years, Kristen, who runs an animal shelter in southeast Wisconsin. His oldest daughter, Hope, works as a first-grade teacher in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and his oldest son, Brant, studies film. Kenley’s other children (Griffin, 16; Tate, 14; Emmerson, 12 and Elliot, 9) continue to attend Westlake and are excited about the prospect of spending summers in Maine. In his free time, Kenley is usually outdoors – running, biking, hiking, paddling or camping with his family.
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Robby Ray
DIRECTOR OF CAMP EXPERIENCE
Therese Bonasera
The Staff Experience
ABOUT THE STAFF
Veteran & Vital
In a typical summer, our staff consists of men and women ranging in age from 18 to retirement age. Our staff members are thought of as being in one of two groups: (i) young men who serve as lodge counselors, living in a lodge with several campers, and (ii) non-lodge staff, a group comprised of men and women who offer instructional expertise or some other contribution.
Our lodge counselors are the life-blood of our staff. They tend to be college students or recent college graduates. The influence of a lodge counselor upon his campers is powerful and overwhelmingly positive, and our lodge counselors understand the unique position they hold: mentor, friend, role model, surrogate parent, all in one.
Boys acquire new interests and aspire to better things when they live with counselors whom they admire and want to emulate. We look for counselors who inspire that admiration and emulation, and in many cases we need not look far. Most of our lodge counselors have grown up within our ranks, having spent several summers with us as campers. We invite them to be counselors if we have the requisite confidence in their judgment and their ability to lead.
Our counselors recognize that it is a privilege to live with and mentor other people’s children, and most of them choose to return to our staff for as many summers as they can manage.
Members of our non-lodge staff are a diverse group. Some live close by and commute to camp; others live on campus in staff housing. Some bring their expertise to a particular activity, such as the Ropes Course or the Woodshop; others provide support in the camp office, in the kitchen or in some other essential role. Some are educators or retired and have their summers available to work at camp; others are self-employed and carve-out their summers to dedicate themselves to the Kawanhee experience. It’s fair to say that all are essential cogs in the wheel that keeps Kawanhee rolling.
Benefits of Being a Counselor
BEING A COUNSELOR
Become a Leader and a Role Model
Working as a counselor at Camp Kawanhee is more than just a summer job—it’s a launchpad for college, career, and life. Few roles at such a young age allow you to take on high levels of responsibility while leading, mentoring, and caring for others. From managing a lodge of campers to planning and running activities, counselors develop focus, time management, and resilience every day. These experiences help you build confidence, adaptability, and leadership—the very skills that set you apart when applying to schools, jobs, and beyond.
Employers today consistently seek strong “soft skills” such as communication, creativity, collaboration, and emotional intelligence. At camp, you practice these skills daily—whether it’s guiding campers through challenges, adapting quickly to change, or working as part of a close-knit team. You’ll also gain humility, grit, and the ability to remain calm under pressure—qualities that make you a trusted teammate and future leader.
Above all, being a counselor at Kawanhee gives you the chance to make an impact. You’ll shape campers’ experiences, create lasting memories, and grow personally in ways few internships can offer. It’s a summer filled with challenge, community, and growth—set against the backdrop of Maine’s lakes and woods. The lessons you carry forward will stay with you for a lifetime.
Volunteer
VOLUNTEER
May There Always Be a Kawanhee
There are so many ways to give back to Kawanhee to help ensure that the experience will always be there for the next generation of campers:
Refer a Camper
A successful season at Kawanhee depends on having a full complement of campers. Click here to refer a camper.
Host a Recruitment Event in Your Community
Helping to spread the word about Kawanhee and talking with potential campers and their families will help keep the Kawanhee community growing! Our active recruitment season runs from September to April. Please contact Kenley Perry if you would like to host an event.
Memorial Day Work Weekend
Looking for an excuse to spend time at Kawanhee? Come help us get ready for the upcoming season and reconnect with fellow members of the Kawanhee family. Work gets underway on the Saturday morning of Memorial Day Weekend. Projects range from hanging signs and cleaning up after the long winter, to gardening and painting, and whatever else we can get done in between! There is also plenty of time for fun and catching up, too. Kenley Perry hosts a cook-out on Pine Point Saturday evening, a few boats will be available to take an early paddle on Webb Lake, and we will hike Tumbledown on Sunday for those who are interested.