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to use my land for camping and other outdoor activities, and to do so with a feeling that it belongs to all...” Robert Sever Hale

What’s InsideExecutive Director’s Letter 2Hale Membership Beach 3

Hale Education & Adventure 3Upcoming Programs 4Trash to Treasure 5Hale Camps 6

As a Matter of Fact... 7Securing an Entranceto Hale Reservation 8

A Newsletter for Friendsand Supporters

of Hale ReservationSpring 2011

Naturally Speaking

TheGreen Frog

With several bodies of water,Hale is a favorite spot forfrogs, toads and salaman-ders. It is safe to say thatthey far outnumber thecampers we get eachsummer. The female frogwill lay up to 7,000 eggs inthe water at one time andthe male will then fertilizethe eggs. It takes weeks fortadpoles to hatch, and for threeto four months, they remain in thetadpole stage. As a froglet, still with avisible tail, they begin to branch out of thewater until the tail disappears and theybecome the commonly found (and heard)adult Green Frog.Green Frogs are active all night and day.

They will eat just about anything they can fitin their mouths including insects, spiders,tadpoles and even other frogs. The GreenFrog is not without its own predators. Ducks,mallards, herons, crows and snakes will feaston Green Frogs and tadpoles. Staying closeto the shoreline allows the frogs to leap backin the water when approached by enemies.Green Frogs are also known as the “scream-ing frog” because they often let out a yelpduring escape.Though frogs are “icky” and “slimy,”

campers seem to love them. For manychildren catching a frog is their first chanceto observe a wild living creature up-close. Forcounselors, it is an occurrence known as the

“teachable moment.” It isthe perfect time to educatecampers while theirattention is focused solelyon the smiling child withthe wriggling frog.Frogs and their

amphibian cousins arevery vulnerable to changesin their environment.Anything that touches their

moist, permeable skin is readilyabsorbed into their bodies. Because

of this, they act as "a canary in the coalmine" warning us of contaminants in thewater. As an eco-indicator, they expose earlywarning signs if something is wrong with theenvironment. By simply observing changesin the pond, such as frog populations orbiological deformities in frogs, one couldsurmise that there was something harmfulin the water. Given the number of happycampers every summer, it appears that theenvironment at Hale is healthy — there areplenty of frogs to catch.While at Hale, children discuss and learn

all about these threads of ecological connec-tivity as they explore. They are taught tohandle frogs, toads and salamanders withresponsibility and are reminded that eventhe bug spray and sunscreen on their handscontain chemicals that are toxic to the verycreatures they are holding. Although weencourage the hands on approach to learning,we make sure to do so with care.

The Northern Green Frog(Rana clamitans melanota)

A T IMELE S S MEMORY for any camper at Hale is a visit toStorrow Pond. Armed with either a homemade fishing rod to catch

“sunnies” or a dip-net for collecting insects and tadpoles, the anticipationof coming face to face with one of natures creatures never seems to get old.Nothing ramps up the excitement level as much as when a camper catchesa slippery frog either by hand or with a net. The squeals of delight can spoilthe chances for anyone else to catch something but campers all seem to delightin “sharing” their treasure.

2 H A L E R E S E R VAT I O N

Eric Arnold— Executive DirectorJulia Brune—Membership Beach DirectorDiane Collins— Finance DirectorBrian Davis— Facilities AssistantTom Dietzel — Ranger

Adrienne Farfalla— Education DirectorSteve Larsen—Director of Programs

Paula McLaughlin— Public Relations DirectorJan Parr— Office AdministratorRobert Parr— Facilities DirectorJames Reinhold— Camp Director

Jay Walsh— Environmental Resource Manager

Board of Director’s Officers:Juanita Allen Kingsley— PresidentChris McKeown— Vice PresidentTrum Cary— Treasurer

John Redmond—Assistant Treasurer

DESIGN — Holtz Design holtzdesign.com

Hale Reservation is a private, non-profiteducational organization that manages over1,100 acres of woodlands, including four pondsand over twenty miles of trails in Westwoodand Dover, Massachusetts. Hale is most widelyrecognized for its summer day camp programswhich annually serve over 4,400 children fromover 70 communities in the Greater Bostonarea. Hale Reservation also offers a familyprogram, outdoor and environmental educationexperiences for children and adults, and openspace for casual recreational use.

The essence of Hale Reservation can befound in Robert Sever Hale’s original desiresfor the organization he began in 1918. Thecurrent programs and land managementpractices are the legacy of his desire “to provideeducation which will develop intelligent,capable and responsible citizens” and to use theland “so long as it is charitable and benevolentin nature.” Today’s programs strive to developintelligent leaders and educated environmentalcitizens. We also believe that the diversity ofthe natural environment must be reflected backin the diversity of the people who experienceour programs. Therefore, we striveto provide programs andopportunities for peopleof any race, background,religion or economic status.

Time Flies

80 Carby StreetWestwood, Massachusetts 02090tel (781) 326-1770fax (781) 326-0676www.HaleReservation.org

IT ’ S 2 0 1 1 , and it does not seem like 11 years ago we werepreparing for Y2K and anxiously waiting for the start of thenew millennium. It sure feels like time is moving really fast. I know that happensto all of us when we try to remember years gone by or measure the age of ourchildren, but the addition of a “1” in the “10’s column” impacted me in a slightlydifferent way when put into Hale historical context. It was during the “teens”that Hale Reservation began.In the spring of 1918, Robert Sever Hale wrote a letter to C.H. Ernst, the

District Commission of the Boston Area Boy Scout Council, offering his land tobe used for scouting. This initial offering is what began youth activities in Doverand Westwood and has now evolved into the many programs and camps at HaleReservation. At the time, Mr. Hale offered some activities that today would breakevery Conservation Commission rule (including draining a part of the marshand building a dam to create a pond) and he encouraged boys to build “a shanty”and “set any traps or do any hunting that would be proper for Scouts.”What the creeping (or racing) of time means is that we are only eight years

away from celebrating the 100th anniversary of the start of Hale Reservation.Although it is a bit hard to start thinking about a celebration that is eight yearsaway, the observation of our Centennial will be an important moment in ourhistory. At this point, we will continue to think about the improvements andprogress we can make in the coming years so that when we ring in the 100thAnniversary of Hale Reservation, confident that we are improving the livesof thousands of children, families and visitors.In the meantime, please make sure you browse this newsletter. You will have

a chance to gather some facts about the Green Frog, explore the public programswe will be offering this spring, hear from three generations of family members,and learn about a new land purchase made by Hale Reservation.Until 2018… actually, until summer, I look forward to seeing you on the trails!

Eric ArnoldExecutive Director

Welcome

Jan Parr Hale is pleased to welcome backJan Parr to the front office. Many visitors mayremember Jan as the program registrar whoworked at Hale from 2005–2006. She returnsto expanded responsibilities as the newadministrator at Hale. It has been a smoothtransition back to Hale for Jan, in part due

to her familiarity with most of the staff and many of the proceduresin place. Jan has a degree in Park Management from Universityof Massachusetts at Amherst and is a past President of theSharon Historical Society and the Friends of Borderland StatePark. Among her co-workers most excited to see her return is herhusband Bobby, the facilities director at Hale.

EACH SUMMER Membership Beach providesorganized lessons and activities for over 400 families

with children of all ages. For the Hall’s of West Roxburyspending summers at Hale is a family tradition. AliciaKeenan-Hall, was a member as a child and so it was an easydecision when she and her husband Andrew made up theirminds to join with their three children, Erik age 4 ½, Cassieage 3, and newborn Annikki. When Alicia's mom Lois alsochose to return, there were three generations enjoying the"Best Beach in the World."Lois joined when Alicia was seven. At the time, Alicia

participated in swimming lessons, boating and arts and crafts- the only organized activities offered at the time. As ateenager, she became very active in the Membership Beachswim team, which competed locally. Alicia was a proudmember of the team during the 1987 season whenMembership Beach won the summer league championship.The Hall’s enjoy many of the same activities that were

popular years ago. There is something timeless aboutchildren making arts and crafts projects, swimming in thepond with friends, or searching for turtles. They are happy,however, that today there are more activities offered thanever before. They look forward to taking part in the KidsFun Triathlon, which Erik and Cassie competed in last year,and the popular Family Hoe Down that is quickly becominga member favorite.

Alicia Keenan-Hall looks back on her childhoodsummers fondly and wants these same experiences forher children. At Membership Beach, there are alwaysplenty of opportunities for wonderful memories forgenerations to come.

Theresa Cunningham: Member 1999–2007, Arts and CraftsAssistant, 2005, Lifeguard, 2006–2007, Water SafetyInstructor, 2008–2009, Supervisor, 2010.

P o w i s s e t t P r e s s | S P R I N G 2 0 1 1 3

PART OF THE M I S S I ONat Hale is to offer educational

experiences that foster responsibility,leadership and appreciation for thenatural environment. Over the past twoyears, we have seen an increase ingroups for our education and adventureprograms. It is great to see that schoolsand organizations still value theimportance of our programs.

As educators, we want to see thepositive change that people experienceafter learning how to work together,use a compass, or build a fire. We relishwitnessing the “ah-ha” moment whena person realizes their compass is

Three Generations of Membersby Theresa Cunningham

The Hall Family,Erik, Alicia, Cassieand baby Annikki,enjoying anotherwonderful day atMembership Beach.

Students learning to use a compass.

pointing in the right direction or theirgroup challenge is a success becausethey have communicated effectively.Our Education and Adventure

program consists of many differenthands on learning activities such

as Pond Discoveries, Geology,Map and Compass, Survivor Games,Teambuilding, and the Low and HighRopes challenges.

MOUNTAIN BIKE TRIPSGo for a guided mountain bike ride on ourbeautiful trails.

PEAK TO PEAK HIKESAn event for the adventuresome family –enjoy a four mile, picturesque hike overthe rough terrain between Powissett Peakand Nimrod’s Rock. The view west overPowissett Plains and the view east toBoston are magnificent.

FAMILY WALKING EXPLORATIONSA Hale naturalist will lead a walk exploringthe seasonal landscape of Hale andsharing the wonders of its natural history.

SUNSET SERENADESFor a short period of time in the earlyspring, the sky and forest are full ofanimals, feathered and furred, makingtheir way to their summer homes. Comeexplore and observe these creatures withthe help of a Hale naturalist.

WESTWOOD EARTH WEEKWatch for more information on ourwebsite as Hale Reservation supportsthe Westwood community with EarthWeek activities.

BIODIVERSITY DAY AT HALEJoin Hale staff as we take census ofdifferent species at Hale. A funeducational opportunity for the wholefamily as we search for birds, plants,insects, salamanders and mushrooms.

FULL MOON CANOE TRIPSEnjoy a canoe trip under a full moonon Noanet Pond. We provide the canoes.

INTRODUCTION TO MAPAND COMPASSA naturalist will take you through thesteps of how to use a map and compassto explore Hale Reservation.

FAMILY GEOCACHINGGeocaching is a fun activity whereparticipants must find their way toa given point using navigation tools.The destination is the location of a hiddentreasure for the geocachers to enjoy!GPS units are provided.

ADVENTURE DAYS FOR FAMILIESA day of outdoor adventure for familiesled by Hale staff will include ropes,team-building and rock climbing activities, trailhiking and GPS exploration, fishing andnature exploration, mountain biking, andfield games.

GIANT SWING ADVENTURESYouth groups ages eight and up will enjoyplaying games in the forest, putting ontheir harnesses and getting ready to swing!Groups work as a team to give each personan opportunity to fly on the Giant Swing.Select any Monday through Thursday, inlate April through mid-May.

Upcoming Programs

4 H A L E R E S E R VAT I O N

Hale Reservation offers a wide variety of outdoor exploration and education programs for familymembers of all ages. Detailed program information is emailed to our friends. To receive theseemails, contact jbrune@HaleReservation.org. Information is also posted on our website:www.HaleReservation.org. To register for a program, call us at 781-326-1770 or if applicable,download a registration form.

NEW IN 2011Hale Race SeriesBuilding on the success and popularity of ourannual triathlon, Hale is adding a series of 5K racesfor 2011. The courses will vary from race to raceand each will be a trail run that challenges theoutdoor enthusiast and showcases some of the mostbeautiful parts of our property. Sat April 30, Sat June 25, Wed July 27,Sun Aug 28, Sun Oct 23

Floating Classroom ExcursionTake a ride on our floating classroom. Enjoy some time aboard our pontoonboat while you learn about water clarity, oxygen levels, and the aquaticand pond edge species that make up the Noanet Pond environment.

HALLOWEEN HIKESIn October, come walk the trails and meetyour forest friends – at each encounter,a costumed animal character will tell youabout themselves and their habitat. At theend of the trail, there is a camp fire andmarshmallows.

HALE TRIATHLONSunday, September 11, 2011 Make roomon your calendar for the eighth annualHale Triathlon! Each year this event raisesmoney to ensure that children in need areable to enjoy camp at Hale Reservation.In 2011, the adult and youth races will beback. Look for practice sessions through-out the summer.

RED CROSS PROGRAMS

In June, the following courses are offered:Water Safety Instructor Training, LifeguardTraining, Lifeguard Review, CPR Review.

April Vacation ProgramSAVE THE DATE April 19-21

THE AWAKENING FORESTGRADES 1-3Come visit Hale at the most exciting timeof the year, spring! Participants willexplore the natural surroundings as theyawaken from the winter sleep. Loads ofhands on activities engage children inlearning about the environment aroundthem.

CABIN FEVER ADVENTURESGRADES 4-6Are your kids itching to get outside? We’lltake full advantage of the 1,100 acresHale has to explore as we rock climb andrappel our newly established 80’ rock walland hike all four corners of the property insearch of fun! Activities vary each day andwill focus on experiential learning, outdooradventure and survival skills!

P o w i s s e t t P r e s s | S P R I N G 2 0 1 1 5

Trash to treasure

S OME STAFF members atHale are very creative when it

comes to finding new uses for thingsthat other people might throw away.As the saying goes, one man's trash isanother man's treasure and at Halethere are plenty of treasures. Mostrecently, the success of our recentcapital campaign enabled usto replace or upgrade some buildingson site leaving what some wouldconsider useless scrap. While manypeople would have discarded theleftover wood, the facilities team atHale found countless ways to re-usewhat was salvageable.Though we are thrilled to have

several new bathrooms available, therewas a question about what we shoulddo with the old outhouses. Any thatwere deemed unsafe were removed butthose whose structures were solid wereturned into mini storage sheds.Planks from a torn down pavilion

are now part of a deck, the guttersfrom the old Trading Post have beeninstalled at the Maintenance Garage,the sinks from the MembershipBeach old bathrooms were used atthe Wellness Center, and so the listgoes on.This isn't anything new for Hale.

As a matter of fact, next time you visit,take a look at the main office. Muchof the structure was built with oldtelephone poles that Robert SeverHale rescued from his days with theEdison Company.

Summer Day Camp

S AM COULDN’T remembera better day. As he got on the bus

to go home, all he could think aboutwas how much fun he had! First therewas the skit he and his fellow campersdid at morning circle. Then he was offto find a treasure but instead discov-ered a cool new spot that is now the“base camp” for the Cardinals. By11:00 he was playing his favorite gamebefore heading off to swim lessons.After lunch he hiked to the ropescourse where he flew through the treeson a zip line. Topping the day off withfree swim, Sam was quite honestlybuzzing with happiness!At Hale Day Camp (HDC) no two

days are ever exactly alike. It is our goalto make sure that each day camperscome home feeling that this was theirbest day.

During training, the week beforecamp starts, staff gathers and beginsto review the camp’s Policies &Procedures. We discuss camperbehavior issues and how to handlegroup dynamics, as well as the best fivetechniques for getting a five year oldout of the pond and into dry clothesin less than three minutes. We try tocover everything, but beyond the day

to day routines, we are always tryingto implement the idea of what theirjob really is — helping campers makegreat memories.Every day at HDC, we focus on

the little things that make camp workand hope that we did everythingpossible to make it a day to rememberfor our campers.

Experienceby DesignBy James Reinhold, Camp Director

L AST SUMMER we surveyedcampers from all areas at Hale

to document and measure developmen-tal outcomes. The Camp YouthOutcomes Battery was made availableby the American Camp Associationand measures seven desirable behaviorsand attitudes we hope to foster in ourcampers which include friendship,independence, teamwork, familycitizenship, competence, interest inexploration, and responsibility.

Over 280 campers answeredquestions like “Has camp helped youmake friends more easily?” or “Sincegoing to camp, are you better atchoosing things to do in your freetime?” The answers, on a scale of 1 to 5were complied and distributed and willbecome a valuable tool for evaluating acamp program’s effectiveness year toyear.The results will provide a baseline

of information we will repeat each year.This will help measure, not onlycamper’s growth, but how we as campscan grow with them.

What Did You Learnat Camp This Summer?

6 H A L E R E S E R VAT I O N

Happy Smiling Faces at Hale Day Camp

Data from surveys collected will enable our staffto improve the overall camp experience.

80 Carby StreetWestwood, Massachusetts 02090(781)326-1770 fax (781)326-0676www.HaleReservation.org

V ERY OFTEN within thesepages we see the phrase “Hale

Matters.” But what does that mean,who does it matter to? Here are justa few people who feel that HaleMatters…

KYLE RUDMANKyle is a student from The EducationCollaborative (TEC) who has beencoming to Hale for the past four yearsas a volunteer. TEC provides memberand non-member school districts withan array of services designed to addressthe needs of students with moderate tointensive disabilities. Kyle’s responsibil-ities vary a little each week but mostlyconsist of clearing trails and generalclean up. Kyle always greets the officestaff with a big hello before gettingto work. Sometimes Kyle brings class-mates with him and proudly showsthem the lay of the land. Two yearsago when Kyle was transferring fromone school to another, he insisted hecontinue his involvement with Hale.“I’m not sure they can do it withoutme,” was his thought. And we’re notsure we could have. We love havingKyle as a volunteer staff member

and know he is a great example of whyHale is so important to so many people.

THE THOMAS FAMILYAvid hikers and mountain bikers,Richard and Ann Thomas are frequentvisitors to Hale. As Westwoodresidents, they appreciate having thetrails so close to home. Their daughterslearned to swim at Membership Beachwhile also enjoying many of the otheractivities offered. Through visits withtheir school, both girls have experi-enced the Ropes Course and EducationPrograms. Ann explained that whentheir church hosts outings at Hale, thewhole family takes part. “Once a yearwe sponsor a cookout with games,fishing and boating for homeless folksfrom Boston who we know throughevents at City Reach and CommonCathedral. We pick them up at theNorwood train station and take themto Hale, which they love.”

name

address

city state zip

phone email

payment method check visa/mc expiration

card no.

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HALE RESERVATION began as a generousgift to all of us.

We are sustained by gifts fromfriends like you, enabling us to share ourresources and wonderful programs.

Thank you for doing your part.

Yes, I would like to help Hale continuethe tradition. Enclosed is my gift of

$

to help preserve, protect and allow forpublic use of the natural resources atHale Reservation.

P o w i s s e t t P r e s s | S P R I N G 2 0 1 1 7

Yes, Hale Matters!Please accept my donation.

Kyle Rudman receives an award for Volunteerof the Year from Juanita Allen Kingsley.

The Thomas family shows howmuch Hale matters to them by contri-buting not only financially but also asvolunteers. Part of the success of ourHale Triathlon can be attributed totheir involvement. After years ofrunning the registration table, Annhas let daughter Amanda take over.“Hale has provided so many thingsto our family. It is a priceless gem!Empowerment through volunteeringis another benefit.”

CAMP UNITYCooper Community Center of Roxburyruns Camp Unity at Hale. More thanjust a camp, they offer what they call“a unique approach to summereducation.” Working together withHale’s Environmental Educators,campers take part in unique activitieslike shelter building and natureexploration.Executive Director Kevin Fusco

elaborates, “We at Cooper are proud ofour association with Hale Reservationwhich enables our children to have fun,develop new skills, and connect withnature. As expressed through the wordsof an 11 year old who has been attend-ing Camp Unity for the past six years,“I can’t wait for Camp to start again…it’s the only time I can swim everyday,learn new things about the outdoors,and see my summer friends!’”

As a Matterof Fact...

M ANY WHO HAVE driveninto Hale’s Membership Beach

are undoubtedly familiar with the smallgrey cape style house that abuts thedriveway towards the gate guard shack.The house and property, at 573 DoverRoad, was carved out of a larger parceland developed prior to the back landbeing donated to Hale. For almost forty years, thishome has been surrounded by Hale Reservation.Today, we are happy to say that it is part of Hale.In the fall of 2010, Hale Reservation purchased

the property thanks to a generous gift from Duncanand Ellen McFarland and other donors. The propertyhas been on a list of “priorities” for a long time. Whileit adds only 1.4 acres to the overall 1,130 acres thatmake up Hale Reservation, its significance is muchgreater than its size. On three sides, this small parcel

abuts wetlands that feed into Noanet Pond. Use offertilizers and other toxins have a huge impact on thehealth of Hale’s waters and the potential of possibledevelopment or major construction on the site wouldhave adverse effects for future recreation on our ponds.In addition, a greater presence on this property willallow improved security for our Membership Beachfamilies and facilities and on the less traveled uponareas of Hale’s property.

80 Carby StreetWestwood, Massachusetts 02090

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDWestwood, MAPermit No. 10

The home on Dover Road is now part of Hale Reservation’s property.

Securing an Entranceto Hale Reservation