Leadership
Camp Lincoln was established in 1920, and Camp Whippoorwill in 1931, by Colba F. "Chief" Gucker. His son, Peter L. Gucker and his daughter, Janet G. Farrington, directed Lincoln and Whippoorwill since the late 1950's, and now serve in consulting roles. Pete's daughter, Nancy Gucker Birdsall, directed Whippoorwill since 1984 and is now serving as overall Director of North Country Camps.
Kate Green directs Camp Whippoorwill and Doug Furman directs Camp Lincoln. Kate worked with Nancy for ten years, spending years as an Associate Director of Whippoorwill before taking on the Directorship in 2007. Doug is a third generation Lincoln leader, having spent his childhood as a camper at Lincoln, and working as a Counselor, Section Head, Trip Leader, and Associate Director before taking on the Director position in the fall of 2008.
Susan Gucker Dion manages the camp food service and office. Peter H. Gucker oversees physical plant maintenance and development.
Kate and Doug are joined by Associate Directors Steve “Frau” Frauenthal, David Birdsall, Liz Westergaard, and Emily Schmitt. Fourth generation Mandy Dion, Corey Birdsall, and Logan Birdsall also work full time during the summer seasons. Our counseling staff of almost sixty young men and women is composed of a number of experienced head counselors and activity leaders, together with several recent college graduates and present college students, many of them former campers. A majority return to the staff from one summer to the next. Each camp has a Registered Nurse or Health Care Professional in residence. Physicians are on call, and the city of Plattsburgh provides a modern, well-staffed hospital.
