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peter and meg
 

Greetings to Campers and Parents!
peter and meg kassen

   A Letter from the Directors...

March 21 2005

Dear Camp Family,

Thank you for your interest in Hidden Valley and its broad range of children's summer programs. This page and others at the website represent the beginning of what we hope will be a meaningful relationship between your family and ours at camp. Here are steps you can take as we get to know one another:

Carefully consult Hidden Valley Camp information as a family...

  • In order to get a better feeling for Hidden Valley's unique atmosphere, programs and camp people, continue to check out our website. You can find News Reports from Camp about life here during the off season as well as last summer.
  • Our printed materials and video DVD should also address most of your family's concerns. Click here to request a brochure and video DVD.

In an increasingly complex world, a good summer camp - one that takes pride in meaningful values, a child-centered philosophy, and rich sense of fun - can mean a great deal to a child and his or her family.  We encourage you to call or email us so that we can discuss the ways in which, for many years, Hidden Valley has supported children's emerging identity and sense of independence.

Pre-camp conversations are a great way to begin a child's relationship with the camp and its directors. We live and work at camp year-round (you can find out a bit more about us if you scroll down) and welcome the opportunity to speak with you about your child's individual needs and desires in anticipation of the camp experience.

If you live in or near Maine, Boston, Connecticut, New York, or New Jersey, we can meet with you and your child during the winter months. Click here for info on these visits to central locations near you. We can also put you in touch with Hidden Valley families in your area.

The recent summer season here was our most successful ever and we look forward to speaking with your family about Hidden Valley.

Sincerely,

Peter and Meg


INTRODUCING PETER & MEG KASSEN,
Hidden Valley Camp Owners/Directors

Both Meg and Peter have spent over 25 summers camping in Maine and have owned and directed Hidden Valley since 1988. Prior to their years at Hidden Valley they directed nearby Med-O-Lark camp for teens. Peter and his brothers were Med-O-Lark and Hidden Valley campers beginning in 1969.



American Camp Association Accredited Peter and Meg are members of the American Camping Association and the Maine Youth Camping Association. They and their daughters live at camp year-round, devoting their full time energies to the direction of Hidden Valley. Depending on the season, they both enjoy cross-country skiing, hiking, or canoeing in Maine's magnificent outdoors.

counsellors

Click HerePeter has a Master's degree from the Yale School of Organization and Management where he specialized in organizational behavior and helped found a volunteer small business consulting group. At Oberlin College, where he completed his undergraduate work, he studied anthropology and psychology. Peter is now a member of the faculty at nearby Unity College, teaching economics and small business development part-time.

During the summer, along with the camp's four assistant directors, Peter oversees the varied teaching and program areas to ensure high standards of safety and content. Along with Meg, he provides ongoing staff training on a day to day basis. You can usually find him on the basketball court, swimming, visiting Tipi Village, or delivering packages in his prized 1946 pickup, the infamous Green Pig. (Click on the camera to see a surprise photograph!)

Click HereMeg has also been active in camping since childhood. As a camp director, Meg talks with families, assisting them in all aspects of their children's camp experience. Along with Peter, she works closely with cabin counselors to help individual campers adjust to camp life and consults daily with the nursing staff, supervising camper health. Meg meets campers daily at her organic garden (a.k.a. Planet Meg) where they pick vegetables, braid hair, or join her for trail hikes around camp.

Meg received her Bachelor's degree from the Philadelphia University, specializing in textile design and fabric restoration. She also edited her college newspaper. Meg also has an advanced degree from Maine's Downeast School of Massage and is a certified Massage Therapist. A talented singer, Meg has performed with the New Haven Chorale and the Boston Symphony Orchestra's Tanglewood Festival Chorus. (Click on the camera to see a surprise photograph!)


Kassen family

"I am in awe of the energy, enthusiasm, creativity, and love that you both have for the place, the camp... and that you can share what is also your own family home with all of the Hidden Valley community and not lose touch with your own daughters in the process... remarkable and generous."
- HVC Parent.

"You two have a deep respect for the children and their individuality and their need to learn to live peacefully together." - HVC Parent