T.G. Pelham

TG Pelham is the Director of the Boys Camp. TG's experience begins with his going off to summer camp at the tender age of 6. Spending a month each summer at a primitive camp in the mountains became a way of life that he has yet to shake. TG is proud to have been a counselor and director at Camp Cherokee for Boys in the 1980's, an instructor at Wolfcreek Wilderness School, and since 1994 a counselor and director at Turtle Island.

TG has a master's degree from Georgia State University, where he taught speech classes and coached debate. Currently, when TG's not working at Turtle Island, he is an education consultant for the National Debate Project - an effort to bring academic opportunity to inner-city high schools across America.

Thoughts from T.G. Pelham...

You know something is good if it last only a couple of weeks but lingers in your thoughts for an entire year. What a great time we share each summer at Turtle Island.

When we come together at T.I. we have the ideal setting to experience what is best in people and nature. Here we learn through playing and discovery not only about the natural world but most importantly about ourselves. When we leave the world of the 21st century and step back to a place where we make fire by spinning sticks, and drink from mountain springs, and tell stories by firelight, we get a new reality. Starting the day by watching the sunrise, learning new skills, and playing hard in this primitive setting teaches us how life should be lived.

How many other camps provide a real opportunity to step back in time? None can do what Turtle Island can, because there is no facade at T.I. No other purpose but to preserve this primitive/fundamental relationship, and to teach others, and to share the excitement, the fun that comes from brotherhood, and living close to the earth motivates what we do here.

See you this summer.

--T.G.

Kathleen Roberts

Kathleen Roberts is the Director of Girls Camp. Since 1985, Kathleen has taught art in the Wilkes County Public Schools. She brings 23 years experience as an instructor of primitive living skills at Turtle Island as well as various other camps and wilderness centers. She has a diverse background, which is complemented by her wholehearted enthusiasm for life and keen sense of awareness and attunement to the natural world.

Kathleen has been married for 24 years and is the mother of three sons. She received an Associate Degree in Music from Brevard College and a B.S. in Education from the University of North Dakota.

Thoughts from Kathleen...

When I think about Girls Camp, the memories that are powerful for me are of bathing in candlelight, the hike to the Blue Hole-the singing in the rain, working on the forge, and leading Dusty and Luna around when they were so young.

Learning to crochet and making our own needles was a wonderful experience. Remembering "night hikes" to the freezers for ice and trying to belly dance and feeling so silly bring a smile to my face.

My very favorite part of camp however, is reuniting with our returning campers and hearing and seeing what fine young women they are as well as meeting our first time campers.

I look forward to that part of camp again. Now is the time to register for Girls Camp. We plan to expand our camp this year, and are asking your help. Please mention it to a friend and get them to come with you. Having a best friend with you at camp can be a special experience. Don't worry though; we are limiting the campers to 20.

If you have any questions don't hesitate to contact us. Many blessings to all of you as I anxiously anticipate camp.

--Kathleen