By Troika Brodsky
If you’ve spent time at Camp Nebagamon, you’re likely familiar with the phrase, “All that we send into the lives of others comes back into our own.” This spirit of generosity, inclusion, and support has been deeply woven into the fabric of our camp community from the very beginning.
In 1938, Camp’s Founding Directors, Muggs and Janet Lorber, along with alumni Joe Tucker and Don Spilker, established a non-profit scholarship fund to provide financial assistance for children in need, enabling them to attend non-profit summer camps. By 1947, the Camp Nebagamon Scholarship Fund (CNSF) had officially gained tax-exempt status, marking the beginning of a long tradition of giving back.
Camp’s second directors, Nardie Stein and Sally Lorber Stein (daughter of Muggs and Janet), took over managing CNSF in 1958, dedicating more than 50 years to its growth. In 2010, their daughter, Jessie Stein Diamond, became the third generation to lead CNSF. Under her guidance and with the help of a dedicated board of Nebagamon alumni, CNSF’s mission expanded to support high-performing non-profit camps that serve youth affected by poverty and disability. Thanks to generations of alumni and friends, CNSF continues to share the joy and life-changing impact of camp with those who need it most.
In the early 1990s, Camp’s third directors, Roger and Judy Wallenstein, were approached by alumni Lloyd Schermer and David Heller with a proposal to create an endowment fund for children who couldn’t afford to attend Camp Nebagamon. With Roger and Judy on board and the enthusiastic support of Nardie and Sally, this idea led to the creation of Camperships for Nebagamon (CFN), which officially became a 501(c)(3) in 1995. We owe a debt of gratitude to early CFN board members and dedicated alumni such as Bob Nefsky, Buzzy Neusteter, Skip Rosenblatt, Bob Chukerman, Mitch Semel, and Joe Hirschhorn, among many others, who helped spearhead the initial fundraising efforts. More than two decades later, CFN has awarded over $1.5 million across 300+ camperships, enabling hundreds of children to experience Camp Nebagamon. This generosity has fostered a more diverse and inclusive community, breathing new life into the camp’s long-standing motto: “This Shall Be a Place of Welcome for All.”
In 2022, under the leadership of Adam Kaplan and Stephanie Hanson, and with the support of Nardie, Sally, Roger, Judy, and a dedicated group of alumni volunteers, Camp Nebagamon embarked on a new chapter by transitioning from a family-run business to a non-profit organization. This change was essential to protect and strengthen Nebagamon’s legacy for future generations. Going forward, the camp will be guided by a year-round leadership team and a Board committed to preserving the traditions and culture that have defined Camp Nebagamon for nearly a century.
Two key elements of this transition to a 501(c)(3) include integrating Camperships for Nebagamon (CFN) into the main organization and launching the “Keeping the Fires Burning” capital campaign. This exceptional, one-time initiative aims to raise $10 million to secure the camp’s future by purchasing the property and establishing essential strategic and emergency reserves. These funds will ensure long-term financial stability, allowing our leadership to focus on what matters most: providing transformative summer experiences for generations of campers to come.
Since launching this initiative, Camp Nebagamon has made significant strides. We secured non-profit status, purchased the camp property and business, integrated Camperships for Nebagamon, and established oversight through a dedicated Board of Directors with strong community ties. We also welcomed our new Camp Director, Noah Stein, and Director of Development and Alumni Engagement, Troika Brodsky, and are excited to announce Bob Striker as our new Director of Finance. Most notably, the “Keeping the Fires Burning” capital campaign has reached 85% of its goal, with over 500 alumni and families contributing gifts or pledging multi-year commitments totaling $8.5 million of the $10 million needed. As we approach the final stretch of this unique opportunity to secure Camp Nebagamon’s future, we invite everyone to join us in keeping the fires burning.
As we forge ahead on this journey, we honor the powerful legacy of impact, engagement, and generosity that Camp Nebagamon has cultivated over the years. You, our extended Camp family, know firsthand the life-changing experiences we create for young people. With the giving season right around the corner, we invite you to support Camp Nebagamon, which has two distinct funds: the “Keeping the Fires Burning” campaign and Camperships, each playing a critical role in our mission. It’s also important to clarify that the Camp Nebagamon Scholarship Fund (CNSF) is a separate entity focused on providing scholarships at non-profit summer camps that specialize in serving youth experiencing poverty and disability. We are profoundly humbled and sincerely grateful for your unwavering support, empowering us to preserve and enhance the vibrant spirit of Camp Nebagamon for generations to come.
In late August the Camp Nebagamon board of directors and year-round staff came together for a working weekend at Camp. Pictured here are Tom Mendelsohn, Roger Wallenstein, Ken Kanter, Tony Rose, Trish Russel, Tom Elson, Dan Feldman, John Wasserman, Katy Neusteter.
In early September the CNSF Board hosted a retreat in Minneapolis that included CNSF both board members and advisors. Pictured here are Troika Brodsky, Adam Kaplan, Joey Laskin, Noah Stein, Frank Sachs, Ric Best, Matt Friedman, Stephanie Hanson, Amy Foxman , Brian Kramer, Jeff Levinson, Scott Diamond, Jane Stein Kerr, Sally Lorber Stein, and Jessica Stein Diamond.