Awards
The Halsey Gulick Award
The Halsey Gulick award was first presented in 1982 by the Maine Youth Camping Association to recognize people who have distinguished themselves in the field of organized youth camping in Maine. The award commemorates the leadership contributions of Maine’s J. Halsey Gulick, one of camp’s early leaders.
Recipients are selected by their colleagues in camping; anyone may recommend candidates and candidates need not be members of MSC. The award is presented at MSC’s September event at Migis Lodge.
2025 Halsey Gulick Recipient: Kathy Jonas – Camp Walden
The Maine Summer Camps Halsey Gulick Award is presented annually to persons who have distinguished themselves by giving unselfishly of their time, energy, and resources to improve organized youth camping in Maine. This year’s recipient is a thoughtful camp leader, mentor, innovator, and collaborator who has supported Maine youth camping for more than two decades.
Her commitment to promoting and nurturing the positive impact of camp experiences is a core value, a fellow camp director says. This year’s awardee has dedicated her career to living that core value – fostering all campers’ personal growth individually and in community.
Cited for her “unwavering dedication to organized youth camping, wise leadership, and a joyful spirit that inspires all who know her,” the 2025 Halsey Gulick Award winner – a quiet presence, continual contributor, and a true believer in giving back – is Kathy Jonas.
2025 Recipient Kathy Jonas Award Citation
Recipients of the Halsey Gulick Award 1982 – 2024
The Jack Erler Award
The Jack Erler Award is given for outstanding contributions to organized camping, as exemplified by Jack Erler’s long-time invaluable contributions to Maine Summer Camps. It is presented to individuals, groups, or organizations that may or may not be members of Maine Summer Camps, to recognize exceptional support of Maine Summer Camps. The award recipient will be chosen by the Maine Summer Camps Awards Committee upon determination of an appropriate candidate. This award commemorates Jack Erler’s commitment to Maine youth camping, which has extended throughout his 50-year career as an attorney, collaborator, and advocate.
2026 Erler Award Recipient – Bette Bussel
Described by a colleague as a visionary who was “always there to lend her counsel and support,” our award recipient was at the helm of ACA, New England for three decades. In her role as executive director, another colleague says, her support for presidents and executive board members was “extraordinary, with one single goal in mind – to help New England camps be their best – the best in the nation. She had an uncanny ability to hire the best staff, support the staff, and advocate for New England states with ACA National about relevant topics and issues.” The Maine youth camping industry was a prime beneficiary of this talent.
These qualities all came with a “twinkle in her eye,” this colleague continues. Not overpowering or dominating, Bette was able to listen and “then filter information and circle back” with a strategy and solution for addressing a particular situation.
For all her extraordinary leadership abilities, demonstrated through her commitment to youth camping and to Maine Summer Camps, the 2026 Jack Erler Award is presented to Bette Bussel.
2026 Erler Award Recipient Bette Bussel Citation
Past Recipients of the Jack Erler Award
Dedication to Camping Recognition
This is MSC’s recognition of those who have dedicated a significant amount of time working in Maine organized youth camping.
Eligibility for Dedication to Camping Recognition:
- Any staff member, current or former, regardless of their camp position, is eligible.
- Length of service must be 25 years or more for initial nominees.
- Service fully or predominantly to Maine camps.
- Service does not have to be consecutive or to one camp.
- Count years as staff member, not years as a camper.
- Can be seasonal or year-round.
Recognition:
A list of award recipients will be distributed at the MSC Annual Meeting, in the MSC newsletter, and awardees names will be posted on a special page of the MSC Website. Recipients will receive a certificate from MSC. There will be no MSC ceremony or in-person awards, however many camps give out the recognition certificate at a camp awards event.