Bart Sobel is second generation owner of the premiere All Boys Sports Camp….Camp Winaukee. The family tradition continues to thrive as world renowned instructors and trainers are recruited nationally and internationally to teach the boys the very best techniques and instruction on their preferred sport.
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I had the pleasure of spending a few days with Bart and witnessing first hand the love and adoration he has for all the boys and his beloved camp. Camp Winaukee was established in 1938 by his Father “Doc” Sobel and at the tender age of 5 days old Bart began his life long routine with Summers at Winaukee. In 1981, he succeeded his Father as a year round director and has continued to hold the fort ever since.
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Camp Winaukee is a private residential boy’s camp on beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The program offers three, five, and seven week sessions for boys 7-15.
Winaukee has two campuses. The Mainland Camp has approximately 200 campers 7-12 and the Island Camp, located on a private Island just off the mainland has around 150 campers ages 13-15. Winaukee’s two separate facilities are charming and provide boys with all the amenities one would expect. They are run separately each having their own facility’s including…playing fields, courts, bunks, playhouses, and dining halls.
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Some of the Sports and activities include: Basketball, Baseball, Football, Lacrosse, Soccer, Volleyball, Golf, Tennis, Waterskiing, Canoeing, Fishing, Kayaking, Sailing, Swimming, Outdoor Adventure, and Ropes.
What I loved most about my visit was the six branches of the Winaukee Tree of Values….which are, Enthusiasm, Loyality, Sportsmanship, Friendship, Achievement and Cooperation …..everything an Old Fashioned Mom would want their son to have!
We here at Old Fashioned Mom are proud to introduce Bart Sobel as our 6th Celebrity Father!
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1. Please tell us about Camp Winaukee?
Camp Winaukee was founded in 1920 by three school teachers from New York City. Enrollment in the first couple of years averaged between 50-60 campers.
In 1938 Jessie “DOC” Sobel bought the camp when he was only 22 years old. In subsequent years the enrollment significantly increased. In September 1945, after a hurricane devastated the buildings on an adjoining island, “DOC” purchased the island and declared that by the following summer he will have built a camp for teenage boys. To the amazement of all, by June of 1946 campers were boarding boats heading to a separate facility. Attendance at Winaukee Sky rocked, between both camps, anywhere between 300-350 boys.
In 1980, after spending every summer of his youth at Winaukee, Dr Bart Sobel resigned his professorship in Philosophy of Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and along with his brother John became Winaukee’s full time directors.
John retired in 2006 and Bart remains as Winaukee’s director. Two years ago an independent educational survey ranked Winaukee amongst the 8000 us camps as the 16th most prestigious. At the conclusion of 2019 Summer Winaukee will be celebrating its 100 anniversary!
2. In 1981, you succeeded your Father as the year round director, please share with us how this experience has impacted your life?
Being the Director of Winaukee since 1980 has been a dream come true. I arrived on campus when I was 5 days old and have been lucky to be passionate about my profession. Helping children grow, learn athletic skills, introduce city boys to the outdoors all combine to bring a huge smile to my face. In life if you love what you do, you don’t work a day.
3. Tell us about your Children?
I have four children. The oldest and youngest are girls and the middle two are boys. Between all four I have 11 grandchildren and it will be my joy to see all the boys spend their youth at Winaukee.
4. How would you describe yourself?
I am a person who lives by the model Carpe Diem- seize the day! I have always been infatuated by athletic challenge and after finishing my doctor degree attempted to climb Mt Everest. I played for four years on the tennis team at the University of Wisconsin, been helicopter skiing and in my thirties and forties participated in numerous triathlons. Upon reaching my 55th birthday I returned to my earlier years of marathons and proceeded to speed walk 8 of the major marathons across the world. It did not upset me that I came in last in 7 but I was thrilled that I was able to complete the course under the time limit. Recently I turned my attention to long distance swimming and completed 2/1 quarter mile swim. Hobbies also include sculpturing, writing, telling stories and lecturing at universities. One of my core value is to impress upon children and the need to give back. Over the last 10 years I organized swims thins in which we have raised the necessary money to donate 6 Pediatric Starlight Units to be used in Oncology Wards.
5. What is a typical day for you?
I am a quintessential morning person. I wake up at 5 am, at 6 am I am in the swimming pool for one hour after which I spend a couple hours writing. Large portions of my time are also spend interviewing perspective new campers and counselors. June, July and August from 5 am till 10 at night I have no personal life as I’m on the Winaukee campus, 24 hours a day devoted to the children under my care.
6. My son Hudson is so excited about his visit to Camp Winaukee this summer, and I am personally looking forward to spending time in New Hampshire. What attracted your Father to this location?
One can travel the world over but Camp Winaukee’s location is magical. Set on Lake Winnipesaukee, New England’s largest lake, Winaukee is surrounded by the White Mountains. Situated on the end of the dirt road, Winaukee’s mission, developing self- esteem and creating life-long memories are enhanced by a location that would rival any found in the world.
