Summer Camp Directors

Directors

Athletic Director Joel Peckham has worked at Manitou for more than 35 years, coaching the camp's outstanding varsity baseball team to its legendary 56-game winning streak. He coaches basketball and baseball at Sharon High School in Sharon, Massachusetts and has led his baseball squad to over 300 victories. His teams have competed for numerous state titles and are year-in and year-out conference contenders.

His wife, Jeanne Peckham, a gymnastics and dance instructor, coordinates the Manitou waterski program. She was the instrumental force behind the couple's attendance at Manitou in 1970. After attending summer camp in Maine as a child, she convinced her newly-wed husband that their family should do the same. The Peckhams have three children who each spent their childhood summers at Manitou. They now have two grandchildren at Manitou.

Assistant Director Derek Worley, former head of the golf program, has been returning to camp since 1999. During the summer, Derek coordinates new camper tours and the Younger Brother Sleepover. He also works with the winter office staff to recruit new campers and staff. He especially enjoys working with our youngest campers and ensuring that all first-time campers have a comfortable adjustment to life at camp.

Andy “The Ranger” Arensen has been at Manitou since 1975 as the head of the Manitou Lacrosse Program. Andy, a former All-American himself, currently teaches high school history and coaches the varsity lacrosse team in Poughkeepsie, NY. He also co-chairs Manitou’s leadership program and is regarded as the chief of camp history and spirit.

Assistant Athletic Director Jeff “Wick” Wickman, who heads Manitou's football, track and inter-camp programs, is a three-sport coach and educator who began at camp in 1982. He and his wife, Karen, met at Manitou, where she worked as office manager, and were married at the flagpole area. Through the years "Wick" has become a mentor to staff and older campers. He currently teaches history at Winslow High School, where he has given two keynote commencement speeches.

Summer Camp Directors — Page 3