Fall 2026

Nov 2

Thursday, August 6, 2026. 9PM. The Color War Sing begins in less than 48 hours so I decide to poke my head into the Girls Social Hall to see how preparations are unfolding.

There’s a flurry of activity. Thirty Seniors and Soopers are scattered about the 1,800 square foot space. Painting sets. Designing costumes. Rehearsing skits. Lots of laughter and nervous energy. Incredible focus and then popping over to the other side of the room to check on someone else’s work. At almost any moment, a different voice is heard offering advice, providing encouragement, positively distracting…. Everyone’s contribution is valued and individual skills revealed. How did you know how to paint that? I love these lyrics! Where did you find that prop? That wardrobe enhancement?

The quality and the joyfulness of the work is, to put simply, incredible. And all pulled off within the span of 5 days, including teaching 10 songs to 140 campers split between two teams. Imagine if this level of collaboration, fun, achievement, and effort existed broadly in the everyday adult working world. I am reminded of my daughter Nicki’s 6th-grade teacher who once told me at a parent-teacher conference that she can usually spot the kids who attend summer camp. They’re the ones who roll up their sleeves and jump in when a group project is assigned. How can I help? What do I need to do? Also, the ones who can step forward as a leader but also step back to let a friend be heard and lead. They are the ones who are genuinely happy when a peer has their moment to shine.

Much of this came full circle in recent emails from camp alumni. Amy Malina (1960s) wrote from Los Angeles about how when she hears a “camp” song on the radio, what pops into her head is usually the Scatico lyrics and not the actual lyrics. (This struck a personal chord.)

When the sad news arrived about the July passing of 1950s-60s camper and counselor Linda Kane (see in memorium below), among the many fond memories shared was her amazing talent “as a great song writer.”

At camp, not only will the songs be remembered, but the people who wrote them and helped make the magic happen.

Above: 2026 Color War Sing: Grey Moon Theater and Green Village Trolls.

Random Scatico Sightings (RSSes)

Few things make us happier than reports of Random Scatico sightings (RSSes), especially when connections occur with contemporaries who haven’t seen each other in more than 20 summers or (maybe even more remarkable) when the Scatico connection is made with people who never attended camp in the same summer. In this latter category, Sophie Stein was walking through Grand Central Station last March with a Scatico bag she had won at a raffle at an alumni networking event in New York City. She was stopped by Rachel Shaw, a current Scatico mom (three boy campers). From Sophie: “We talked for a few minutes… and I wanted to share that connection and the power of the Scatico community.”

Sticking with a New York City transit theme, Jim Hosking spotted 1990s-00s contemporary Ilana Brown on a NYC subway in August. Jim was traveling from camp to JFK Airport following 3-weeks in Elizaville. His first Scatico summer as an international counselor was 1998.

An aisle of Costco or the admin office circa 2000s? Chas and Ellen Levine ran into Andrea and Peter Katz while shopping this September! Chas started at Scatico as a camper and staff member in the 1960s and 70s, took a break, and returned to the 12523 with his wife Ellen as Senior Staff members in the 1990s-2010s (overlapping many years with their children Jenni and Jason ). Peter Katz started his camp career as a counselor in the 1980s. He returned with his wife, Andrea, as Head of Outdoor Adventure and in the office, respectively, in the 2000s (during their kids’ Sam and Rachel’s camper careers).

Knicks in five! We heard from our fair share of Scaticonians during the Knicks playoffs and finals run. Audrey Fleischner ran into 2015 Sooper (and longtime counselor and DL) Jenna Fass in the NYC Subway.

1960s-70s contemporaries Michael Lippman and George Pessin had their RSS moment on a pickleball court in Los Angeles. Michael remembered George as his Color War captain in 1971…. Covering every decade from the 1960s to 2010s between them, Mitch Polay sent in the RSS photo below with Lisa Paymer Dodge and her daughter Jessica Dodge from a Barnes & Noble in Westchester…. A Scatico first (and we’re guessing never to be replicated), an RSS involving two Spencers (1970s-80s): Spencer Weisbond and Spencer Krull. “I was actually doing a Swing Dance demonstration at my friend’s vintage clothing booth [at an Upper West Side flea market in Manhattan] when Spencer Krull asked me about lessons. I handed him my card and he recognized my name.” While a pedorthist by career, Spencer Weisbond is a swing dance instructor by passion at Steps on Broadway.

The location with the record for total RSSes? How about Yankee Stadium? While 2026 Junior Counselor Jonah Cooper (2010s-20s) was waiting for his fellow 2025 Upper Seniors George Max and Henry Belach outside the Stadium prior to a playoff game, he was spotted by the father-son duo of Mike “Maz” Madorsky (1970s-80s) and Chase Madorsky (2000s-20s). For the record, while a counselor and division leader in the 1980s, Mike overlapped Jonah’s parents (who were then both campers) Jon and Andrea Baron Cooper.

Finally, under the heading that Truly Great RSSes Know No Time or Physical Boundaries, three additional reports… Stanley Fine, who began his Scatico career in 1943, emailed in to share the story of how he had a 1961 RSS with former head counselor Harry Kaplan (1930s-50s?). “I was a resident at Montefiore (after serving two years in the Navy as a medic) when I met Harry Kaplan and we had a lovely time reminiscing.” …. When Scatico hosted a radio show on WDST Woodstock Radio in June, we shared a story from Adam Fleischner (1980s-90s) about how he remembered a lower-hill counselor who used to play the song “Lights Out” by Peter Wolf before turning the cabin lights off at night. And how Adam now did this with his own children. Listening on the radio was the counselor in question—Jeff Araten (1980s-2000s), who remembered the routine well and remembered his summer as Adam’s division leader. They reconnected by email.

In the News

When comedian Modi Rosenfeld (1980s) appeared on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon in April he became the third Scatico alumnus to perform on this stage, joining author Erica Jong (May 1977) and singer Leslie Gore (July 1966)—both with then-host Johnny Carson…. Sisters Julie Nahoun Hartstein and Hillary Nahoun Krane (1980s-90s) founded Emerson Ava Jewelry, specializing in jewelry made with lab-grown diamonds…. Jeff Bukantz (1970s-80s) became the first-ever Scaticonian to have his very own wrestling action figure—The Mighty Maccabee (available at myfandomcollectibles.com for $39.99). Adam Birbrower (1980s) recently met up with Jeff at a Wrestlecon in New Jersey and filed the following report: “He’s really one of the guys with the pro wrestlers.” ….

Above: Adam, Jeff, and The Mighty Maccabee.

Brian Helfman (1990s-2000s) was named Adults Programs Manager at Experience Camps, a national, no-cost program for grieving children who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, or primary caregiver. Founded in 2009, Experience Camps’ offerings include overnight summer camps as well as year-round content. In addition to this work, Brian is the founder and CEO of Third Nature, a company that runs team development workshops and retreats, facilitator trainings for higher education faculty, and adult summer camps. One of those adult summer camp programs occurs annually at Scatico over Labor Day Weekend.

Congratulations to Program Director and Assistant Head Counselor Jane Rosenfeld (2000s-20s) on the publication of her book “Who’s in Charge of New York State: A Kid’s Guide to the State Government.” She was joined at a book reading in Katonah, NY, by Rachel Wang Levey (1990s-2000s) and her children Romi and Sasha. Rachel returned to Scatico in 2026 after an absence of more than 15 summers to work as a Mental Health Specialist.

Brian at Scatico in September (for a Third Nature camp) with his mom Jane Rosenberg Helfman

Ally Lipton McArthur (1980s-90s and then heading Scatico’s culinary program 2010s-20s) is on the board of Art Therapy Project, a non-profit providing group art therapy in a safe, inclusive space for people in need of mental health services. In September, the organization hosted a “Craft and Care” fundraiser, inviting participants to make art projects for a cause. Current camp doctor and 1980s camper Jessica Clark Newman and her daughter Noa (a current camper and soon-to-be 2027 graduating Sooper) joined Ally for the event.

In Memoriam

Linda Kane died on 7/10/26 at the age of 78. Linda (along with her younger sister Ellen) was a camper and counselor in the 1950s-60s, remembered by one contemporary as a “great song writer.” Linda was married to Peter Patch for 34 years and had a long career in human resources in senior leadership roles at BNY Mellon, Stride Rite, and Citibank.
Jordan Ross died on 6/7/26 at the age of 78. “Jordie” was a camper and counselor in the 1950s-60s.
David Douglas died on 11/16/25. David and his brother Bruce were campers in the 1970s. David was a litigator for several New York-area law firms, served in numerous volunteer positions related to zoning and environmental issues, and loved to travel and hike with his wife of 30-plus years, Lisa, and their three children.

Congratulations!

Weddings

Kyle Croland and Brad Updegraff on 5/30/36. Kyle and her siblings Quinn and Dylan Petro were campers in the 1990s and 2000s, and Quinn is currently an assistant boys head counselor. Kyle’s dad Rich and grandmother Joan Kohlreiter Croland also attended Scatico, covering every decade from the 1940s to 1970s. (We won’t start listing Scatico cousins, aunts, uncles, great aunts, and great uncles!)
Danny Klyde and Arielle Stern on 10/10/26. Danny attended Scatico in the 2000s-10s along with his sister Elana. With cousins, aunts, uncles, and fellow 2011 Soopers and Upper Seniors, more than 25 Scaticonians were in attendance.
Emily Specht and Andy Chen on 9/18/26. Emily was a camper and counselor in the 2000s-10s.
Liza Gellerman and Jake Cohen on 9/26/26. Liza attended Scatico in the 2000s-10s and her dad Ken was a camper in the 1970s.
Katie Berman and Chris Glynn on 9/5/26. Katie attended Scatico in the 2000s as a camper and counselor.
Melissa Samuels and Justin Rudolph on 4/17/26. Melissa and her brother Mike were campers and counselors with combined Scatico careers spanning the 1980s to 2010s (Mike even spending one summer as an assistant boys head counselor). While they never met at a tournament during their camper careers…. her husband Justin attended Wah-Nee!

Emily and Andy. Seven 2008 Soopers joined the celebration.

Scatico friends (and a few plus ones) celebrate with Danny and Arielle (not in the photo!)

The Next Generation

Brooks on 9/8/26 to Ben and Danielle Hayon. Ben and his siblings Sol and Rachel were campers and staff members in the 1990s-2010s.
Billy on 8/19/26 to Trevor Dodge and An Qi Dodge. Trevor, his siblings Jessica, Tory, Aliza, and mom, Lisa Paymer Dodge, all had long Scatico careers as campers and counselors, collectively covering every decade from the 1960s to the 2010s. Billy is named for Trevor’s father, Bill Dodge, who many campers of the 1990s-2000s will remember for his regular Scatico visits.
Robert on 4/6/26 to Laura Ilowite and Finn Noah Humphreys. Laura and her siblings Maya and Adam attended Scatico in the 1990s-2000s. Their dad Norm was a long-time camp doctor.
Cassidy Fox on 9/26/26 to Cam Au and Lucy Callahan-Au. Cam and his sister Kael and brother-in-law Matty Carroll were staff members in the 2000s-20s (collectively). Grandma Lynette Santoro-Au worked at Scatico in the 1990s; Grandpa Randy Au’s camp career has spanned 5 decades (starting in the 1980s) and he is currently the boys athletics director.
Zanvil James on 4/12/25 to Josh and Anna Needleman. Josh and his brother Ethan were campers in the 2000s. Their mom Jill Smiley Needleman attended camp in the 1970s-80s.
Natalie on 8/4/26 to Leah Robinson and John Kane. Leah and her brother Dan attended Scatico in the 2000s-10s.
Juliet Maya on 10/5/25 to Hannah Markell-Goldstein and Russell Goldstein. Hannah and her brother John were campers in the 2000s. Hannah’s mom Donna Matles Markell attend Scatico in the 1960s-70s.
Matilda on 10/23/25 to Laura Corder and Will Rickard. Laura and her brother David traveled from the United Kingdom to work as counselors at Scatico for several summers in the 2010s. In the photo below from June, 2026, Laura welcomed camp friends to her home in Nottingham, where they traveled to meet Matilda (and reminisce about Scatico with Laura).
Allison on 9//24/26 to Steve and Bri Cidras Pulver. Bri has worked at Scatico since the 2010s and currently oversees menu planning and food purchasing. Her dad Anthony heads Scatico’s night security team and her sister Marisa works in the summer office. B
Crane on 10/13/26 to Ben Stern and Sophie Anderson-Stern. Ben was a camper, counselor, and division leader in the 1990s-2000s.

Lucy, Cassidy, Cameron, and big brother Harrison.

A Nottingham reunion to share Scatico stories with Matilda—Kristina Hilling Quirke, Kael Au-
Carroll, Dannie Vaughn-Jones, and Laura Corder.

Juliet with her Aunt Shira Savada. Shira (Hannah’s first cousin and the daughter of Andrea Matles Savada) worked this past summer as a Scatico photographer. Her Scatico career, from camper to. counselor to division leader to photographer, has spanned the 1990s to the 2020s.

Staying in Touch

We love hearing from alumni, especially when they share memories and photos. Email your contributions to the next issue of the alumni newsletter to info@scatico.com.

Barbara Cantor Palm spent 5 summers at Scatico in the 1960s. Her parents Sam and Dorothy Cantor worked at Scatico together in 1943, her dad as a bunk 7 counselor and her mom in the main office. They lived in a room on top of the canteen, at a time when you had to walk down the outside staircase to shower in a tiny shed attached to the back of the building not far from the putting green. She shared the photos below from the summer of 1943 (look how small the pine trees are on the road to the dining room and the height of the girls’ flagpole then located in front of the social hall).

Above: Summer of 1943.

Andrew Rubinson (1970s-2000s) recently celebrated his 65th birthday and was joined by three generations of Rubinson Scaticonians, covering every camp decade from the 1940s to the 2020s. Joining Andrew, his wife Laura, and their children Shay and Francesca (both campers and counselors in the 2000s-2020s) were Andrew’s siblings Tom and Amy (1970s-80s), his dad Richard Rubinson, and his uncle Roger Goldman (1940s-50s). Andrew’s mom Cessy Goldman Rubinson unfortunately couldn’t make the trip north to New York City from Florida, where she is still an active bridge player and instructor.

Art Gurtman attended Scatico in the 1950s-60s and the family legacy continues with his grandchildren Aria and Jack Gurtman (current campers). They shared the pre-summer photo below.

Vintage 1980s

Forty summers ago…. Each decade at camp brought its own unique look, style, and cultural touchstones. In future issues of the alumni newsletter, we will highlight different decades. Send us your vintage photos to info@scatico.com.

1984 Subs. Third from the right in the second row is Randy Au, currently the athletics director on boys’ side.

1987 tennis team with head coach Simon Walker. A moment in time for short shorts.

The 2020s have had multiple Taylor Swift theme days, but maybe none quite matching the 1984 Madonna Night, when every camper on Girls Side dressed in their interpretation of the Material Girl.

Girls tournament softball team in 1987 with head coach Lenny Messitte. Those intercamp shirts maybe only lasted that one summer?

It’s hard to think of the 1980s without remembering caretakers Al and Peggy Adams and Head Chef (and master fisherman) Clement Joseph.

How Much Was Camp’s Tuition in 1938?

Sisters Wendy and Carol Lubin attended camp in the 1960s-70s. Their mom Arline Morris Lubin and her brother Robert attended camp in the 1930s. Recently discovered by Wendy: the 1938 Scatico invoice for Arline and Robert. The 8-week tuition? $280.

This sounds like a bargain! Of course, the United States was just emerging from the Depression and the average cost of gasoline was about 10 cents a gallon. A box seat ticket at Yankee Stadium cost $2.50 and the Federal Minimum Wage was 25 cents.

Camp Scatico