Alum Spotlight

1. Scott, to kick things off, we know you’re not living in the woods with the Wood Nymph—so where do you call home these days?

I currently live in New Vernon, New Jersey which is right near Morristown. My backyard butts up against the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, which is one of the largest preserved lands on the East Coast. So not sure that there’s a Wood Nymph in there, but I’m highly concerned that some of the Watermelon Baby’s relatives hide out in there!

2. What years did you attend FLC, and what are some of your most vivid memories from your time at camp?

I attended FLC from 1990 to 1997, with my first three years as a camper and the last 4 as a CIT, JC, and Counselor. My first year as a Camper was in Cabin 11, so I started later than a lot of my friends. My first counselor was FLC legend, Kyoshi Shinozaki whom, ironically, was my co-counselor in Cabin 11 a few years later.

While a Camper I was Red Team captain in 1993, but sadly we lost that year so my name isn’t on the plaque… not that I’m still bitter about that or anything!

My favorite memories from Camp naturally center around some of the incredible friends I met over the years and, thanks to Facebook, many of us are still connected. At Campfires, I was a proud member of the `Huge Hicks’ with Cody Raisig and Danny Schwarz which was a blast.

Of course, my girls love hearing most about some of the `nonsense’ that my friends and I pulled off at Camp over the years. It wasn’t unusual to wake up in Boys Camp in those days seeing one a counselor sleeping outside on their bed, which had been pulled out near the Boys Camp Well, or Rusty Comb’s favorite (not true, he hated it!) when we’d stack up all of the Ping Pong tables in the middle of the assembly area… or my personal favorite, building a pyramid out of the picnic tables that we used to eat at in the Mess Hall. I guess I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention using our slingshot to launch water balloons at Nicola McCauley in the Girls Office during rest hour. Campers in the 90’s would clearly know that all of this was the work of the FLC Navy Seals. As we would say, `Don’t thank us, we were never there.’

3. What were your favorite camp activities? Were there any particular experiences or challenges at camp that influenced your personal growth?

In those days at Camp, we had a really incredible soccer program. Brett Booker was my Cabin 13 counselor and was one of the best coaches I ever had, at camp or beyond. I played pretty competitively for many years, but I truly think that the 1993-94 boys soccer team was one of the best I ever had the opportunity to play on… we were loaded and thanks to Venezuelan team members like Fernando Aguerrvere and Mexican teammates like Jorge Padilla we actually spoke Spanish on the field. And if you’ve never seen Brett or Jason Auerbach try to yell at a defense in broken Espanol, it was pure comedy!

4. Looking back, which counselors or mentors at FLC had the biggest impact on you, and why? How did they influence your development?

As a Counselor, I was in charge of the baseball program at Boys Camp. I loved it and we had a lot of really talented players and actually won the Echo Lake Tournament over a lot of much larger camps. I remember that Phil Confer took a particular interest in our baseball team and came to every one of our games. He, like Gary, provided such a great model of leadership and being true to your values. It made all of us, me as well as the players on the team, feel so valued that he was so supportive of our team.

5. From your time at FLC, what values did you learn that you have carried with you into your adult life, both personally and professionally?

The camp experience is incredibly valuable, and it wasn’t until my three daughters started attending FLC that I fully realized the impact it has had on so many aspects of my life. From the moment you arrive at FLC as a camper, you’re immediately faced with two of the most essential skills in life: self-sufficiency and building relationships. Learning those skills at a young age—challenging as it may be—is truly invaluable.

Looking back at my own transitions to college, new jobs, and other big life changes, it’s those same skills I developed at FLC that not only helped me succeed but also gave me the confidence to navigate new communities and find my place in them.

6. If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be? 

Enjoy every moment and don’t rush things. I’d love to go back to camp tomorrow as a Camper or a Counselor. Sometimes you don’t realize that you’re having some of the best times of your life until you look back. FLC is one of the few places on earth that looks, feels and even smells (yep, bug spray and pine needles!), just like it did over 30 years ago. When I visit my girls, the memories rush back and it makes me feel so grateful that I experienced like in the Adirondacks… it is so incredibly special, appreciate it!

7. Outside of your professional life, what are your interests/hobbies?

My main job is being Sophie, Brooke and Hailey’s dad. And it is my favorite thing to do, by millions of miles. They’ve all been athletes, so my weekends have been largely spent for the last 15 or so years on the sidelines of sports games and I love every minute of it.

While I’d like to think I could trot right back on the soccer field at FLC and pipe a free kick from 30-yards out into the top corner, my athletic pursuits these days are more limited to places like the golf course where the likelihood of me injuring myself are significantly reduced!

8. Now for the most important question . . . Red or Blue?

Red Team… all day