David Weeks
David Weeks represents the core energy and values of Birch Rock. Head Counselor, Camp Director, President of the Board, Trustee, Proud Father of Will, Sebastian, Robert David and Senior Counselor Extrordinaire. David Weeks brings the hurricane magnitude and spirit each season he entrenches his heat and soul at the Rock.
Arriving under the recommendation of Jim Marion from Cardigan Mtn School, and having served 3 summers at another boys' camp in Western Maine.....David arrived to BRC in 1971 to help his counsin, Nathaniel '70s with the camp's floundering trip program. Nat Weeks was a student of Milton Academy and young protegee of Mike Deneault '30-70s, already a BRC legend and Milton's Assistant Director of Athletics.
David arrived to East Waterford eager to please. He was a masterful athlete, fluent in three languages (English, French and Spanish), master performer who could sing, tell a story and create magic with campers and his fellow staff members. A graduate of Belmont Hill Academy and Harvard College, Dave hailed from Belmont, Ma, having been the middle of seven siblings. Little did he know that one of the most initimate lifelong connections of his life were about to unfold.
David was initially hired to lead the canoe program and trip component of BRC. He loved the water and took to the canvas war canoes of BRC with a vengeance. Mastering the art of the J stroke, David attracted all kinds of campers to brave the waters of McWain and evolved the fledging trip program with counsin Nat.
After two years on the trip staff, and the retirement of BRC of veteran Head Counselor Jim Marion, Dave succeeded in the primary role of the camp's offical master of ceremonies--Head Counselor--in 1973. David was a natural. With an flair for detail and the dramatic, David's natural alchemy was able to forge a community spirit and a respect for community out of the rich history and set of resouces that is Birch Rock.
1973 was a year of endings and new beginnings. Chief Brewster, cofounder and soul of Camp, died during the first week of the season, peacefully slipping away in his sleep. The whole Camp community pulled together. David's zestfulness and joy of life was a central part of the Community's healing process. Dave brought music into our daily lives--singing the Camp songs again and encouraging crazy, wonderful, wild Campfires that made us all laugh and zing. This passion would be grown into the very heart of the Community over the years.
Dave was Head Counselor from 1973 through 1978. And, Dave began his directorship in 1980 and served for another two further years til 1983. Dave could handle the mothers (and the fathers): seeing natural leaders and encouraging everyone's participation in the Family of Camp.
