The Camp Director at Waukeela Camp for Girls

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The Phil in the Hat

written and read for The Hat Banquet,
August 2007 by staff member and former
camper Molly Quinn

Sometimes we grow tired
Of winter and cold
Of long months in school -
Yes, those can get old!!

So when we are bored
And looking for fun
There's a Phil who comes forward
With pine trees and sun.

You see there's a camp
That sits in those trees.
Girls there can tramp,
And sing and feel free.

And in that camp place
There's a silly old Phil
With a real friendly face
Who takes care of us girls.

He invites us up there,
Up there to have fun
And to live without cares
No, not one single one.

Now that Phil in that place
Has many a skill,
And the dreams of young girls
He indeed can fulfill.

His brain is so big!
He remembers our names,
Plans special holidays,
Activities and games.

He chooses his helpers -
the ones we call Staff -
And they all also learn
To sing, play, and laugh.

There's not much, I'd say
That this Phil cannot do.
He keeps boredom away
While he helps us grow too!!

So when Mom and Dad
Are both miles away
We don't miss them too bad
Through all those camp days.

Cause that silly old Phil
In his large purple hat
Creates magic for us
Just like that crazy old Cat!!!

Born and raised in North Carolina, Phil Steele was first introduced to the mountains and rivers of New England when he went to Camp Kennebec in Maine during the mid-1960s. He liked it so much he went to college up north too (Princeton University, class of 1971) and then moved to Boston where he fell in love both with his wife of 33 years and the Red Sox!! Waukeela's director since 1999, he now lives in Portland, Maine with Francesca, their two children, a cat and many hats. Rumor has it that he celebrates his birthday at camp most summers, but it is not entirely clear how old he really is...

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Waukeela Camp for Girls • P.O. 265, Eaton Center, NH 03832-0265 • 1-800-626-0207

Winter address: 22 Clifford Street • Portland, Maine 04102

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