Boxwell Greats: Kerry Parker

With an active camp staff record dating all the way back to the 1960s, Kerry Parker has had a long career involved with Boxwell.  Parker’s first run at Boxwell began in 1966 on the Stahlman Waterfront before he moved on to become Ski Dock (today’s Boat Harbor) Director.  He was also part of the short-lived “Commissioner system” with Dutch Mann and Jerry Barnett at Stahlman in 1971.

Taking time off to get married and “build his fortune,” Parker returned to staff in 1985 as Parnell’s Field Sports Director and then again in 1986 as Craig’s Program Director, giving Jerry Barnett a break before his return in 1987.

Parker’s third and final run on Boxwell staff began in 1990 when he returned to Camp Craig as Waterfront Director, building a team of nationally recognized Aquatics instructors.  In 1993, he became Program Director at Parnell and remained in this position until 1996, his final year on Boxwell staff.

This second run as program director is particularly important to modern Boxwell. Parker spearheaded a successful and then ultimately unsuccessful return to family style dining.  He was also extremely influential in the redevelopment of Camp Craig in the 1994 Capital Development Campaign.  It was Parker’s plan that moved the Waterfront to the back side of Duck Head, necessitating a shift of camp in general.  Parker’s plan never came to full fruition (the entire lower loop was supposed to shift!), but the road from the Upper Loop Showerhouse to Duck Head is now referred to as “Parker’s Interstate” or “Parker’s Highway.”

As if this wasn’t enough, Parker was part of the group that created and led the first and second Staff Reunions in 1983 and 1989.  He has also continued to be a key player in the third, fourth, and fifth reunions.  AND FINALLY, Parker is one of the men behind the start and continuation of the VirtualBoxwell project!

And all of this is just the short version!

Here is Kerry Parker in his third year as Waterfront Director, this summer at Parnell in 1992. The totem pole was hand carved by Handicraft Director Dutch Mann.