WISCASSET — Chewonki recently announced that Nancy Kennedy has joined the staff as Visiting Director of Girls Program Development, according to a news release.

Kennedy will provide strategic leadership for program development, including the existing Girls’ Adventures summer programs and innovative ideas for new programs for girls and young women at Chewonki.

“We couldn’t be happier to have Nancy join our team,” said Willard Morgan, president, on the announcement. “As we move into our second century, Nancy’s track record of progressive leadership and program development along with her eagerness to collaborate will add even more value to our well established Wilderness Trips and Adventures for Girls’ program teams.

“She is deeply committed to working with and advocating for girls and she believes that education is most powerful when it incorporates ethics and leadership development,” Morgan continued. “These values lie at the core of Chewonki’s programming and we are all excited to work with Nancy toward future offerings specifically for girls.”

Kennedy brings a strong interdisciplinary background with her from experience as both a camp director and UCC minister, with academic training in environmental studies, theology and women’s studies. She was most recently director of Wavus Camp for Girls, part of Kieve-Wavus Education, for the last five years. At Kieve-Wavus, Kennedy provided high-level leadership including development, implementation and training for programs on the Wavus campus including Wavus Camp for Girls and The Veterans Camp. She also provided vision and direction to launch a “liberal arts to leadership” program for young women in Mid-coast Maine called Wavus Girls Lead.

“I am delighted to be joining Chewonki at this point in their growth,” said Kennedy. “Chewonki has offered strong girls programming over the years and we look forward to moving into important new offerings. I respect Chewonki’s institutional commitment to embody a conscious connection to one another and to the world in which we live. That consciousness clearly transforms and inspires participants and their families. I am passionate about girls’ development and leadership and look forward to continuing my work with the Chewonki team on programs that resonate to the needs of today’s girls and young women.”

Kennedy is an active minister with the United Church of Christ where she has provided ministerial leadership to congregations in all areas of church life including matters of ethics, education, social action initiatives, administration, finance, staff recruitment, program, and curriculum development. Kennedy is a passionate advocate and mentor to women and children.

Kennedy earned a Doctor of Philosophy in natural resources and environmental studies from UNH, a Master of Divinity from the Bangor Theological Seminary and her B.A. with concentration in women’s studies from UMaine. She is active in the United Church of Christ, American Camping Association, Maine Youth Camping Association and Maine Women’s Network. She lives in Newcastle with her family.

Chewonki inspires transformative growth, teaches appreciation and stewardship for the natural world, and challenges people to build thriving, sustainable communities throughout their lives. In 2015, Chewonki celebrates its centennial with a year of events and activities honoring the impact of its summer camps and trips, semester school, and school programs. Chewonki currently offers ten-day and three-week summer trips on the waters and in the woods of Maine for girls between the ages of 10-16 and a co-ed academic semester school for high school juniors. For more information visit chewonki.org.