Our Board of Directors
Directors:
Aaron Dushku ~President
Chris Attles ~ Vice President
Damien Fenderson ~ Treasurer
Joe Shamatta ~Clerk
Amy Shamatta ~Secretary
Patrick Almeida
Frank Oscar Anthony
Ed Haddad
Tom Hayes
Steve Jacobs
Fred Lopes
Paul Perella
Neil Kadey
Alternate Directors:
Daniel Alemu
Max Coren
Tristan Coren
Mark ElBach
Allan Hayes
Brent Hayes
George Shaheen
Antonio Rodriguez
Kern Tyler
Shea Kelley
BIOs
Damien Fenderson
Role: Treasurer , Chair of the Finance Committee
As a newly appointed Treasurer on the board, my role is to steward Camp Hale's financial health and resources while continuing to contribute to key discussions and strategic decisions. As I step into this leadership position, I plan to work closely with my fellow board members to ensure Camp's continued growth, stability, and success for future generations.Camp Hale has helped me grow from a scared kid from the South End of Boston that was sent out to the middle of the woods in New Hampshire to the successful man that I have become. Camp has been my home away from home almost every summer for nearly 30 years. It has allowed me to make, grow, and reconnect with other members who have attended the events. I started my Camp Hale career as a camper in 1990, became an L.I.T. (Leader in Training), C.I.T. (Counselor in Training), Counselor, Camp Hale Alumni Association member, and now Treasurer on the Board. I have climbed numerous mountains, swam in gorgeous Squam Lake, and earned many awards doing the various activities offered at camp.
Amy Shamatta
Role: Secretary
My role on the BOD is to attend all meetings and record minutes and maintain those records. I assist the Board in any capacity that I am able. I maintain the pre-registrations for Alumni Weekend and assist in updating the master alumni list.
In 1955, two young Lebanese boys left the South End, and a summer of working in a hot Laundromat, for beautiful Squam Lake to swim, canoe in Big Red, and hike mountains. My father and uncle were campers, later both of my brothers were campers. Although I never attended camp as it was all boys, I did love visiting on family days in the summer. It meant seeing my brothers, my mom cooked their favorites so we could eat together, and ultimately I’d get a trip to Franken Sundae in Meredith. Over sixty years later, my daughters attended camp and, I even though I supported CHAA, I decided it was time to work with CHAA. And I finally got to ride in Big Red.
Camp is important to me because it has been a part of our family’s lives for over 60 years. It is important to support and maintain the camp for years to come so other families can continue their legacies.
Joe Shamatta
Role: Clerk & Events Committee
Camp Hale is an ideal location that affords kids from the city an opportunity to get out for the summer and experience a different lifestyle. It’s a place to experience nature in all it’s glory, make lifelong friends, and learn skills otherwise not offered in the city.
Also, what Amy said.
First Year at Camp Hale: 1977
Frank "Oscar" Anthony
Role: Communications & Fundraising Committees.
I grew up at Camp as a Kitchen Aide at 15 years old, JC at 16, and Senior Counselor at 17 & 18. I learned form and was mentored by Joe Collins, Dick Pieri and many other men. I have friends from age 8 and we return to Camp every year for Work Weekend to give back so other kids can have a similar experience. We get together for Alumni Weekend and as many other times each year as we can. They are the brothers I never had.
My family history with Camp began with my Dad and Uncle who were born & raised in the South End and attended Camp as kids. My Uncle, an artist, drew the first Camp letterhead logo of a diver into Squam — my Dad was the diver. My nephew, Bobby Nicholas, attended Camp. In 2019 my family will celebrate a 100 year connection to Camp.
Fred Lopes
Role: Full Board Member, Work Weekend Committee
Fred began as a camper in the 70's in the Chips cabin.
Since rejoining the Alumni Association in 2001 he hasn't missed a Work Weekend or Alumni Weekend.
Kern Tyler
His family connection to camp started in the 1950’s with boy’s from both his parent’s families attending Camp Hale. The legacy continued for a second generation when he began attending camp in the late 1980’s.
The life skills learned, appreciation for beautiful places, & confidence that he could thrive in any location lead him to live and explore on three continents. When life brought him back to the US he rejoined the CHAA BOD to help give back to a place that has always been special to him.
In 2016 his oldest son attended Camp Hale marking his family’s 3rd generation of young boys who had the pleasure of sharing the hallowed grounds of Camp Hale.
Tom Hayes
My Camp Hale Story
Growing up in Boston’s South End, there weren’t many summer options for kids like me. That changed in 1977 when I was introduced to Camp Hale by older neighborhood friends. I went on to spend many summers there—as a camper, kitchen aide, and counselor. My favorite role was working in the kitchen. It was tough but rewarding, and I got to spend the whole summer at camp while joining cabins on lake and mountain trips.
Camp Hale had a huge impact on my life, and I’ve stayed involved ever since. I served as President of the Camp Hale Alumni Association and remain an active board member. Giving back and helping inner-city kids get to camp is my passion—because I know firsthand how life-changing it can be .
Allan Hayes
I was a camper from 1963 to 1967.
In 1968, first trip, I was a kitchen aid. 2nd trip I was elevated to JC, I believe to fill the vacancy vacated by a former friend of ours. 1969 I was a junior counselor in the Ducks assisting Chicky George who was counselor.
Once I became aware of CHAA and Alumni weekend, I attended my first AW 2022 and have been attending ever since.
I serve as an alternate on the board.
Click this link to be directed to the USES / Camp Hale webpage:
