Friends of Northwood's Incorporated Officers

Gaylene Johnson, President 

Gaylene has two sons that were in scouting in Troop 777 in Leslie, MI.    Both boys worked on summer camp staff and both are Eagle Scouts.  She has served as Committee Chairman for the troop and currently is a member of the Council Properties Committee and she is a Silver Beaver recipient.  Gaylene has about 21 years of Scouting to be proud of. 

Gaylene was the key person who started the Friends of Northwood.  Her love for the camp property, the summer camp program and the Scouting program in general is what drives her to keep our organization functioning.  Since 1990 Gaylene has shown leadership in keeping camp Northwood's the premier camp that it is.  She is a member of the Order of the Arrow.  Her continued drive and energy has allowed the council to retain the camp property and improve it yearly.  With out her, there would have not been a FON. 

Gaylene is the Owner of Remax Riverwood Real-estate Company of Leslie. 

Larry T. Schaefer, Vice President

Larry has two sons that were scouts in troop 299 in Lansing, and one worked on camp staff for 4 years.  Larry served as troop chairman, committee member and continues to assist the troop.  Larry has about 20 years background in scouting and has been instrumental in building many new buildings at camp.  Larry is currently a member of the Council Executive board, a Silver Beaver recipient, member of the council properties committee and member of the Order of the Arrow. 

Larry has built or caused to be built the following buildings at camp:  The Meijer Lodge (dining hall), three staff cabins, the Log Cabin, the waterfront condos, Ortonville cabins, the Welcome center staff facility and the Trading Post and the O-A Chapel and several latrines.  Larry's professional talents and skills and financial support over the years has caused our camps landscape to drastically change and improve since 1990. 

Larry is the owner of Larry T. Schaefer Inc. Building contractors of DeWitt, MI

Joe Wright, Treasurer 

Joe has been in scouting more than 25 years, being active with his two sons in Portland’s Pack 258 and Troops 58 and 158.  He has served as Scoutmaster and Committee member and currently is serving on the district committee and the Council Camping and Activities committee.  Joe has served on staff at the three Michigan International Camporee’s at Northwood’s and has served on summer camp staff as commissioner.  He is a Silver Beaver recipient and member of the Eager Beaver work crew.  Joe has been an advisor for the Order of the Arrow and is a Vigil Honor member.  Is a member of Regional Area 2 Visitation Team 

Joe is retired from the Michigan State University Computer department. 

Sandy Thayer, Secretary 

Sandy became involved with Scouting when she married Louis Thayer. She has almost 20 years in scouting acting as associate advisor for an explorer post, venture crew and worked on summer camp staff.  Sandy has used her seamstress talents to embellish many buildings at camp. Sandy was in charge of fund raiser dinners we did in years past and was involved in the MSU football concessions.  She has been to Europe several times with scout groups on tours.  Sandy has recently retired and is able to spend more time at the sewing machine making Native American crafts and regalia.    Hopefully she will be able to do one more of her famous Swiss steak dinners for us. 

Dan Purtill, Vice President 

He started scouting in  1949 and coming from a scouting family, (mother was den mother, father was scoutmaster and later Council Treasurer)  he has been involved with Northwood’s since its purchase in 1962.  He worked on Camp Kiroliex’s summer staff, was Lodge Chief of the O-A, served as Explorer Advisor at Post 17 and assist scoutmaster at Troop17.  He was a Explorer scouting advisor in the U.S. Army, Fort Knox, KY. 

He started several explorer posts in the council, has been district committee member, Lodge Advisor and merit badge councilor. He served as health officer for 6 years and then Program Director at Northwood’s.  He currently is a member of the Council Properties committee, district committee, Regional Area 2 Visitation Team, Vigil honor member and eager beaver member.  He is a Silver Beaver recipient. 

If you would like to contact us, please do. 

We are hoping to hear from you.  We know that there are folks out there who are scouts or leaders, or past scouts or leaders or parents of scouts or just “friends” of scouts that would like to help us continue to keep camp Northwood’s in the condition it is today and even better--- improve it for tomorrow. 

Everyone has something to offer.  You may have ideas or questions or know of a way to contribute to our purpose and goals.   

If you were lucky enough to have been involved with scouts as a youth or your son was and want to help keep the camping program viable in our Council---Please contact us.   

To find out how you can help-- call any of our officers.

Gaylene Johnson                517   719-0034 

Larry Schaefer                   517   669-2615 

Joe Wright                         517   647-7123 

Sandy Thayer                    231   828-5711 

Dan Purtill                          989   345-0769    dagopu@hughes.net  

Or   friendsofnorthwoods@yahoo.com

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