by Jackie Orlowski
To many of you, Bill Parkman may be a friendly familiar face, but for others this may be your first time getting to know Bill. Either way, we are thrilled to welcome Bill back “home” to settle into retirement working at Camp Woodstock.
For many people, summer camp is a cherished memory from childhood, filled with new friendships, outdoor adventures, and unforgettable experiences. But for Bill Parkman, camp was more than just a summer getaway – it was home. As a camper, counselor, program director, and off-season caretaker, Bill has spent decades at the same camp he first attended as a child. And now, after a long and varied career, he’s coming back home to his beloved camp once again, this time as its new full-time caretaker.
Bill’s story with Camp Woodstock began in the 1970s when he started going to camp at the age of seven. He lived on the Manchester South Windsor line, and his mother, fondly known as Ma Parkman, was the camp nurse at the time. Bill quickly fell in love with camp life, making new friends, and exploring the great outdoors. At age nine, Bill moved with his family from Connecticut to New Hampshire but continued to attend Camp Woodstock in the summer.
After college, Bill spent 26 years in the Navy, with multiple deployments to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also had a skill and interest in building and woodworking, which he pursued throughout his life. But he never forgot about Camp Woodstock and continued to attend family camp and work weekends whenever he could. In the early 1980s, Bill came back to camp as a program director and off-season caretaker, and he continued to attend family camp and stay involved with the camp community.
It wasn’t until later in life that Bill discovered his passion for teaching. He took over a friend’s position coaching soccer at Woodstock Elementary School, and the school asked him to consider substitute teaching, which quickly led to the suggestion that he pursue his teaching license. Bill taught elementary school for 23 years and spent the last 10 teaching woodshop to 7th-12th graders in the state of New Hampshire. He loved his job, but he never lost his connection to camp, coming back summers and weekends whenever he could, and even crafting the timeless wooden pens that celebrated Camp Woodstock’s 100th Anniversary.
And now, in 2023, Bill has accepted the position of caretaker at his beloved camp. It’s a full-circle moment for Bill, who has spent his entire life connected to Camp Woodstock. He’s excited to bring his years of experience with the camp community to the role and to help shape the future of the camp he loves so much.
