Stephen Schainman

Stephen "Big Chief Steve" Schainman, former Director of Mohawk Day Camp and Day School in White Plains, NY for 51 years, passed away Thursday, June 23rd. For over half a century, tens of thousands of campers, staff and families benefited from Steve's wisdom, expertise and commitment to children. He will also be remembered by campers as "Mohawk Man," his camp's superhero. A graduate of Yale and Harvard Business School, Steve became Director of Mohawk Day Camp and School in 1966. He married his future Co- Director, Barbara Baskind, in 1967. A recognized leader and innovator in the camp profession, Steve received the American Camp Association's highest honor in 2005, the "Legend in Camping" award. He was especially known for his many contributions to camp safety. Mohawk became the first camp or school in New York State to put seat belts on buses. Steve then lobbied for New York's 1984 pioneering school bus seat belt law. Steve is the former President of the New York State Camp Directors Association, board member of the New York Section of the American Camp Association, and Chair of the Tri-State Camp Conference. Steve is survived by his wife Barbara, children Kenneth and Lauren, sister Roe, and seven nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Steve's life will be held at Mohawk Day Camp on September 18, 2pm.