Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Erik Bernhardt: A Life of Confidence and a Sense of Gratitude


Erik Bernhardt (Den 1988)
A Life of Confidence and a Sense of Gratitude

Erik shares his experience of attending Camp Mowgli for seven summers, starting in 1985, after being introduced to the camp by Brooks and Joanie Benjamin.

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Show Notes


He described his first summer and his time in Baloo, his participation in activities like tennis and riflery, and his interactions with counselors like Doug Merrill and Pete St. John. Erik expressed gratitude for the positive impact the camp had on him and recalled the generosity of Brooks and Joanie Benjamin in supporting his family emotionally and financially over the years while they were living in St Louis.

Coincidentally, Brooks and Joanie Benjamin were Wayne King's Cub Parents!


Erik says he was a mischievous kid . . . not a bad kid, just

mischievous. Usually, he was set right by counselors like Doug Merrill, but every now and then, he found himself on the Director's Porch answering to Bob Bengtson who also seemed to understand that Erik was not motivated by malice, but really by the joy and the missteps of being a kid.


He rowed bow on the Blue Racing crew in his Den year, 1988. The cox of his boat was a fellow named Seth Gaines who just happens to be the son of Sandy Gaines. Sandy was Wayne's crew coach in his camper years.


You may find it interesting to note that while Erik did not gloat about his racing crew win in 1988 - in fact he doesn't mention that they won during the podcast. As a lark, I tested Google's AI, asking who won the race that year and here was its answer:

Prompt:
Did the 1988 Blue Racing Crew at Camp Mowglis win the racing crew rowing race that year?
Answer:
In 1988, 
the Blue Racing Crew at Camp Mowglis won the racing crew rowing race. One source notes that the blue crew pulled ahead to win by two seats. 

Erik's email for those who would like to contact him is: bernhardt@reed.edu



Dusk on the Franconia Range
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Quick recap: AI

Erik's Move and Mowgli Journey

Wayne and Erik discussed Erik's move from Los Angeles to Portland, Oregon, where he has lived for six years. They reminisced about a past encounter in Venice Beach with Mark Ventimiglia. Erik shared his experience of joining Mowgli, which Wayne found interesting and humorous. They agreed to delve into Erik's experiences at Mowgli and his life since then in their upcoming conversation.


Camp Mowgli Summer Experiences

Erik shared his experience of attending Camp Mowglis for seven summers, starting in 1985, after being introduced to the camp by Brooks and Joanie Benjamin. He described his time in Baloo, his participation in activities like tennis and rifleery, and his interactions with counselors like Doug Merrill and Pete St. John. Erik expressed gratitude for the positive impact the camp had on him and recalled the generosity of Brooks and Joni Benjamin in supporting his family emotionally and financially.



Camp Experiences and Role Models

Erik shared his experience as a junior counselor at camp, including an incident where he and three others were reprimanded by Bob for chewing tobacco. He reflected on how important the male role models at camp were to his development, particularly in teaching responsibility, patience, and calmness in the face of adversity. Erik described a specific challenging situation during a backpacking trip where Pete St. John and another counselor helped the group navigate severe weather conditions, ultimately saving the day by making soup for the near-hypothermic campers and massaging their frozen feet.



Camp Experiences and Memories Shared

Erik shared his experiences from different years at camp, highlighting memorable moments like making a fire in the rain during his green ribbon year and learning to use an axe with counselor Chad Bradbury during his orange ribbon year. He particularly enjoyed his Panther year, where he completed his golden anchor and rowboating silver ribbons, with counselor Oscar Montiel for sailing and Ben Ring for rowboating. Erik and Wayne also discussed their shared love for Mahoosuc Notch, with Wayne mentioning he's writing a book about a solo trip there and how he believed he had been the first to add it to the backpacking itinerary during his years as Tripmaster.



Erik's Journey and Team Achievements

Erik shared his experiences from his time at Mowglis, including his progression from third to first form in rowing and winning against teams with larger, stronger members, emphasizing the importance of unity over raw power. He described his role on the racing crew in Den, where they had a strong, cohesive team led by a skilled coxswain named Seth Gaines, and his subsequent involvement in tennis and sailing instruction as a junior and senior counselor. Erik also reflected on personal growth, recalling how Ben Ringe helped him understand his need for improvement and later being recognized by Bob Bengtson for his excellent work on senior staff, earning him a spot on the prestigious Mount Washington squad.


  
Storm Over Mt Pemigewasset

Bob Bengtson's Mischievous Adventures

Erik and Wayne shared anecdotes about Bob Bengtson, highlighting his playful and mischievous side that was less visible to others. Erik recounted a story about Bob wanting to watch a Clint Eastwood movie instead of a French film, while Wayne described an incident, before the boys arrived, where Bob used a the "colors" mini-cannon to scare a sleeping counselor, causing a dramatic reaction. They also discussed Bob's involvement in competitive activities between counselors during crew week and his role in a late-night adventure involving a rocket from a local establishment.


Crawford Notch Cascade

Erik's Journey and Return to Malibu

Erik shared his life journey after leaving Mowglis, including his education at Principia College and his career in investment finance, which led him to become the Chief Investment Officer at Reed College in Portland. He reflected on his return to Malibu in 2013, which reignited his connection to the place and led to his involvement with the board. Erik described the chapel as a peaceful and meaningful place, comparing it to his experience of growing to appreciate rest hour over time.

Erik's Legacy at Camp

Wayne and Erik discussed Erik's 10+ years of service to the camp as a member of the HEMF Board of Trustees, including his role in managing the growing endowment. They reflected on the camp's challenging past, including a near closure in 2001, and the positive impact of current leadership under Nick & Diana Robbins and the amazing HQ Staff.


Erik shared how his time at the camp developed resilience and social skills, which he values for his daughter's future experiences. Wayne expressed gratitude for Erik's contributions and planned to share the interview with other alumni.







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