2025 ICF Award Recipients

2025 Abbott Fenn Druzhba Award:

The Abbott Fenn Druzhba Award is a special recognition of an individual, camp, or organization, which has made a significant and sustained contribution to international camping. The endowed contribution for the award was made by Abbott Fenn, a long-standing, active member of the American Camp Association and former owner/director of the Keewaydin Camps in New England, U.S.A. The award recognizes those who spread the benefit of the camp experience to improve world understanding.

THE INTERNATIONAL CAMPING FELLOWSHIP (ICF) ANNOUNCES

TARAS & SVETLANA KONONETS AND ROBIN HOOD CAMP

AS THE 2025 ABBOTT FENN DRUZHBA AWARD RECIPIENT

The International Camping Fellowship is proud to present the 2025 Abbott Fenn Druzhba Award to Taras and Svetlana Kononets, founders of Robin Hood Camp. This award recognizes their extraordinary commitment to international cooperation, cross-cultural exchange, and the promotion of “Druzhba”—the spirit of friendship—within the global camp community.

A Hub of International Excellence

Since its founding in 2000, Robin Hood Camp has become a premier destination for youth aged 7–17. Operating five summer sessions for 450 campers each, alongside year-round fall and winter programs, the camp is built on the philosophy of adventure pedagogy and discovering the unique talents of every child.

Key highlights of their international impact include:

English in Action: A signature program featuring native speakers from across the globe.
Global Staffing: Partnerships with CCUSA, AIESEC, Nottingham University, and Università Ca’ Foscari Venezia have brought staff from Ghana, the USA, Zimbabwe, and beyond to inspire campers.
Collaborative Exchanges: Robin Hood has hosted joint programs with legendary US institutions like Motorsport Camp and Seacamp, facilitating life-changing travel for Russian campers.

Pioneers in Training and Education

Taras and Svetlana have been instrumental in professionalizing the industry through high-level training initiatives:

ICDC Leadership: Taras helped arrange the first International Camp Director Course (ICDC) in Russia in 2010, working alongside industry icons Armand and Beverly Ball. He even sponsored the translation and publication of the ICDC textbook into Russian.
ICCC Success: Their International Camp Counselors Course (ICCC) trained over 1,300 young counselors from 10 different regions, featuring expert speakers from Canada, Colombia, Germany, Turkey, and Venezuela.

Innovation: The 2025 International Management Internship

Standing out as a beacon of generosity and global vision, Taras and Svetlana launched the International Camp Management Internship Program in 2025. This fully sponsored initiative hosted professionals from India, Brazil, and Venezuela, covering all expenses—from international flights to tuition.

Interns immersed themselves in risk management, human resources, and program design, while sharing their own cultures through “International Nights.” This program has now evolved into an Alumni Club, ensuring a lifelong network of support for these emerging global leaders.

Maritime Adventure: The Shtandart Project

Inspired by the spirit of Seacamp, Robin Hood developed a unique sailing program aboard the Frigate Shtandart—an exact replica of Peter the Great’s 1703 ship. Campers explored the Baltic Sea and Denmark, blending marine science with the history of 18th-century seafaring.

“The Kononets’ work transcends borders, turning the camping experience into a masterclass in global diplomacy and mutual respect.”

2025 ICF Butterfly Awards

The ICF Butterfly Award recognizes an individual, camp or organization that has made significant contributions internationally to the causes of camping (e.g. environmental, humanitarian or educational) over a period of time.

Ufuk Aladağlıoğlu: Recipient of the ICF Butterfly Award 2025

For more than 15 years, Ufuk has been the unseen but essential voice of ICF’s digital presence. While many of us met face to face at conferences, camps, and Board meetings around the world, Ufuk was often thousands of miles away: behind a screen, quietly ensuring that ICF continued to move forward in a digital world.

The websites he built and maintained were not simply technical platforms. They were ICF’s window to the world, the first place where people discovered who we are, what we believe, and how we serve the global camp community. Through his work, ICF found its digital identity, its clarity and its ability to connect with members from over 110 countries.

Ufuk’s dedication goes far beyond technical skill. What has guided his work is a genuine belief in ICF’s mission and in the power of camp education to change lives. This belief fueled his countless volunteer hours: the late nights, the updates, the redesigns, the problem-solving moments, the new ideas he quietly planted. His efforts were not for visibility or recognition, but out of commitment to a community he cared deeply about.

He helped us bridges. He helped us stay connected. He helped us tell our story to the world.

And he did all of this with humility, generosity, and unwavering reliability, for years when ICF needed support, no matter how sudden or difficult, Ufuk was there. His contributions have touched every member, every visitor and every partner who has ever connected with ICF online.

TULSHIG TUVSHIN: Recipient of the ICF Butterfly Award 2025

The International Camping Fellowship is proud to announce Tulshig Tuvshin as the recipient of the 2025 ICF Butterfly Award. A visionary leader and former ICF Board Member, Tuvshin has dedicated her career to elevating the camping movement both in Mongolia and across the globe.

Tuvshin’s journey with the ICF began at the ICC 2000 in Tokyo, where she first represented the International Children’s Center Nairamdal (ICCN) and the Mongolian camping community. Since then, her influence has grown exponentially:

Director General of ICCN: Spearheaded transformative youth programs at one of Mongolia’s premier centers.
Regional Representative: Served with distinction on the ICF Board, bridging the gap between national initiatives and global standards.
President of the National Camping Association of Mongolia: Continues to shape the domestic sector and build robust cross-cultural frameworks.

Tuvshin is perhaps best known for her unwavering commitment to the “global child.” She has long been a vocal advocate for the ICF’s role in engaging and empowering the next generation of camp professionals. Her persistence and vision led to the landmark 2012 “World of Camp Leadership into Tomorrow” training. This formative five-day event brought together young leaders from nine countries—including the USA, Australia, and throughout Asia—at Nairamdal, cementing her legacy as a catalyst for international cooperation.

Beyond her administrative roles, Tuvshin has been a cornerstone of the international camp scene, developing vital cooperation agreements between Mongolia and Korea and contributing regularly to global conferences. Her work has not only professionalized the camping sector in Mongolia but has also built lasting bridges of understanding between cultures.

“Tuvshin doesn’t just see a camp; she sees a classroom for global citizenship. Her recognition of the importance of youth development has reshaped our industry.”

CHULTEM BYAMBASUREN Recipient of the ICF Butterfly Award 2025

The International Camping Fellowship is delighted to honor Chultem Byambasuren (affectionately known as Byamba) with the 2025 ICF Butterfly Award. A tireless advocate for the transformative power of camp, Byamba’s leadership has been instrumental in placing Mongolia at the heart of the international camping community.

Byamba’s career is defined by her ability to bridge cultures. As a former ICF Board Member and the current Executive Director of the National Camping Association of Mongolia, she has used her linguistic proficiency and extensive travel experience to open doors for others.

International Relations: She has personally guided Mongolian delegations to global events and served as a vital liaison for international visitors exploring the Mongolian camping landscape.
Organizational Leadership: Her long-standing commitment to the management and operation of Nairamdal has earned her prestigious recognition from the International Women’s Association of Mongolia (IWAM).
Community Presence: Byamba remains a loyal and active participant in local, regional, and international forums, ensuring Mongolia’s voice is always heard.

Perhaps her most significant recent achievement is her successful advocacy at the highest levels of government. By working closely with federal authorities, Byamba secured the vision and funding for a massive expansion of camping opportunities in Mongolia.

This collaboration led to the establishment of International Children’s Centre “Nairamdal-2” on the shores of the stunning Huvsgul Lake.

Impact at a Glance: Since becoming operational in 2023/2024, Nairamdal-2 has significantly increased the nation’s capacity to host youth, welcoming 1,000 children in the summer and 500 children during the winter season.

Byamba’s work ensures that both domestic and international youth have a space to grow, learn, and connect with nature. Her dedication to expanding infrastructure while maintaining a deep focus on cross-cultural exchange makes her a truly deserving recipient of the Butterfly Award.

2025 ICF LETTER AWARD OF MERIT

The ICF Letter Award of Merit recognizes a significant contribution made by an individual, camp or organization to the cause of world understanding and peace through camping.

RECIPIENTS OF THE ICF LETTER OF MERIT 2025:

LUCIANA CONTRERAS, ROBERT TSIEN, & KATE TAYLOR

The International Camping Fellowship is proud to award Letters of Merit to three exceptional individuals whose collaborative work has revolutionized the ICF Academy.

Through their combined expertise in linguistics, technology, and global education, this team has dismantled language barriers within our community. From developing translated slide decks to launching simultaneous live audio translation on Zoom, they have ensured that the ICF’s educational resources are truly accessible to camp professionals worldwide, regardless of the language they speak.

Luciana Contreras

Luciana is a powerhouse of organizational development and international diplomacy. Currently the General Coordinator at Iguanas Camp, she oversees programs serving over 15,000 participants annually.

Global Impact: An alumna of the 2025 Robin Hood Camp Management Internship in Russia and a key leader for the 2023 International Camp Congress in Spain.
Linguistic Versatility: Utilizing her advanced French, English, and Spanish skills, Luciana has been a driving force behind the Academy’s multilingual expansion.
Academic Excellence: In her final year of International Studies (Diplomacy), she brings a professional rigor to socioeconomic development within the camping sector.

Robert Tsien

With over 15 years of experience, Robert is a leading specialist in outdoor adventure and environmental stewardship. A graduate of Duke University, he is the founder of Camplus Education, where he bridges cultural gaps through outdoor play.

Scale and Reach: His “DS Jungle Race” program has become a phenomenon in the Asia-Pacific region, engaging over 300,000 participants across 100 cities.
Visionary Education: Robert is widely celebrated by both government and commercial sectors for his focus on building youth resilience and character through wilderness exploration.
Academy Contribution: His international perspective and technical support have been vital in streamlining the Academy’s digital outreach to the Asian camp market.

Kate Taylor

Kate brings two decades of experience across private and non-profit camps, combined with a decade of expertise in creative graphic design. She is a tireless advocate for inclusive community building.

Champion of Inclusion: Kate is a leading voice for neurodiversity in camp, working to break down barriers that hinder true belonging for staff and campers alike.
Global Volunteerism: Beyond her work with the ICF Academy, Kate is a key member of the #ThanksToCamp movement and the Women in Camp Summit (WICS) leadership team.
Educational Leader: A frequent speaker at major international conferences, she currently shares her expertise as a consultant with Stephane Richard Development Consulting.

A Collective Milestone

While these three leaders come from different corners of the globe—Venezuela, China, and Canada—their unified work at the ICF Academy represents the very best of our fellowship. By providing live, on-the-spot translations, they have turned the “global” in Global Camp Movement into a reality for every participant.