The Keewaydin Environmental Education Center (KEEC) was founded in the fall of 1973 by Abbott Fenn and Alfred "Waboos" Hare, then co-owners and directors of Keewaydin Camps. Both retired schoolteachers, KEEC was inspired by a combination of their strong interest in education and their love of the outdoors, as well as their desire to use the summer camp property for more than two months of the year. The curriculum was based initially on an environmental education workshop developed by the US Forest Service.
By the mid-1980's, Barry Schultz King and Warren King expanded the program curriculum and helped develop long lasting relationships with many different schools around Vermont. A lot of these schools still come. In 1996, Tori Cleiland took over the reigns of the KEEC program. Tori offered four fun and energetic years as director of Spring, Fall and Winter KEEC. Dave Konopke took over in 2001 and steadfastly directed the program convincing the foundation to re-establish the Fall season after it was stopped in 2000. KEEC began by serving the youth of Vermont, recently we have reached out to schools all over the Northeastern region. KEEC now operates Fall and Spring sessions. Thanks to all the dedicated staff who over the years have provided children with an unique experience in the outdoors.
Keewaydin has been dedicated to the education and wholesome development of children since 1910 when it began as a private boys' camp on Lake Dunmore. Today, Keewaydin is a non-profit foundation established in 1983 by camp alumni, and is one of the oldest camps in the country. The Keewaydin Foundation has five programs for children and youth: KEEC; Keewaydin Wilderness Canoe Trips; Keewaydin Temagami; Keewaydin-Dunmore Camp for Boys; and Songadeewin of Keewaydin-Dunmore, Camp for Girls.