Our Families History

In 1946 Gene “Speedy” Altman and his wife “Honey” established Camp Thunderbird for Boys. Speedy had worked as a social worker and summer camp director in Missouri, and he and Honey had dreamed of one day running their own camp. Speedy and Honey visited the former site of Camp Merriwyn for Girls, which had opened in 1927 and closed before the Second World War. They were struck by the beauty of Lake Plantagenet and immediately knew that this was where they wanted to establish their own camp. Speedy and Honey purchased the property, and in the summer of 1947, Camp Thunderbird for Boys was ready to welcome its first group of campers.

In 1969 Honey and Speedy’s daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Allen “Moe” Sigoloff, helped establish Camp Thunderbird for Girls. The following year, they took over both camps and carried on the traditions of Thunderbird for the next 40 years. During their four decades in camping, Carol and Moe helped advance the camping movement, playing active roles in the American Camp Association at a local, regional, and national level. Central to their work was the idea that every child, no matter their background, deserved the benefits of a camp experience. To this end, they established the Speedy and Honey Altman Memorial Camp Foundation, which provides funding for underprivileged kids to attend summer camps around the country.

Today, Honey and Speedy’s legacy continues through Shari Sigoloff and Michael Rawitscher, and their son Daniel Sigoloff-Rawitscher. Shari grew up at Thunderbird as a camper, counselor, and member of leadership before returning full-time in 1996. Michael’s formative camp experiences, combined with a career in teaching and coaching, shaped his path to leading Boys Camp. Daniel has recently stepped into his role as year-round Assistant Director of Boys Camp, following in his parents’ footsteps. Their daughter Paige attends college in Michigan, and though she doesn’t work at camp she visits whenever she can. Shari and Michael couldn’t be more proud of Daniel and Paige. 

Together, Shari, Michael, and Daniel dedicate themselves to creating a place where every camper feels seen, supported, and inspired. A place where memories are made, confidence grows, and lifelong friendships take root. Though they live in St. Louis, Missouri with their dogs Cassie and Riley, and their cat Oliver during the off-season, Thunderbird has always, and will always, be home for them.