Our Families History

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

Inspired by their four daughters, Honey and Speedy dreamt of creating a program for girls that would reflect the spirit and traditions of the boys’ program. In 1969, with the help of their daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Allen “Moe” Sigoloff, Speedy and Honey established Camp Thunderbird for Girls. The following year, Moe and Carol took over both camps and carried on Thunderbird’s traditions for the next 40 years. During their four decades in camping, Carol and Moe helped advance the camping profession, playing active roles in the American Camp Association at the local, regional, and national levels. Central to their work was the idea that every child, regardless of background, deserved the benefits of a camp experience. That belief lives on through what is now the Camp Thunderbird Charitable Foundation, created to expand access and provide funding for children to attend Thunderbird and other camps identified by the board.

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.