Philip H. Lilienthal

Philip H. Lilienthal (born September 4, 1940) is an American lawyer, camp director, and philanthropist best known for his humanitarian work in Ethiopia and South Africa.

Early life and education

Lilienthal is one of two sons born to Emmy Lou (née Asch) and Howard Lilienthal, an attorney.[1] He has one brother, Robert Lilienthal.[1] A graduate of Amherst College in 1962, Lilienthal attended law school at the University of Virginia, receiving his J.D. in 1965.[2] Upon graduation Lilienthal joined the Peace Corps[3] and established Camp Langano, Ethiopia's first sleepaway summer camp. It served primarily inner city youths from Addis Ababa.[4] In 1967, Lilienthal's Peace Corps service ended and he handed over control of Camp Langano to the YMCA, which ran it continuously until the overthrow of Ethiopian leader Haile Selassie I in 1974.

Camp Winnebago

In 1974, following the unexpected death of his father Howard, Lilienthal assumed his father's position as the director of Camp Winnebago, one of Maine's most prestigious and venerable boys' summer camps. The institution, above all, instills in its campers the practice of virtuous behavior and upright character and has even coined for itself a term to describe these qualities, "Winnebagan".

Lilienthal's tenure as camp director was marked by a number of achievements, including an increase in the number of international campers and counselors, the creation and expansion of a scholarship program for underprivileged youths, and the construction of a great number of new facilities, including new tennis courts, soccer and baseball fields, volleyball and basketball courts, a hockey rink, a ropes course and a historically valuable museum on the premises. He served in the position until his retirement in 2003, when he passed control of the camp to his elder son, Andrew.

Notable Alums:

Global Camps Africa

After his retirement from Winnebago, Lilienthal established Global Camps Africa, originally, WorldCamps—an organization dedicated to helping AIDS-affected youths throughout Africa. Camp Sizanani, Lilienthal's first foray with Global Camps Africa, formed in partnership with South African NGO, HIVSA, has been a major success, creating a vital support network for some of South Africa's neediest children. Lilienthal continues to work tirelessly for AIDS-affected children throughout all of Africa. In June 2013, Lilienthal was awarded the prestigious Sargent Shriver Award for Distinguished Humanitarian Service by the Peace Corps.

Personal life

In 1963, he married Lynn Langman,[2] granddaughter of investment banker Maurice Wertheim and Alma Morgenthau Wertheim, the daughter of Henry Morgenthau, Sr.

References
  1. "Howard Lilienthal". The New York Times. 23 June 1974.
  2. Turl-Larkin (6 September 1963). "Lynn Langman Becomes Bride Of Law Student; Alumna of New School and Philip Lilienthal Are Married Here". New York Times.
  3. Donnelly, John (24 January 2005). "His summer camps provide fun, games, and lessons about life and the epidemic". Boston Globe.
  4. "Bedridden youth contributes $200". The New York Times. 19 December 1966.
  • American Camping Association. ACA Directory and Manual 2003.

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