While our program continues to run at 80 mph, we wish you could see all that’s going on at camp. Sure, parents and friends at home have the opportunity to see some pictures of their children with friends or participating in activities, but you can’t get a real taste of camp that way. A snapshot doesn’t tell the whole story. In fact – it barely tells anything at all.
What’s going on and is most important at camp is children learning independence and campers growing each and every day. Growing at activity areas, growing on the ballfields, growing at the lake, and most importantly, growing into solid and productive citizens.
July 4th was great. Quest was amazing. The Hypnotism Show was out-of-sight. All-Camp Council Fire was awesome. Sports Night rolls on. But mostly, just being with each other in an unplugged community is the best.
Two weeks have already flown by, but stay tuned…the best is yet to come!
Its been quite a week…and the action hasn’t stopped at all! Yesterday we hosted the Girls U-15 Soccer Tournament (finishing a strong second)…Forty eight campers left on four different overnight trips to Camden, Bradbury, Three Rocks and Mt. Blue…Eighty five campers participated in Baseball, Basketball, Soccer and Softball Intercamps at Vega, Manitou and Matoaka…and the program on the Fields and Basketball Courts, at the Lake, Tennis Courts, Climbing Towers and Inter-Arts areas has never been stronger. The new Aerial Park is out of sight and camp is rolling along as if campers and counselors have been together for 10 years.
We’ve gotten used to the routine…settled into camp life and, as importantly, are thrilled when the routine is broken up by an S-Day (Special Day to those new to Camp Laurel lingo) or Special Event. And of course, cabin life is still such a highlight of the day for everyone – coming “home” after a full day playing, creating and participating at 90mph.
We have so much to look forward to this week, including our first Trip Day tomorrow.
It’s very hard to believe tomorrow will be one week of camp. One week! It feels like 20 minutes ago. Friendships are growing every day. Counselors are getting used to their campers every hour. And everyone is getting more comfortable in their cabins and at their program areas. It’s amazing to see new campers fully immersed in Camp Laurel culture. If you were hovering above Readfield, you’d see all kinds of action and fun.
Tonight is our first All Camp Council Fire of the summer. It’s a great time to sit back, reflect on the week gone by, peer into the lake and think about the week ahead.
Council Fire is about the only time all week we can collect our thoughts and slow down. It’s a great time to hit the refresh button and just be together without the hubbub of the outside world or the 100 things going on in camp every hour.
We have a great weekend in front of us: July 4th…Quest…and our first S Day of the summer. We cant wait!
What a beautiful day in the state of Maine!! Every program area today was buzzing with activity. From Lacrosse to Basketball, Tennis to Archery, Waterskiing to Riding, ChefCamp to Rockport, Fitness to Gymnastics and Mountain Biking to the Aerial Park — it was awesome!! Campers loved their first B-Day of the summer. The fields and courts were humming. Humming! The waterfront was filled with swimmers, canoeists, waterskiers, wakeboarders, fishermen, and sailors! Legally Blonde rehearsals are underway and the sounds coming from Rockport are incredible. Tonight, campers in Acadia and Apache were paired with their Camp Brothers and Sisters in Bec and Bago, while Sequoia held its annual Hockey League Combine and Baxter made cabin movies. Sleep well parents…we know we will!
We awoke to a cloudy and rainy day in Maine…but it didn’t dampen our spirits one bit. It was actually nice that we spent the day together in cabin groups, got to know each other, got to know our Counselors and Campus Leaders and bonded on the second day at our summer home. We had Cabin Photos, Fieldhouse Sports, Indoor Gaga, Dodgeball, Theatre Games, Inter-Art demos and more. We also had open calls for Legally Blonde, our first theatre production of the summer. What’s tonight? After Turkey Taco dinner, it was a night of split evening programs including Gymnastics Extravaganza, Steal The Bagel, Skit In a Bag and Captains Coming. The weather was cloudy – but we had a great day at camp! We’re looking forward to our first A Day of the summer tomorrow!!
Our campers arrived today from all over the country by plane, motorcoach and car. It was a spectacular Arrival and Opening Day 2015 at Camp Laurel! Friendships were reformed and new friendships were made. Counselors finally got to meet the campers they’ve been hearing about for the last 8 days! It was perfect weather and a perfect way to start our summer together. After tours, games, lots of ping pong and health checks, we had Lewis’ famous homemade Pizza and an outstanding Opening Campfire! We’re so happy our summer family is together once again on the shores of Echo Lake! Jem and Debbie will visit every campus tonight and all Acadia and Apache cabins for tuck-ins…..then it’s off to the races!! Welcome Back!!
P.S. Don’t forget to checkout Laurel Today for a full recap of Arrival Day pictures!!
What an incredible week of Orientation so far. It’s been non-stop training, program, activity, cabin-prepping, unpacking, seminars, games, and so much more. Our Head Counselor and Campus Leader Team has been feverishly meeting with all our Cabin Staff, while Program Area Directors and Department Heads have been full force into curriculum and planning. Yesterday was a “Typical Day At Camp ” where our Acadian and Apache Specialists go through…what else…a typical day. Wake-up, Cove, Meals, Program, Lunch, Intercamps …even Fruit Break. All to get everyone Ready-Set-Go for this Saturday! Sleep well. Three nights and counting!
We’ve just completed our Pre-Season Training Programs and are welcoming the full Camp Laurel Staff today!! You can taste the excitement in the air! Our counselors are coming from near and far anticipating another magical summer on Echo Lake. Prior to today’s Staff Orientation kick-off, our Athletic, Inter-Arts, Waterfront, Tennis, Adventure and Equestrian Department Heads have been busy training and preparing their program areas for Camper Arrival Day – June 27!! Our Head Counselor and Campus Leader Team has been going strong since last Monday and we are set!! Now it’s time to welcome the Counselors at our Opening Staff Campfire and spend the next week getting ready for the best campers anywhere!
When you think about summer, most of the images that race through your mind probably include two things: sun and water. Whether it’s laying out by the lake or beach, running through the sprinklers, zipping through the waves on a boat or jet ski, or contemplating life’s mysteries while casting a line out to fish, the summer is meant to be spent in the sun and cooling down in the water. This is why so many campers enjoy sailing at camp. Sailing is an exciting water activity that allows campers to work as a team to reach a common goal. It’s also a great way to spend the afternoon, and creates a bond between sailors that can’t be created anywhere else.
Campers who learn to sail aren’t just learning how to maneuver a large vessel through the water — however, that’s a big accomplishment! Everything about sailing is a learning opportunity. Math and science are weaved into the fun and challenging sport of sailing. Sailors learn about the importance of aerodynamics when it comes to the position of the sail. They learn to “read the water” and become confident navigating their way to and from a destination without the help of the GPS on their smartphone. They learn to solve problems quickly, to be observant of their surroundings and find a new appreciation for mother nature. Campers who try sailing leave with useful skills and practical information that will help them for the rest of their lives.
Even if they never have to deal with air pressure or thinking about the curvature of a sail, campers will learn to work as a team, follow directions and appreciate the serenity of being on the lake. Sometimes children and teens have a hard time dealing with quiet moments, or feel anxious when they don’t have something to entertain them at every second. Sailing is good practice for just sitting back and enjoying nature, and is a great way for campers to learn to be comfortable in their own silence. All camp sailing adventures are guided and supervised by certified instructors, so everyone is kept safe while they’re having fun.
The beauty of Echo Lake is a reason all on its own to take up sailing. The view from the sailboat can’t be put into words, and campers often write home how much they love spending their afternoons out on the lake.
Campers have hundreds of opportunities to try new things at camp and learning to sail is another great way to expose them to something they may never try at home. Sailing gives campers a sense of accomplishment that they can succeed at anything they put their mind to.
One of the perks about sending your child to Camp Laurel is that a good chef may return home to you. Your child who only knew how to make a sandwich or had no idea how to boil water may come back as a baking, sautéing foodie who has a newfound appreciation for seasonings, sauces and the magic that can happen in the kitchen. This transformation begins when campers take advantage of the ChefCamp program at Camp Laurel. ChefCamp is led by our Head Chef and specialists who have a wealth of experience. The incredible, fully-integrated culinary center at Camp Laurel gives campers the tools, appliances and space to create their favorite dishes and learn a few new ones.
Encouraging your child to explore their culinary side not only ensures you’ll get to try some of their creations once they return home, but also teaches them valuable life skills. Cooking is not just throwing ingredients together and waiting until it’s edible. Cooking is an art, and a way for aspiring chefs to express themselves. The thought, preparation, and emotion that goes into cooking is something many children find challenging but rewarding. They learn valuable skills such as time management, following directions and communication. Cooking also perfects math and science skills in a way that is fun and different.
When your child is able to start and finish a project in the kitchen, their self-confidence grows and they become more self-assured and willing to try new things that seem out of their comfort zone. When they are active in the kitchen and learn about the things that go into their food, they are also learning about making healthy choices when it comes to what they eat.
Cooking gives children a sense of purpose and something they feel they can contribute to the family. Once a camper’s family takes a bite of their famous mac and cheese or savory French Onion soup and can’t get enough, they’ll feel that they have a valuable quality to contribute to family functions. Even if they just learn basic cooking skills, the importance of cleaning up after yourself and how to measure properly, they will be ahead of most of their peers.
Whether your child is a chef-in-the-making, or is just starting to show interest in the kitchen, ChefCamp is a great way for kids to explore culinary arts.
