Summer Camp Archives - Page 4 of 14

Week 4 on the Horizon

July 15th, 2016

Camp Laurel is a virtual city in itself. And the cabins are the campers’ summer homes. While Camp Laurel has great facilities – on the water and on land – it’s the cabins that really make camp a homey, warm and comfortable environment for each camper.

While the Camp Laurel day starts with wake-up at 7:45 AM (or 8:15 AM for older campers) we are “on the move” all day long. The cabin is a special place where each child’s summer family (campers and counselors) comes together to share the day, spend quality time and, of course, sleep. In addition to each child’s cabin, campers are also a member of a “campus.” That’s the area of camp where children live, hang out, play ping pong and pop-a-shot, spend their free time and bond with not just their cabin – but 35-45 campers in their own age group.

While the camp day is frenetic, the campus is a great place to relax, unwind, play some cards, tell stories, share a joke and chill.

We’re so pumped for Week 4 coming up. The summer is literally flying by but there’s lots more to come, including the beginning of Second Rotation Activities which start tomorrow. We’re psyched!

All Camp Events

July 12th, 2016

While the daily program at Camp Laurel consists of six periods and is highly structured, we’re also a camp which loves spirit, spontaneity and flexibility. Once every five days or so, we take a break from our active program for S Days (Special Days.) S Days are trips days, special events days or tradition days. And at least once a week, we have an all-camp event when, regardless of campus, we come together for a fun, recreational and exciting event that breaks up the camp week and brings the whole Laurel Family together. Often, siblings, cousins, friends and neighbors across campuses join together for a special activity. Yesterday, it was our Carnival.

Carnival has been a camp tradition for 40 Camp Laurel years. Our annual Carnival starts at 4:30 in the afternoon and goes until 8:30 at night. We start with a great lakeside cookout (burgers, corn dogs, chicken, salad, pizza, fresh fruit and watermelon) and then we head up to the Blast Bounce Rides.

In addition to the rides, there are booths and games with everything imaginable: Face Painting, Mime, Photo Boots, Fortune Telling, Human Slot Machine, Smack The Rat, Plinko, Marriage Booth, Mini Golf and more. There are dressed up characters and “carnies,” And this year, we had a special treat of bronzed, moving statues.

Of course, there’s the ever-famous Fried Dough truck with all kinds of toppings and plenty of water and Powerade to wash it down.

We love Carnival…and we love the fun and games of our weekly S Days.

Participation

July 8th, 2016

We talk about “participation” a lot at Camp Laurel. We offer an incredibly diverse program and one of our camp requirements is that campers participate fully in our active and healthy program. In addition to required swim instruction, tennis instruction and core team sports (baseball/softball, soccer, basketball and lacrosse), campers have an opportunity to select a handful of their other activities.

This week, while our drone was flying overhead, Laurel was a beehive of action-packed activity and fun. There was basketball, hockey and outdoor fitness. There was equestrian, golf and mountain biking. And, we were even able to peak through the windows of Rockport (our digital recording studio) ChefCamp, radio and ceramics.

Off camp this week we participated in more than 30 different games and tournaments with Androscoggin, Takajo, Winnebago, Matoaka, Caribou, Cobbossee, Vega and Manitou. We traveled throughout Maine on camping trips to our state and national parks. And, campers took a break from the heat and enjoyed the fun of an S Day at Funtown Splashtown, Aquaboggan and Old Port.

While two weeks have already passed, there’s a whole summer still in front of us. And we can’t wait ’til Monday’s annual Camp Laurel Carnival!

In With a Bang….

July 5th, 2016

Week #2 started with a bang – the biggest Fireworks display in all of south central Maine over Echo Lake. Along with Camps Vega and Winnebago, we lit up the night sky with a spectacular display of pageantry and fun! It was an incredible night of fireworks, 3-D glasses and bomb pop ice cream on the shores of Echo Lake.

And with the bang of fireworks came Intercamps and trips, which are in full swing this week. In the athletics world our boys are competing with Manitou, Androscoggin, Caribou, All Star and Winnebago…while our girls are competing with Vega, Matoaka and All Star in the Central Maine Girls Camp League. Meanwhile in adventure we’ve hiked at Bradbury State Park and Three Rocks and in ChefCamp, Chef Isabelle and our campers are creating masterpieces and incredible delicacies every day. We also had our first camper Talent Show last night (to rave reviews from the packed house and crowd) and tomorrow is our first Out of Camp S-Day with trips to Fun Town, Aquaboggin, Boothbay, Old Port and Splashtown. To round off the week we’ll have Sports Night Thursday Night under-the-lights and our all camp Council Fire Friday Night.

We are running full steam ahead – and life is great in 04355!

Hard To Believe

July 1st, 2016

It’s hard to believe that tomorrow we’ll have been at camp for a week already. The time has flown. In that short period, we’ve played, swam, skied, spun, climbed, hiked, sailed and fished. We’ve fully reacquainted with old friends and made new ones. We’ve bonded with Counselors, Campus Leaders and Department Heads. But mostly, we’ve become comfortable in our own space and have settled in for the great ride of camp.
We haven’t had an ounce of rain during the day — it’s been sunny and beautiful for all daytime activities and cooled down a bit at night. It’s now already time to take a minute to slow down. We’ve been hydrating all day and at all meals…fresh fruit at morning Fruit Break…Powerade at Rest Hour…water or milk at Nite Bite — and staying ahead so we can keep our energy up.

In addition to the great daily programming, our special events team has started to sprinkle in the “fun” part of camp as well. Quest, S Days, Talent Shows, Campfires, Sports Nite and so much more. We’re ready for Week #2!!

Off And Running…

June 28th, 2016

We couldn’t have asked for a more incredible opening to the Summer of 2016. After a flawless arrival of campers from throughout the country, we were off and running. Campers met and reacquainted with friends and cabinmates. Counselors immediately integrated returning and new campers with each other and summer cabin families were formed. After a morning of Group Day, we burst right into activity and program and its been non-stop ever since.

Beautiful Maine weather made for a fabulous first four days of camp. After campers were skill-tested in Swimming, Tennis and Team Sports, it was all-systems go. Busy and active days under the bright sun turned into fun and exciting evening programs under the clear nighttime sky.

Camp is a beehive of activity and we’re all-in for the amazing summer ahead.

And So It Begins…

June 24th, 2016

We know the emotions are running high today…and will be tonight. It’s time for last family meals, lots of stories, some nerves and great, fun dreams of a summer that kicks off tomorrow. We have been busy preparing since last August. Camp looks beautiful: our facilities are in top shape, the lake has warmed to its June temperature and the cabins are set. Mostly, our staff are eagerly and anxiously awaiting the arrival of our campers.

We understand the angst of our new campers…and we are ready for them! We couldn’t be more prepared, more excited, more energized and more enthusiastic about what’s to come.

Sleep well, campers. We cannot wait to see you!!

Staff Orientation

June 21st, 2016

We are in the midst of Staff Training on Echo Lake. It’s been a great week so far of prep sessions, seminars, setting up program areas, training and staff bonding. Today is a “Typical Day At Camp.” All our Acadian and Apache Specialists play the role of campers and Program Staff have the opportunity to try out their instructional techniques before the weekend. The Fields, Courts, Art Studios, Equestrian Center, Aerial Park and Waterfront are in full swing. We’re just waiting for you! Remember to check the Travel Confirmation emails you received last week and be sure you’re ready and on time at the airport or bus departure locations. Enjoy the last week at home with family…because your summer family awaits you in Readfield!!

Competition at Camp

May 24th, 2016

Since before the training wheels were even taken off of my bike, I’ve been playing sports. My older brothers were all exceptional athletes which put a lot of pressure on me; I was constantly being compared to them and thus was always being pushed to run faster, train harder and jump higher. There was a lot of emphasis put on being the best. I won plenty of medals and trophies and was considered an MVP in most sports I played. I loved playing, but more than that, I loved winning. I lived for that feeling. I would do whatever it took to be on top and wouldn’t enjoy myself if I wasn’t the champion. Then I went to camp.

When I stepped on the camp fields for the first time I began with my usual intensity. It took a second for me to realize just how different the environment was from what I was used to. Usually I’d look around before a game and see serious, intense faces. At camp, I instead saw smiling, happy ones. I realized that while I played to win, my fellow campers had different motives. They enjoyed winning, but they played to learn something new, push themselves and spend an hour doing something they loved. They helped show me there’s a difference between friendly competition and unhealthy competition.

My competitive spirit came solely from winning and being the best. I learned that healthy competitiveness comes from improving and being your best self. Instead of being in competition with others, I began competing with my past self. This allowed me to focus on the skills I needed to improve on while still enjoying the game. When you can walk away from a sport and still have had a great time, win or lose, you’re a winner.

When I got home, I took what I learned and applied it to my sports teams. It was difficult for my dad to learn to calm down, stay quiet and stop focusing solely on winning, but when he saw how much happier I was and how much I improved, he started to come around.

I’m so thankful for Camp Laurel and how they taught me to be a compassionate, helpful and less stressed athlete and person.

Alex, age 14

Going on a Hike… More than Just Good Exercise!

May 12th, 2016

When you hear the word “camp,” you probably think of three things right away: campfires, friendship and the outdoors.

Without any of these essential elements, camp just wouldn’t be the same. Spending much-needed time in nature is what brings many of us back year after year, so it’s no surprise that hiking in the natural areas around Camp Laurel is a very popular activity each summer.

There’s nothing like fresh air to remind us of the things that matter in life.

The Healing Power of Nature

Did you know the average person only walks half as much as doctors recommend for a healthy lifestyle?

In today’s world this is especially true; between smartphones and tablets, time spent outdoors is seriously dwindling. But hiking isn’t just a serious workout. It is a way for campers and counselors to soak in the sun, breathe in the fresh air and enjoy each other’s company. Without realizing it, they are improving their physical, emotional and mental health – all while having fun in the process!

The Journey is the Destination

In the high-energy world of camp activities, hiking is the perfect opportunity to slow down. While the summit may be spectacular, the best part of hiking is the camaraderie and togetherness of tackling the trail. Campers have the chance to get to know one another and to experience the outdoors with people they enjoy.

Life is like a trail, and every journey begins with a single step. Whatever your dream may be, it’s waiting for you at the top of the mountain. The journey may be long… but there’s no reason to make it alone. Stick with your camp friends and you’ll be there before you know it!