In The State of Maine! Welcome Home Camp Laurel Alumni.
Anyone that’s been a member of the Camp Laurel family knows what an unforgettable and special experience a summer is on Echo Lake! Welcome to the alumni portion of our site. Relive summer memories and rekindle old camp friendships, or simply view the slideshow and take a step back in time to the special place we call home – Camp Laurel.
Please keep in touch…we love hearing from you! And, as always, thanks for keeping the Camp Laurel Spirit alive!
Since 1949
Camp Laurel was founded in 1949 in Lake Awosting, New York and has been in continuous operation ever since. During this period, the camp was under the co-direction of Mel and Bette Archard and John and Alice Harrison. In the fall of 1965, the camp moved to its present site on Echo Lake in Mt. Vernon, Maine. Camp Laurel opened at its new site on July 1, 1966. In 1974 Ron Scott began working for Camp Laurel, and in 1978 Ron and Mel and Bette Archard’s daughter, Ann, began as Directors. In 1979 Ron and Ann purchased Camp Laurel. In 1994, after spending three summers as Co-Director, Keith Klein purchased Camp Laurel and has served as Owner since that time. Jem Sollinger, a long-time camper and counselor, joined Keith as Co-Director in 2002. In 2007, Jem and his wife, Debbie, assumed the directorship of Camp Laurel, joining Keith as Co-Owners of the camp.
Moosetrack News
The Importance of Outdoor Adventure
At Camp Laurel, campers develop in a myriad of ways. Campers may come to camp eager to work on their backhand in tennis, their chords in guitar, their skills as a goalie. They automatically get the intrinsic benefits of living at sleepaway camp: social-emotional development, lifelong friendships, confidence and staying active. At times, however, Outdoor Adventure can be overlooked when evaluating camp’s impact. This program is just as beneficial for campers as everything else at Camp Laurel.
Outdoor Adventure creates self-reliance. Campers learn to trust themselves and expand their capabilities. Reaching the top of the climbing wall for the first time is exhilarating. Campers learn to overcome their fears. Going on hikes throughout Maine’s beautiful local, state and national parks opens up a whole new world for many of our campers.
Outdoor Adventure also focuses on teamwork rather than competition. There is no ‘beating’ the other team. Everyone cheers when someone learns to ride a bike or conquers the Aerial Park. Whatever new challenge captures a camper’s imagination, they will leave that activity with a sense of empowerment. Perhaps the most important aspect of Outdoor Adventure is the ‘outdoor’ side of things. Campers love feeling the crisp breeze through the Maine trees. The raw experience of being in nature make seemingly simple activities – like hiking and camping – memorable. Particularly for campers coming from cities or suburbs. And the best part? Campers are creating and sharing those memories with their closest friends.
Little Moments, Big Impact
There are tons of big events at Camp Laurel. From Arrival Day to the Olympics to College Days, Opening Ceremony to the Closing Campfire. It can be easy to chart one’s way through the summer based on what big event just happened and what’s on the horizon. That’s intentional, of course. There’ll always be memories being made and something to look forward to. However, asking counselors and campers to recap their summers will only include a handful of those events. The best times at camp often come away from the action.
Our counselors hear it during Orientation and at every staff meeting: Little
moments have a big impact. Bedtime stories, creating a mini-hockey tournament at Rest Hour, taking the time to teach camp songs and how to make friendship bracelets. The most vivid memories can’t be re-created outside of camp. They happen organically.
This also happens in reverse. Our campers teach us all the time. They remind us to capture a moment. We get to re-live the excitement when a camper scores their first goal in a soccer intercamp. We’re proud when someone takes the stage for their first time at an all-camp campfire. We love hearing the enthusiasm in campers’ voices when they return from a hike. Camp is about the friendships, the activities, the inside jokes, the cabin games. More than anything, it’s about the moments that only happen at camp.
Defining the Laurel Spirit
We’ve heard Jem say it many times. It’s such a simple request, but one that has taken root at Camp Laurel over the years. It’s a staple of the Camp Laurel experience. Be kinder than necessary. It may seem overly simplistic, but when put into action, is one of the cornerstones for the family vibe at Camp Laurel. It reminds everyone that we’re on the same team and have the same goal. At camp, acts of kindness are routinely celebrated. Small acts of goodwill toward others build up, creating the foundation for our culture.
There are so many opportunities to be kinder than necessary every day at camp. At activities, it’s seen through the praise and support we have for one another. Campers and counselors remain competitive and sportsmanlike in athletics. Positive feedback pushes campers toward new literal heights on the climbing wall. Artists find new ways to refine their creative work in InterArts. This attitude is entrenched in our Camp Brother, Camp Sister programs. Prospective families touring Camp Laurel always mention the welcoming smiles and friendly demeanor of everyone around camp.
The message may sound simple: Be kinder than necessary. But it’s a key building block for a successful summer. Campers and counselors go out of their way to look out for each other. It creates a ripple effect, allowing for a perpetually upbeat atmosphere. And that’s what the Laurel Spirit is all about!